Been doing some searching for some proven cams in "cam only" type builds. Seems that performancetrucks.net is the main place to look for 5.3 builds. Only problem is they are on trucks that will be 1500-2500 heavier than the 240Z it will be going into. The popular cam seems to be the TR220 cam with 220/220...551/551...112 lsa. Most seem to say this cam work great with anything from a 2600-3500 stall. I will be running something in the 3200-3500 range most likley. Now due to the light vehicle weight I was considering something like the TR224 or TSP 228. What are your thoughts?? Car will be used for street fun/drag racing/autocross.

Basic idea for combo:

1972 240Z...2700 lbs with driver

LM7 5.3
GMPP single plane...best for hood clearance
Holley HP750 street DP
TR224 or TSP228 cam...matching springs/pushrods
1 3/4" headers
2.5" dual exhaust..X pipe...no cats
4L80E....3200-3500 stall
3.54 rear gear....26" tire

 

Several Fox stangs and S10s have used the MS3 in a carbed or Vic jr EFI setup 5.3 with great results. It seems to work really well with the single plane intakes on a 5.3.

 

Great info! Thanks. Any links?

 

I would for sure go with a MS3 camshaft in a 2500 pound go cart. I would stay away from the tr220 for your car because it wont make peak power like that ms3 will.

 

The MS3 is a pretty stout cam. That wont be be to much for a 5.3 and only 9.5 to 1 compression?? I would think it would bleed off alot of cylinder pressure. I dont want to be soft and then finally come alive at say 4500. Would peak power be over 7000rpm?

 

What kind of idle characteristics do you prefer?

 

A rowdy/choppy idle is fine for me.

 

Just got done reading the thread on the Fox carbed 5.3/MS3 combo. That suck flat out flys! Goes 10.0's at 134 on a 150 shot! Only thing is that the car has a 4200 stall/4.10's/shifts at 7900-8000...crazy. Its a totally stock longblock..just cam/springs/pushrods...

Now my car should be a few hundred pounds lighter but will have less gear and stall. Maybe something like the 228 would be ideal..?? Shifting at 8000 kinda freaks me out...lol.

 

Based on my recent experience, I would say something 224-228 .050" duration on 108 to 110 LSA with your rear gear ratio. With a 3.73 rear gear and that short tire maybe 230 @.050" duration on the same LSAs.

I would bet you could run that 220 TR for sure and not be disappointed with the power. But, to get a rowdy idle, you will need something bigger.

 

I agree totally. I am not totally set on the 3.54 rear gear since the rear end is not purchased yet. I think I can find some 3.90 geared R200's pretty easy.

 

Yeah but that car is like 3200lbs. You won't need that much gear for a 2500lb car. I would say the MS3 is a bit much if you don't want to shift at 7500 or so. How about a custom job? 227/230 .614/.609 111+2 COMP LSL/LXL. Should shift at 6800 and have plenty of power under the curve.

 

That sounds like a winner.

 

I would for sure get a 3.90 gear. It will make any cam you go easier to drive and make the cam more fun. I still stand by the ms3 cam in a 5.3 motor. I have the ms3 in my ls1 and it would fly and loved the bottle.

 

Thanks for the good info. Something like that should work great! With say a 3600 converter and either 3.54's or 3.90's. The TSP 228 is pretty similar with 228/228...588/588...111 lsa.

In his thread he said the car was like 2860 without driver. Mine should be about 2500-2550 without driver.

 

I was thinking he was 3200 but that was another Fox 5.3 MS3 car. I think the one I'm thinking about had a Vic jr with EFI. That guy has a carbed GM intake. The 228R is similar but not the same. I think the added lift and better lobes would be a solid 10hp over the 228R with better under the curve power. You can get TSP to grind that LSL/LXL cam for the same price.

 

In Speedtigger's cam thread, 2002on22s posted his cam choice in his 5.3. He also sent me an PM that was a bit more detailed in the characteristics of the cam as installed in his 5.3.

 

Well I picked up the new motor tonight. I traded some sbc parts for it. The LM7 turned out to be a Iron headed 6.0L! So now plans have changed a bit...lol

 

Sweet that its a 6.0. Now lose those damn iron heads.

 

That's a nice upgrade even if it does have iron heads. Scrap them and get a set of 243s on there! Cam choice will be a little different now!

 

I know need to get rid of the iron heads for some 799 or 243's right? What about some milled 317's? Are the 241's junk?