I was talking to some people today... people who happen to be ASE certified. And they brought up some really interesting points that have me a little concerned about putting in a cam. Basically im worried about longevity of the engine. I'd like to know the longest anyones run a cam in their truck or any LS1. My thinking is it shouldnt hurt the engine (other than the obvious valvetrain components which are being replaced). But one of the people i was talkin about said something about the duration affecting a/f ratio, which makes sense more air with stock fuel maps will probalby throw that off. My main concern is whether or not the computer will learn enough to keep the a/f up. basically will it adapt to the increase in duration. I do plan on getting a tune to fully solve the cam demons, but i want to know if it will run as is. I dont want to run lean. Also mentioned was that the injectors might spray on the back of the valves and will harm them... don't really understand how that will happen but ok. Also is there any cam sensors that might give false readouts to the computer. IF there are any other computer problem PLEASE let me know. Also for a nelson tune.... and i know this is stupid but im ignorant so give me a break.. how does the core charge work? do you get back the 125 or so when he gets your computer? Thanks and sorry for the long post but i want to make sure i have everything right.

Also the cam specs are Comp 212/218 .522/.529 114LSA

P.S. Would it be better to hold out for the tune and do it all at once. I would MUCH rather do the cam swap during the summer because of school and work. So if it will run for 4-5 months without the computer i would like to know. AND i know some poeple do tuning for cheaper... one of the sponsors posted awhile back that there were doing it for pretty cheap. From what ive heard nelson is the best but i'd like to keep costs down.

 

With the 5.3, the motor "should" be able to handle that cam, from what I heard elsewhere on this site. (it's a very popular cam).

You should be able to get by with just drilling out the TB, and/or maybe cracking open the throttle blade a little more.

 

Thanks for the reply but i need a more definate answer than "should"

 

theres no need to worry about the injectors spraying on the back of the valves, the earlier efi. sprayed 1 pulses per 1 crankshaft revolutions, if i was you i would do the cam and the tune at the same time, why not do things right the first time, thats a small cam, but i don think the computer can adjust itself to ve tuning thats need, you install a cam you change its volumetric efficieny, you wont get the full effect of it until its tuned proper, i dont see how your stock tune would make it run lean enough to burn a piston or something, youre fuel trim should adjust to help that out. you may need to relearn crank sensor variation. only way to do that is with tech2.

 

That cam will be fine man. Im still running stock tuning in my truck... Although I do have an 02 PCM and injectors. It still runs quite well!!

 

First things first, just because someone is ASE certified doesn't mean he knows much about performance. The ASE tests don't cover any of this stuff. I'm an ASE master tech and master engine machinist, so I know what the tests cover. Moderate performance cams will not compromise the vehicle at all. The only piece of hardware that complicates anything is the "loose nut behind the wheel".

I just installed a similar cam in my 5.3 Tahoe. Its a Crane 210/218, .531/.531 on a 114LSA with the Crane 144832 dual springs. It made a nice improvement with the stock tune, but you could tell it wasn't running freely or to its full potential. Hooked up my new Crane Power Tuner that I bought a couple of months ago, dialed in Cam Performance Level 2 and bumped the idle speed up 100rpm and what a difference! The truck idles dead stock (which I wanted) and runs like Jack the Bear! Super smooth torque all the way to 5000rpm. As long as you buy a cam like the one you are looking at or one like mine, you can run the stock tune; but do yourself a favor and try the Crane Power Tuner. What a difference. All my friends are impressed.

 

The cam will run perfectly in your truck. All you'll have to do is crack open the throttle body a little more by either turn the throttle stop screw or drilling the hole. That's all I did and I've got a 218/222 in mine. Go for it!

 

Ok cam will be goin in... guess ill just start saving for the tune.

 

i wouldnt waste my money on the crane tuner, for the about the same price you can get a more tailored tune from allen.

 

i'm not sure you'd want to even try to run it on the stock program. the rev limiter and shift points are too low for the stock cam.