2002 GMC 5.3
Having trouble deciding between 2 cams..
the choices are.
1.xr259hr12 206/212 515/522on 112
2.xr265hr14 212/218 522/525on 114
Truck will be used to pull at the most 3 4wheelers and trailor or a 19ft skeeter boat.Im not wanting to lose to much down low, but I want to be able to stretch out on the top side. Also, exactly is lobe separation and how will it affect the powerband. whats the better choice in separation for my application 112 or 114. truck will tuned with custom predator program first then edit. If I dont get a stall should I stay with the smaller of the 2?
thanks in advance

 

From what other say, the 212/218 can scream on the top end compared to stock, but there is a loss of TQ in the very low rpms (under 2000). I don't know of anyone with the 206/212 cam. I'd stick with a 114 LSA and get at least 2*s advance ground in.

Why not get a custom comp cam ground in between those specs? The price shouldn't be much different. Maybe a 210/214 114 LSA .55x lift +3 advance. Ask for XE lobes. You will need comp 918 springs, or similar.

 

Well, the 212/218 114lsa will make a hell of a lot of upper power but will lose a significant amount. The 206/212 112lsa will gain you some on the top end (not a huge difference) and will gain a lot of low end. The difference with the lsa is that the 112 will gain your power quicker but lose it quicker also, the 114 will gain slower but last longer. The 114 will idle better than the 112 also. I have a 216/216 114lsa and gained a hell of a lot of top end but lost a hell of a lot on the bottom end. I also believe that all of the comp cams come ground with a 4* advance. I also know that the bigger the cam, the more compression you need because of not enough crank pressure. I think when I get different heads, and I get a higher compression I will gain a lot of the bottom end back. Oh, I don't have tuning on my truck and is sometimes hard to start almost like the idol needs turned up. It also diesels (I can't spell that) like I don't have enough compression. Todd

 

I have a comp cam with +2. The 212/218 comes off the shelf with +2.

 

Big Tex, whats the separation on your cam and lift numbers. Does you cam have XE lobes? and how much do you want for it?Also Im looking to shift at around 6000 if possible. Will I need long tubes and stall converter right away with the 212/218?

 

I have a 218/218 114 LSA +2 .563 .563 lift. It has XE lobes. I have not installed it. I'm thinking about a different grind for my new SS truck. I bought the cam for my old Z71.

 

I wish someone would try out that new one from crane. I know it dosen't have the faster lift rate like the comp but they're advertising big torque gains down low and extended top end with it.