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Hey guys! I would like advice on some parts for my application and I'm hoping you'll share your wisdom with me.
I am installing a stock 2001 LM7 5.3 and 4L60E into my 1965 GMC truck. (3500lbs, 3:54 gears, 31.3” rear tires, CAI, Corvette servo & Doug Thorley long tubes). The truck will be street driven only, never drag raced or tracked, but I don't want it to fall on its face when I leave a stoplight either.
Some cam ear-candy and improved acceleration for speeds up to 80mph are most desirable. Huge power gains at high RPMS are not necessary. The goals I am trying to achieve are:
Confident drivability
Healthy cam lope
Performance improvement
Decent vacuum for my power brakes
I have read a great deal about the I6 TB convertor and will install one of those, as it seems the stock convertor would pretty much be useless with what I am wanting to achieve. I know Circle D and Yank build great products, but for my application, I think they may be overkill... especially in the price department. Maybe I should be pushed in a different direction?
TSP suggested this cam, but I'm wondering why they would suggest a high lift for my goals... 216/220 - .600/.600 - 112 LSA = https://www.texas-speed.com/p-5072-texas-speed-stage-3-high-lift-216220-600600-truck-camshaft.aspx. I would think the PAC-1219 springs and Manley 7.400" pushrods would be absolutely needed for this cam. Impressive dyno info, but the low end torque and power output fall short of the stock LM7 cam.
Do any of those appear to be the right cam for my application? If not, please tell me what YOUR experiences have taught you. Also, if you can recommend a tuner in the Houston area or a good mail order tuner, I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks in advance! (Since everyone likes pics, here’s a shot of the soon-to-be recipient of the 5.3)
A 212/218 with a 110-114 LSA cam or the 1st and 3rd/4th cams are okay choices. The 2nd cam is way way too large for what you want, your converter choice won't be right and it would work 5x better in a 6.0 or larger engine.
It kinda looks like the TSP low lift cam makes the same torque compared to the high lift cam, so I'd stay with the low lift if high rpms aren't a concern.
Pretty much any of those camshaft will make great power for what they are and they all could have a okay idle sound if the tune is dialed in nicely. I would not suggest a mail order tune for something like this. These need time invested in person to make it drive good and respond well to the upgrades.
i know a few local guys that blew the I6 TB convertor up on there builds they do drive very aggressive tho, im more of a over kill type rather just try and do it once
as for the cam lope your looking for its hard to say since every one had different taste, i have a 227/234 614/576 113+2 in my ls6 corvette and it lopes but its very minor the average joe wont notice it really just sounds like a loud idling exhaust someone who plays with modified engines can tell insistently tho, its probably a little less then that Howards Rattler you posted and if thats what your looking for i dont think the others will give you that sound
i would spend some time on youtube and try to search those cam specs and see witch you like the best or at least get an idea of what your wanting
I would tell you to spend the extra couple of bucks on the aftermarket converter though. Like said above, you only want to do that one time. I learned the hard way years ago going with the cheaper converter. I like my Yank converter.
The Circle D 278mm HP series converter is a reworked I6 TB 11" converter with a better lockup clutch, bearings, anti balloon plate and tig welding. I have this converter in my truck, it's built to stall at 3200 but can be built from 2600 - 3200. It works perfect for my n/a build and the price is right at $499.
I run the BTR stage 2 truck cam in my 5.3 if I recall the specs are 224/230 112+3 .500". I am far from a professional, but what I was told was the low lift truck cams are optimized for low to midrange power increases since a lot of trucks do not spend much time in the high rpm ranges for very long. As far as lope and idle...well lets just say I have have guys flag me down at gas stations, home depot, Church wherever really and say the same thing, "Hey man that thing sounds good! What cam are you running." Here is a little idle clip of my Suburban.
01-10-2019, 01:17 PM
Cam / Convertor / Springs PLZ HELP ---> 5.3 & 4L60E
