Ok i am really torn as to what i should do with the cam in my 5.3 swap. The truck is meant to be a nice highway cruiser get decent mileage but still have enough power to be fun. Now i am looking for suggestions as to what is the best cam to run with factory springs and push rods? i may still do a stall if it would be better as the tranny is off the block right now.
truck will never see a load, just a street toy.
suggestions are much appreciated
With the factory springs and pushrods, your factory cam.
The comp 212 218 low lift can be used with the ls6 springs which can be had for cheap. You will definitely want hardened pushrods and they're not that expensive. Bent pushrods suck.
its not so much of a money thing its more i didnt want to get into swapping them all out for a mild cam. If i am going to swap i might as well get a decent sized cam. recomedations of any kind now?
Your best bet would probably be to go through TSP for a cam kit. Will come with. PR's, springs, and cam. Easier than piecing together parts from different manufacturers/sites. If you don't want to swap converters look for a small cam (21x-220). Granted, it would benefit from a higher stall but I dont think one would be neccessary if you stay on the small side. Just do some research and read some people's experiences with different cams.
212/218 low lift hardened pushrods and ls6 springs budget mild version. $500ish 50hp 1sec drop 1/4 mile
224/224 .581/.581 hardened pushrods and a good spring and a stall circle d 3200. Midrange. $1000 75hp 2sec 1/4 drop
226/230 .6xx/.6xx hardened pushrods and a good double spring and a 3600 triple disk. All out $1500 90hp 2.5sec 1/4 drop
Have fun deciding.
Ps this is a very loose and general estimate on cost and gains so bring on the hate
ECSB 2kSierra 2wd 4.8L-K&N-HPtuners-Calspeed LT's-Magnaflow-Tahoe20's-HankookRH06
waiting to go in... 3.90s, 214/220cam
I think 226/230 is a lil big for a 5.3l I have a 232/234 in my 6.0l GTO, and it would be WAY too big for a truck. my torque peak is at 4400, and the hp climbs all the way to redline. Keep in mind this is on shorty headers and a car intake, which both bring the powerband up in the range, but I'm on a 112 lsa as well.Originally Posted by kerrige
212/218 low lift hardened pushrods and ls6 springs budget mild version. $500ish 50hp 1sec drop 1/4 mile
224/224 .581/.581 hardened pushrods and a good spring and a stall circle d 3200. Midrange. $1000 75hp 2sec 1/4 drop
226/230 .6xx/.6xx hardened pushrods and a good double spring and a 3600 triple disk. All out $1500 90hp 2.5sec 1/4 drop
Have fun deciding.
Ps this is a very loose and general estimate on cost and gains so bring on the hate
When I started looking at cams for a 5.3l, I looked seriously at a reverse split and just picked up a 228/222 on a 115, which will be boost friendly, but still run OK NA and be fairly easy to tune. That is as big as I could talk myself into going.
If 1/4 mile times are your goal, that obviously changes things, but I think all in all your times are FAIRLY accurate. With the mods posted above on the GTO I put down 425 hp. Not sure what that'd make for a 1/4 time in a truck.. but for comparison thats your number.
Last edited by Wagonbacker9; 07-02-2012 at 02:19 AM.
I would recommend replacing factory pushrods even with a stock cam. I've seen too many bent in high RPM situations.
See my truck data in the "My Garage" section here... http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/my-ga...tml#post191709
212/218 or ls6 cam
Im running a 220/220 cam with a 581 lift stock stall 05 silverado 5.3 i drive 25 miles to work and 25 home except payday lol it runs good and strong i luv it and i run about 20 mpg all day last weekend went fishing about 300 miles round no problems and its noticeable people always ask questions i tell them its a misfire
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