stick and a horse/ 5.3 cam help
Jun 29, 2018 | 04:56 PM
#12
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Goldthwaite,Tx
Pooterss thanks, I’ll have to look into that.
Arthur, I have read a ton of reviews on the cam, how was daily driving? Was it a big difference from stock? Mine should be here within the next few days. I’m going to swap cams, install the corvette servo, install the transgo shift kit, and hopefully take it to get the tune by the 16th.
Arthur, I have read a ton of reviews on the cam, how was daily driving? Was it a big difference from stock? Mine should be here within the next few days. I’m going to swap cams, install the corvette servo, install the transgo shift kit, and hopefully take it to get the tune by the 16th.
Jun 29, 2018 | 05:15 PM
#13
No problem man
I like all the stuff you've decided to do but I think you're still gonna wish it pulled a little better. I have a 2014 truck now and the pulling is far far better with the 6L80 trans. The torque converter also stalls up higher stock vs stock. So for you I'd look at gearing/tire size and also a 2500-3000 ish stall. I really like Circle D and Yank for converters. The higher the stall the better cooling you're gonna need so plan on a good trans cooler.
I think one of the best things you could do is start saving for/looking for a 6.0 bottom end to stick in and reuse the cam heads etc you have now, a 5.3 can only do so much with a 4L60 behind it and a stock stall.
I like all the stuff you've decided to do but I think you're still gonna wish it pulled a little better. I have a 2014 truck now and the pulling is far far better with the 6L80 trans. The torque converter also stalls up higher stock vs stock. So for you I'd look at gearing/tire size and also a 2500-3000 ish stall. I really like Circle D and Yank for converters. The higher the stall the better cooling you're gonna need so plan on a good trans cooler.
I think one of the best things you could do is start saving for/looking for a 6.0 bottom end to stick in and reuse the cam heads etc you have now, a 5.3 can only do so much with a 4L60 behind it and a stock stall.
Jun 29, 2018 | 06:19 PM
#14
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Goldthwaite,Tx
Pooterss. I’m doing this to my truck because it’s cheaper than a low mileage duramax. I’m trying to make this truck fit my needs until then. I’m not opposed to the things y’all have suggested just trying to get the best bang for the buck until I bite the bullet on a new truck. Not trying to make a race tuck or heavy haul just want it to fit my needs until I upgrade. I’m happy with the fact it’s a crew cab ( I have a 2 and 4 year old) and it’s 4x4, that’s a must. I’m just not happy with the towing and I am a junky for HP. I’m just trying to find a happy median until I can get a 3/4 ton.
Jul 2, 2018 | 10:25 AM
#15
Pooterss thanks, I’ll have to look into that.
Arthur, I have read a ton of reviews on the cam, how was daily driving? Was it a big difference from stock? Mine should be here within the next few days. I’m going to swap cams, install the corvette servo, install the transgo shift kit, and hopefully take it to get the tune by the 16th.
Arthur, I have read a ton of reviews on the cam, how was daily driving? Was it a big difference from stock? Mine should be here within the next few days. I’m going to swap cams, install the corvette servo, install the transgo shift kit, and hopefully take it to get the tune by the 16th.
212/218 .550 112LSA
TSP 1 7/8" LT
3" Y to 3.5" axle back through OEM 6.2 muff
eBay 4" intake
4L60 with stock converter, Vette servo/ Transgo kit (the $40 one on Rockauto)
4.10s
33s
Speed density tune
Makes 302rwhp on a dynojet. Same dyno put me at 204 completely stock, same tires with 3.73s.
As for the cam and drivability. I love it. Prior to this I had an LS9 cam advanced 4° and it was still an utter dog off the line. While the 212/218 doesnt let me leave in a huge cloud of tire smoke, it def rips out of the hole and sounds great at idle. I currently have a major rasp in the exhaust when passing through 3300-3700rpm part throttle, but I cant blame that on the cam.
For a low lift cam that is easy on the valve-train and uses OEM (albeit Corvette) valve springs, I am very happy with it. Responded well to boost when I put a Procharger back on it to tow to LS Fest with. Economy is in the high 13s to low 15s depending on how aggravated I get in traffic. I recall my stock econ touching the mid 16s in the same conditions, so def a minor loss there. Some of that could be the tune because I know she idles rich, but getting time with the tuner is about impossible with his schedule and mine.
Overall 11/10 great cam. Will cam another 5.3 with this cam again.
Jul 2, 2018 | 01:39 PM
#16
Pooterss. I’m doing this to my truck because it’s cheaper than a low mileage duramax. I’m trying to make this truck fit my needs until then. I’m not opposed to the things y’all have suggested just trying to get the best bang for the buck until I bite the bullet on a new truck. Not trying to make a race tuck or heavy haul just want it to fit my needs until I upgrade. I’m happy with the fact it’s a crew cab ( I have a 2 and 4 year old) and it’s 4x4, that’s a must. I’m just not happy with the towing and I am a junky for HP. I’m just trying to find a happy median until I can get a 3/4 ton.
You are going down basically the same path I am. My truck is a basic build, mostly outlined below:
212/218 .550 112LSA
TSP 1 7/8" LT
3" Y to 3.5" axle back through OEM 6.2 muff
eBay 4" intake
4L60 with stock converter, Vette servo/ Transgo kit (the $40 one on Rockauto)
4.10s
33s
Speed density tune
Makes 302rwhp on a dynojet. Same dyno put me at 204 completely stock, same tires with 3.73s.
As for the cam and drivability. I love it. Prior to this I had an LS9 cam advanced 4° and it was still an utter dog off the line. While the 212/218 doesnt let me leave in a huge cloud of tire smoke, it def rips out of the hole and sounds great at idle. I currently have a major rasp in the exhaust when passing through 3300-3700rpm part throttle, but I cant blame that on the cam.
For a low lift cam that is easy on the valve-train and uses OEM (albeit Corvette) valve springs, I am very happy with it. Responded well to boost when I put a Procharger back on it to tow to LS Fest with. Economy is in the high 13s to low 15s depending on how aggravated I get in traffic. I recall my stock econ touching the mid 16s in the same conditions, so def a minor loss there. Some of that could be the tune because I know she idles rich, but getting time with the tuner is about impossible with his schedule and mine.
Overall 11/10 great cam. Will cam another 5.3 with this cam again.
212/218 .550 112LSA
TSP 1 7/8" LT
3" Y to 3.5" axle back through OEM 6.2 muff
eBay 4" intake
4L60 with stock converter, Vette servo/ Transgo kit (the $40 one on Rockauto)
4.10s
33s
Speed density tune
Makes 302rwhp on a dynojet. Same dyno put me at 204 completely stock, same tires with 3.73s.
As for the cam and drivability. I love it. Prior to this I had an LS9 cam advanced 4° and it was still an utter dog off the line. While the 212/218 doesnt let me leave in a huge cloud of tire smoke, it def rips out of the hole and sounds great at idle. I currently have a major rasp in the exhaust when passing through 3300-3700rpm part throttle, but I cant blame that on the cam.
For a low lift cam that is easy on the valve-train and uses OEM (albeit Corvette) valve springs, I am very happy with it. Responded well to boost when I put a Procharger back on it to tow to LS Fest with. Economy is in the high 13s to low 15s depending on how aggravated I get in traffic. I recall my stock econ touching the mid 16s in the same conditions, so def a minor loss there. Some of that could be the tune because I know she idles rich, but getting time with the tuner is about impossible with his schedule and mine.
Overall 11/10 great cam. Will cam another 5.3 with this cam again.
How much tq did you gain and where in the RPM range did it start making more than stock? Was there any tq loss even low down?
Jul 3, 2018 | 11:48 AM
#18
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Goldthwaite,Tx
You are going down basically the same path I am. My truck is a basic build, mostly outlined below:
212/218 .550 112LSA
TSP 1 7/8" LT
3" Y to 3.5" axle back through OEM 6.2 muff
eBay 4" intake
4L60 with stock converter, Vette servo/ Transgo kit (the $40 one on Rockauto)
4.10s
33s
Speed density tune
Makes 302rwhp on a dynojet. Same dyno put me at 204 completely stock, same tires with 3.73s.
As for the cam and drivability. I love it. Prior to this I had an LS9 cam advanced 4° and it was still an utter dog off the line. While the 212/218 doesnt let me leave in a huge cloud of tire smoke, it def rips out of the hole and sounds great at idle. I currently have a major rasp in the exhaust when passing through 3300-3700rpm part throttle, but I cant blame that on the cam.
For a low lift cam that is easy on the valve-train and uses OEM (albeit Corvette) valve springs, I am very happy with it. Responded well to boost when I put a Procharger back on it to tow to LS Fest with. Economy is in the high 13s to low 15s depending on how aggravated I get in traffic. I recall my stock econ touching the mid 16s in the same conditions, so def a minor loss there. Some of that could be the tune because I know she idles rich, but getting time with the tuner is about impossible with his schedule and mine.
Overall 11/10 great cam. Will cam another 5.3 with this cam again.
212/218 .550 112LSA
TSP 1 7/8" LT
3" Y to 3.5" axle back through OEM 6.2 muff
eBay 4" intake
4L60 with stock converter, Vette servo/ Transgo kit (the $40 one on Rockauto)
4.10s
33s
Speed density tune
Makes 302rwhp on a dynojet. Same dyno put me at 204 completely stock, same tires with 3.73s.
As for the cam and drivability. I love it. Prior to this I had an LS9 cam advanced 4° and it was still an utter dog off the line. While the 212/218 doesnt let me leave in a huge cloud of tire smoke, it def rips out of the hole and sounds great at idle. I currently have a major rasp in the exhaust when passing through 3300-3700rpm part throttle, but I cant blame that on the cam.
For a low lift cam that is easy on the valve-train and uses OEM (albeit Corvette) valve springs, I am very happy with it. Responded well to boost when I put a Procharger back on it to tow to LS Fest with. Economy is in the high 13s to low 15s depending on how aggravated I get in traffic. I recall my stock econ touching the mid 16s in the same conditions, so def a minor loss there. Some of that could be the tune because I know she idles rich, but getting time with the tuner is about impossible with his schedule and mine.
Overall 11/10 great cam. Will cam another 5.3 with this cam again.
That’s pretty much everything I have, except I have the 3.73 insteads od 4.10s. The tuner I’m taking mine too said most of the trucks like mine he dynos stock run around 210-220hp and after the mods similar to mine they are running around 310-325hp regardless it’s a great jump and from things I read I’m going to be pretty happy with it.
Jul 6, 2018 | 10:07 AM
#19
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Goldthwaite,Tx
Cam came in a few days ago. Waiting until next weekend to install. Got the servo yesterday and installed that. Shift from 1-2 and 2-3 are noticeably quicker, can’t wait for the transgo kit to come in. I started off just wanting to do a CAI, cam and headers, I feel like a snow ball rolling down hill now that I’m installing these things and seeing better performance. I have stock 706 heads on the truck, would it be worth milling them to get 10:1 with the set up I have? What does it typically run to get heads milled? I see people suggesting the 243s and having those milled, but for the price to gain ratio (buying the heads and paying for the machining,gaskets,bolts,ect.)most are saying stick with the 706s.
Jul 6, 2018 | 01:14 PM
#20
Cam came in a few days ago. Waiting until next weekend to install. Got the servo yesterday and installed that. Shift from 1-2 and 2-3 are noticeably quicker, can’t wait for the transgo kit to come in. I started off just wanting to do a CAI, cam and headers, I feel like a snow ball rolling down hill now that I’m installing these things and seeing better performance. I have stock 706 heads on the truck, would it be worth milling them to get 10:1 with the set up I have? What does it typically run to get heads milled? I see people suggesting the 243s and having those milled, but for the price to gain ratio (buying the heads and paying for the machining,gaskets,bolts,ect.)most are saying stick with the 706s.
Personally I would pull them and mill them, I love compression. Make sure you run premium fuel afterwards also.
If I remember correctly the last time I had a set decked/milled it was about $100. New set of OEM gaskets and head bolts are fairly cheap too. It would be worth it to at least lap in the valves while the heads are off for optimum valve sealing and compression too.
If you take a little time you can do your own bowl blending, it isn't near as complex or hard as porting the runners and it yields very nice gains. You could do it in a day easy. The bowl blending and a multi angle valve job is where you see a good amount of your gains with head porting btw, so if you did those couple things you could get a lot of power for little cash.
If the heads are off it also makes the valve spring changing much easier and less stressful.