cam in a 5.3

[jarede1972]

I have a 5.3 that i am putting in a 72 chevy 4x4, i have 1 7/8 doug thorley headers and im looking to put a cam in the motor. I am looking at a comp mutha thumpr cam and im wondering if it would be a decent candidate. also do u need to change injectors with this cam? i have a 4l65e with some light mods and also have located a 2600 stall from a buddy. any input would be greatly appriciated. thanks

[darnie1987]

What are your plans for the truck????

[jarede1972]

I take it to local cruise ins, mainly a weekend cruiser. Ive had it for 10 years and have finally got my motor trans and everything lined up and ready to go and i want something thats reliable, sounds good and brings a little more power than just a stock 5.3. Im not looking to do any forced induction, so i figured a somewhat larger cam would be ok. Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated. the truck is on 36's and ill be running 4.56 gears.

[kerrige]

Thumpr is great on sound and not so great on power. It requires a lot of stall to be useful. I would suggest something different.
My guildlines for stalls and cams go something like this:
No Stall=212/218
3k Stall=224ish/228ish
3600+stall=23x/23x
With those gears and tires I would go 216/220 with the 2600 stall your friend has personally.

[jarede1972]

what make and name of cam do u recommend? also valvesprings and pushrods nessisary?

[kerrige]

Yes and yes if you have less than .550 lift you can run LS6 springs. Larger than that you will need a better spring (double springs are good insurance). Hardened push rods for sure. If you go on the thunder racing site, or texas speed site they have straight forward cam kits that are pretty simple. Cam brand isn't very important.

[darnie1987]

Yes and yes if you have less than .550 lift you can run LS6 springs. Larger than that you will need a better spring (double springs are good insurance). Hardened push rods for sure. If you go on the thunder racing site, or texas speed site they have straight forward cam kits that are pretty simple. Cam brand isn't very important.

ls6 springs are good to .570 according to the dealerships... as far as stated chase is the man and x2 on what he said

[94RCSB]

i really liked my zo6 cam it sounded good and made a big difference in torque and horsepower it was untuned stock injectors it was a 2003 model cam low miles with pushrods lifters and cam

[jarede1972]

if i were to go with one of these aftermarket cams instead of a gm cam, would i need to change injectors, and with the z06 cam would it be benificial to get it tuned or not. $450 for a tune is high if it doesnt make a difference in the performance. I would definitely be interested in a z06 cam, if it makes decent power and sounds good.

[kerrige]

IMO the ls6 cam isn't nearly as good as a 212/218 cam and will likely cost you almost as much when u incorporate all the odds and ends. A ls6/zo6 cam is good for about 30-40HP where as a larger after market will net much more maybe 75ish.

Nelson performance will do a great custom tune for 300$ which includes free retunes for life. IMO the best mod for the money hands down.

You most likely wont need injectors. I would say that with 97% assurance.