I have a 2001 silverado with a 5.3 and wand to put a mild came in it. So I had heard about some guys putting LS1 cams in their trucks. Just wanted to know how big of a cam i could go with if I did NOT want to change out the valve springs. Was thinking about either a 1998-2000 LS1 cam, A 2001 LS6 cam (385 hp Z06) Or the LQ9 cam. What do I need to install each and get a most bolt-on gain out of it. Do I need to tune, change valve springs, or do anything else to install one of these or a similar cam? Thnaks for any input, I really appreciate it!

The truck has a CAI, JBA ceramic headers, Free Mods, Custom Y-Pipe with a flowmaster 40- Series.

 

LQ9 cam is the same as a 01-02 F-body cam if you wanted a very small upgrade. Here is a list of oem cam specs if that is the way that you wanted to go. http://www.ls1truck.com/reference/oemcam.htm
You could probably find an f-body guy who has done a cam swap who would sell you their stocker for next to nothing. Good luck choosing.

Aaron

 

Thanks! Anyone else?

 

Would I need tuning for a 1998-2000 Ls1 cam swap? What realistic gains would I see?

 

You shouldn't need any tuning, but I doubt that you would see any more than 10-15 hp if that.

 

I believe Crane sells some small cams that can run on stock springs.

Small - compared to most of the large duration aftermarket cams.

I keep tooting VHP's horn, but here... the first few cams in the second part are supposed to work with stock springs.

 

yo where in OC are u? im in fullerton

 

are you able to do it or would you have to pay someone?

 

i second that one look at this cam from vhp.DUR @ .004" 270*/278*
DUR @ .050" 206*/214*
LIFT .500/.500
OVERLAP 46*
LSA 114*
works with stock springs. its cam 011. im sure it would do well with stock programming but all cams gain from performance tuning.

 

I'm going to install it myself and kinda of want to stay away from a custom tune although I know I would see better results. I am just doing this as a cheep mod for my truck, kinda just for fun. I have to save all of my money to put into my car. You know those damn LS1's are so expensive. My friend said he would give me the cam out of hiss 1999 LS1 to put in my truck. But would I have to change the spring and would it be worth atleast 10-20 hp. My otgher option was the 2001 LS6 cam from another guys 2001 Z06(385 hp).