I've got an '04 Silverado 2500 Crewcab with the 6.0, I've always thought the truck was a dog for a 300hp rated engine. I've got a Wester's Hot Tune 91 computer upgrade, that helped tremendously. I've held off on a muffler because I want one that is silent unless I get on it, and Corsa doesn't make one for my truck, I'm looking at the FloPro 2503. But I feel there's more untapped power in this engine. I'd like to change out the cam to something a little more agressive, but since I live in California, is there a cam that will give me more power, but stay emissions compliant? Or do I live in a fantasy world? After all I need some go with the show.

 

I really cannot help you much with an exact cam, but my freind has something around a 290 intake and exhuast with a 110 LSA and two holley pumpers, and he got the bastard to pass emissions. So I am believer with a little tuning before emissions you can get it to pass. But California does take emmissions more seriously than murder.

 

On your truck I'd stay smaller than a 226. Maybe something like a 220/.535/114 would work or a split depending on your needs. Talk to a local tuner and see what has worked for him. I know locally that's about the sizes we use but I have not had to smog mine yet.

The F-body guys are doing TR224s with no problem if the tune is good.

Your problem is headers. The ones that will make a difference won't smog. Without headers the cam gain is small.

 

Have a look at Corvetter Z06 cams. Plan on installing them advanced for better low end. That will keep you good with emissions.

 

A cam with 208º-210º @.050" will work with little to no tuning. You can run this with a stock torque converter also. Going much larger will usually cause surging and a general reduction of low end torque (under 2000 rpms). As long as your catalytic converter is in good condition, you'll have no issues with Cali smog tests.

Good luck.

Richard

 

Thanks for giving me some food for thought. Will these cam suggestions give me any low end or are these mostly top end cams. I will still need to tow with my truck, will these cams have any negative effects on towing?

 

The cam in my sig is ideal for towing and emissions, both. The gain I had in low-end was excellent.

 

We put a 208º/210º 114ºlsa in my wife's 6.0l with some Stage 1 ported heads and 2.02"/1.57" valves. We regularly tow a horse trailer and the low end grunt is superoir to the modded 5.3l engine we took out. IMO cams between 205º to 212º duration offer the best useable torque and they also don't require special tune ups.

Richard

 

I agree 100%. Good answer Richard. Most car owners and performance truck owners ignore the under 2000 rpm torque and opt for larger cams. Thats fine on a light vehicle or for doing high speed/rpm sprints. For a heavy daily driven truck that does some towing or sees lots of traffic, a smaller duration cam will be a better fit. Throttle response and sub 2000 rpm torque mean alot more to us.