Other forums say this is the place to be for this type of info, so here I am.

My truck is in my signature, and I need help choosing a cam, and figuring out what all I need.
It has 80K miles and a few places told me I'ld need new springs, new lifters, a couple told me not to worry about it, just the cam, and now I'm confused!

But anyway, I would like info on the specs and where to buy a stock LS1 camshaft. What are the pros/cons of it in my truck's engine?

The other two I am looking at are:
Comp Cams XR265HR
212/218 duration --- .522/.529 lift --- 114* LSA

LS6 Cam:
218/204 duration --- .550/.550 lift --- 117.5* LSA

The comp cams will be about 400 (cam alone), the stock ls6 cam will be 220 (cam alone), and people say the stock ls1 cam will be really cheap but I can't find it!

Help me please!!

 

stock ls1 will most definetly be the cheapest. but if you can install your self then due what's best for you. If not save the time and money from doing it more then once and install the 212/218. You will need 918 springs but could probably get away with LS6 springs since this is the low lift version. Sooner or later I am going to either go to a 218/220 with 112 lsa in my 5.3 or a little bigger if I ever get the LS1 in.

 

Yes, it will be the cheapest!
I called lingenfelter and they said 100 for ls1 cam, 50 for springs. If I get a late LS1 cam I'm betting I can stick with the stock springs, as the lift is only a little higher. The early LS1 cam has more duration and a .500 lift for intake and exhaust, which I may need the springs for.

I thought more about the comp cams 212/218 and.... why do I need more exhaust duration when I have headers, no cats, and a muffler that flows 1000+ cfm?

 

I put an LS1 cam in about 2 weeks ago. For the money I spent, I love it. I picked mine up off of the classifieds section for $50. Just use your stock springs. It is a direct swap and you don't need to tune your PCM. I'm sure it would run better if you did get it tuned but it is not necessary. IMO if you want a cheap upgrade put in a LS1 cam, but if your looking for a lot of performance you should go with the compe 212/218. The LS1 cam will pull a lot more around 4,000rpm. The 212/218 will help you all around.

 

THe 212/218 would be the best suited I think .... but I have an LS1 cam I'll sell you for 50 bucks shipped if you want it. PM me if you want it.

 

I had this same exact plan when I first got into this board. After reviewing cams and thinking I only want to do this spring swap once I might as well get the cam I want and the springs I want also. The more you figure out the more you want to replace. I would recco the 212/218 hi lift version, comp 918's, comp 7.4 push rods, new oil pump, new timing chain and new gaskets just incase. I originally bought a 00 z cam, then sold it and bought a ls6 cam, then sold it and got a cartek m cam, 218/222, 563 113. Just seems to be a perfect cam imo. If you do go to the higher cams, you will need tuning and you will want to think about getting atleast a 2600 stall. Most go for the 3000 stall and almost all love what it does when you upgrade to a higher, better stall converter. Just my .02

 

I have a 2002 LS1 cam and springs for $60 shipped. LMK

 

you dont. some people had some good luck with it, so everyone just passes around the same info about how good it is

 

What are the cons of the LS6 cam? Is it the really high LSA or too much intake and not enough exhaust duration? As cheap as they are it would be nice if they worked well.

 

The LS6 cam is 207/218...it does not have a 218 intake duration. The wide LSA and retarded ICL pushes the power band up into the rev range. Sure the truck will pull harder from 4000+, but gains nothing down low. Also, larger exhaust durations are not just for restrictive exhausts...the longer duration increases overlap and helps to actually pull fresh air into the motor although I personally like single pattern cams for these motors and is all I've ever installed. I had really good luck with a 216/216 cam in a 5.3L truck in the past...idled perfectly and never stalled with stock tuning.