Justhereforinfo

iTrader: (2)

I'm just about done freshining my 5.7 ls1 shortblock and due to my "budget", also known as my wife, I can only afford to go with a stock ls1 motor. My previous plan was to use 243 heads and get a custom cam/springs. I had planned to use Flowtechinduction since he spec'd my SBF cam and did a great job, but that will add around $800 to my build, after matching the springs.

Since I already have the stock 241 heads, I will be getting a VJ and running a thinner 0.040 gasket to bump compression.

My cam options for my 5.7 LS1 are:

Free Stock 4.8 liter cam/springs
Free Stock 2002 Camaro ls1 cam/springs
$800 Custom FTI cam/springs

This motor is going into a 2003 regular cab, short bed silverado.

Im afraid those stock cams will suck in a truck. Your thoughts?

wildcamaro

iTrader: (15)

I'd go with the stock ls1 cam or for $350 you can get ls6 cam and springs maybe even cheaper if you find the cam used, it's $300 at summit and springs are $65

D14HUGGER.ORANGE

You can go cheaper for after market cam&springs look at tick performance. Custom grind cam and brain tooley duel valve springs for around 600$

Justhereforinfo

iTrader: (2)

Interesting, thanks.

I thought about the ls6 cam, but its ground for a light weight vette, not a 4500lb truck. I think the only way to know for sure, is to get a custom cam.

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

I'd go with the the zr1/ls9 cam. It is leass than $100 new from gm parts direct. And use cheap ls6 springs or PAC 1218 ($140 shipped) springs if you want a larger cam in the future.

You'll also need a 1 tooth cam gear (my ls1 came with one) and a timing cover with a front pickup. (can be bought at auto zone, or found used a junkyard)

This cam gear...



THis front cover and sensor.



http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12638427


Valve Lift (in.)

.562 / .558"

Dur. @ 0.050 I/E

211 / 230

Rocker Arm Ratio

1.7

Justhereforinfo

iTrader: (2)

I appreciate the suggestion, but after buying different gear/cover/sensor it may cost as much as a custom cam. Which is ok if the cam works perfectly for my combo, but so would a custom...

Can you explain why you think its a good fit for a silverado with a 5.7

I think at this point my two options are:

1. Run what I have (stock LS1 cam)
2. Stop being a cheap *** and have Ed grind me a cam.

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

Custom cam is always going to be best. Just depends if you have the money. I don't think a zr1 cam is perfect for anything but a zr1. I do think it would be an improvement over the ls1 cam.

You need springs no matter what you choose. So I'd write that off as a draw. new Ls6 springs would be the cheapest. I'd go with the pac1218's. Same deal with a timing set, you need a new one anyway. Just buy the 2005 gto timing gear set. (if you don't already have a 1 tooth front gear as I did.)

I picked up the timing cover and gaskets shipped to me for less than $60. Basically spent under $200 on the cam setup. There are better cams out there for sure, but for the money spent, I haven't seen a better option.

If you look at the recent OEM cam tests done on a "stock" 5.3 in car craft you'll see some good gains from the zr1 cam. Over the factory 5.3 cam. I believe there would be more gain on a 5.7.

+51tq/53hp 5500
+90tq/112hp 6500

https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...-cam-test.html

Then again the crane cams 224/232 looks pretty mean in that article!

Justhereforinfo

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the info, but here is what scares me...

ls9 cam 211/230 .558/.562 122.5lsa
420hp/6200
393tq/5100
-41tq 2500
-20tq 3500-2tq 4500
+51tq/53hp 5500
+90tq/112hp 6500

The loss of low end torque is not acceptable for my application. This truck wont see 6000 rpm, but twice per month. I want a more useful torque range.
If I was building a motor for the track, I would take that trade off, but not for towing.

Am I wrong?

anheuserbusch08

iTrader: (11)

Just get u a used ls2 cam or ls6 cam. Those ls1s enjoy those sticks

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

problem is finding an ls6/ls2 cam these days. And they will sacrifice low end as well. If you want the most torque down low and don’t plan on reving it, stay with the truck cam. Maybe toss on some 1.8 rockers down the line for a little more spunk.