ok guys i got 05 chevy silverado 327 5.3 with headers, spectra intake, and edge cs programmer. i wanna drop a cam in whats all involved in doing that? will i have to get it tuned after? will there be a big gain in power? and what cams do yall recommend? thanks alot

 

We need a little more information. Is the truck a reg cab, crew cab, or what? Do you still want to be able to tow decent sized loads? Is it a daily driver? Is it a 2wd or 4wd? What gears do you have? What kind of tires / wheels as they can slow down the vehicle if you have big tires/wheels. Do you want to keep the stock converter or do you mind getting a slightly better higher stalling torque converter?

If it is a heavy truck most will probably recommend a comp 212/218 low lift cam.


The 5.3 is really a 325 ci. Also, you will need to get a real custom tune and get rid of the edge programmer. Also do you have Headers? I would get headers if you plan to get a cam imo.

 

its a extended cab 4x4 its a daily driver dnt tow but occasionally do, idk what gears i have and i do have headers, where can i get a tune and how much will it run me

 

I vote 212/218 low lift cam by Comp. You can still run it on stock converter and it will be better suited for your heavy ext cab truck as it is a torque cam. You need torque to get that heavy truck moving.

We have many sponsors that can do the custom tune. Blackbear performance, Wheatley, Nelson performance. Depends what kind of tune you want. A mail order tune is cheap, normally $200-$300 depending on who its from and if you send them back your old PCM core. An autocal tune is more expensive, but you will get a custom tune along with a handheld device that can upload / download data so you can send that info to the tuner via email. He can then fine tune or adjust the tune for you and send you the updated tune..
Last is an actual dyno tune which would be the best. The autocal is just as good though. Mail order is okay if you have a very reputable tuner and you tell him exactly what your mods are. Just a cam and basic boltons a mail order is fine imo. If you want more than that, I would get a dyno tune or autocal.

As for the comp 212/218 cam you will need at least LS6 valve springs and get some hardened pushrods imo. Might need some gaskets / seal here and there if engine has a lot of miles.

 

so to but the comp cam and springs and puch rods and gaskets for the job and the tune what u think the price range would be? and when its all said and done will there be a noticible difference in the way it drives?

 

It will be a noticeable difference yes in power. That is a good all around cam that requires no aftermarket converter and allows you to tow just fine. Later on you can always get a higher stalling torque converter if you want to get more out of the setup.

With LT headers, 212/218 cam, custom tune in conjunction you can easily add around 80HP to the FLYWHEEL of your engine vs the totally stock engine as it comes from the factory. Remember Flywheel, not to the wheels.

It's not uncommon for a cam slightly bigger to add 100HP to the FLYWHEEL with the other proper supporting mods.

 

where you located extreme?

 

southwest oklahoma 40 miles from boarder of texas

 

actually i c ur from lawton im here to brotha

 

Call SNL Performance on the north side of Ft. Worth. I've used them to install the cam in my GTO and they are awesome folks. They're reasonably priced for cam installs and know their schitt. Scoggin Dickey has good prices on the parts (cam = $370, LS6 springs = $57, and hardened pushrods = $100). Texas speed has a basic cam swap gasket and bolt kit for $62 (the pulley/balancer bolt is TTY so it needs replaced). You'll also need antifreeze and you should have the oil changed after the install.