I have a 2000 Silverado rcsb 4.8, I recently purchase the tick performance Towmax stage 2 camshaft. I’ve been reading around and some people have been saying it’s too big of a camshaft for a small 4.8. I asked the salesperson if it was good for a 4.8 he said yea, but at the end of the day he’s a salesperson.I’m just not sure what to do, I’m new to the platform so I’m not super educated on it. I’m looking for answers. And if anyone recommends a good sounding and good performance gaining camshaft for a 4.8 let me know please.

 

It's not that big of a camshaft. I always say a 212/218 is a good size cam and that towmax cam is slightly larger.

If you paired that camshaft with good valve springs, slightly milled heads for better compression and a nice torque converter, that 4.8 will make decent power. But at the end of the day it's still a 4.8 and a 5.3 with the same mods will make way more power.

 

understandable I got 660 Lift Dual Valve Springs with it, but I planned on not doing a converter or heads. Is it worth it just to return it and go to truck Norris?

 

I had a BTR truck 2 in my LY5 5.3 with 243 heads stock 9.9 compression and headers with tune and stock stall on 3.73 gears 2wd stock 17” tires around 32” in diameter.

that 212 218 cam didn’t start to really shine till 2800 in my truck.

I put the same cam in my 10.4 compression 6.0 with a 2600 stall and have never been happier with the performance even if I do miss how that cam sounded in the 5.3

i say all this because I would get something more specific for a 4.8 unless you want a high reving, gutless truck

 

depends on what kind of "performance gains" you want.

4.8s have never been known for low-end torque... so if you're wanting towing grunt, a cam that moves RPM higher will need lower gearing & a higher stall to really work.

if you're wanting something fast on the top end, then an upper-RPM cam is good... and does even better with a looser converter (especially in a full-size truck with a 4.8).





talk with any cam shop about how you realistically plan to use your truck & how many supporting mods you're wiling to stomach. they'll get you a good cam recommendation.

 

As Zebra said, depends on your goals. I wouldn't run the Towmax Stage 2 in a 4.8 especially without changing converter, compression, and at least 3.73 if not 4.10 gears (assuming stock tire diameter).

Since you have the .660" lift springs there are 3 good options for your setup:

• CamMotion Titan Truck 1 208/214 110+4 .553/.553: This will start down the lowest (30* Intake Valve Closing). Noticeable sound. Won't be nasty but won't be mistaken for stock either. All around best power and will pull past 6k in the 4.8L. Great tow manners even in a 4.8 with stock converters, gearing, and compression.
• Callies 180-009 210/218 108+3 .553/.553. Note same IVC as the Titan, slightly more power up top (similar down below). More aggressive idle. A touch softer right off the converter, and part throttle driving due to the overlap. Not sure if this one is still sold (shame if it's not, it's a great sounding cam that starts pulling early)
• Summit 8728R1 212/218 110+3 .600/.585. It has the same intake closing as the Norris (33*), slightly less overlap, but more lift. Similar power curve to Norris, but better manners. Idle will sound very similar to the Callies. Power probably come in slightly later than the Titan & Callies, but a little more top due to the added lift.

All 3 of these would be a better choice in the 4.8L than the Norris IMO.

Here's a video of Callies idling (start @ the 4:00 mark).