Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

5.3 cam ?

Old Mar 9, 2009 | 01:43 PM
  #1  
bryan.k's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default 5.3 cam ?

I'm in the process removing a 4.3 L and buying a 04 5.3L out of a van to put into my rock crawler i have been told all i have to do is put a cam in it and that 5.3 will wake up .. so the ? i have is what cam should i be looking at . i really don't want to change springs valves push rods if i don't have to , can any 1 help out
thanks for the help
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 01:49 PM
  #2  
Gregory's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: Texas, Europe, Iraq & Afghanistan
Default

Contact "Patrick G." He can spec you a camshaft for a small fee. You will need to change the valve springs at a minimum.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 02:06 PM
  #3  
Patrick G's Avatar
LS1 Tech Administrator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 34
From: Victoria, TX
Default

You will need to change valve springs and pushrods with any cam you choose. The stock pushrods are very weak and will flex or bend under the load of a stouter spring than stock.

For a rock crawler, you want fairly low overlap so you can have crisp manners off-idle. You also want a fairly early intake valve closing point to keep your low and mid-range torque robust. Also, when comparing to 5.7L cams, make your 5.3L cams around 4 degrees smaller.
__________________

2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.

Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 02:19 PM
  #4  
viper2fast's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Default

ls6 cam is perfect for 5.3 engine
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 02:23 PM
  #5  
bryan.k's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Patrick G
You will need to change valve springs and pushrods with any cam you choose. The stock pushrods are very weak and will flex or bend under the load of a stouter spring than stock.

For a rock crawler, you want fairly low overlap so you can have crisp manners off-idle. You also want a fairly early intake valve closing point to keep your low and mid-range torque robust. Also, when comparing to 5.7L cams, make your 5.3L cams around 4 degrees smaller.
So what cam and springs do you recommend and push rods i would like to get started on this soon
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 02:34 PM
  #6  
Patrick G's Avatar
LS1 Tech Administrator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 34
From: Victoria, TX
Default

Originally Posted by viper2fast
ls6 cam is perfect for 5.3 engine
It is absolutely not the best cam for a 5.3L...especially in this rock-crawler application. The intake valve closing point is entirely too late for strong low and mid-range torque. LS6 cams are very soft in their low-end torque in 5.3s.
__________________

2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.

Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 05:02 PM
  #7  
nastychevelle's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 934
Likes: 1
From: troy, IL
Default

216/224 .551 Vinci Cam i believe its called the torquer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnvkKxCXjVM
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 06:51 PM
  #8  
Venomous281's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: South Padre Island
Default

I had a 220R but i also have a 3600 converter. It did awesome in my 5.3
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:51 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE