Ok, so I am really enjoying this and don't want to derail because I have similar interests. You mentioned using a cam motion core, have you looked at their cams? They have a 210/215 that I feel is in this same category, I've actually been researching these same cams, Vinci Ultra Torque, BTR 2, and the cam motion drop-in cams. This thread linked below got me interested in the cam motion, curious to hear your thoughts..
Cam Motion 5.3 "drop in" cam results, +41rwhp/22rwtq - LS1TECH

 

Cam Motion. Brian Tooley and Tick performance all comment on that thread. Pretty much nothing negative. Results are on a stock 5.3, stock converter. That thread has convinced me to go with a small cam, so much that I was debating if the BTR stage 2 was too large. That's why I'm so interested in your very technical breakdown, I'm enjoying hearing that you are looking at the stage 2 for your goals.

 

When you say a short duration, do you mean at .050 or .006 or both? I am not to concerned with smog but I don't want a radical lopey cam that wont pass. I buddy has a cam, cant remember the exact specs but something around 234/242 .604/.610 111+2 LSA and he didnt pass smog. I know the valve events due play a role but assumed the ICL was a major part. Now I am no cam expert but the last week or so I have learned a great deal, and after someone sending me a downloadable SCR/DCR calculator that factors in all cam specs (.006, .050, .200) and Head Chamber size, Quench, Head Gasket thickness, Valve size and so on it helped me a great deal. I initial plan was to build a 3.905" bored 5.3 for a Forged 347 with 9.5:1 static compression and run a TVS1900 with 10-12 PS and hope for 600+ HP with great Tq. But that went out the window when I figured it was around 10 grand for the setup and not worth it to me on a little 5.3

I know the BTR truck stage 2 has a nice lope to it, definitely tell it has a cam and will pass the Nevada sniffer. I have searched hours upon hours looking for a cam in the 1500-6000rpm range that wont loose to much noticeable Tq. I know any cam larger than stock wont produce more TQ under 2k and I do not want a smaller cam under 210 Intake duration because it is very low gains. My first cam was a Comp XR259HR 112+2 LSA. It was a great cam and had amazing TQ but the HP curve died off to early and it made 364HP at the crank, can not remember the torque.. I would like a cam that pulls to at least 5,800 RPM. I think that cam is great for a 4.8 or stock 5.3. Ever since then I had the performance bug but didn't want to sacrifice lowend, thus leading to the Vinci. Which honestly the Vinci cam is best suited for a 2600 stall. No I would of went with a higher stall but talking to Circle-D and Yank, they think it was best to stay with the stock stall towing 6500-7000lbs.

I have read that someone said that the BTR cam pulled from 2k RPM without any loss. Now its hard to get Dyno figured below 2k because of the stall and what not. But heck, If I can find a cam from 2k-6k I would be happy. I know my stock stall is around 1800 so that would be ideal. I am not looking for a performance cam in the aspect of drag racing but something that is noticeable, has good tq and can achieve good numbers. Don't get me wrong, I want the most HP out of this little engine. That is why the 243 heads are off to PRC to be ported with a small mill.

 

BTR is very reputable, If you want a stock stall stay with the truck stage 2 or smaller, honestly for a daily driver 5.3 I would pick the Stage 2. Now I heard Mr. Tooley himself specs all their cams, I heard he has tested hundreds of cams to find the ideal cam for a certain thing (truck, daily performance, drag race and so on). The Cam Motion 210/215 .518/.510 114+4 is also a great cam for lowend and is proven. Tick Performance doesn't really have any "off the shelf" cams they produce but can spec a cam for your needs.

Also check out Comp Cams and Isky cam. Comp cams are great and probably the most popular. Isky has a very large selection of cams but their website is hard to manage since they list every cam they have for Chevy engines without a further break down.

What a lot of people also do is contact Patrick G, The Guerra Group , and tell him every detail about your truck including goals, rpm range and so on and he will spec a cam for a small fee of $25. I heard heard a lot of great thing about him and his ability to spec a nice cam. I did this just to get another opinion on a cam, still waiting for results.

Just remember if you do a cam swap, that after you want to have your heads milled or go with CNC aftermarket heads you need to have the heads spec'd to that cam. Some cams recommend a certain compression ratio, headers, octane and a few other things so remember that prior to your cam choice. The BTR Truck Stage 2 works with stock engines or mild modded engines. That cam will bump your Static and Dynamic compression up a bit so 91 Octane is recommended.

Biggest thing is some cams require you to have certain Valve springs, BTR truck cams work with OEM LS6 springs, cams over .580-.590 usually recommend Dual Valve springs with specific open/closed spring pressures. By the sound of it your best bet is to go with a smaller 212/218 cam or smaller and use PAC 1218 Beehive Valve Springs that are good up to .600 lift but I recommend staying under .580 lift. Brian tooley says the Truck cams work with stock LS6 springs but I would honestly step up to the PAC 1218 at the minimum for any cam.

 

Did you ever get your cam? Do you have a post on it if so? I'm buying one this week and still deciding between Cam Motion 210/215 and BTR Stage II. The CM 210/215 is listed as "designed for the LS Chevy 5.3L Vortec engine with 10.0 to 1 compression ratio" and I'm wondering if that matters with my LC9 being 9.6:1.