cams too big for stock manifolds?

[Tank]

Ooo didn't know it was gear grabber.

So the TR wouldn't be bad.

[zebra]

The fact that you have a 5 speed allows you to use a larger cam. Why would you worry about low end when you can rev it to the moon on takeoff?

because

...i'm basically just looking for a bigger curve, mainly low & mid gains - 90% of my driving is under 2500rpm. any top end gains are just for kicks & giggles and showing off...

Ooo didn't know it was gear grabber.

So the TR wouldn't be bad.

again from the OP...

...the specs for my truck are:
1999 NBS Sierra RCSB 4x4
2001 5.3 LM7, 1999 NV3500 trans
3.73 gears, 265/75-16 tires (changing to 285/75-16 when these wear out)
airaid CAI (filter & tube), Mellowtone muffler (similar to flowdisaster 50HD) - 3" in/dual 2.25" out the back
possible 243/799 heads later on down the road, but that still remains very undecided...

i was looking at the not-all-that-big cams because i still have to drive this thing every day & i ain't loaded, so filling up with 93 takes enough of a worthwhile toll. i do expect to lose a little mileage with a cam, but i'm trying to find a middle ground. it's a 4x4 for crying out loud, not a drag queen.

[zebra]

i will agree, however, that it was worthwhile to do the headers first. at least it's back up to my dumped muffler loudness level. almost 2yrs with catless LTs has been nice, but i still need a cam... i'm still wondering how that 214/218 would do with my car's LS1 swapped over probably port my 862s for a extra compression bump.

but ain't it always somethin?... i still gotta get a 402 or 416 for the car first, and for the past year being with my (now) wife, i ain't been able to spend a dime on either vehicle i want to die...