I'm looking at putting a cam in my 05 RCSB but can't afford to spend $390 plus on a Comp cam. I still have stock converter and want to keep it for now. I noticed the small TFS cam and thought I would ask. I also have a friend with a LS2 cam he offered me for free. Thanks.

 

What is it going into? We need a little more details, and what exactly you are after with a cam swap. The TFS cam will have more chop and a stronger mid range. The LS2 cam will have slightly better manners, and most likely pull to a higher RPM due to its huge LSA. The LS2 pulls clean to 6400 with that cam in a 6.0, but the TFS cam would definitely run out of breath before that in the same engine.

 

that cam or the 212/218 high or low lift works great with stock drive train.

 

Vortec350ss I forgot to put that its a 5.3 liter. As far as what I'm after I want the biggest horsepower gain for the least amount of money. I would like to have decent street manners since I likely wont be changing the converter. The only reason I'm considering the LS2 is because it made 50 horsepower over stock in Car Craft, which is a great gain to me.

 

If you absolutely won't be putting in a converter then The LS2 may be the way to go. The 216/220 will have a slight chop at idle which sounds awesome, but you also feel that when taking your foot off the brake at a stop light etc. It's not bad, but its definitely there.

Basically what I am getting at is there will be small sacrifices, but the mid range power will be better with the TFS cam. The LS2 will deliver better manners, and more over rev (you could spin your 5.3 up to 6500 easily), but may sacrifice low RPM performance just a little. Without feeling it first hand it is hard to explain the difference and know exactly what you give up and/or gain between the 2.

 

Throw in the ls2 cam. You still need springs and pushrods and DONT rev your stock bottom end 5.3 to 6500 rpm. Do you have headers and an intake?

I wouldnt be scared of putting in a converter...but you may as well have the trans rebuilt while its off which may need to be done shortly after romping on the ls2 cam anyway.

 

The 216/220 is the one I just bought from summit for $290 ish shipped. Real good deal I think for a truck cam its pretty good for the $ also Bryan tooley is where I got my springs and rods for not bad at all price.

 

6500 ??? . . . HA. . . . Try 7,200 RPMs !

the LS2 isn't worth it unless its free and you're completely bored. There are much better cams that are out there if you are doing all of that labor