So my next project is going to be to throw a new cam in my 5.3 ECSB Z71. Here's the thing, its an auto tranny 3.73 gears and I know how going with too large of a cam with an auto trans w/ stock converter can really make it a dog down low. This is the cam i was planning on running with:

218/221*at .050" 116lsa

or if it will make some more power without being a dog downlow

218/227*at .050" 112lsa

Is anyone running a similar cam on an auto trans w/ stock converter?
I just dont want to lose a ton of power of the line because of the cam w/ the stock converter. I would also really like the sound of a sweet lumpy idle.

So any of you cam experts who can throw some insight i'm listening. My current modifications are as stands
-custom intake
-custome tune *will be retuned for cam*
-EGR removed
-Cats removed
-custom exhaust
*headers & tq converter eventually

 

The first cam would be decent the cam in my sig kille dme down low in my heavy *** truck which you have the same. The stall helps greatly. It all depends on ho wlong its going to be till the stall. I would recommend the stall first cause then when you put the cam in you will get its full performance potential and you will be alot happier with the cam cause you wont notice the bottom end that you lost when you need to haul ***. I would go with a 216/220 on about a 114lsa if it was me and looking fo rwhat oyu are looking for. It will give a noticeable idle and keep some of the power down low but also give you quite a bit up top too. My cam was a highway killer it screamed from an 80 punch to the top of second. At about 3800 you could feel it kick in and push you back in the seat further but below that it was a dog. That cam was good till 6600 in first and 6500 in second so the cam recommended IMO would be good to about 6300 in first and second which will make a big difference. The cam I recommended on a 112 or 110lsa would move the power band down even further to keep more low end if need be.

 

Thanks for the info.
I want to do a stall, but honestly its looking like that's not going to happen until next spring/summer as I plan on having a new trans ready to go in at the same time. So i'm looking for a "right now" basis for cam recommendation.

 

The cam that I recommended would work it just wouldnt see its full et drop potential till a stall cause what you gain up top will be lost off the line. I learned that the hard way with my cam. Then i blew the engine and am going with what I original was a h/c 6L with forged pistons so I can spray a 200 shot on it and do 4wd burnouts.

 

I had a 218/224 .562/.568 113 on the stock converter, but my truck is RC so its lighter. It wasn't too bad, till I lined up with someone. Just normal driving it was fine though.

 

Naked A/V once PM'd me this advice..

And I will do it one day. This is based on the 5.3L I have now, and the fact I may never ever get a stall. But it will still work great on a 2600 stall if needed.

 

what unredeemed posted are some good cams for some thing heavy. like he said the first 2 would be great. if you start going above 550" lift and more than 220 duration bottoms end powers gonna suck. a lower lsa will help bottom end as well. also if you go with a "bigger" cam you have to put in a big stall, and there goes your driveability.

seth

 

Look at the comp cams, ones in the range of 210-212 intake and 216/220 exhaust durations. I am running a comp 216/220 .525/.532 114 LSA and an aftermarket converter 2500 rpm, and in my opinion even that stall is too small for the cam. Definitely not seeing its true potential.

 

Well after taking in all your input I think i've come to a decision on a cam that will meet my needs, so tell me what you guys think. It looks like i'm gonna run this cam:
216/220 114lsa
First off I can get a good deal on the cam, which wasn't a deciding factor but it helps put money in my pocket for other modifications. I just think this cam will still keep good low end torque for my ECSB while really allowing it to pull good above 2k. So it will be streetable w/o a new stall.

I did ponder the GT2-3 cam from LPE but 207/220 with an unlisted LSA seems a bit much for the truck w/ no stall. Any comments on that?

 

Hard to tell without the lsa as to how it will really act but I think the cam that you psoted will be just fine IMO.