BIG BRUTE

I've been looking at the Brian tooley stage IV. Here's my combo

5.3 LH6 block, SBE
Flat top pistons
Rebuilt 317 heads, BT 660 lift spring package
Edelbrock Vic Jr intake
fitech 1200 throttle body
Th350, 3500 stall
9" with 4.10

From what I have been reading I think this cam would do very well with my combo but I want a few other opinions befor I make a final decision. Thanks

MaroonMonsterLS1

Tell us some more about your goals for this build. Is it in a daily, a restomod, dedicated track car, etc etc. Also, what's on the exhaust side of things?

My gut tells me 235/242 is definitely on the large side for a 5.3, even with the intake/tb. 317's flow fine but the chambers are large and don't help in the compression department.

BIG BRUTE

S10 build. Mostly strip but will be driven on the street some. I had planned on going with a turbo set up but I probably won't have the funds for that for awhile so I want a decent N/A cam that will work well and not break the bank. I may look at throwing a 100 shot at it so that will be something to consider as well.

Exhaust wise nothing crazy, shorty headers to 2.5"

MaroonMonsterLS1

Not off the shelf but, should give you some ideas

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ome-chime.html

I'd say a bt stage 2 might be better suited for ya.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

I was going to make the exact same recommendation. Still on the large side for a 5.3, but you're setting up to rev anyway so should be ok.

Dimeomboost

In my 80% track 20% street s10 I have a 5.3 bored to 5.7 forged bottom end 853 heads swapping to 317 heads 88mm on3 turbo ls6 intake and ported oil pump 8.8 rear end I built and 3.27 gears 275/60/15 drag radials truck didn't make great power with a large cam 235/231 115lsa Martin specd me a 223/227 113.5+3.5 and some others said 230/230 114+4 I settled in the middle with a 227/230 115 or basically a stage 1 ls2 turbo cam and I know for sure it makes more power now

Dimeomboost

Also I don't think you will like the 4.10 gears maybe it's just me but my 3600 stall th400 with 3.27 gears will blow the tires off my truck at 128mph ask me how I know. Launching off trans brake with tall gears I still have a whole lot of suspension work to do I have home made caltracs 3 way drag shock and springs and it's still spins crossing the traps in the 1/8 granted its still running nearly 100mph doing it but I'd rather run 130 with traction

BIG BRUTE

I've got caltracs and split monos fab 9" rear. When I do switch to a turbo I'll definitely drop down to a better gear ratio. I'm just looking for a good cam for the combo I'm running now. I will also most likely swap the cam to a more turbo spec'd cam.

uraloser2me2

LJMS recommended the ls3 stage 4 for my e85 carb single plane 5.3. I would say it is huge for a small motor but it idles and drives perfectly on the street. So far it has made 338 whp through a turbo 400 on a second gear pull. I let out at 5800 because it was a little on the lean side.

MaroonMonsterLS1

Got a graph? I'm betting the torque curve doesn't even show up to say hi until late like 4300

uraloser2me2

Graph is on my build thread on here. Look at the last post. The nitrous will fix that issue. I am sure it will pick up some more when the afr is where i want it.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/1823790-nitrous-5-3-build.html

MaroonMonsterLS1

Ahh...first peak at 4100 I was close. Nitrous will indeed solve that issue, but it would work better with a better suited cam.

I can eat cereal with a ladle but I'd rather use a spoon. The cam is a little too large (ladle) and a smaller cam (spoon) would get the job done better in my opinion. That's why myself and Darth have recommended a littler cam, to help keep the curve come in soon and carry to the end

uraloser2me2

Would I run this cam n/a probably not. This cam was used because I plan to spray it with 300-400 shot of nitrous. That is only the 3rd pull I have done while tuning the motor. From what I have seen that dip gets smaller every time I add fuel.

NAVYBLUE210

BTR stage IV should run real well for you....
From 6500-7500 RPM, Maybe add a Super Vic Intake as well.


You asked for opinions and just dismissed two excellent ones,
Darth & Maroon's. 1 more vote for the stage II, still a large
Cam for a 5.3

BIG BRUTE

Thanks guys. Looks like the stage 2 may be better suited for my application.

BIG BRUTE

How much of an improvement will the stage 2 make over a ls6 cam?

MaroonMonsterLS1

Loads. the ls6 cam is 204/218 .551/.547 117lsa
The stage II is 227/234 with much better LSA, lift, and probably better lobes too.

The LS6 did what it could to be a performance cam in a vehichle that still needed to meet efficiency standards, and was intended to be used in an engine that spun very high rpm. A Very wide lsa, huge intake/exhaust duration difference, moderate lift-all great for lots of rpm on a road course. Simply tightening up the LSA wouldhave made it a better cam but GM had efficiency standards to meet. Installing it on an earlier center than GM ground it with would make big changes, but i'm not sure I'd go through the trouble of swapping cams if it was just for the ls6 cam. I'd throw the money elsewhere.

The one saving grace of this cam is it would probably work great with nitrous considering there is an abundance of exhaust duration and it has such a wide lsa. I don't see your compression ratio listed here but if it's around 10:1, and if you get it for free or cheap, throw it in, install it on like a 110 icl, and spray it's ***** off

BIG BRUTE

Compression should be around 9.4 to 1. Flat tops with 317 heads. Ls7 head gaskets. I have an ls6 cam here. Might be worth putting it in and spending the money towards a kit ��

MaroonMonsterLS1

If you already have an ls6 cam sitting there, throw it in and spray spray spray. With 9.4 compression, I'd install it on a 108 or 109 center and have fun.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

I know his name doesn't get thrown out here a lot, and he's not a vendor, but Ed Curtis at Flowtech Inductions has some very nice shelf cams that would fit the bill. Some that come to mind would be the original Streetsweeper, Hellion, Hellraiser, or the Toxic series.