Pontiacg5

iTrader: (3)

Hello again,

I'm getting real close to needing a cam for my 5.3 s10 build. My block will be done at the machine shop by this weekend

My build is pretty basic, I had to re-budget a bit and won't be getting heads and a better intake like I planned on.

My build is pretty simple, a 2002 lm7 with ls1 intake, stock 862 heads, and Sanderson shorties. I have a 2400rpm stall and can't afford the nicer higher stalls right now either. I haven't touched any of the valvetrain yet, but I'm at least getting ls7 lifters and one piece pushrods. I'm waiting till I find a cam to pick springs.

My s10 is a 99 RCSB, and will probably weigh around 3700ish when all's said and done. I'd like for it to get up and go, but it still needs to be highly streetable.

I'm hoping that there's some non custom grind cam that will work well, I don't want to wait a long time for a custom grind.

Any ideas? I can't decide between a TR220 or thunder racing's CheaTR v.3

Thanks!

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

This would be a great kit for your application....I'm sure it's all in stock and
could ship immediately. I'd suggest the 114 lobe separation for you but Texas
Speed will get ya the right stuff.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1157-te...ve-spring.aspx

pdsq98gt

I have the same engine combo you do, but in an e36 BMW that will weigh about 3000 lbs with a 3200 yank and 3.91 gears. I will either go with a 224r on a 114lsa from Texas speed or a GM hotcam to be more maintenance free on the valve springs. But I'm leaning toward the 224r. Even on a 114 lsa the 224r sounds pretty good in a 5.3.

Pontiacg5

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the tip A.R., I talked to someone at Texas Speed and he is recommending a 216/220, .525/.532, 114 LSA with ten degrees of advance.

That seems kind of small, could I go bigger or would that hurt performance in some way?

Pdsq, since I only have a 2400 rpm stall would that much of a cam be too much? I want the thing to jump off the line, and from what I understand too much cam pushes the powerband too far into the rev range, right?

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

IMHO they are suggesting a small cam because your specific "combo" won't do well with a large one. You will need alot of power down low with a 2400 stall. You also need alot of compression to run a large duration cam.

Have you figured out your compression yet?

Id wait and save up for a decent stall. Toss in a cheapo ls1/ls6 cam until then. A zr1 cam is pretty cheap as well to get you by. They are under $100 from GM. It will idle like glass and give you a boost in low end torque.
ZR1 = 215/247 .629/.656 121 CL

Pontiacg5

iTrader: (3)

So would it be safe to say that trying to run a 220 or larger would be a waste with my stall? I'm at stock 5.3 compression and won't go higher because of plans for boost. I have stock ls1 heads waiting for when I finally do that...

I don't want a bigger stall than what I have really, the majority of the time I'm just going to putt around keeping the revs down to be good on gas. But, from what I've been seeing, a 220 ought to pull from 2000+ so why is my 2400 stall no good for that?

I don't even want to bother with stock GM cams, not to mention isn't a zr1 cam going to be single bolt? My 5.3 is an 02. Stock new zo6 cams are damn near as much as this 216 from TSP...

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

I was thinking used ls1/ls6 cam.

I just did the zr1 cam swap on my 5.3. It's a 3 bolt. You just need the 2005 gto timing cover/pickup and timing gear set.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...0sx3-75mm.html

Are your 5.3 pistons flat topped or dished?

220 is prob still "ok" IMHO I wouldn't go higher if your running dished pistons. You can't spec a cam to perform to its max potential NA, then toss a turbo and expect it to perform at its best as well.

If your running the dished pistons, you may also want to look up the "Isky Tripple 12" cam. It would work well for your mild setup and it's proven to work well with boost.

Pontiacg5

iTrader: (3)

I don't want a used cam, call me picky or whatever but I'll have nearly two grand in all new parts when the motor is done. I don't want to put a used cam in new cam bearings, plus I have no idea if what I ordered used is actually what it is supposed to be. Not to mention I don't think I'd have any problem selling the 216 down the line, they seem to sell quick on performance trucks.net

The Isky triple twelve has to be ordered through some guy on a forum, right? All these boost cams seem to have low durations, does that mean this 216 ought to work well under boost as well?

Nice build Forcefed86, do you have any dyno or 1/4 numbers from that zr1 cam yet?

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

That’s understandable used stuff is always a risk. Not as much with roller cams IMO but still...

I believe the isky cam is just a low duration custom grind a forum member “came up with”. Just throw ISKY triple cam into google search. The guys name is Stock48. He has made retarded power with that cam.

I’m no cam wizard. But generally low compression motors favor low duration and wide lobe separation. A typical street/strip turbo setup with a decent amount drive pressure does as well. High compression “performance” NA motors like the opposite. Which is why you see a lot of aftermarket cams with the huge durations. The high duration cams also move your power band up. You’ll lose low end in exchange for high end power. With that 2400 stall (you’ll really only see like 2k on the foot brake) you’ll want the power band down as low as possible. With factory compression on a 5.3 and a larger aftermarket cam your motor will be pretty wheezy around 2000 rpm. Well Under 200ftlb if your running low compression. That’s not going to launch a 3000lb truck very hard!

My car isn’t done yet. I’m shooting for April. I have no idea what it will do. Denmah and a few others have run the ZR1 cam with junkyard motors and had excellent results IMO. Not that some cams won’t work better. The Zr1 is just cheap, and a step above a ls1/ls6 cam IMO.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-fairmont.html

cam

iTrader: (9)

http://www.engpwrsys.com/index.php?a...od&productId=5

i r teh noobz

iTrader: (4)

Perhaps you could have that Pat G guy spec you something, then pick an off the shelf grind that's close.

For what its worth, I have a 224/228 112 Texas Speed cam in my 5.3. Power is weak below 2500 or so, but I have a lighter car and a clutch pedal. I'd recommend you stay below the 220R.

Black98s10

I got my custom cam for the s10 from Martin at Tick. It didn't take long to get, maybe 4-5days, from when I talked to him and getting the cam to my door.

Pontiacg5

iTrader: (3)

I went with the 216/220 114 ground with 4 degrees of advance, I didn't really want to wait for a custom grind but I guess with the holidays it's going to take just about as long to get either one.

Now the waiting game!