Anyone run 5.3 heads on their V? And help me with a Cam selection!!
07-11-2011, 12:15 AM
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Anyone run 5.3 heads on their V? And help me with a Cam selection!! I was reading about head options for the LS1/LS6 and the stock 5.3 truck heads seem to be a good affordable upgrade. From what i understand, the benefit is that the combustion chambers are slightly smaller so they bump up the compression a bit. May not be ideal for someone running FI but on an N/A car, sounds like they would be a good mod. Wondering if i should look into doing this as opposed to porting my LS6 heads?
Id like to run some AFR's or Trickflows but for the price, i just don't think I could justify it. This is my daily... not a track car. I just want to add a few tasteful mods that will make it sound mean and perform better than your average V and then be done with it. I plan to run a FAST intake, big cam, ported LS6 heads or maybe a set of those 5.3 truck heads and kooks LT's. Intake and exhaust will be flowing well together and should make good enough numbers to make me satisfied. I may throw a 100-150 shot on it just for that odd time I want that power but it wouldn't be used very often.
As for the cam, I daily drive my car so i want basically the biggest cam i can run without sacrificing good street manners. The cams i am looking at are the 228R cam, HPE S-cam, HPE Mega death cam, TSP MS3 cam and others similar. Looking at anything in the 230/240 area with .600+ lift. Whatever i pick will most likely be on a 112 LSA. I want a big *** cam that sounds wild at idle (Love that lope) but it has to make good power where i need it. A big *** cam that performs well on the high end while torque and power lacks under the curve wont work (MS4 cam). I wanted the MS4 until i realized it only screams up top. Great if you plan to be WOT all the time. Since i wont be driving this car above 3500rpms at all the times, it would be a pointless cam to run. I want something that pulls up top but also makes good torque and midrange power to get the car moving. Something that gets good mileage would be nice as well. I hear a lot of people say they gained mileage with a cam and some say the opposite so id like to go with something thats going to make it better if possible.
So what cam would you guys suggest?
Id like to run some AFR's or Trickflows but for the price, i just don't think I could justify it. This is my daily... not a track car. I just want to add a few tasteful mods that will make it sound mean and perform better than your average V and then be done with it. I plan to run a FAST intake, big cam, ported LS6 heads or maybe a set of those 5.3 truck heads and kooks LT's. Intake and exhaust will be flowing well together and should make good enough numbers to make me satisfied. I may throw a 100-150 shot on it just for that odd time I want that power but it wouldn't be used very often.
As for the cam, I daily drive my car so i want basically the biggest cam i can run without sacrificing good street manners. The cams i am looking at are the 228R cam, HPE S-cam, HPE Mega death cam, TSP MS3 cam and others similar. Looking at anything in the 230/240 area with .600+ lift. Whatever i pick will most likely be on a 112 LSA. I want a big *** cam that sounds wild at idle (Love that lope) but it has to make good power where i need it. A big *** cam that performs well on the high end while torque and power lacks under the curve wont work (MS4 cam). I wanted the MS4 until i realized it only screams up top. Great if you plan to be WOT all the time. Since i wont be driving this car above 3500rpms at all the times, it would be a pointless cam to run. I want something that pulls up top but also makes good torque and midrange power to get the car moving. Something that gets good mileage would be nice as well. I hear a lot of people say they gained mileage with a cam and some say the opposite so id like to go with something thats going to make it better if possible.
So what cam would you guys suggest?
Last edited by NeverSatisfied02; 07-11-2011 at 12:21 AM.
07-11-2011, 01:13 AM
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I was just in your situation not to long ago. 5.3 or 243s, my buddy did some research and called Texas speed. They said that a good set of 243 will run better then the 5.3 because the ports are straighter. So we went with those and also ordered a torquer v3 cam it should compliment the heads well is what they said. The numbers on that are 231/234 on 111lsa then .598 .648. Those may not be exact but they are the close numbers. Just a share of what I went with. Car should be back running in a week or so. Waiting on the monster clutch to get here.
07-11-2011, 01:21 AM
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Nice! Sounds like a good setup! And glad you told me that about the 243's. I guess ill just stick them and maybe just have them ported and cleaned up a bit when i do the cam. That sounds like a stout cam and fits right in with the specs on the ones i've been looking at. 111LSA should make it nice and choppy at idle. 
I'm surprised the lift difference is so big though between the intake and exhaust. I wonder why? Seems like all the others have a much smaller difference between them. Not sure what the reason behind that would be but if it makes good power... I'm not knocking it.
I'm surprised the lift difference is so big though between the intake and exhaust. I wonder why? Seems like all the others have a much smaller difference between them. Not sure what the reason behind that would be but if it makes good power... I'm not knocking it.
07-11-2011, 01:34 AM
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I have been researching too. I think I have it narrowed down to Tick's Polluter cam or a HPE Megadeath.
I can't wait to take advantage of my Fast 92, 90mm TPIS TB, 100mm MAF and 42lb injectors.
Heads will be the last piece. I cannot decide between P&P or just wait until a great deal comes up. Either way, if heads are the last thing I have to worry about, I am good.
I can't wait to take advantage of my Fast 92, 90mm TPIS TB, 100mm MAF and 42lb injectors.
Heads will be the last piece. I cannot decide between P&P or just wait until a great deal comes up. Either way, if heads are the last thing I have to worry about, I am good.
Last edited by VeryWhiteDevil; 07-11-2011 at 01:42 AM.
07-11-2011, 01:42 AM
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I was really liking the MS3. Heard the MS4 and loved the sound but after looking up the power curve, the MS4 isn't the best cam for a daily. Lags a lot down low. It rips up top though.
Im really liking the mega death myself.... 244/242 .612/.610 112LSA
Im really liking the mega death myself.... 244/242 .612/.610 112LSA
07-11-2011, 01:57 AM
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I'm daily driving 236/242 .615/.615 on 111+2 from Thunder Racing. It is the "RapTr" cam. I put it in last August and has ~15k miles on the setup now and running great. I live 12 miles from work. In the morning it only takes 20 minutes, but the evening it can take about an hour to get home in stop and go traffic and it doesnt miss a beat.
I'll probably replace the springs (patriot extremes double springs) again around 20k miles just to be safe. I've heard of people running the springs a lot longer than that though.
I'll probably replace the springs (patriot extremes double springs) again around 20k miles just to be safe. I've heard of people running the springs a lot longer than that though.
07-11-2011, 02:06 AM
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Sounds like a nice cam! I just want to be sure whatever i pick is a thumper at idle and makes good numbers and torque down lower in the range as well as up top since its not a track car. A monster high end cam would be awesome on the dyno or at the track but on the street, it would be a slug down low where the car spends most of its time. I just want to do all my homework before i decide and make sure i make a wise choice. Ill be doing push rods, double springs, etc as well.
Keep the suggestions coming guys! I want to hear all options! lol
Keep the suggestions coming guys! I want to hear all options! lol
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07-11-2011, 10:16 PM
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Throw me some suggestions fellas! lol
Car will have kooks when the cam is installed and shortly after a fast manifold and possibly some portwork. So everything will be flowing nicely!
Car will have kooks when the cam is installed and shortly after a fast manifold and possibly some portwork. So everything will be flowing nicely!
07-11-2011, 10:35 PM
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230/227 .591/.571 lsa 112
If you plan on doign a fast intake a reverse split cam will not perform as well as a tradiitonal cam. reverse split cams usually prefer free flowing exhaust(l/ts etc) but are more suited for cars with a restrictive intake.
They do make good power and usually make it more udner the curve over traditional cams. If you wanna do heads and fast i would do a single pattern cam or a traditional split. Plus if you wanna throw on nitrous down the road the traditional will be beneficial.
If you plan on doign a fast intake a reverse split cam will not perform as well as a tradiitonal cam. reverse split cams usually prefer free flowing exhaust(l/ts etc) but are more suited for cars with a restrictive intake.
They do make good power and usually make it more udner the curve over traditional cams. If you wanna do heads and fast i would do a single pattern cam or a traditional split. Plus if you wanna throw on nitrous down the road the traditional will be beneficial.
07-12-2011, 12:11 PM
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Ok. Thanks for the info man! Assuming the X1 would be ideal if I planned to keep my stock LS6 heads and intake with my kooks and open exhaust though right?
07-12-2011, 05:53 PM
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Damn! I'm jealous! Sounds like a nice setup! I don't know why but I'm so addicted to that huge lope that I'd almost sacrifice performance just to hear it sit there and thump all day. Lol
I'll have to check out the specs on that V2. I'd be happy with a 430rwhp N/A car. I plan to throw 100-150 shot on it later as well.
I'll have to check out the specs on that V2. I'd be happy with a 430rwhp N/A car. I plan to throw 100-150 shot on it later as well.
07-13-2011, 12:18 AM
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I definitely sacrificed a little low end to enjoy the huge thump this cam makes, but in a way that makes it more streetable because you dont have massive tq down low to worry about in the rain. It is really tame in normal driving(other than attracting a ton of attention for the sound) and wakes up power wise when you tell it to.
07-21-2011, 01:07 PM
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07-21-2011, 02:15 PM
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Actually man, I have put a hold on the cam idea. My buddy wants to buy my car and give me his 03 cobra. Looking into making a deal with him but it's not for sure yet.
07-21-2011, 09:27 PM
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