Whick stock based engine combo is best?
Jun 1, 2007 | 01:51 PM
#21
Originally Posted by TG02Z71
You guys both have good points. I would still like some decent low end without having to brake spool the thing from a stop. That just gets stupid on the street in traffic, nothing like flipping on the "Cop Magnet" neon sign. 
With what you are saying about cost of a base 6.0l and parts being more expensive than maybe the 5.3l iron block bored to a 5.7l would be better budget for me.
I will go with forged pistons either way just for safety and longer life at the moderate boost levels I will be running.
Do I really need forged pistons with lower boost levels, say max of 10-12psi??
Probably not but I am now taking the better safe than sorry route for a build up.
Here is what I'm now thinking.
5.3l iron block bored to a 5.7l
Forged 5.7l pistons.
Stock 5.3l, LS1 or Z06 cam? Z06, it's the biggest of the choice, and proven to work.
ARP rod bolts and head studs? Yes, if you use stock rods. Heads studs are more expensive than bolts, not sure if you can use studs and assemble the engine in the truck.
918 springs for safety: definitely
Do I need upgraded push rods? Yes, definitely.
If so what brand and length for either cam? Comp Cams, TR, 7.400" assuming no milling of the block and a stock size head gasket.
Could I use the stock 5.3l cam? Sure, but why would you want to?
Are all the rockers the same? Yes.
What would make the most sense for my goals? The direction you are going in.
I must always keep in mind my truck weighs about 5400lbs, and always will.
With what you are saying about cost of a base 6.0l and parts being more expensive than maybe the 5.3l iron block bored to a 5.7l would be better budget for me.
I will go with forged pistons either way just for safety and longer life at the moderate boost levels I will be running.
Do I really need forged pistons with lower boost levels, say max of 10-12psi??
Probably not but I am now taking the better safe than sorry route for a build up.
Here is what I'm now thinking.
5.3l iron block bored to a 5.7l
Forged 5.7l pistons.
Stock 5.3l, LS1 or Z06 cam? Z06, it's the biggest of the choice, and proven to work.
ARP rod bolts and head studs? Yes, if you use stock rods. Heads studs are more expensive than bolts, not sure if you can use studs and assemble the engine in the truck.
918 springs for safety: definitely
Do I need upgraded push rods? Yes, definitely.
If so what brand and length for either cam? Comp Cams, TR, 7.400" assuming no milling of the block and a stock size head gasket.
Could I use the stock 5.3l cam? Sure, but why would you want to?
Are all the rockers the same? Yes.
What would make the most sense for my goals? The direction you are going in.
I must always keep in mind my truck weighs about 5400lbs, and always will.
Forged pistons deal better with detonation than stock cast pistons. There have been F and Y bodies that have made a LOT of power on a stock setup, but you need the fueling and tuning knowledge to pull it off. Forged is a better idea.
Jun 1, 2007 | 02:39 PM
#22
On the cam, I speak from experience on this one. I put the Z06 cam in my truck with the stock push-rods (if your going to buy new push rod, get them .025 longer (7.425) as the 02 Z06 cam has a .050 smaller base circle. The stock length rods will work, just puts the lifters at the top of there travel) and it was by far the best bang for the buck mod I ever did. I didn't really lose anything on the low end (and I have a short stroke, low torque 4.8 AND a bigger, heaver truck), but gained a TON from about 3200 on up to 6200, just like what Parish's graph shows. And the cam can be had for around $100. I only swapped the Vinci Ultra torque cam cuz i got a good deal on it and wanted to try to get a little bit more out of the bottom end, but I could not tell a difference, in the two. There both very mild, stock acting cams.
Jun 1, 2007 | 02:52 PM
#24
Originally Posted by kbracing96
I didn't really lose anything on the low end (and I have a short stroke, low torque 4.8 AND a bigger, heaver truck), but gained a TON from about 3200 on up to 6200, just like what Parish's graph shows.
Jun 1, 2007 | 03:01 PM
#25
Originally Posted by kbracing96
ChevyThunder17, What is your pic on a lowend torque boosted cam, since your not to much of a fan on the Z06 cam?
Jun 1, 2007 | 03:23 PM
#26
A Z06 cam will work fine. With the kind of power you'll be making you won't feel the difference between stock and Z06 cam. Shop around and find a good deal on a used cam. I made 500 rwhp with a stock 5.3. 600 rwhp with a forged 5.7 and stock 01 f-body cam. Unless you are going all out waste your money on a new cam. If 450-500 rwhp is your goal. It can be done easily and safely on a stock 5.7 or 6.0. If you're like most people and keep turning up the boost, go the forged route.
Jun 1, 2007 | 04:04 PM
#27
Originally Posted by ChevyThunder17
Where did I say that I wasn't a fan of it? I said that I would choose something different. I don't see a problem with using it, but I would look for something with closer duration because the intake and exhaust. At least something with more intake duration.
. I was just curious on what you though was a good turbo cam. I like the wide 117.5 LSA (helps keep cross flow from happening when both valves are open) of it and it has good lift and duration to let the air in and out. To me that all that's important to a mild turbo cam. You can run the boost up or down to get the desired power from it. The Vinci cam I have now has more intake duration and a little less LSA and I couldn't tell any diff with it.
Jun 1, 2007 | 04:10 PM
#28
Originally Posted by kbracing96
What I was referring to was the big gains in the upper RPM band, I couldn't tell any loss in the lower end, but it pulled a lot a harder on the top end, where the stock cam didn't. I think you miss interpreting my intentions here, I was just stating how it felt for me and not trying to attack you .
I was just curious on what you though was a good turbo cam. I like the wide 117.5 LSA (helps keep cross flow from happening when both valves are open) of it and it has good lift and duration to let the air in and out. To me that all that's important to a mild turbo cam. You can run the boost up or down to get the desired power from it. The Vinci cam I have now has more intake duration and a little less LSA and I couldn't tell any diff with it.
. I was just curious on what you though was a good turbo cam. I like the wide 117.5 LSA (helps keep cross flow from happening when both valves are open) of it and it has good lift and duration to let the air in and out. To me that all that's important to a mild turbo cam. You can run the boost up or down to get the desired power from it. The Vinci cam I have now has more intake duration and a little less LSA and I couldn't tell any diff with it.
I looked at the Vinci cam you have, it doesn't look all that different from the 02 Z06 Cam. I would agree that he should do the Z06 cam given that a new custom cam is around $400, depending on where you go as where Corvette guys are going bigger and dumping their stockers. Which also means he could find a set of yellow springs (I've got a set in the garage I just removed off of my LS2 heads) and save himself another $200.
Jun 1, 2007 | 04:38 PM
#29
Originally Posted by ChevyThunder17
Nah, I realized that you were meaning to discuss, not argue about 20 minutes ago. Sorry for apparently flying off the handle; it's hot in the office today and I'm just having an off day. You definitely see gains in the upper RPM band without a doubt. I would figure a slightly narrower LSA, maybe a 114 on the lowest to get all of the exhausted gasses out. I would also think that it would help to keep down cylinder pressures, especially at high boost levels to prevent the heads from lifting.
I looked at the Vinci cam you have, it doesn't look all that different from the 02 Z06 Cam. I would agree that he should do the Z06 cam given that a new custom cam is around $400, depending on where you go as where Corvette guys are going bigger and dumping their stockers. Which also means he could find a set of yellow springs (I've got a set in the garage I just removed off of my LS2 heads) and save himself another $200.
I looked at the Vinci cam you have, it doesn't look all that different from the 02 Z06 Cam. I would agree that he should do the Z06 cam given that a new custom cam is around $400, depending on where you go as where Corvette guys are going bigger and dumping their stockers. Which also means he could find a set of yellow springs (I've got a set in the garage I just removed off of my LS2 heads) and save himself another $200.
Keep the great ideas flowing.
Not to sound like a total newb but what does LSA stand for exactly? I think I understand what your saying either way.
Jun 1, 2007 | 04:42 PM
#30
LSA is lobe separation angle.
If you can find a Z06 cam and plan on going to an iron 5.7, it's a worthwhile mod. You pick up more power at the higher revs, something that the stock 5.3 cam wasn't doing.
If you can find a Z06 cam and plan on going to an iron 5.7, it's a worthwhile mod. You pick up more power at the higher revs, something that the stock 5.3 cam wasn't doing.