Red Mnster Z

I'm going to be starting a 5.3L LS motor swap into my 1993 Camaro Z28 and I know what I need to do, to do the swap. I am going to cam my 5.3L, which it only has 1900 miles on it, and I am trying to decide what cam to do. I have been thinking about either the GM ASA Cam or the GM LS Hot Cam? I am leaning more towards the ASA Cam instead of the LS Hot Cam because the LS Hot Cam is very similar to the LT4 Hot Cam and it would sound almost the same. What are all your guys opinions on the cams?

1dirtybird

iTrader: (7)

Tr-220 or Tr224 on a 112 both of those cams make great power in a 5.3 check the truck forums you'll see alot of more cam selections.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

Up top for more opinions between the asa and hot cam

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

You understand that by using a cam in an engine with less displacement you make it act a bit more aggressive?

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

Yes, the cam is already reasonably tame, and my last ls1 had the MS4. I'm not looking to build a power house as this is just a temporary motor while I revise and change my plans for the big engine. I can pick up either cam for reasonably cheap and use the 918's I have on the shelf. Or the ls6 springs I have on a set of Vortec 350 heads.

The heads I will be using are hand ported 241's on an otherwise stock 5.3 short block. Of course I have a better oil pump and new ls9 timing set.

This is a very very budget oriented temporary build.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

I also have 4.11 gears in the 9 inch so that should eatup some of the driveability issues.

garcr4

iTrader: (1)

We have road raced the ASA cam in SCCA and it is a good little cam. It will obviously move the power band up a few hundred rpm vs the hot cam and should make 15 or so more HP. Since you have a 4.11, I would probably go with the ASA. The ASA pulls hard to 6500, with good low end and excellent mid range power.

Gunslinger09

I second the ASA cam. Since it sounds like you are using the car for a street/strip warrior anyway why not go with the more agressive of the two choices. Don't forget to post the dyno numbers and track times once the swap is done.

disc0monkey

iTrader: (10)

I wouldn't run that cam because you have low compression with those 241s on the 5.3. The dynamic compression will be in the gutter. Go for something a little tighter, ls6 cam isn't bad for a 5.3 if u wanna use oem springs

Gunslinger09

Not necessarily. It will depend on which 5.3 he has and if he had any milled off the heads when the port work was done.

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

What about the recent Car Craft test where they ran all the GM cams in a 5.3
and the 01-04 Ls1 was about the best compromise between torque @ 2500
and HP @ 6500 w/better springs of coarse. IIRC Crane also sent them a lil
200/200 stick compatible w/LS6 springs and that bested the LS1 cam by like
another 12 horse plus more torque all the way through the band.

disc0monkey

iTrader: (10)

What do you mean what 5.3 he has? The 241 chambers are massive compared to 862s. 241s won't get that compression even milled. 243s/799s lost compression for better head flow. Still the cam needs compression to be stable in a 5.3l milled 243s or even 862s would be more like it.

Gunslinger09

I mean if he has the HiPerf version of the 5.3 with the flat top pistons he isn't going to lose that much compression even with the larger combustion chambers. Also the ASA cam was designed for a stock CR motor so it really doesn't need a whole bunch of compression.

disc0monkey

iTrader: (10)

Ok that makes sense. I didn't remember there being two pistons. I just thought the HO was aluminum.

OP it wouldn't hurt to get the specs and see what the dynamic compression would be with your setup.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

The 241's are only 2cc's or so larger than the 862's in stock form. The 241's I have, have been milled and the chamber massaged to alleviate valve shrouding. They were milled to 59cc and yes, I do have the iron version with dished pistons.

The quench area will be on the **** poor side, but overall compression should be decent. I haven't crunched the numbers yet, as I'm not totally sure the volume of the dish on the pistons, but I'm betting after all is said and done, it will be around 10:1, maybe a little more.

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

Any more opinions?

batboy

iTrader: (6)

The ASA cam has a lot of duration with a low lift. There are better cams available. Why are you locked into only GM cams?

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

It's a temporary motor and the ASA cam can be had for cheap. As well as the hot cam. I also already have a set of ls6 springs and a set of pretty well used 918's that will work with either. Most other cams will either be more expensive, harder to find or not work with the springs I have. Or all 3.

Chev87

Lookin for comments an opinions, on the asa cam in a 5.3. I hav a 04 chevy 4wd, 6" lift, 35" tires, 4.56 gears, Lt headers, y-pipe, rear o2 deleted, single in, dual out spin tech rv muffler, cold air intake. How do y'all think this truck will performe with the asa cam, along with the TB i6 TC. Truck is a DD, that I also use to pull a 18' car trailor, an a 22' pontoon. Ur thoughts will b appreciated. Thanks an god bless

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

This would be my choice Chev87...

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...hp-22rwtq.html