5.3 cam

[nosrex]

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

[bstill]

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.

[nosrex]

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?

[RedHeartbeat]

I would recommend replacing factory pushrods even with a stock cam. I've seen too many bent in high RPM situations.

[AFSP1211]

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.

[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

[Cccrst2008]

212/218 or ls6 cam

[Wagonbacker9]

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

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.

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.

[bangbangskeetskeet]

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.

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.

There are plenty of people with bigger cams than 226/230 in 5.3's. And there are even people with similar or larger cams in 4.8's.

I have a 219/230 .604/.607 cam on a 117+2LSA and it runs pretty damn well for such a big split. Went with the cam based on plans to add a turbo here soon just hasnt happened quite yet. Still running the stock stall for the time being because the truck will hopefully be going through some pretty big changes by the end of next year.

[nosrex]

well i decided with this truck i might just keep the factory cam for now. Its going into a 91 ext cab that i just want to be a good cruiser. I am also building a 6.0 for a 63 shortbox and think the money would be better spent on that project. Might revisit a cam in this one later but for now i think long tubes a custom tune some porting here and there and some bolt ons will be enough.