Which cam should I get on my 04 5.3l?
Jul 12, 2017 | 02:45 AM
#1
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Which cam should I get on my 04 5.3l?
Hello I'm wondering what's my best cam option to get out of my setup.
I have a 04 5.3l Silverado with 174k miles on it. Mods include longtubes intake and custom exhaust w/ stock 3.73 gears
My goal is to get the most power I can yet keep it reliable as it is my daily driver.
I have a 04 5.3l Silverado with 174k miles on it. Mods include longtubes intake and custom exhaust w/ stock 3.73 gears
My goal is to get the most power I can yet keep it reliable as it is my daily driver.
Jul 12, 2017 | 03:46 AM
#2
Blower
Any cam worth a ****, will want the 4bolt intake, bigger injectors bigger fuel pump, larger diameter pushrods, better valve springs, a tune and a convertor.
Not to mention probably a drive shaft swap.
By the time you add the $$ up, you have spent well over 1/3 the cost of a good used blower kit, and wont make even half the power that a blower will give.
Dbl that cost of you pay a shop to do the work.
O uea, dont forget the rocker trunion upgrade as your oem rockers will **** the bed quickly with any decent cam.
If the cost of a blower scares you, consider doing a 6.0 short or long block swap.
A 6.0 will smoke the pants off a cam only 5.3, all day, any day.
Any cam worth a ****, will want the 4bolt intake, bigger injectors bigger fuel pump, larger diameter pushrods, better valve springs, a tune and a convertor.
Not to mention probably a drive shaft swap.
By the time you add the $$ up, you have spent well over 1/3 the cost of a good used blower kit, and wont make even half the power that a blower will give.
Dbl that cost of you pay a shop to do the work.
O uea, dont forget the rocker trunion upgrade as your oem rockers will **** the bed quickly with any decent cam.
If the cost of a blower scares you, consider doing a 6.0 short or long block swap.
A 6.0 will smoke the pants off a cam only 5.3, all day, any day.
Last edited by ezdaar; Jul 12, 2017 at 04:43 AM.
Jul 12, 2017 | 04:38 AM
#3
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He's right with the 6.0L or blower but the right camshaft and converter if you want to go that far can still really wake them up. I've done a lot of smaller tight lsa camshafts for mild trucks that really wake up the mid range power. Not near like forced induction but still 40 or so HP under the curve can be noticed. Normally with a single valve spring stock rockers and pushrods have not been any problem at all, but once approaching 200K miles I would replace lifters, Oil pump O ring, and possibly the rockers or do the trunnion upgrade. It's just insurance. Another option is to pick up a 6.0L and do the cam on that 
Jul 12, 2017 | 02:32 PM
#4
I'm on mobile app and can't see if you have a sig below.
What kind of truck? Single cab, extended cab, crew? Is it 2wd or 4wd?
Dont forget injectors on your list, some valve springs and hardend push rods if cam option
yes 6.0 is sweet and fun ... blower hell yes
but then the other weak links happen .... rear diff g80 or trans. If open diff you might want to step it up from a one wheel fire that wil be possible.
My 5.3 with long tubes and tr220 cam put my injectors up to 94% with stockers. Torque converter should be advised if a cam route.
What kind of truck? Single cab, extended cab, crew? Is it 2wd or 4wd?
Dont forget injectors on your list, some valve springs and hardend push rods if cam option
yes 6.0 is sweet and fun ... blower hell yes
but then the other weak links happen .... rear diff g80 or trans. If open diff you might want to step it up from a one wheel fire that wil be possible.
My 5.3 with long tubes and tr220 cam put my injectors up to 94% with stockers. Torque converter should be advised if a cam route.
