Need Opinions on Cam Selection
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
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From: Alberta, Canada
Need Opinions on Cam Selection Hey guys,
I was hoping you could lead me in the right direction in terms of a cam. I have selected a couple cams but I am wondering which would be best for my application. The engine will be the aluminum block L33 5.3L with TBSS intake manifold and ported TBSS TB, Doug Throley tri-y headers, full 3" single exhaust, custom intake and T-56 Mangum transmission. The engine will be going into a 3400-3500lb Chevy Colorado (see sig pic). So the choices are:
Comp 212/218 low lift (or maybe high lift)
Comp 216/220
Comp LSR 269LR
Now I was wondering if there are any beehive springs that could be run with the LSR cam or if I have to buy the expensive dual valve springs.
I'm optimistically aiming for 330-340 rwhp (is that a realistic goal given my other mods + dyno tune?). I'd love to have a good amount of low end torque but I don't really feel it's necessary in such a light truck. I'd like it to have good street manners since that'll be the majority of driving it'll do but also be quick at the strip since I'll take it there from time to time. I just wanted your guys' opinion on my choices since I don't really have any expertise in this area.
I was hoping you could lead me in the right direction in terms of a cam. I have selected a couple cams but I am wondering which would be best for my application. The engine will be the aluminum block L33 5.3L with TBSS intake manifold and ported TBSS TB, Doug Throley tri-y headers, full 3" single exhaust, custom intake and T-56 Mangum transmission. The engine will be going into a 3400-3500lb Chevy Colorado (see sig pic). So the choices are:
Comp 212/218 low lift (or maybe high lift)
Comp 216/220
Comp LSR 269LR
Now I was wondering if there are any beehive springs that could be run with the LSR cam or if I have to buy the expensive dual valve springs.
I'm optimistically aiming for 330-340 rwhp (is that a realistic goal given my other mods + dyno tune?). I'd love to have a good amount of low end torque but I don't really feel it's necessary in such a light truck. I'd like it to have good street manners since that'll be the majority of driving it'll do but also be quick at the strip since I'll take it there from time to time. I just wanted your guys' opinion on my choices since I don't really have any expertise in this area.
Out of those I like the (54-414-11)216/220 114lsa+2 (-10* valve overlap). but I think a better option is the Cam Motion Titan I (218/222 112lsa+4, lift .586"/.578", -4* valve overlap) which uses fairly mild cam lobe so you can run a set of less expensive PAC 1218 beehive valve springs and have long valvetrain life.
The power band between those 2 will be almost the same but with slightly more duration and valve lift the Cam Motion Titan I should make more power everywhere and still be very daily driver friendly with a noticeable but mild cam lope.
http://store.cammotion.com/the-titan1
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...valve-springs/
The power band between those 2 will be almost the same but with slightly more duration and valve lift the Cam Motion Titan I should make more power everywhere and still be very daily driver friendly with a noticeable but mild cam lope.
http://store.cammotion.com/the-titan1
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...valve-springs/
Last edited by 99Bluz28; Jan 26, 2015 at 11:44 PM.
TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
The Titan I is a little on the expensive side for me (gotta take into account CAD/USD exchange rate + shipping).
I was looking at the Vengeance Racing VRX2 last night. Seems like it's exactly what I have been looking for in a cam. 0.580" ish lift and mid 220's duration. Would it ground on a 114lsa+4 be a good performer in my truck?
Keep in mind I'm not looking to brag about max power numbers on a dyno, I just want a truck that is fun on the street that's not just a stock motor. Is this cam with the mods listed in my first post gonna get me close to the 330-340rwhp mark?
I was looking at the Vengeance Racing VRX2 last night. Seems like it's exactly what I have been looking for in a cam. 0.580" ish lift and mid 220's duration. Would it ground on a 114lsa+4 be a good performer in my truck?
Keep in mind I'm not looking to brag about max power numbers on a dyno, I just want a truck that is fun on the street that's not just a stock motor. Is this cam with the mods listed in my first post gonna get me close to the 330-340rwhp mark?
Yeah it's more expensive, but the money you save on not needing costlier stiffer valve spring to control the valves should make up most, if not all the cost difference, and since your whole valve train will last longer you'll save even more in the long run. As far as meeting you goals I'm a little confused as to what they really are since you say you're not chasing dyno numbers, but then you contradict yourself by sounding concerned about dyno numbers.
Fyi, the Vengeance VRX2 uses aggressive XE-R cam lobes which will require stiffer more expensive valve springs, and they will need to be replace quite a bit sooner compared to the running the Titan 1/PAC-1218 combo. Furthermore I think it's bigger than what you give the impression you want. Keep in mind a 224/228 114lsa+4 wills seem larger in the smaller 5.3L compared to a 5.7L engine. Now if you truly feel the Titan 1 isn't going to be big enough then maybe the Titan 2 is more inline with satisfying you wants without raising the powerband very much over the T1. Now it you truck still needs to pass tailpipe emissions testing the Titan 1 is the very largest I'd go with. If it doesn't need to pass emissions then look at the Titan 2 which can still use the same PAC-1218 valve springs.
http://store.cammotion.com/the-titan2
With you modifications 330-340rwhp will require gains of about 60-70 rwhp (from the stock rating) which is possible, but it's on the high side of possibilities for what you want; 40-55 is more realistic.
Fyi, the Vengeance VRX2 uses aggressive XE-R cam lobes which will require stiffer more expensive valve springs, and they will need to be replace quite a bit sooner compared to the running the Titan 1/PAC-1218 combo. Furthermore I think it's bigger than what you give the impression you want. Keep in mind a 224/228 114lsa+4 wills seem larger in the smaller 5.3L compared to a 5.7L engine. Now if you truly feel the Titan 1 isn't going to be big enough then maybe the Titan 2 is more inline with satisfying you wants without raising the powerband very much over the T1. Now it you truck still needs to pass tailpipe emissions testing the Titan 1 is the very largest I'd go with. If it doesn't need to pass emissions then look at the Titan 2 which can still use the same PAC-1218 valve springs.
http://store.cammotion.com/the-titan2
With you modifications 330-340rwhp will require gains of about 60-70 rwhp (from the stock rating) which is possible, but it's on the high side of possibilities for what you want; 40-55 is more realistic.
Last edited by 99Bluz28; Jan 29, 2015 at 03:01 PM. Reason: forget info, and my spelling sucks!
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Brett Foote
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
The Titan I is a little on the expensive side for me (gotta take into account CAD/USD exchange rate + shipping).
I was looking at the Vengeance Racing VRX2 last night. Seems like it's exactly what I have been looking for in a cam. 0.580" ish lift and mid 220's duration. Would it ground on a 114lsa+4 be a good performer in my truck?
Keep in mind I'm not looking to brag about max power numbers on a dyno, I just want a truck that is fun on the street that's not just a stock motor. Is this cam with the mods listed in my first post gonna get me close to the 330-340rwhp mark?
I was looking at the Vengeance Racing VRX2 last night. Seems like it's exactly what I have been looking for in a cam. 0.580" ish lift and mid 220's duration. Would it ground on a 114lsa+4 be a good performer in my truck?
Keep in mind I'm not looking to brag about max power numbers on a dyno, I just want a truck that is fun on the street that's not just a stock motor. Is this cam with the mods listed in my first post gonna get me close to the 330-340rwhp mark?
Comp Cams is the Walmart of camshafts 
I second anything from Cam Motion. Spend the extra money. It's worth it.
Plus, modding is an expensive hobby. Get used to thinking... oh $500 here and whammo. $3000 later you're like what?
Plus, modding is an expensive hobby. Get used to thinking... oh $500 here and whammo. $3000 later you're like what?
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Was just talking to a local guy the other day and we got to talking cams and he had a comp fail on him about 1-2 years ago. I've known the guy a while but never knew this. I went over the valvetrain with him in the conversation and nothing jumped out at me as out of place. Just doesn't sit well with me 
Yeah it's more expensive, but the money you save on not needing costlier stiffer valve spring to control the valves should make up most, if not all the cost difference, and since your whole valve train will last longer you'll save even more in the long run. As far as meeting you goals I'm a little confused as to what they really are since you say you're not chasing dyno numbers, but then you contradict yourself by sounding concerned about dyno numbers.
Fyi, the Vengeance VRX2 uses aggressive XE-R cam lobes which will require stiffer more expensive valve springs, and they will need to be replace quite a bit sooner compared to the running the Titan 1/PAC-1218 combo. Furthermore I think it's bigger than what you give the impression you want. Keep in mind a 224/228 114lsa+4 wills seem larger in the smaller 5.3L compared to a 5.7L engine. Now if you truly feel the Titan 1 isn't going to be big enough then maybe the Titan 2 is more inline with satisfying you wants without raising the powerband very much over the T1. Now it you truck still needs to pass tailpipe emissions testing the Titan 1 is the very largest I'd go with. If it doesn't need to pass emissions then look at the Titan 2 which can still use the same PAC-1218 valve springs.
http://store.cammotion.com/the-titan2
With you modifications 330-340rwhp will require gains of about 60-70 rwhp (from the stock rating) which is possible, but it's on the high side of possibilities for what you want; 40-55 is more realistic.
Fyi, the Vengeance VRX2 uses aggressive XE-R cam lobes which will require stiffer more expensive valve springs, and they will need to be replace quite a bit sooner compared to the running the Titan 1/PAC-1218 combo. Furthermore I think it's bigger than what you give the impression you want. Keep in mind a 224/228 114lsa+4 wills seem larger in the smaller 5.3L compared to a 5.7L engine. Now if you truly feel the Titan 1 isn't going to be big enough then maybe the Titan 2 is more inline with satisfying you wants without raising the powerband very much over the T1. Now it you truck still needs to pass tailpipe emissions testing the Titan 1 is the very largest I'd go with. If it doesn't need to pass emissions then look at the Titan 2 which can still use the same PAC-1218 valve springs.
http://store.cammotion.com/the-titan2
With you modifications 330-340rwhp will require gains of about 60-70 rwhp (from the stock rating) which is possible, but it's on the high side of possibilities for what you want; 40-55 is more realistic.
Sometimes aggressive lobes might make a little more power at first but if the valves start to float 8k miles later it wasn't worth it on a DD.