4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

So, while installing my 1 3/4 long tubes on my truck, two manifold bolts broke off on the driver's side head. As I have the stock iron heads on my 99, they didn't want to come out at all. I'm looking at going ahead and doing a head/cam swap on my Lq4 while I have the heads off to fix the problem. My truck is on 38" tires with 18" wheels, and is a 2500, so low end torque is the only priority. The truck is otherwise stock other than a cold air intake and true duals with no cats, and e-fans, and a tune. I'm looking at the texas speed stage 1 LQ9 heads, milled down to bring the comp. ratio up with my dished pistons. This is my daily driver truck, as my Camaro is the car I put most of my money in, so i'm looking at a budget head like this. I'm just not sure what to do about the cam. I have the teeny-tiny 99-00 stock cam in it now, so I need to do something. I just want to be able to compliment a basic head with the higher comp. ratio, while picking up as much torque down low as possible. Thanks in advance for anyone's input.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

I'd do a set of ported 5.3s for even more compression boost, 0.040 gaskets and a nice mid-teens cam with tight LSA/ICL.

4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

I was just looking at the lq9 heads as they are about $300 cheaper since I don't have a core, and I can get them with a 65cc chamber. I'd want to be able to run 91 octane fairly easily. I'd also like the cam so that I can get away with a budget spring, like the comp 918s to keep costs down. I was thinking something in the 215/220 range with around .550 lift, maybe a 114 LSA with +4 advance to keep the power as low as possible?

99 2500

The crane cam 210/218 114+4 .550 lift work great for you

DACTARI

iTrader: (1)

Look at Tick's Stage 1 TowMax cam. Lots of low end.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ts-trucks.html

4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

I've seen a few running that cam w/stock heads also. I'm also considering some stock ls6 style heads to end up with a 64cc chamber for less money, if I can find a set. The only reason I'm changing heads is to switch to aluminum, and the smaller chamber. I tow with my truck also, so in addition to hauling around 5 38" tires (4.56 gears), I'm pulling a car hauler quite often.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

If budget is tight, then 243 heads milled will get you good compression.

garygnu

comp cams 54-455-11 is a torque cam .

4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

What cc should I mill them to? They will already be 8cc less than stock. Just don't want the comp. to be too high.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Lunati VooDoo 212/218 113lsa+4, lift.531"/.531" would be a good choice!

http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=4626

4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

That looks like a good one too.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

Not sure what cc your dish pistons are, but LS2s run those heads with flat top pistons and are at 10.9 compression. They do just fine on 91 and 93 octane gas, so you with the dish pistons will be very safe even with 64cc heads.

4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

I'm not sure either. I just wanna be able to run flat tops when I rebuild without putting a thick head gasket on it. Or leave room for a magnacharger in the future!

intenseblue

iTrader: (1)

The mild version of the towmax stage one would be killer and id do what i could to get compression to 10.5+ 65cc heads should be close and a .040 gasket should help you out

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

A lot of these smaller cam will have at least a DCR of 8-8.5 with just a little over 10.1:1 SCR, so you don't need lot. I wouldn't go over 10.5:1 SCR with these small high torque cams, you just don't need it.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

One cam I've always liked for good usable power is the EPS 222/226...

EPS has a 222/226 .597"/.598" 115+3 using EPS lobes (which are endurance type). It has made 430rwhp with stock unported LS6 heads.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html

390rwhp stock heads:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...241-heads.html

Another 390rwhp with stock heads:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...3-results.html

430rwhp with PRC 5.3s:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...p-410rwtq.html

I'd do that cam.

And as far as heads go, I'd seriously consider grabbing some AI 5.3s with 58cc chambers to pair with that cam. The AI heads + EPS cam would make insane average power and low-end grunt. If they are out of your price range ($1795 with new 5.3L cores, Manley stainless valves and BTR Platinum springs), look at the PRC 5.3s. Ported 5.3s will help get your compression up.

I have considered going to a Chevy truck as my daily driver with a 6L in it. I'd do either the 5.3s or AI HCR 241s (since I have a set sitting on my garage floor) with that EPS cam. It'd drive nice and make great power. Then you can go with a 2800 truck stall and it'd move out.

4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

That's what I was thinking. With the 243s until milled with a stock gasket I would be around 10.5:1. I was just trying to match up with a cam, mostly by getting input on the LSA options and advance. My 99 has such a tiny cam and 9.4:1 compression with the iron heads, so anything would help I would think.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

With the Lunati cam I posted you'd have around a 8.6 DCR with a 10.5 SCR.
It's also has -11* overlap so it'll run fairly smooth, and should work fine with the stock TC stall speed.

4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

I was hoping to pick out something to go with the stock stall. I was looking at the PRC stage 1 243s, as they run about 1200. But a set of bone stock 243s would probably get me by, as the iron heads flow like a set of 241s, but the 99-00 6.0L cam is super tiny. I would just hate to regret going a little too high on compression or too big on the cam.

My 2012 Camaro is the car I'm putting money in, with an upgraded Maggie sitting on my shop floor now. I also have a LS swap in progress in my wife's 65 cutlass, so it will probably get a budget setup like this with a slightly larger cam, as it isn't nearly as heavy. But a lot of money tied up right now in all this, but with the header bolts being broken off where they are, it's making it necessary to pull the heads anyway, so that's why I'm doing this so soon.

4x4Sierra2500

iTrader: (6)

The voodoo cam looked good also. Just getting some conflicting info on the LSA that would be best for me, some say 112, some say 114, some say +3 advance, some say 4. I'll be running stock rockers for now, so I wouldn't mind a little more lift, but not necessarily as long as it meets my goals.