I am looking to install a cam for more low end torque. I would like a cam that is not too mild or too radical. Mainly, just want a pretty fast truck for fun and occaisional street racing. I rarely tow with it.

Have a 04' 5.3L ext cab. sport side.

Mods to date: Volant air intake, shorty headers, nelson tune (60% tm removed) and Corsa cat back.

Next mods: Switch 3.73 gears to 4.10, shift kit, remove tm 100%.

I spoke with a guy who owns a speed shop and he stated gas mileage will drop dramatically with the cam even during "normal" driving habits. He said mileage would go from about 19 mpg to about 10. While I understand that with mods gas mileage can go down, I think it is mainly due to not keeping your foot off the pedal. Currently I get pretty good gas mileage.

My 2 questions are:
1. Any recommendations on a cam that suits my driving?
2. Any truth to a damatic loss of gas mileage just from driving "normal"?

 

If this guy thinks you will lose 9mpg, daily driving, with a cam...he's huffing gas in the back room. Vinci (Sponsor)----> has 2 cams I recommend. The 062 and the other is called the trucker. Check them out. Good low end Tq and you won't lose any noticeable mpg if you drive normally most of the time.
EDIT: I forgot about the Ultra Torque cam. Check it out as well.

 

1. Yeah, get one. Sounds like your looking for that "Drive-inn" idle and some good off idle torque for the "occasional" street spank. Check out Slow's recommendations. Can't go wrong with them with what you are looking for.

2. What is "normal" driving. I think the definition changes proportionally to the amount of power you're putting down. My last tank check was ~17ish overall, and I drive conservatively...

 

okie,



How do you like the drivability, street manners of your truck? I have a 5.3 and I am trying to a pick a cam. Your idle may be a little choppy for me....



Revelie...you got yours in yet?

 

not yet. just ordered a custom cam. will take about a week to get then about a week after to install.

 

You might want to think about adding some converter stall with a mild cam grind. A 2500rpm stall really wakes up a 5.3l with an aftermarket cam. It'll hurt around town mileage by a gallon or more a mile, but it's a mod that's well worth it.

Good luck,

Richard

 

Around town, a converter will affect your milage, but not too mutch. The cam wont affect your milage that mutch. I probably lost about 2-3 mpg if that with the cam and converter. Im my 5.3, I only lost about .5-1 mpg with the cam

 

I am also getting a yank 3000 stall. Thanks for the advice.

 

no driveability issues at all. no surging, bucking, etc...just got the stall in friday, making it that much better.

 

revelie you should definately give us the specs on your cam when you get it in.. i was lookin at possibly gettin the ultra torque from vinci but im curious what they set you up with for a custom grind for more low end torque...