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Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

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Old Jan 15, 2003 | 07:53 PM
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Default Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

Ok I keep reading that the Z06 cam is a bad choice. I also have read and been told by everybody that you MUST change valve springs. With that said, we endevored into the 4 hour job of a cam swap with an almost free 02 Z06 cam from a friend. Once installed, we checked, double checked, and checked again for coil bind. Not even close. Then we buttoned it up and ran it. All seemed well. Then over to the neighborhood dyno. (everybody has a dyno a mile away right?) And WOW. Before 255 RWHP after 290 RWHP. At 3000 rpm it is the same as stock. Am I missing something? These are great gains. I want one in my truck now. Is there a better cam?

Thanks,
Don
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Old Jan 15, 2003 | 09:20 PM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

All the way up to 3000 it was like stock or AT 3000 it was stock. Could you post the dyno? How much torque was gained. Just curious.
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Old Jan 15, 2003 | 09:33 PM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

Well, most LS6 cams posts are in regard to the 01 cam with milder specs. I assume this install was done on an Fbody, not a truck, correct?

Go ahead and put one in your truck. I'd like to see how it does.
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Old Jan 15, 2003 | 10:24 PM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

I'd like to see that info too. I'm getting mixed signals that yes the cam rocks for a 99 5.3L and on the other hand I'll lose tons of low end. What gives? I've got the cam sitting on my garage floor right now.
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Old Jan 15, 2003 | 11:05 PM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

I am guessing you shoved this in a 6.0 truck?
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 07:56 AM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by BigTex:
<strong> Well, most LS6 cams posts are in regard to the 01 cam with milder specs. I assume this install was done on an Fbody, not a truck, correct?

Go ahead and put one in your truck. I'd like to see how it does. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I hope that an f-body didn't get 290 on the dyno with a cam. It would have to be a truck to be that low on the dyno. My bone stock z28 M6 dynoed 318hp, 327tq. with only 500 miles.
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 08:03 AM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

If evyeryone is still curious about the LS6 cams then you need to find Joseph or Jason and ask them about the one they put into Jason's truck. The LS6 cam IS and improvement over stock. However, if you tow...you should not get it. You will lose low end power, but will gain it up top.

The way I look at it is that you can get an LS6 cam cheap...if you have a stall or anything...then its going to help you get past the low tq. bottom end. Trucks are very traction limited and honestly if you don't tow then an LS6 cam may not be a bad choice. Also the 02 LS6 came I have not heard much about lately...it cam out with a lot of talk...then went away. But in 02 the LS6 cam with lighter (I think hollow) valves, different springs, and the cam was more aggressive. Thats also the reason the 02 z06 is rated at 405 and not 385 like the others.

If you have the cam already....might as well put it in. Even better if you can do the work yourself. It will be better than stock and it will give you more power top end...ex. freeway and passing others cars... Most people will would benefit from the cam IMO. Unless your sitting there trying to see how far you can leave marks from a stop light. Which in a race is going to slow you down to start with...

For everyone their own... there's always better, and there's always worse. IMO, If you have the cam try it and speak for yourself...live a little
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Old Jan 16, 2003 | 07:20 PM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

Yeah I'd like to see them dyno numbers cause the one I installed started pushing you back in the seat at about 4000 rpm's but it wouldn't pull a greasy string out of your butt below that. The ZO6 is designed for a larger engine in a lighter vehicle. Any one will tell you any given cam will act bigger in a smaller engine thus pushing the power band up higher. Another rule to remember- Horsepower sells engines, Torque wins races...
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Old Jan 17, 2003 | 01:00 AM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

That's the reason I'm hesitant about installing the ls6 cam in my truck because I'm afraid that I'm going to lose the low end and I want to pick it up. I know for some of you that a cam swap is a day in the park but for me it's a major pain in the butt because I have to find someone to install it or help me install it because I've never done it before and I don't really intend on learning the hard way with this truck. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I only want to do the install once. I'm really beginning to think about getting a different cam and selling the ls6. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Sorry for being such a whiner. <img border="0" alt="[cry]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cry.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
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Old Jan 18, 2003 | 05:01 PM
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Default Re: Z06 Cam Question for 5.3

Great feedback!. Sorry for the lack of info, so here it goes. The truck is a 2001 Silverado extended cab 5.3 auto with 3.73. I have no way to scan the dyno sheet. The pull started at 3000 and was the same as stock. At 5000 it is about 50hp over stock. The next step is 4.56 gears. This should make for great starts and towing.
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