Cam, headers, and torque converter for 5.3

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06-12-2008, 09:15 PM
ThunderBolt

Cam, headers, and torque converter for 5.3

I just ordered some new goodies for my 5.3 silverado RCSB. The cam I chose is a Thunder Racing 220/220 114 LSA. The tech person I spoke with recomended the 114 LSA over the 112 LSA because it would idle beter and yield more torque down low since my truck is a daily driver. I bought the complete package with springs, pushrods, and retainers; The person I spoke with recomended a dual valve spring from patriot. He said if one spring broke, the other would hold the valve from getting sucked down in the motor thus tearing up the motor. My question: Is a dual valve spring really needed since I will probably only be turning 6500 rpms; thunder racing also sales another cam kit that has the behive comp spring which is a single spring that uses the factory retainers and this kit is about $100 cheaper. The cam is on a 8-10 day backorder so I'm thinking about calling back and getting them just to send the kit that has the comp behive spring. I am also putting a trailblazer torque converter, which I've heard has a stall of about 2800-2900 rpms. The tech person I talked to said this converter would be perfect for this cam. I don't tow anything very heavy; however, I do tow my jetski often. Would this be an ideal set up? I have hooker headers going on with the hooker y-pipe which has the cats deleted. I figured my motor would'nt flow enough for true-duals to be effective over what I plan on doing. Any comments, questions, or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
06-12-2008, 09:49 PM
99sierra4x4

thats about the exact cam i was looking at, although im keeping my stock converter for now, i dont know if i want a stall or not. also im getting long tubes, but keeping the cats for emmisions testing. i heard it makes great power.
06-12-2008, 09:52 PM
skeet

only thing i cam think of is if you wanted the lsa112 you should have gotten it, lots of people have it and they daily drive there truck... a great tuner ( allen nelson ) could fix it right up, since you'll need a tune anyway ... but all in all nice little set up you'll have there
06-12-2008, 10:06 PM
-HIC-

I have the 112 and with Allens tune the damn thing sounds stock. I had to ask him to lower the idle in hopes of getting some lope... **** if that does not work I am going to a 224 when I put the new heads in.
06-12-2008, 10:08 PM
-HIC-

also the 918 (beehive) springs are fine. Yes if you break one you are screwed, does it happpen? Yes, but not very often. Make sure to bring your engine up to temp before hammering on it.
06-12-2008, 10:13 PM
99sierra4x4

not a bad price for a whole kit though.... not bad at all...
06-13-2008, 01:32 PM
txarkitekt

On the springs, it is a toss up. The cam you are using is not too radical to use PRCs. If it was a bigger cam or if you were going FI or NOS, I would recommend the PRCs. You should be fine with the 918s. Comp had a bad batch of 918s (the reason why HIC was mentioning broken sprigs), but Comp has since fixed that problem. HIC also mentions a good point: don't rev your motor over 3k rpms when it is cold...once it is at normal operating temps, then you can rev it as high as you want. The springs are stiffer--which means they are more brittle when cold...

Yeah, should have done the 112 LSA. You'll be kicking yourself afterwards. Call TR and have them change it to a 112 LSA. Trust me!

The exhaust should be fine. The Y-pipe on a 5.3L is a 3" pipe...run that back to your muffler (which I am guessing is a single in/dual out), then run dual 2.5" tail pipes.
06-16-2008, 12:17 PM
ThunderBolt

I called allen last friday and he recomended the 114 lsa over the 112 lsa; however, I am calling thunder racing back and getting them to send the comp 918 springs. I don't feel like I need the Patriot springs since I'm not going FI or NO2 anytime soon. Does anybody have any experience with gmpartsdirect.com?? I'm looking at ordering a TB torque converter on there and the 05+ electric truck fans. Also, what should I do to my transmission? I was thinking about a shift kit and corvette servos but that about all I know of. Thanks for all the help.
06-16-2008, 12:21 PM
RedHeartbeat

GMPARTSDIRECT = anal rape when it comes to shipping and handling charges. Check your competitive pricing at other sites such as CrateEngineDepot and SDPARTS.
06-17-2008, 09:45 AM
txarkitekt

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04 black ss rcsb

Also, what should I do to my transmission? I was thinking about a shift kit and corvette servos but that about all I know of. Thanks for all the help.

Do a Superior shift kit and a Corvette servo. Both a super easy to install and help to extend the life of you tranny. Contact FLT (Finish Line Transmission) or OPT (Oregon Performance Transmissions).
06-17-2008, 03:29 PM
Wtfan18

i did the thunder racing 220/220 .553 .554 112 lsa cam with the patriot dual gold springs. 7.4 comp hardened rods and new lifters. i started the truck a few times and from what i can hear once the idle settles it isnt bad at all... i dont have any 02 sensors in yet so it idles high but i think it will be sweet. everyone raved about the thunder racing cam. and the springs really arent all that much i think they were 200$ why cheap out on your valvetrain its going to cost you a hell of a lot more if one does happen to break... god forbid but spending the $$ now will save you in the end especially when you realize how amazing the extra power is and you want more haha... may as well go all out now... i bought arp head studs too... just in case and those were 170$ i duno man its your truck you do what you want.
06-18-2008, 01:04 PM
03chevytruck

I have the same kit... it cost 100 dollars more because it comes with ti retainers... im the same way you are... Spend the money and have the security...
06-19-2008, 03:20 PM
txarkitekt

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03chevytruck

I have the same kit... it cost 100 dollars more because it comes with ti retainers... im the same way you are... Spend the money and have the security...

+1
06-19-2008, 04:28 PM
ThunderBolt

Once again I've changed my mind, decided to stay with the patriots because I do like the extra security of the springs. Thanks for all the help guys.. Now I'm just stuck on what to do about electric fans. I wanted to go with 05+ truck fans but found out I have to upgrade to a 34" radiator to get them to mount up with the shroud. I thought about the ls1 fans, but not sure whats involved in getting them to mount up to my radiator to look clean. I guess I could just mount the fans up without a shroud. Do the ls1 fans flow better than the truck fans? Either way I want a nelson harness to control my fans throught the computer.
06-24-2008, 10:10 PM
99sierra4x4

im basically looking at the exact same cam shaft package.... i just cant decide if 112 or 114 ??? definately gettin titanium retainers and PRC's and the pushrods....ordered the pacesetters, ceramic coated and 2 high flow cats, i have to stay emmisions compliant over here in the WI.....

any suggestions... i dont really have the money to get a TC right now....will the stocker work ok??

what about deleting the rear o2's.... in emmisions will there ever really be a difference? what about milage and power wise?

thanks.
06-25-2008, 02:27 AM
ThunderBolt

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99sierra4x4

im basically looking at the exact same cam shaft package.... i just cant decide if 112 or 114 ??? definately gettin titanium retainers and PRC's and the pushrods....ordered the pacesetters, ceramic coated and 2 high flow cats, i have to stay emmisions compliant over here in the WI.....

any suggestions... i dont really have the money to get a TC right now....will the stocker work ok??

what about deleting the rear o2's.... in emmisions will there ever really be a difference? what about milage and power wise?

thanks.

I'd probably say 114 LSA because that's what allen and thunder racing recomended for my truck. The torque will come in a little sooner with the 114 LSA, but that's about the biggest difference that I was told. I have hooker long tubes with off road y-pipe (which has the cats deleted) so I had to get my rear o2 deleted. With your high flow cats I have no idea what effect deleting your rear o2 would have. As far as a torque converter, they guys at thunder racing sugested a trailblazer torque converter. He said it would be perfectly matched with the cam I'm installing and would probably stall around 2800 or 2900. You can pick one of these up from a GM dealership for around $300, which is alot cheaper than a yank or tci converter. I'm still worried about my transmission holding up though. I'm putting vette servos and a shift kit with the converter, but I'm getting all the torque management taken off now and thinking about adding at 75 shot in a few months.
06-25-2008, 11:25 AM
99sierra4x4

really only 300??

i guess im not really sure what the stall part does?

i do a heck of a lot of city driving and a lot of high way driving... i was under the impression that the stock converter would work just fine.

also what would i have to pull off to get to that? the entire trans?
06-26-2008, 12:48 AM
06-crewhauler

you can get a yanks stall for a 175 more
06-26-2008, 02:44 AM
graysilverado5.3

I would suggest getting a bigger stall. I have the TB stall and a small cam(212/218) and want a bigger stall. Or unless u get a used one cheap, then its worth it.
06-26-2008, 01:14 PM
99sierra4x4

well im calling this afternoon gonna order up the kit.

going TR220 114LSA w/ PRC's and titanium retainers.

The headers will he here tomorrow, along with the high flows, i just have to get a hold of wheatley to get a re-tune.

ANYONE KNOW what the stock injectors on an 05/06 flow? i got some brand new ones take off i think he had an 06 not sure, i do have the pt number if someone can tell me, but i do know that they are bigger than what is in my 99 right now.

thanks:)