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5.3 T56 cam for ~350whp

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Old Oct 23, 2018 | 02:15 PM
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Default 5.3 T56 cam for ~350whp

The truck:
1996 S10 Extended Cab, LM7 5.3L, T56, 4.11 rear gears, Shorty headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, Cold Air intake, Caltracs traction bars, Viking double adjustable shocks

Engine Modifications to take place this winter:
NNBS/TBSS intake and injectors (36 lb/hr), 92mm Edelbrock DBC throttle body, cam

Goals:
350WHP, daily driver

So which cam should I go for to meet my goals? I have been looking at TSP low lift cams, 212/218 .550 112 LSA in particular, mostly for simplicity, cost (cam and springs only), and they have dyno videos showing what I can expect. TSP has said in previous emails 220R and 224R would also be good cams. BTR has said Stage 3 Truck cam, 218/224 .553 133+3, would be a good fit as well. With my 4.11 gears and manual trans, I feel that I have a good setup to absorb some low end torque loss, but I also do not want to "over cam" the 5.3. Any suggestions or insight?

Thanks,
Tyler
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Old Oct 23, 2018 | 04:26 PM
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the 212/218 .550 with an NBS intake, full 3.5" exhaust, 4" intake, 862s, 91 tune, e fans; etc got me to 302whp. I think you'll be disappointed with the stage 2 212/218.
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 09:42 AM
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Thanks for the response. What size tires? 4x4?
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 10:33 AM
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what gear ratios are in your t56?
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 10:37 AM
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To the best of my knowledge, it came from a 2001 Camaro. From a Hot Rod article:
1998–2002 F-body 2.66:1 1.78:1 1.30:1 1.00:1 0.74:1 0.50:1
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ever...ur-gm-project/
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 10:42 AM
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For a truck,

I wouldn't focus on how much rwhp you make. I would focus on power gained between idle-5500rpm.

That's where you're going to have the most fun.
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 10:44 AM
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you got some pretty good gear there, plus some highway cruising with that 6th gear....if I was gonna choose between those 2 cams, I'd choose the larger one.
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by tmardaus
Thanks for the response. What size tires? 4x4?
2002 Tahoe, 4L60e/246 (4x4), 33s, 4.10 in a 9.5 Hummer axle, steel OE driveshafts, stock converter, etc

I also have 1 7/8's LTs on there
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 10:48 AM
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madmann26, because it is a S10 I figured I could get closer to LS1 Camaro levels, specially with the weight, T56, and 4.11. That is why I was trying to push the limits with a step or two above a low lift truck cam.

But I do agree, a low lift truck cam would make it a torque monster, stay in budget, and be easy on the valve train.
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 10:50 AM
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firebladejj, yes 75mph is just around 2k rpm. The 4.11 and the T56 definitely compliment each other for acceleration and highway efficiency.
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