Was discussing possibly putting a cam into the 5.3L I purchased, and the gentleman that I purchased it from has a cam out of a 2006 Corvette 6.0 LS2 he'll sell me for $100. Says it is 525 X 525 lift.

Supposedly just a straight cam swap. For this one, wouldn't need different springs.

Just a couple things go into play for me for the decision: is it worth the effort to do it (in HP); and how bad will it affect fuel economy.

Any thoughts?

[EDIT]
BTW...this engine has flat top pistons. The cam is 1 bolt.

 

Aren't the cam and gear in your 5.3 1X and three bolt?

 

No. This one is 1 bolt. I've been told (although others haven't necessarily agreed) that this engine is 'relatively rare'. Quotes form the fella I purchased it from:

Forgive me for my greenness (is that a word?) He also said it does not have the, I forget what he called it, but does not have the variable valve timing. I think that's what he said.

He did say it was a 1 bolt cam.

I won't have the engine in hand until next week. I'm hoping to hear from him the casting number, but if not, I'll have it once the engine gets here.

 

Hmm. In that case I'd wait until I got it home and opened it up before I spent anymore money. Wouldn't pay that much for a stock cam, but I have an ls7 cam I can't seem to unload so maybe I'm biased in that regard.

 

Yeah, I think I should wait too.

I'm trying to decide whether or not I should even consider the cam, assuming all other topics are not an issue.

I'm about to give up on finding an LS6 intake, as I have had one person tell me it wouldn't make much difference on this engine. As I'm more interested in economy, I should probably just get a full LS1 set for top of engine and let it go at that. They are not as inexpensive as everyone keeps telling me.

 

If economy is your concern then keep the truck stuff and clean it up or get an engine cover. The ls1 intake is no better (just better looking).

 

Yeah, that's about what I'm to decide.

I do plan to go to the LS1 intake, as I want to make the engine look somewhat like the engine in my '56 Chevy.

 

Here is an article where they tested all the stock GM camshafts in a 5.3. The LS2 camshaft is decent, but the LS7 one is better.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...n/viewall.html

 

That's an interesting article. They talked like the valve springs needed to change for any of those cam swaps.

The fella I'm getting the engine from indicated that I wouldn't need to change the springs to put an LS2 cam in this engine. (I'm not sure if that is because of expectations of springs that come on 243 heads).

 

If its a cam from a 2006 it will likely be a 1 bolt style with a 4x cam gear, if the 5.3 is an earlier version with a three bolt cam gear it's not a direct swap. Three bolt cams have cam pickup on rear as where the ls2 cam are in the front cover so not only would you need cam but the gear and the timing cover if that's the case. And nobody sells a one bolt 1x cam gear a company sells some type of converter setup but it's pricey, the 4x can be modified to work just like a 1x though done it and works fine. Mines a 2000 5.3 with TBSS 6.0l heads and cam which is the same spec, running 3.55 gears after 2500-3000rpm it pulls hard. Good luck

 

While this topic is probably significant for some, in my case, it is now moot. I have decided to purchase a crate LS3 / 430 instead.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

Not to mention you will have to get an LS1 accessory package with all the brackets, pulleys, assorted hardware and the crank pulley. Stick with the truck stuff if you can.

 

you dont have to change all the accessories to run ls1 intake.

 

springs are cheap and easy, I say swap them too. Their should be some decent cams for around that price, some guys may run them a short bit and not be happy with them, just look around or get a new one
http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merc...9#.UhlXl0_n-M8


nevermind, saw your last post

 

Great article...love the low rpm comparison, all too often forgotten.

 

Check out Car Craft July 2013... Per the Article.. 403hp/399tq that is a +50hp over the LM7.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...n/viewall.html

BC

 

I have been debating doing that same swap in my 04 5.3. It's the same lift as an ASA cam but less duration so won't have the choppy idle I like.. If it can be had for $100 I say go for it as long as its a direct swap! I still haven't pulled mine apart to see if its 1 or 3 bolt...

 

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