Cam for 1500HD
Cam for 1500HD I recently purchased a 2003 1500HD with 54k miles on it. The main reason for the purchase was to use a tow vehicle but I will occasionally DD it. We have a 26' boat we haul to the lake and I plan on buying a trailer next spring for the Camaro.
Recently we took a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks and it was the first long distance trip pulling the boat with the new truck. While it accelerates fine, and has no trouble moving the boat, it lacks power in the midrange and didn't want to stay in OD running 70-75 mph. I dropped it down into the 3rd to keep it from hunting but running close to 3,000 RPM got to be a little annoying. It also averaged less than 8 mpg towing it both ways. Didn't matter if I left it in OD or 3rd, it got about the same MPG.
With that being said, I am wanting to give the truck a little more power with maybe a slight improvement in MPG if possible. Right now the truck has been tuned via HPTuners, and while it made a difference in power, I still think it needs more.
I have been eyeing the Cam Motion "Drop-In Cams" but am open to other suggestions as well. This one in particular is the one I am considering.
http://store.cammotion.com/60l-truck...-compression-2
The truck has 3.73's, and slightly bigger than stock tires. I plan to do E-Fans, switch out the muffler, and possibly LT's later on down the road. Other than that I don't want to touch the truck.
Anyone with experience in cam'ing a tow vehicle I am interested in hearing your thoughts and results.
Thanks.
Recently we took a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks and it was the first long distance trip pulling the boat with the new truck. While it accelerates fine, and has no trouble moving the boat, it lacks power in the midrange and didn't want to stay in OD running 70-75 mph. I dropped it down into the 3rd to keep it from hunting but running close to 3,000 RPM got to be a little annoying. It also averaged less than 8 mpg towing it both ways. Didn't matter if I left it in OD or 3rd, it got about the same MPG.
With that being said, I am wanting to give the truck a little more power with maybe a slight improvement in MPG if possible. Right now the truck has been tuned via HPTuners, and while it made a difference in power, I still think it needs more.
I have been eyeing the Cam Motion "Drop-In Cams" but am open to other suggestions as well. This one in particular is the one I am considering.
http://store.cammotion.com/60l-truck...-compression-2
The truck has 3.73's, and slightly bigger than stock tires. I plan to do E-Fans, switch out the muffler, and possibly LT's later on down the road. Other than that I don't want to touch the truck.
Anyone with experience in cam'ing a tow vehicle I am interested in hearing your thoughts and results.
Thanks.
I think a combination of the cam you posted and some deeper gears would be good options.
The electric fans will help as well. Hot Rod's engine masters show recently did a comparison of a clutch type fan to electric on a mild 350 and the results were drastic. Has me eyeballing the electric fan swap for my truck. IIRC it was over 25 hp loss with the clutch fan.
The electric fans will help as well. Hot Rod's engine masters show recently did a comparison of a clutch type fan to electric on a mild 350 and the results were drastic. Has me eyeballing the electric fan swap for my truck. IIRC it was over 25 hp loss with the clutch fan.
I have used a 206/212 cam in a 5.3 and it picked up torque from idle on up, I think the cam you linked would be decent for a 6.0 but some more lift wouldn't hurt. I would add ls6 springs and go to one of the cams that will work with them.
The fans would help but not nearly as much at 2200-3000 as they would at 6000.
I have the exact same truck and have the exact same trouble pulling a 24 foot enclosed. Barely pulls in od and pulls easy but revs a lot in 3rd. It is my opinion (and nobody seems to agree) that GM should have used the ls1 heads on these heavy trucks instead of 317 heads. I think they would make more torque at 2200 rpm where we need it.
The fans would help but not nearly as much at 2200-3000 as they would at 6000.
I have the exact same truck and have the exact same trouble pulling a 24 foot enclosed. Barely pulls in od and pulls easy but revs a lot in 3rd. It is my opinion (and nobody seems to agree) that GM should have used the ls1 heads on these heavy trucks instead of 317 heads. I think they would make more torque at 2200 rpm where we need it.
Ive got 3 2500hd trucks and i tow and haul a TON. I can give you the right combo. Efans are a def must. Keep the 3.73s tho. Youll lose towing ability with anything less. Ive tried it 
A tune will help ALOT and the tsp high lift stg2 cam would fit your setup with no issues.
Add in a spectre cai and have a great hauling truck.
The efans will need a new alternator, wide radiator (if you don't already have) and a 160 tstat. I like to add in the engine oil cooler also if yours does not have one.
We can get you a complete package deal for all the parts if youd like.
A tune will help ALOT and the tsp high lift stg2 cam would fit your setup with no issues.
Add in a spectre cai and have a great hauling truck.
The efans will need a new alternator, wide radiator (if you don't already have) and a 160 tstat. I like to add in the engine oil cooler also if yours does not have one.
We can get you a complete package deal for all the parts if youd like.
I think a combination of the cam you posted and some deeper gears would be good options.
The electric fans will help as well. Hot Rod's engine masters show recently did a comparison of a clutch type fan to electric on a mild 350 and the results were drastic. Has me eyeballing the electric fan swap for my truck. IIRC it was over 25 hp loss with the clutch fan.
The electric fans will help as well. Hot Rod's engine masters show recently did a comparison of a clutch type fan to electric on a mild 350 and the results were drastic. Has me eyeballing the electric fan swap for my truck. IIRC it was over 25 hp loss with the clutch fan.
The E-Fans will happen for sure as I have a nice set of Fbody fans in my basement.
I have used a 206/212 cam in a 5.3 and it picked up torque from idle on up, I think the cam you linked would be decent for a 6.0 but some more lift wouldn't hurt. I would add ls6 springs and go to one of the cams that will work with them.
The fans would help but not nearly as much at 2200-3000 as they would at 6000.
I have the exact same truck and have the exact same trouble pulling a 24 foot enclosed. Barely pulls in od and pulls easy but revs a lot in 3rd. It is my opinion (and nobody seems to agree) that GM should have used the ls1 heads on these heavy trucks instead of 317 heads. I think they would make more torque at 2200 rpm where we need it.
The fans would help but not nearly as much at 2200-3000 as they would at 6000.
I have the exact same truck and have the exact same trouble pulling a 24 foot enclosed. Barely pulls in od and pulls easy but revs a lot in 3rd. It is my opinion (and nobody seems to agree) that GM should have used the ls1 heads on these heavy trucks instead of 317 heads. I think they would make more torque at 2200 rpm where we need it.
As it sits, I know the truck will do well with my Camaro on an open trailer. I don't ever have plans of an enclosed trailer either.
I also plan to buy a cheap beater for DD duty to keep this truck out of the Iowa winters so the MPG isn't a huge concern. I knew going in it wouldn't be great but I expected better than 12-13 mpg unloaded and better than 8 towing. Some of the guys on Facebook and other forums claiming they get 13 towing, and 16-18 unloaded are flat out crazy. I baby this thing and it doesn't like to pass gas stations. At first, I was regretting not buying a diesel but I got this truck for about 10 grand less than what I could have got a clean diesel for with higher miles. This thing came from Kentucky and is pretty much spotless.
He makes an excellent point there...more compression wouldn't hurt but it depends on whether you were looking to pull the heads or just do what I did and install the new cam on the stock lifters. If you don't mind pulling the heads you could either just have yours milled or replace them with some 799/243s which have smaller combustion chambers. This may or may not start getting you into the territory of needing to go to higher grade fuel though.
The ls6 springs are a great investment for about $60.
If you do want to add more lift Cam Motion can grind you a version that way.
The ls6 springs are a great investment for about $60.
If you do want to add more lift Cam Motion can grind you a version that way.
Dont add 243 heads. Did that too. Not enough gain to recommend honestly and issues with hauling such heavy loads. If you want cr just go to a flat top lq9 piston but keep the 317s.
A 370 is in the future for all 3 trucks of mine.
Ls6 springs are ok, but ive had issues with them on my own personal truck so id recommend pac1218s.
A 370 is in the future for all 3 trucks of mine.
Ls6 springs are ok, but ive had issues with them on my own personal truck so id recommend pac1218s.
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Ive got 3 2500hd trucks and i tow and haul a TON. I can give you the right combo. Efans are a def must. Keep the 3.73s tho. Youll lose towing ability with anything less. Ive tried it
A tune will help ALOT and the tsp high lift stg2 cam would fit your setup with no issues.
Add in a spectre cai and have a great hauling truck.
The efans will need a new alternator, wide radiator (if you don't already have) and a 160 tstat. I like to add in the engine oil cooler also if yours does not have one.
We can get you a complete package deal for all the parts if youd like.
A tune will help ALOT and the tsp high lift stg2 cam would fit your setup with no issues.
Add in a spectre cai and have a great hauling truck.
The efans will need a new alternator, wide radiator (if you don't already have) and a 160 tstat. I like to add in the engine oil cooler also if yours does not have one.
We can get you a complete package deal for all the parts if youd like.
Do you have any before and after results with a cheap CAI like the Spectre? From what I have seen CAI's don't do much on these trucks other than make noise.
Also, I was under the impression that an upgraded alternator and radiator wasn't 100% necessary. We did E-Fans on my buddies 2003 RCSB truck and he had no issues with the smaller stock radiator and alt.
I'll keep you guys in mind though. I've bought a lot of stuff from Mike over the years.
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Verdad Gallardo He makes an excellent point there...more compression wouldn't hurt but it depends on whether you were looking to pull the heads or just do what I did and install the new cam on the stock lifters. If you don't mind pulling the heads you could either just have yours milled or replace them with some 799/243s which have smaller combustion chambers. This may or may not start getting you into the territory of needing to go to higher grade fuel though.
The ls6 springs are a great investment for about $60.
If you do want to add more lift Cam Motion can grind you a version that way.
The ls6 springs are a great investment for about $60.
If you do want to add more lift Cam Motion can grind you a version that way.
I'd also like to keep running the 89 octane I currently am.
Dont add 243 heads. Did that too. Not enough gain to recommend honestly and issues with hauling such heavy loads. If you want cr just go to a flat top lq9 piston but keep the 317s.
A 370 is in the future for all 3 trucks of mine.
Ls6 springs are ok, but ive had issues with them on my own personal truck so id recommend pac1218s.
A 370 is in the future for all 3 trucks of mine.
Ls6 springs are ok, but ive had issues with them on my own personal truck so id recommend pac1218s.
Just for clarification, I wasn't suggesting a head swap for compression, but more for the smaller intake runner. 200cc vs 210. I think that will help with cylinder filling at the usual towing rpms. The slight bump in compression would help too. If my 300K mile lq4 ever dies, I'll source another one and try the 241/853 heads.
My truck has one of the ebay CAI kits which to my eyes is the exact same kit as the Spectre (at least for the older trucks). I can't say for sure it added anything but it looks nicer than stock and they are about $60 shipped.
The drop in cam route sounds like it's up your alley based on what you are wanting. I kept stock pushrods and everything with mine. Just popped in the cam and put on the GM springs and retuned. Picked up 40rwhp peak but seat of the pants says it gained everywhere...the lowest dyno pull we did was down around the 2000rpm range and it was already making more power than stock. Not sure if you have seen my thread on that in the dyno section or not but it has all the details I can't remember off hand.
The drop in cam route sounds like it's up your alley based on what you are wanting. I kept stock pushrods and everything with mine. Just popped in the cam and put on the GM springs and retuned. Picked up 40rwhp peak but seat of the pants says it gained everywhere...the lowest dyno pull we did was down around the 2000rpm range and it was already making more power than stock. Not sure if you have seen my thread on that in the dyno section or not but it has all the details I can't remember off hand.
Lift has nothing to do with changing springs though. The gm spring is cheap but like i said im running them and wish id put something else in. Pac1218 is better in every way honestly. even for a lower lift cam. adding the lift will pick up the tq as well.
The gm efans will not fit with the narrow rad. ls1 fans will but why not increase cooling capacity and have exact stock fit if you can?
If you dont have at least the 140amp alt youll need it. Esp when the fans kick on at idle. 04 escalade.
Ive tried it every way on all 3 trucks. That is the best way. I am hard on my trucks, tow alot, and run the miles up.
I do not have dyno results. I would not out them on all 3 of my trucks if they did no good. I go on dirt and caliche roada alot and in fields. zero issues. I have personal mpg and butt dyno gains. Considerable to say te least on every truck and mine are all 2500 hd 4x4s. one 5spd. one 4l80. one 6l90.
If it didnt work i wouldnt use it and sure wouldnt recommend to customers.
Whatever cam you run, do yourself a favor and run the pac1218s.
The gm efans will not fit with the narrow rad. ls1 fans will but why not increase cooling capacity and have exact stock fit if you can?
If you dont have at least the 140amp alt youll need it. Esp when the fans kick on at idle. 04 escalade.
Ive tried it every way on all 3 trucks. That is the best way. I am hard on my trucks, tow alot, and run the miles up.
I do not have dyno results. I would not out them on all 3 of my trucks if they did no good. I go on dirt and caliche roada alot and in fields. zero issues. I have personal mpg and butt dyno gains. Considerable to say te least on every truck and mine are all 2500 hd 4x4s. one 5spd. one 4l80. one 6l90.
If it didnt work i wouldnt use it and sure wouldnt recommend to customers.
Whatever cam you run, do yourself a favor and run the pac1218s.
My truck has one of the ebay CAI kits which to my eyes is the exact same kit as the Spectre (at least for the older trucks). I can't say for sure it added anything but it looks nicer than stock and they are about $60 shipped.
The drop in cam route sounds like it's up your alley based on what you are wanting. I kept stock pushrods and everything with mine. Just popped in the cam and put on the GM springs and retuned. Picked up 40rwhp peak but seat of the pants says it gained everywhere...the lowest dyno pull we did was down around the 2000rpm range and it was already making more power than stock. Not sure if you have seen my thread on that in the dyno section or not but it has all the details I can't remember off hand.
The drop in cam route sounds like it's up your alley based on what you are wanting. I kept stock pushrods and everything with mine. Just popped in the cam and put on the GM springs and retuned. Picked up 40rwhp peak but seat of the pants says it gained everywhere...the lowest dyno pull we did was down around the 2000rpm range and it was already making more power than stock. Not sure if you have seen my thread on that in the dyno section or not but it has all the details I can't remember off hand.
I have seen your thread and am very impressed with your results. Anything over 65 mph and my truck is already at 2000 rpm so more power in that range would be great. I will more than likely get ahold of Cam Motion here soon and talk to them about it as well. It does sound like the cam I linked would be right up my alley though.
Lift has nothing to do with changing springs though. The gm spring is cheap but like i said im running them and wish id put something else in. Pac1218 is better in every way honestly. even for a lower lift cam. adding the lift will pick up the tq as well.
The gm efans will not fit with the narrow rad. ls1 fans will but why not increase cooling capacity and have exact stock fit if you can?
If you dont have at least the 140amp alt youll need it. Esp when the fans kick on at idle. 04 escalade.
Ive tried it every way on all 3 trucks. That is the best way. I am hard on my trucks, tow alot, and run the miles up.
I do not have dyno results. I would not out them on all 3 of my trucks if they did no good. I go on dirt and caliche roada alot and in fields. zero issues. I have personal mpg and butt dyno gains. Considerable to say te least on every truck and mine are all 2500 hd 4x4s. one 5spd. one 4l80. one 6l90.
If it didnt work i wouldnt use it and sure wouldnt recommend to customers.
Whatever cam you run, do yourself a favor and run the pac1218s.
The gm efans will not fit with the narrow rad. ls1 fans will but why not increase cooling capacity and have exact stock fit if you can?
If you dont have at least the 140amp alt youll need it. Esp when the fans kick on at idle. 04 escalade.
Ive tried it every way on all 3 trucks. That is the best way. I am hard on my trucks, tow alot, and run the miles up.
I do not have dyno results. I would not out them on all 3 of my trucks if they did no good. I go on dirt and caliche roada alot and in fields. zero issues. I have personal mpg and butt dyno gains. Considerable to say te least on every truck and mine are all 2500 hd 4x4s. one 5spd. one 4l80. one 6l90.
If it didnt work i wouldnt use it and sure wouldnt recommend to customers.
Whatever cam you run, do yourself a favor and run the pac1218s.
You're talking about the CAI picking up MPG and power? I mean it certainly can't hurt and I will probably do one when I have everything out for the cam install.
I appreciate all the help and insight.
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Joined: Dec 2014
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I recently purchased a 2003 1500HD with 54k miles on it. The main reason for the purchase was to use a tow vehicle but I will occasionally DD it. We have a 26' boat we haul to the lake and I plan on buying a trailer next spring for the Camaro.
Recently we took a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks and it was the first long distance trip pulling the boat with the new truck. While it accelerates fine, and has no trouble moving the boat, it lacks power in the midrange and didn't want to stay in OD running 70-75 mph. I dropped it down into the 3rd to keep it from hunting but running close to 3,000 RPM got to be a little annoying. It also averaged less than 8 mpg towing it both ways. Didn't matter if I left it in OD or 3rd, it got about the same MPG.
With that being said, I am wanting to give the truck a little more power with maybe a slight improvement in MPG if possible. Right now the truck has been tuned via HPTuners, and while it made a difference in power, I still think it needs more.
I have been eyeing the Cam Motion "Drop-In Cams" but am open to other suggestions as well. This one in particular is the one I am considering.
http://store.cammotion.com/60l-truck...-compression-2
Recently we took a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks and it was the first long distance trip pulling the boat with the new truck. While it accelerates fine, and has no trouble moving the boat, it lacks power in the midrange and didn't want to stay in OD running 70-75 mph. I dropped it down into the 3rd to keep it from hunting but running close to 3,000 RPM got to be a little annoying. It also averaged less than 8 mpg towing it both ways. Didn't matter if I left it in OD or 3rd, it got about the same MPG.
With that being said, I am wanting to give the truck a little more power with maybe a slight improvement in MPG if possible. Right now the truck has been tuned via HPTuners, and while it made a difference in power, I still think it needs more.
I have been eyeing the Cam Motion "Drop-In Cams" but am open to other suggestions as well. This one in particular is the one I am considering.
http://store.cammotion.com/60l-truck...-compression-2
http://www.cammotion.com/camshafts/t...204-212-116-4/
This version of this camshaft uses the stock valve springs. We also have a higher lift version (.550") that uses either the GM performance valve springs, or our .570" lift valve springs which are also very economical:
http://www.cammotion.com/valve-train...ve-spring-set/
Let me know if you have any questions or need help ordering.
Thanx,
Steven
You don't need to upgrade the alternator or the radiator, I've done this on 3 of mine and it was a direct swap. I used nnbs tahoe fans on mine. A tune will help a lot and so will exhaust. I'd start there and then maybe do the cam. The trans tune needs a lot of work and so with all the power enrichment stuff.
FYI I average 16mpg in my crew cab 1500hd and 12mpg pulling my trailer
FYI I average 16mpg in my crew cab 1500hd and 12mpg pulling my trailer
If you have the small ~100amp alt you will need to upgrade. Ive done the install on roughly 30 trucks. The ones that has the smaller alt came back for the larger one.
Why use the fbody fans when the truck fans drop in with zero issue with the larger rad? both bolt directly in and fit without any issues or modification. Having a new radiator never hurts and the added capacity helps quite a bit esp towing and hauling.
Why use the fbody fans when the truck fans drop in with zero issue with the larger rad? both bolt directly in and fit without any issues or modification. Having a new radiator never hurts and the added capacity helps quite a bit esp towing and hauling.
Originally Posted by tech@WS6store
If you have the small ~100amp alt you will need to upgrade. Ive done the install on roughly 30 trucks. The ones that has the smaller alt came back for the larger one.
Hello Red Rocket. We just launched a new version of our website today. Here is a link to the camshaft that I would recommend for a 6 liter GM truck that tows like yours:
http://www.cammotion.com/camshafts/t...204-212-116-4/
This version of this camshaft uses the stock valve springs. We also have a higher lift version (.550") that uses either the GM performance valve springs, or our .570" lift valve springs which are also very economical:
http://www.cammotion.com/valve-train...ve-spring-set/
Let me know if you have any questions or need help ordering.
Thanx,
Steven
http://www.cammotion.com/camshafts/t...204-212-116-4/
This version of this camshaft uses the stock valve springs. We also have a higher lift version (.550") that uses either the GM performance valve springs, or our .570" lift valve springs which are also very economical:
http://www.cammotion.com/valve-train...ve-spring-set/
Let me know if you have any questions or need help ordering.
Thanx,
Steven
Appreciate your help.
The trucks without power windows and locks like work trucks or base came with 105. even the 2500hd and 3500hd were like that. i know because i own an 04 2500hd wt.
Like i said if you have the smaller alt then upgrade. if you don't then obviously you do not have to.
Like i said if you have the smaller alt then upgrade. if you don't then obviously you do not have to.