Since I heard Sloverado is the crowned King of Cams I figured I'd get some damn good information on a cam for the old mare!! Basically, you see my mods below, Z71 EC Long bed, no exhaust mods yet...debating on doing them first or caming first...but will prolly cam first as it gains more for less bread! Anyway, I've heard a LOT about the Z06 cam but am concerned about the lack of low end power, seems like it makes the goods at high rpms. I do run the hell out of my truck though and would like something to give me a better jump on low end, nice mid range torque with high, fast shifts and still "have it" on top end! Am I asking for too much, or maybe a "miracle variable on-the-fly lobe adjusting cam"!!! Anyway, I'd like to get the ABSOLUTE BEST cam I can put in an do it right, only once! So If I have to change springs, rods, keepers I'm open to that as well. Obviously, I'd rather drop in a cam and go but if considerably more gains are to be had by replacing the rest..then so be it and lay the HP and TQ on me bygolly!!

THANKS IN ADVANCE FELLAS, y'all are great and have already saved me a frickin' TON of bread on not buying worthless ****!!

 

I would add a 2600 or higher stall converter to your list. It will give you the "better jump" part you are looking for. I think that and cam are the two best things to do for the money. Both are fairly cheap.

 

YEah, I know a lot of people swear by them but I have NO DESIRE whatsoever for a stall! I just don't like them for everyday driving and I do some towing and, while there are stalls for towing, I still don't like them except in hot rods! Thanks for the help though!

 

LMAO

I'd get a more deversified opinion rather than taking just one's recommendations.

I had a Yank 2600 in my z71, and after a day of driving it, I couldn't tell it was in there anymore. I think they should have come with that much stall from the factory. The Yank 3k I have now is a little more and a bit noticable. Both retain factory towing capacity. I would highly recommend a 2600 for your application, especially if your getting a cam.

As for a cam, a 212/218 .522/.529 on a 114 will be a nice one. That one will be a little mild, and have a slight lope at idle. It will run on a factory tune, but will really shine on an aftermarket tune. Anymore than that and you relaly should get it tuned, no matter what anyone else tells you.

A 216/224 .524/.534 on a 114 would be nice too. That is what was recommended to me by Comp for my blower. Being naturally aspirated I would fatten the intake up a little and make it a 218 or 220/224 with about .550 lift on a 114 and 112, depending on where you want your power and how sweet of an idle you want. 114 for a more moderately tamed cam, but 112 for a little healthier idle. You would need tuning for that though.

After a cam you really should change springs too. I think the Comp Cams 918 springs are rated to 560 lift or you could use the double springs for added insurance against a broke spring as some of the F-body guys have been having trouble with the 918's.

 

No offense to Matt but when did he become the "cam god" around here? Ahh, you're still a newb tucker, we'll let it slide.

 

My thoughts exaclty.

 

I was thinking the same thing but I didn't want to rehash the last thread between Slow and Red2k where Red called him the assclown of the site, and several folks chimed in and agreed after he recommended a healthy cam for a 5.7 that would run without a tune on a 5.3. I forget the specs but I want to say it was bigger than a TR224 on a 112 or 110.

 

If you need some cam help, on this site I would recommend picking Big Tex's brain. He knows what he's talking about!
Ryan

 

I just had my 218/220 .525/.532 114 lsa and LS6 springs installed and I am very happy with the way it feels. I have the 4.8 and you have the 5.3 so not real sure if you will get the same results as I got, but I love it: low end feels good and the mid and high end are greatly improved. I will be putting in my TT3000 today and then Friday I will be heading down to San Antonio to let Allen do my edit. I am sure with the stall and edit it will be even better at the low end. I think what it really comes down to is the MODs you do as a whole and how they with all work together to make the truck stronger at the bottom and stay strong up high.

 

the cam i reccomended was a 220/220 .580 114...and yes it will run and idle and daily drive on a STOCK TUNE. now, it's obvious to even the most casual observer that YES it would run better with a dyno tune, a converter and all the other mods that go well with a cam. but it will work. funny how all you guys that have stock cammed trucks know so much about how these things act with a cam in'em. my 216/218 .535/.535 112 cam worked GREAT with stock tune, little choppy idle but no bad habbits at all. i don't think i lost much if any low end with that cam in my truck and the gains above 3500 were enormous. it all depends on what you want to put up with to have the best of performance. you will have to upgrade valve springs pretty much with any cam you go with, but retainers/keepers/pushrods can all stay stock.