hello guys i did a 5.3 swap into a 98 s10. Stock 5.3 from a 99-2000 chev K1500. wondering what cam to go with or what to do to wake these motors up. I went to the track over the weekend and ran the best time of 14.13 @96.98 mph. 2.01 60' with slick. Truck has 4L60E trans stock TMBX converter aswell . I do daily drive this truck and would like to retain decent mileage. I have done some tune work added 2.5 deg timing at cruse and 3.5 at WOT no knock other small work on tune. Thanks all

 

TR220 or Tsp220 cam, 3200rpm converter at least IMO (a 278mm would be okay, but a smaller diameter would be best), Gears would help too. Long tube headers also if you don't already have them.

 

Since you daily this truck I'd stay with a mild cam, LS6 cam. Personal preference is going to be differ from guy to the next so what is mild cam to another guy may be a 232/237 .610/.610 109 LSA and idle like a top fuel dragster.

 

sorry truck has a posi and 3.73 gears and a built trans with transgo sk

 

i have done lots of cam swaps in older 350s never messed with a 5.3. anything different on the swap?

 

has anyone tried using a VJCX converter from a I5 trailblazer? does the bolt pattern work?

 

No, but the 4.2 I-6 trail blazer converter will work and will stall around 2500-2600rpm behind a 5.3L. Is a little bit noticeable over stock converter, but I would at least do a circled or fti 278mm 3000-3200rpm converter.

They take the stock TB converter and beef it up to handle more power and stall higher. FTI has the cheaper price. You can pick up an FTI 3200 for like $309 plus shipping iirc. You cannot beat it for the price.

 

sorry i meant 4.2 I6 not 5 my mistake. Thank u for the info how about the cam install, did i read right to change lifers u have to remove heads? are people reusing lifters on cam swaps?

 

Look up the site, ls1howto it tells you how to do the cam swap. Yeah LS engines are easier to do IMO. You don't have to pull the heads as long as the engine has fairly low mileage or not a lot of abuse on the engine. Only reason you would need to pull the heads is if you are changing lifters, doing internal work or so on.. You can use wooden dowel rods to hold up the lifters, if you decide to reuse the stock lifters.

Most people just change the cam, springs and pushrods to hardened pushrods then get a few gaskets if needed like the water pump gaskets which always tear up and maybe the front rubber seal. You will need a new crank bolt also for $5.

If the engine has a lot of miles on it, I would change to LS7 lifters though and probably change the oil pump and timing chain. It creates more work, but you will have piece of mind. You will have to pull heads though and get new head gaskets. If you change the oil pump make sure to use a brand new proper o-ring. If you get a stock oil pump, use the red o-ring.

 

what you want from the cam?
smooth idle,sleeper,very DD friendly go LS6 cam
rough idle,choppy lope go vinci trucker 216/224 or tr220 on a 112lsa

All in what you want from the cam and your setup