Stock 5.7 ls1 in a silverado. Stock cam?
#1
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I'm just about done freshining my 5.7 ls1 shortblock and due to my "budget", also known as my wife, I can only afford to go with a stock ls1 motor. My previous plan was to use 243 heads and get a custom cam/springs. I had planned to use Flowtechinduction since he spec'd my SBF cam and did a great job, but that will add around $800 to my build, after matching the springs.
Since I already have the stock 241 heads, I will be getting a VJ and running a thinner 0.040 gasket to bump compression.
My cam options for my 5.7 LS1 are:
Free Stock 4.8 liter cam/springs
Free Stock 2002 Camaro ls1 cam/springs
$800 Custom FTI cam/springs
This motor is going into a 2003 regular cab, short bed silverado.
Im afraid those stock cams will suck in a truck. Your thoughts?
Since I already have the stock 241 heads, I will be getting a VJ and running a thinner 0.040 gasket to bump compression.
My cam options for my 5.7 LS1 are:
Free Stock 4.8 liter cam/springs
Free Stock 2002 Camaro ls1 cam/springs
$800 Custom FTI cam/springs
This motor is going into a 2003 regular cab, short bed silverado.
Im afraid those stock cams will suck in a truck. Your thoughts?
Last edited by Justhereforinfo; 07-29-2013 at 01:37 PM.
#5
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iTrader: (4)
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I'd go with the the zr1/ls9 cam. It is leass than $100 new from gm parts direct. And use cheap ls6 springs or PAC 1218 ($140 shipped) springs if you want a larger cam in the future.
You'll also need a 1 tooth cam gear (my ls1 came with one) and a timing cover with a front pickup. (can be bought at auto zone, or found used a junkyard)
This cam gear...
![](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/Hybridgnx/IMG_20121028_184108.jpg)
THis front cover and sensor.
![](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/Hybridgnx/79%20RX-7/IMG_4957.jpg)
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12638427
Valve Lift (in.)
.562 / .558"
Dur. @ 0.050 I/E
211 / 230
Rocker Arm Ratio
1.7
You'll also need a 1 tooth cam gear (my ls1 came with one) and a timing cover with a front pickup. (can be bought at auto zone, or found used a junkyard)
This cam gear...
![](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/Hybridgnx/IMG_20121028_184108.jpg)
THis front cover and sensor.
![](http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/Hybridgnx/79%20RX-7/IMG_4957.jpg)
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12638427
Valve Lift (in.)
.562 / .558"
Dur. @ 0.050 I/E
211 / 230
Rocker Arm Ratio
1.7
#6
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I appreciate the suggestion, but after buying different gear/cover/sensor it may cost as much as a custom cam. Which is ok if the cam works perfectly for my combo, but so would a custom...
Can you explain why you think its a good fit for a silverado with a 5.7
I think at this point my two options are:
1. Run what I have (stock LS1 cam)
2. Stop being a cheap *** and have Ed grind me a cam.
Can you explain why you think its a good fit for a silverado with a 5.7
I think at this point my two options are:
1. Run what I have (stock LS1 cam)
2. Stop being a cheap *** and have Ed grind me a cam.
#7
8 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
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I appreciate the suggestion, but after buying different gear/cover/sensor it may cost as much as a custom cam. Which is ok if the cam works perfectly for my combo, but so would a custom...
Can you explain why you think its a good fit for a silverado with a 5.7
I think at this point my two options are:
1. Run what I have (stock LS1 cam)
2. Stop being a cheap *** and have Ed grind me a cam.
Can you explain why you think its a good fit for a silverado with a 5.7
I think at this point my two options are:
1. Run what I have (stock LS1 cam)
2. Stop being a cheap *** and have Ed grind me a cam.
You need springs no matter what you choose. So I'd write that off as a draw. new Ls6 springs would be the cheapest. I'd go with the pac1218's. Same deal with a timing set, you need a new one anyway. Just buy the 2005 gto timing gear set. (if you don't already have a 1 tooth front gear as I did.)
I picked up the timing cover and gaskets shipped to me for less than $60. Basically spent under $200 on the cam setup. There are better cams out there for sure, but for the money spent, I haven't seen a better option.
If you look at the recent OEM cam tests done on a "stock" 5.3 in car craft you'll see some good gains from the zr1 cam. Over the factory 5.3 cam. I believe there would be more gain on a 5.7.
+51tq/53hp 5500
+90tq/112hp 6500
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...-cam-test.html
Then again the crane cams 224/232 looks pretty mean in that article!
Last edited by Forcefed86; 07-31-2013 at 03:24 PM.
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#8
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Custom cam is always going to be best. Just depends if you have the money. I don't think a zr1 cam is perfect for anything but a zr1. I do think it would be an improvement over the ls1 cam.
You need springs no matter what you choose. So I'd write that off as a draw. new Ls6 springs would be the cheapest. I'd go with the pac1218's. Same deal with a timing set, you need a new one anyway. Just buy the 2005 gto timing gear set. (if you don't already have a 1 tooth front gear as I did.)
I picked up the timing cover and gaskets shipped to me for less than $60. Basically spent under $200 on the cam setup. There are better cams out there for sure, but for the money spent, I haven't seen a better option.
If you look at the recent OEM cam tests done on a "stock" 5.3 in car craft you'll see some good gains from the zr1 cam. Over the factory 5.3 cam. I believe there would be more gain on a 5.7.
+51tq/53hp 5500
+90tq/112hp 6500
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...-cam-test.html
Then again the crane cams 224/232 looks pretty mean in that article!
You need springs no matter what you choose. So I'd write that off as a draw. new Ls6 springs would be the cheapest. I'd go with the pac1218's. Same deal with a timing set, you need a new one anyway. Just buy the 2005 gto timing gear set. (if you don't already have a 1 tooth front gear as I did.)
I picked up the timing cover and gaskets shipped to me for less than $60. Basically spent under $200 on the cam setup. There are better cams out there for sure, but for the money spent, I haven't seen a better option.
If you look at the recent OEM cam tests done on a "stock" 5.3 in car craft you'll see some good gains from the zr1 cam. Over the factory 5.3 cam. I believe there would be more gain on a 5.7.
+51tq/53hp 5500
+90tq/112hp 6500
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...-cam-test.html
Then again the crane cams 224/232 looks pretty mean in that article!
ls9 cam 211/230 .558/.562 122.5lsa
420hp/6200
393tq/5100
-41tq 2500
-20tq 3500-2tq 4500
+51tq/53hp 5500
+90tq/112hp 6500
The loss of low end torque is not acceptable for my application. This truck wont see 6000 rpm, but twice per month. I want a more useful torque range.
If I was building a motor for the track, I would take that trade off, but not for towing.
Am I wrong?