Ls6 cam
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Aiken, SC
Ls6 cam I have a ls6 cam in the 5.3 I just built for my truck, my question is should I scrap the cam or try it out? Motor is a fresh 5.3 with mildly ported 862 heads (2" intake valves, ls6 springs, nice valve job, rocker hump removed, some bowl and short turn work) The engine is already together and ready to go in and the ecu has a tune for the ls6 cam. The truck is a 1989 sbsc silverado 3.73 gears, 4l60e, and Circle D 2800 stall. I have heard so many people say this cam is great in a 5.3 and many other say it is junk. Just trying to make a decision before the motor is in the truck.
I put an LS6 cam in a 5.3L, and don't really like it. That said, it is stock 706 heads, stock truck manifolds, 3.73 gearing, and a very heavy 4x4 suburban. With yours set up the way it is, it might be a good match.
I still think you won't feel a lot of low end torque, which may affect how good it works in your truck, but with a 2800 stall, you might do better than I did.
As far along as you are, try it out. I mean, it's already built and tuned. Don't be surprised if it doesn't deliver as well as you expected or hoped. Personally, I think that cam would be much better if the LSA was tighter. Would have helped with torque, and the overlap would help with power.
I still think you won't feel a lot of low end torque, which may affect how good it works in your truck, but with a 2800 stall, you might do better than I did.
As far along as you are, try it out. I mean, it's already built and tuned. Don't be surprised if it doesn't deliver as well as you expected or hoped. Personally, I think that cam would be much better if the LSA was tighter. Would have helped with torque, and the overlap would help with power.
Yank it and put the LQ9 6.0 cam in or a Crane 200/200.
The LQ9 6.0 cam (same one used in the late LS1's) gives up only -8lbs of torque down low(2500rpm) and still makes + 40 hp @ 6500 rpm.
The Crane 200/200 gives up no torque @ 2500 rpm and makes + 40 hp up top. Also note it makes +15 lbs more torque in the mid range.
The LS6 is down -20ft lbs @ 2500 rpm and makes +90 hp up top.
The LS2 & LS3 cam have much better power under the curve then the LS6 but still give up a good bit of TQ down low.
In a daily driven truck, low end TQ is the last thing you want to give up imo.
Here is a good read.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...st-comparison/
The LQ9 6.0 cam (same one used in the late LS1's) gives up only -8lbs of torque down low(2500rpm) and still makes + 40 hp @ 6500 rpm.
The Crane 200/200 gives up no torque @ 2500 rpm and makes + 40 hp up top. Also note it makes +15 lbs more torque in the mid range.
The LS6 is down -20ft lbs @ 2500 rpm and makes +90 hp up top.
The LS2 & LS3 cam have much better power under the curve then the LS6 but still give up a good bit of TQ down low.
In a daily driven truck, low end TQ is the last thing you want to give up imo.
Here is a good read.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...st-comparison/
Last edited by kinglt-1; Mar 28, 2015 at 08:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Aiken, SC
Yank it and put the LQ9 6.0 cam in or a Crane 200/200.
The LQ9 6.0 cam (same one used in the late LS1's) gives up only -8lbs of torque down low(2500rpm) and still makes + 40 hp @ 6500 rpm.
The Crane 200/200 gives up no torque @ 2500 rpm and makes + 40 hp up top. Also note it makes +15 lbs more torque in the mid range.
The LS6 is down -20ft lbs @ 2500 rpm and makes +90 hp up top.
The LS2 & LS3 cam have much better power under the curve then the LS6 but still give up a good bit of TQ down low.
In a daily driven truck, low end TQ is the last thing you want to give up imo.
Here is a good read.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...st-comparison/
The LQ9 6.0 cam (same one used in the late LS1's) gives up only -8lbs of torque down low(2500rpm) and still makes + 40 hp @ 6500 rpm.
The Crane 200/200 gives up no torque @ 2500 rpm and makes + 40 hp up top. Also note it makes +15 lbs more torque in the mid range.
The LS6 is down -20ft lbs @ 2500 rpm and makes +90 hp up top.
The LS2 & LS3 cam have much better power under the curve then the LS6 but still give up a good bit of TQ down low.
In a daily driven truck, low end TQ is the last thing you want to give up imo.
Here is a good read.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...st-comparison/
I have read tha thread and article in car craft a few times. I think there is misprint in the article because they never listed the correct ls6 cam specs.
Trending Topics
The bottom line is that the valve events were chosen for a 5.7L going into a very light corvette that is expected to rev. A 6,000 pound truck witha 5.3 will not behave the same.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo and if you find, like Darth_V8r, that you don't like it; there is always a market for a LS6 cam here. Sell it and recover some of the money.
I have the LS6 cam in my car. m6 and 4.10 gear, 2800 lbs
I have the LS6 cam in my car. m6 and 4.10 gear, 2800 lbs
Pull the LS6 cam and sell it!
With that 2800 stall TC I'd go with a bigger cam (up to a 216/220 114lsa).
Imo, the BTR Truck Stage II Camshaft (212/218 113lsa+2, lift is .553"/.553") would be a good option, and can be safely used with LS6 valve springs., and would work good with your 2800 stall TC..
With that 2800 stall TC I'd go with a bigger cam (up to a 216/220 114lsa).
Imo, the BTR Truck Stage II Camshaft (212/218 113lsa+2, lift is .553"/.553") would be a good option, and can be safely used with LS6 valve springs., and would work good with your 2800 stall TC..
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Aiken, SC
Well I have been driving my truck with the swap for about a week. I finally decided to just give the ls6 cam a shot. I'm actually pretty pleased with it, although I don't really have much to compare it to. It seem to like the converter and 3.73 gear in the truck. The BlackBear tune is great, fires right up, idles well, and the trans shifts firmer. Truck averaged 22mpg on the first tank with me keeping my foot out of it most of the time. The only thing I need to do is go back and check the preload on the lifters/rockers, I have a very slight tick I would like to get rid of.
Glad it worked out for you. i'm trying to understand why your results are so different from mine:
1. Stock 706 heads vs ported 862?
2. Stock converter vs 2800 stall?
3. Is there something lacking in my tune?
4. 4WD vs 2WD parasitic losses?
5. Weight of suburban vs smallest lightest Silverado?
1. Stock 706 heads vs ported 862?
2. Stock converter vs 2800 stall?
3. Is there something lacking in my tune?
4. 4WD vs 2WD parasitic losses?
5. Weight of suburban vs smallest lightest Silverado?
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2009 5.3L w/ 799 heads and 2.00" inlet valves I am preparing this new crate engine to swap into my 2004 Silverado w/ a 4.8L. I will delete the AFM function and lifters before the swap. Can someone recommend the best GM cam for low end torque? I read the hotrod test:
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/..._plusone_share.
and have concluded that these are the best cams for low end torque:
1. gm part #12561721 196/207, max lift 0.479/0.467, LSA 116 2. gm part #12560967 191/190, max lift 0.466/0.457, LSA 114
The #2 above is the cam in my 2004 4.8L, I think it will give the most torque. but maybe #1 is best.
My old engine: 2004 LR4 4.8L, w/head casting 12561706 and 1.98" inlet valves My new engine: 2009 LY5 5.3L, w/head casting 799 and 2.00" inlet valves
my new 5.3L LY5 AFM cam is part #12563207(also part #12625436), I have removed it from the 2009 5.3L LY5 and have measured max lift @ 0.480/0.480. Can I use this cam if I remove the AFM function? The other specs are nut published by GM. Maybe this is the best cam for low end torque.
Any advice would be appreciated. GM has sent me the detailed drawing for this cam but I cannot interpret the duration from the drawing. The drawing is attached.
Thanks, Charlie
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/..._plusone_share.
and have concluded that these are the best cams for low end torque:
1. gm part #12561721 196/207, max lift 0.479/0.467, LSA 116 2. gm part #12560967 191/190, max lift 0.466/0.457, LSA 114
The #2 above is the cam in my 2004 4.8L, I think it will give the most torque. but maybe #1 is best.
My old engine: 2004 LR4 4.8L, w/head casting 12561706 and 1.98" inlet valves My new engine: 2009 LY5 5.3L, w/head casting 799 and 2.00" inlet valves
my new 5.3L LY5 AFM cam is part #12563207(also part #12625436), I have removed it from the 2009 5.3L LY5 and have measured max lift @ 0.480/0.480. Can I use this cam if I remove the AFM function? The other specs are nut published by GM. Maybe this is the best cam for low end torque.
Any advice would be appreciated. GM has sent me the detailed drawing for this cam but I cannot interpret the duration from the drawing. The drawing is attached.
Thanks, Charlie
Glad it worked out for you. i'm trying to understand why your results are so different from mine:
1. Stock 706 heads vs ported 862?
2. Stock converter vs 2800 stall?
3. Is there something lacking in my tune?
4. 4WD vs 2WD parasitic losses?
5. Weight of suburban vs smallest lightest Silverado?
1. Stock 706 heads vs ported 862?
2. Stock converter vs 2800 stall?
3. Is there something lacking in my tune?
4. 4WD vs 2WD parasitic losses?
5. Weight of suburban vs smallest lightest Silverado?
Cloyes, Hex-A-Just #9-3158A, (adjustment on cam gear) $160 at Summit Racing.
or
Cloyes, Race Billet #9-3658TX9, (adjustment on crank gear) $150 at Summit Racing.
Last edited by 99Bluz28; May 1, 2015 at 02:27 PM.
Darth_V8r, I bet the lower weight and higher stall TC helped him a lot. If you have no plans on swapping in a better cam in the near future you should consider getting a Cloyes adjustable timing gear set and advancing the cam 6*- 8*. that would lower the IVC from 42, down to 34-36, which will raise the DCR around 1/2 a point, and shift the power band down 450-600 rpm. Doing that should make for a noticeable improvement in useable power below 5k rpm. Keep in mid that The LS6 cam(204/218) has 2.5* retard ground into it, that's why I recommend advancing it 6-8*.
Cloyes, Hex-A-Just #9-3158A, (adjustment on cam gear) $160 at Summit Racing.
or
Cloyes, Race Billet #9-3658TX9, (adjustment on crank gear) $150 at Summit Racing.
Cloyes, Hex-A-Just #9-3158A, (adjustment on cam gear) $160 at Summit Racing.
or
Cloyes, Race Billet #9-3658TX9, (adjustment on crank gear) $150 at Summit Racing.
Darth_V8r, I bet the lower weight and higher stall TC helped him a lot. If you have no plans on swapping in a better cam in the near future you should consider getting a Cloyes adjustable timing gear set and advancing the cam 6*- 8*. that would lower the IVC from 42, down to 34-36, which will raise the DCR around 1/2 a point, and shift the power band down 450-600 rpm. Doing that should make for a noticeable improvement in useable power below 5k rpm. Keep in mid that The LS6 cam(204/218) has 2.5* retard ground into it, that's why I recommend advancing it 6-8*.
Cloyes, Hex-A-Just #9-3158A, (adjustment on cam gear) $160 at Summit Racing.
or
Cloyes, Race Billet #9-3658TX9, (adjustment on crank gear) $150 at Summit Racing.
Cloyes, Hex-A-Just #9-3158A, (adjustment on cam gear) $160 at Summit Racing.
or
Cloyes, Race Billet #9-3658TX9, (adjustment on crank gear) $150 at Summit Racing.
Darth_V8r, I bet the lower weight and higher stall TC helped him a lot. If you have no plans on swapping in a better cam in the near future you should consider getting a Cloyes adjustable timing gear set and advancing the cam 6*- 8*. that would lower the IVC from 42, down to 34-36, which will raise the DCR around 1/2 a point, and shift the power band down 450-600 rpm. Doing that should make for a noticeable improvement in useable power below 5k rpm. Keep in mid that The LS6 cam(204/218) has 2.5* retard ground into it, that's why I recommend advancing it 6-8*.