Anyone running camshafts in the 206-208 intake duration range they could give some feedback on? A couple I am looking at is the Cam motion 5.3 stage 2 and the Tick stage 1 Torque max. Not a Comp Cams guy but they have a 208/212 115 LSA grind that looks good for my needs. I have a 2006 Silverado Crew Cab, 5.3, 3.73, 2WD, 31" tires, the rest stock. Smooth idle and 20-25 pound feet torque increase and 30-35 HP. I don't care about spinning to the moon. 5600 peak HP is just fine with me. Thank you

 

Here are the valve events @ .050
Cam Motion 5.3 Stage 2 overlap -22
IVO -7
IVC 33
EVO 45
EVC -15
Tick Stage 1 Torque Max overlap -18.5
IVO -7.5
IVC 34.5
EVO 43
EVC -11
Comp 208/212 115+4 overlap -20
IVO -7
IVC 35
EVO 45
EVC -13

 

As long as it has adequate intake and exhaust flow, a smaller cam will go a long way. My stock LS3 felt pretty gnarly through the top end with dual 3" exhaust.

 

Buy the isky 212 thats fs in the classifieds, it would be perfect for what youre after imo since u mention baby cams and not a comp guy plus save some $$. Would make plenty of power with the supporting mods like mentioned and still make decent low end with no converter and not need to shift over 6k.
my 2 cents at least

 

Part of the reason I still run a somewhat small 222/224 cam in my 370. With 12.5:1 compression, it pulls like a goram freight train.

 

OP,

It is good that you're looking at the individual timing events. The earlier the Intake valve is closed the more low-end torque you will build. This is great for a heavy truck when you're looking for low-end power and torque.

We can throw our hat in the ring here. We have our Summit Pro LS stage 1 towing cam SUM-8718. The specs are .500/.500, 205/217, 112+2.

Valve Events
IVO: -8
IVC: 33
EVO: 42
EVC: -5
Overlap: -12

This cam will have a smooth idle. It will build strong low-end torque well with the 33 IVC. This will have good evacuation and efficiency. It will work well with a stock exhaust system. This cam will work just fine with stock springs. If they are old and worn the LS6 NAL-12499224 is a great budget upgrade that will work with the stock retainers.

To help with the install we offer a cam install kit. That is part number CMB-09-0029. This includes the timing cover gasket, water pump gaskets, oil pump o-rings, LS2 timing chain, valve cover gaskets, and harmonic balancer bolt.

While we're at it there are two other stage 1 truck cams that we offer that may be of interest. We have the stage 1 drop-in SUM-8712 with specs of .500/.500, 209/217, 112+1. This cam will also work with stock springs or benefit from LS6 springs. This cam will have good off-idle and low-range torque. It will have good mid-range and top-end power.

Valve Events
IVO: -6
IVC: 36
EVO: 42
EVC: -4
Overlap: -10

Then there is the stage 1 high lift SUM-8719. Its specs are .550/.550, 209/217, 112+1. This cam will require the LS6 springs with the .550 lift. The extra lift increases power and torque across the range. The lobes are slightly different on the 8719 vs. the 8712 so it does change the valve events slightly.

Valve Events
IVO: -7
IVC: 36
EVO: 41
EVC: -4
Overlap: -10

Overall with what you're looking for we would recommend the SUM-8718 towing cam. We thought it would be good to share the other stage 1's to give you an idea of what we have to offer.

 

Still for sale...

 

Thank you very much for your reply. I appreciate that. That Isky should have a really strong midrange pull! The overlap (-12) leads me to believe it would have some chop to the idle and I am more into a smoother idle. That's why I am here though, feedback from real world experience from members with first hand experience on how a particular cam souns/performes in their 5.3 truck. I did do a search and a guy that goes by "thunderstruck" had some info on a stage 2 5.3 Cam Motion cam that looked really good for what I am looking for. Keep them coming.

 

Thank you very much for that detailed reply. I actually looked at that 8718. I am trying to learn valve events and what effect they have on the power band. I have pretty much nailed down the intake closing and 33 degrees ABDC seems to be ideal from my research. I know that IVO and EVC determine the overlap and I am thinking I need to keep it around the -20 range for a 5.3, give or take a couple. I have read where early exhaust closing yields a smoother engine and a late opening intake gives smooth operation at idle and low RPM. Three of the valve events from the 8718 look ideal from what I have studied. The only one that throws me off is the EVC of -5, which combined with the ideal -8 IVO, yields -13 overlap which I think would have an unstable idle but, I could be wrong. I know looking at other cams with overlap figures in that range, they say "noticeable idle" or "mild choppy idle" Price sure is right though!

 

For thought, a stock GM cam that came in the trucks has -33 overlap @ 114 LSA.