What Cam should I go with?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Arizona
What Cam should I go with? I have a LM7 5.3 in an 01 Silverado 2wd and I'm getting it cammed. Only thing I need to figure out is what cam would best fit my situation for better results.
I need a good DD or maybe still a almost everyday driver. I have 1 7/8 longtubes, not cats, full 3 in.
It's between Texas speed 224r cam. Specs 224/224 .581/.581 112 LSA or 114
Or Brian Tooley Racing Truck Cam III. Specs 218/224 .533/.533 113+3
I wanna make close too 400whp or mid 350s or more, but still be a DD type and not have to run race gas. Or boost it. Any other cam suggestions or suggestions with a cam/head package or intake. Please help!
I need a good DD or maybe still a almost everyday driver. I have 1 7/8 longtubes, not cats, full 3 in.
It's between Texas speed 224r cam. Specs 224/224 .581/.581 112 LSA or 114
Or Brian Tooley Racing Truck Cam III. Specs 218/224 .533/.533 113+3
I wanna make close too 400whp or mid 350s or more, but still be a DD type and not have to run race gas. Or boost it. Any other cam suggestions or suggestions with a cam/head package or intake. Please help!
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Coast of San Mateo County Between Pacifica & HMB
Between the two the Brian Tooley Cam by FAR!
Ported stock or 243 heads.
Mamo Ported Fast RSXT Truck intake would add a bunch of HP & Torque.
The combo would add a huge amount of power & torque everywhere
In the power band 1500-5500 RPM only downside is cost.
Ported stock or 243 heads.
Mamo Ported Fast RSXT Truck intake would add a bunch of HP & Torque.
The combo would add a huge amount of power & torque everywhere
In the power band 1500-5500 RPM only downside is cost.
Between the two definitely the Brian tooley. Check out cam motion drop in truck cams also. They haven't z very good reputation and work well with stock-ish set ups.
I just re-read your original post. 400 rwhp is a tall order on a 5.3. Very tall. The loss of bore from a 5.7 to a 5.3 cuts flow tremendously. Then there is the added challenge of it being a truck engine, so you can't sacrifice low end torque unless you're going to also swap gears. Then it is also intended to be daily driver.
To do all that with a 5.3, you'll want boost or nitrous. Or you'll spend the kind of money the 5.7 guys pay to hit 500 just to hit 400 and be daily drive able. You'll want AFR 205 heads, worked over by Tony Mamo, cam would be in the 222/226 113+4 range. Top notch springs, lifters, rods. $ee where thi$ i$ going?
If you truly want 400 to the wheels NA, you need displacement. swap in a used 6.0 short block, 243 heads mildly ported, tick SNS torque max S2 cam. You'll keep your low end and hit your top end goals and it'll be very daily drivable.
To do all that with a 5.3, you'll want boost or nitrous. Or you'll spend the kind of money the 5.7 guys pay to hit 500 just to hit 400 and be daily drive able. You'll want AFR 205 heads, worked over by Tony Mamo, cam would be in the 222/226 113+4 range. Top notch springs, lifters, rods. $ee where thi$ i$ going?
If you truly want 400 to the wheels NA, you need displacement. swap in a used 6.0 short block, 243 heads mildly ported, tick SNS torque max S2 cam. You'll keep your low end and hit your top end goals and it'll be very daily drivable.
I agree by the time you get all the parts to make 400whp through a 5.2 it's not even worth it. Pick up a used 5.7 ls1 or 6.0 iron block and throw a cam in it...instant 390whp and add heads to be well over 400
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Arizona
Thank you all for the imput!
Cost doesn't really matter to me because I have a close friend that works and a machine shop and they port heads and do all that stuff anyways, and he can get me discounts on some of the parts too!
I kinda thought that would be a big show to fit at 400 rwhp just didn't know if I could do it and be practical for a DD.
If I did go with an 6.0, does it matter if I get the LQ4 or an LQ9 which are found in SSS? I would tear it down and rebuilt it anyways, so I guess I can change some things out but maybe the bore size of different or just a cam?
Cost doesn't really matter to me because I have a close friend that works and a machine shop and they port heads and do all that stuff anyways, and he can get me discounts on some of the parts too!
I kinda thought that would be a big show to fit at 400 rwhp just didn't know if I could do it and be practical for a DD.
If I did go with an 6.0, does it matter if I get the LQ4 or an LQ9 which are found in SSS? I would tear it down and rebuilt it anyways, so I guess I can change some things out but maybe the bore size of different or just a cam?
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Verdad Gallardo In that case, get the LQ9. Pull the oil pan and heads for inspection. If everything looks good, have your friend port out a set of 243 heads, throw in the cam, lifters, springs. If you go with the torque max 2 from Tick, it'll pull real strong, probably make around 400-420 depending on intake selection and headers. Bottom ends on LS engines will surprise you. No need to rebuild if it's in good shape.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, Arizona
Yeah I've seen many LS motors take a beating and still last up. I mean my 5.3 has 269,xxx and stock bottom end and it still runs strong!
I have a 2wd Silverado with 3.73s along with full 1 1/7 long tubes with 3 in and it pulls pretty good already but if the LQ9 will pull even hard and make 400-420 easily. Than that sounds like the way Imma go. Any recommendations with any lifters or rods or springs I should run along with it?
I have a 2wd Silverado with 3.73s along with full 1 1/7 long tubes with 3 in and it pulls pretty good already but if the LQ9 will pull even hard and make 400-420 easily. Than that sounds like the way Imma go. Any recommendations with any lifters or rods or springs I should run along with it?
With a driveable cam the 5.3 you're looking at 330-340 whp with a set of good heads maybe 380. You're going to have to get radical to crack 400.
If you pick up an lq4 or lq9 and then throw a small cam in and you will easily approach 400whp. The bottom ends on the lq4 and the lq9 are a tad different depending on the year but both are plenty strong. The lq4 though has dished Pistons which lowers compression which is the largest difference.
If you pick up an lq4 or lq9 and then throw a small cam in and you will easily approach 400whp. The bottom ends on the lq4 and the lq9 are a tad different depending on the year but both are plenty strong. The lq4 though has dished Pistons which lowers compression which is the largest difference.
For the heads, if I was long term going to go ported 243/799 I would get the heads, get the work done, and stick them on. Then, when I got the short lock I could just transfer the heads. Heck even transfer the cam for initial start up. For a cam swap for the 6.0 down the road, I would go cam motion Titan 4 or tick SNS torque 2. Both are 227 duration, which gives a great blend of torque and power. Mine is actually a split between those two cams because I couldn't decide between them. Whichever vendor you go with will make better hardware recommendations than I will.
If I was going to go all out, I wouldn't spend a dime on the 5.3, and I would put the money toward the heads for the 6.0.
There was an article about a year or so ago where they swapped stock GM cams into the 5.3 motor. You may want to give that a read prior to making a decision. They ran the LS1, LS6, etc. and reported their findings on each. Think it was Hot Rod that did the article but a search here should turn it up as it was discussed in several threads at the time.
Update: Found the article - Here is the link.
Update: Found the article - Here is the link.
Last edited by vettenuts; Jul 16, 2015 at 05:20 AM.
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