First of all I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Matt and I own a lifted 2500HD. I have been looking around to find info to do some engine mods. Dan, I'm glad I found this site.

I would like to know if anyone out there has done a cam swap in a 6.0? I am looking for some more low end grunt and midrange. I dont mind having to get a custom tune. What would the gains be? What would be a good estimate with a set of ported and polished heads? Thanks.

 

Welcome Matt, my brother's name is Matt too! For some reason it seems telling people your name online is a bad thing. lol.

Anyway...what mods do you have on your truck currently?

I would start with a Diablo Predator programmer and some sort of air intake. The UPD is pretty popluar but is a PITA to install. I have a FIPK on mine, easy to install. Also, torque is going to come from long tube headers and a good cat back. Electric fans are a good cheap mod...most people (myself included) opt for LS1 fans and some sort of controller.

The cam in there now is a pretty low end torque cam. I think the specs were like 198/207 or something like that. Cam gains will depend on how large you go. A 212/218 would have a good all over operating range, the cam can also be advanced a few degrees to bring down the powerband. Absolute Speed (www.absolutespeed.net - talk with Jay nice honest guy) does great head work and are pretty good with pricing too. If you get a heads/cam combo from them the heads will be ported to match the cam...volumetric efficiency. Oh yeah, you also could get a set of decked heads to raise your compression some too. Heads/cam packages are usually around $2000 or so and gains are usually around 60-100rwhp. Talking with them and explaining your performance goals will be your best bet.

BTW, my name is Eric. hahaha

 

I currently have a HPPIII, K&N FIPK, PowerAID TB Sapcer, dual in/out Flowmaster exhaust and Taylor plug wires.

 

Okay, so you aren't totally stock.

Well, you are pretty limited with the HPP3 as the better programmers are out. The HPP3 is good for the RPM shift points and limiters. The Predator is a huge step up for sure. But if you are considering a heads/cam combo I would not go that route. Unless it is way far down the road.

Also, you have a decent flowing cat back so... I would go with a set of full length headers next. Arizona Speed and Marine are very nice but have a lesser quality HTC coating. The Other Guys are my vote, excellent build quality and the best warranty. Doug Thorley also just released a header for the new truck too.

Hell a ported TB ($140), ASP underdrive pullies ($200), and LS1 electric fans w/ relay ($150) would gain you close to 20rwhp.

What transmission do you have...Allison or 4L80E? If you have a 4L80E you could get a higher stall torque converter and get a 2.75 STR to multiply your torque to get you out of they way also.

 

I thought that the Other Guys headers were NOT long tubes but mid length.

Correct me if im wrong though

 

I read somewhere that they were like a few inches shorter than the ASM ones, but they are listed as midlength. They are pretty hard-core... 14 gauge primary tubing, 1/2" flanges, and that unlimited lifetime warranty. They are warrantied for sc, turbo, or spray. And CARB legal too.

Don't get me wrong the ASM are excellent headers, makes tons of power, and lots of people use them...I am unsure if the ASMs will work with the 3" headpipes on the HD. Those really expensive FLPs are similar to the ASM ones too. I wonder why FLP won't sell them without the cats/y-pipe?

 

Ok, so..........if you had the choice between a cam and head change or forced induction. Which would you do? I would like to build a naturally aspirated stump puller. I would like the extra power for towing and to get the 35" tires moving a little faster.

 

You will make more power with FI but it will cost more. An intercooled Magancharger is ~$5000 and the Whipple is ~$4000 and the intercooler for that ~$1000 more when it comes out. That is just parts. If you are handy you can install this stuff yourself, if not more needs to be spent.

Head work is ~$1500, $400 for the cam. Install is going to be around $1000 also. If you bumped your compression by decking the heads, you probably could get close to FI power levels. BUT if you bumped your compressions you would not be able to run FI in the future.

I would do heads/cam first and if you need more power you can always then go FI. I like N/A rides better than ones with a power adder.

Start with some more bolt ons: ASP pullies, ported TB, mid/full length header, and electic fans to get a bit more power out. All those should be a very noticable difference in power.

You never said if you have an Allison 5 speed or a 4L80E...?

 

Sorry, 4L80E. Who ports Throttle Bodies? I can snag one off ebay for 20-30 have it ported and have no down time. Are the ASP pullies really worth it? Could I port a set of 5.3 or 5.7 heads to up compression instead of doing my aluminum 6.0 heads?

 

4L80E is okay! It is a beast of a trans. I asked b/c you could get a bit higher stall converter from Yank. I'd get like a 2600-2800 stall, 2.75 STR, and about 10.5"-11.5" dia. That will get you into your powerband faster and multiply your input torque a great deal. A good TransGo shift kit is also a nice addition to a transmission.

Ported TB's here. http://home.att.net/~m.shaner/wsb/ht...ome.html-.html Y2K Silverado just got his recently. There is a core charge so no down time.

ASP pullies give you 8-12rwhp. Not a ton of power but the pricing is okay on those.

Electric fans give you about 6rwhp over a NON-locked up clutch fan. Now if it were locked it would be even more drastic difference. It creates a lot less drag up front for a slight gain. I'd pair this with a lower temp thermostat to keeps temps down while towing.

You could do the 4.8/5.3 heads or the 5.7's but your 6.0 castings flow way more. Yours are based off the LS6 Z06 heads, just with a bigger combustion chamber. Your heads are just better.