Yet another cam thread... I have a '67 Bronco that I swapped in a '02 5.3L & mated it to a NV4500. I use the rig both as a pavement pounder & as a wheeler. I am running 37" tires but am well geared to handle them. Thanks to the tranny I cruise on the freeway around 2k. The rig has good power throughout the entire power band but I always want more. The motor is stock except for the typical intake, headers, exhaust, & tune. I was sold on the LS6 cam as it is cheap & makes good power up top & doesn't require a tune, but don't know if I would regret the upward shift of the power band. I want a cam that won't hurt my low end too much but will give more stab up top. I would love to have a hearty lope, but don't want to sacrifice low end to get it. I LOVE the idea of sticking in some yellow springs & a LS6 cam for cheap & calling it good because if I can get 25whp for $150 it sure beats 40whp for $1000 (tune, cam, springs, pushrods).

Also future plan is for a low boost quick spooling front mount turbo, but that is probably years away.

What would you guys recommend?

 

I just happen to have a COMP XR 265 that i am selling. Great low end, i used it in a 4x4 that towed. It is the low lift, 212/218 114lsa. Mild idle and no vacuum issues or engine lights. I just went bigger after only 2500 mi!! I am sure others will comment that this is great DD cam. Pm me if interested.

gb

 

I had that cam, and I wasn't happy with the low end till I got a converter. Is it a dedicated crawler or mudder?

 

Sorry to drag this back up, been stupid busy the last few months. I am still looking for a good cam for my rig. It is a true dual purpose rig, it sees lots of highway & lots of trail. I wouldn't call it a dedicated mudder or crawler, more of a total trail rig. I am running an NV4500 behind my 5.3 so I don't need to worry about a stall. The rig weighs in at around 5,000 lbs & I have 4.10 gears. I should have gone 4.56, but I was only running 35"s when I set up the gearing.

I've been reading up on the old man cam, TR220, & the XR 265 all look like good options. I need torque, but love top end as well. Something that wouldn't require a tune would be a big plus. Opinions?

 

I would get a tune or retune on any cam you put in the engine bigger than stock. Can you get away without tuning for the new LS6 cam yes, but you would not get the full potential out of the cam either. The LS6 would be the cheapest cam choice though you see people selling those everywhere for cheap when they are upgrading to a bigger cam. The LS6 yellow springs are really cheap as well and would keep the cost down like you said. Most guys I know that had a LS6 cam sold it and got a bigger cam down the road, so that is also something else to think about. I would probably save up for a little bigger cam that would still be able to use the LS6 springs like the 212/218. You will be a lot happier in the long run and won't think about even changing it for a long while unless you really get an itch for more power.

I would keep an eye out for a good USED 212/218 or some kind of vinci cam around the same specs or close to it.

 

The ever popular Comp 212/218 low lift sounds like it's right up your alley

 

Thanks for the input guys. I almost went the ZO6 cam route last year but decided against it due to the shift of the powerband to the right. Looks like time to wait for a good deal.