I have read over and over, and SO many conflicting arguments, I am hoping to find some solid ground from some tried and proven members.

I have a 01 burb 2500 with LQ4. The previous owner made some interesting choices to the truck, like putting a 5.3 y pipe and exhaust on it? SO while i was in there replacing exhaust, i figured i would work the top end a little. Hoping to get some advise.

I want to retain stock stall converter, stock trans, and it has 4:10 rear gears

Exhaust will be long tubes down to 3" collector, 3" magnaflow cats, 2 3" in, 1 4" out magnaflow muffler to a 4" over the axle and out in stock location.

I have a few options with the motor, maybe sticking simple and doing just an LS6 cam, yellow springs in the stock 317s and calling it a day. prods, lifters stay the same.

OR getting a set of 799 heads, doing ls7 lifters, some good pushrods, and springs set to match the lift of the cam.

I dont want to go too crazy on cam, but i want to pull whatever available that i can from the motor. Im looking for
Low idle between 750-900.
A steady lope sound from exhaust.
Keep powerband low to mid range, and it doesn't need anything above 5500-6000 really.

All while keeping drivability. My wife and kids will be in here, wife even driving it occasionally, so reliability is pretty crucial.

I'm thinking keeping lift under 580 or around it, should allow for springs that can last under that kinda beating. maybe?

Thoughts, input, questions?

Please, any help is GREATLY appreciated!

 

Heavy *** vehicle, stock converter?

Look at BTR truck cams.

 

I'd pull the 317s and valvejob, bowl blend, and mill .030" to approach 10:1 compression. The LS6 cam is certainly NOT IDEAL for a three ton towing barge with stock converter.
Call Kip @ Cam Motion for one of his "drop in" 205/210 duration cams and you'll be all good for your requirements

 

It is a heavy chevy, but the converter in it is made for such a vehicle no? assumption i made i guess.

I dont have any intentions of towing anything larger than a ATV trailer. and even thats rare. Its a grocery getter / weekend people hauler.

I recently sold my twin turbo 4.8 silverado. I guess sometimes i miss it, and want to relive some of it in my burb now.

If i were to work the 317s down and get some valve work done, what cam/converter would you recommend? My only concerns on shaving heads is pushrods. Im not well versed in the geometry. And didnt want to enter unfamiliar territory on a semi daily driver.

I will give Kip a call here soon! I appreciate that.

 

THANK YOU For the recommendation to Cam Motion. I think I found a great option from them. Hits my requests on the head and really limits some of the crap i otherwise would of needed to put money into.


Grind # XA212/305-XA216/300-14+4

Duration at.050 - 212/216
Lift with 1.7 - .518/.510
Lobe separation 114
Intake center line 110

This hydraulic roller cam is designed for the LS 6.0 truck engines with either 9.4 or 10.0 to 1 compression ratio and offers smooth idle, excellent low end torque, with smooth lobe design for quiet valve train operation and longevity. Three bolt heavy duty 8620 aircraft quality steel cam cores ensure excellent durability for your build. This cam will work well as a replacement for vans, pickups, four wheel drive vehicles, and vehicles with towing packages having more axle ratio. Improved power in the middle RPM range should help towing at highway speeds. Cam Motion designed this as a "drop in" type cam with minimal vehicle modifications. In most applications we recommend replacing the springs and the hydraulic lifters mainly because it is hard to check these parts to verify their remaining service life.

I do intend to replace springs and lifters still. just as a precautionary wear replacement.

 

You will find that is a very good choice in a truck like yours. Our truck customers love our truck cams. Great power and drivability.