Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Best camshaft for 5.3 LS1

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-28-2017, 01:17 PM
  #1  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
Joe Soucy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Best camshaft for 5.3 LS1

hi i got an 5.3 ls1 out of a 2001 tahoe.. im swapping it into an s10 and would like to know what the best cam choice is for the street.. i was hoping to be around 350 to the wheels if not more... i will be using the stock heads and intake..im curious to also know the best supporting parts/mods to do with the best cam.. thanks!!
Old 08-28-2017, 05:03 PM
  #2  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (40)
 
00pooterSS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas
Posts: 4,916
Received 523 Likes on 372 Posts

Default

Everyone's idea of "best" is different. There is no best for any motor, only the best for YOU and YOUR usage of it and your expectations. The best cam is the one that suits your usage of the engine with all details of the build/vehicle included, that also meets your expectations, and is custom tailored to that.

Call on your favorite cam shop and tell them what you are doing with the cam and what you're putting it in, and they will design the best cam for YOU.

But if you want a good basic recommendation. Go with one of the sponsors on the left and get a off the shelf truck cam in whatever stage you want. As for supporting mods.. headers, intake, ported heads, and a stall converter that matches the cam if you're going auto, and also rear end gears to go with the setup... to maximize the cams potential.

The next guy may come in and recommend an MS4 as being the best for the street, and the cam I mentioned and the MS4 will give you very very different results.
Old 08-30-2017, 09:54 AM
  #3  
TECH Addict
 
gagliano7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Monroe,NY
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 0
Received 112 Likes on 89 Posts

Default

The best all around cam i have read about and also had was the tried and true 212/218 cam. I went with a bigger cam after the 212/218 cam and i still liked the 212/218 better.If i wasn't upgrading to a 6.0 i would put the Lunati 212/218 113+3 .530 .530 cam back in.My truck weighs 3800lbs.
Old 08-30-2017, 12:00 PM
  #4  
TECH Senior Member
 
G Atsma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central Cal.
Posts: 20,868
Received 3,018 Likes on 2,349 Posts
Default

There's got to be a reason that every cam grinder and his cousin makes a 212/218. It just flat works! Of course the lifts and LSA's vary between grinders, giving flexibility for different situations. Just a darn good grind!
Old 08-30-2017, 12:35 PM
  #5  
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (2)
 
tech@WS6store's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,658
Received 237 Likes on 183 Posts
Default

This one will work well

Tsp stg2 high lift truck cam

We have the install kits to go with that as well for a great price as well as ported oil pump and anything else you need!!
Old 08-30-2017, 12:42 PM
  #6  
TECH Senior Member
 
G Atsma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Central Cal.
Posts: 20,868
Received 3,018 Likes on 2,349 Posts
Default

^^^^^ Case in point..... ^^^^^^
Old 08-30-2017, 03:07 PM
  #7  
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
Darth_V8r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: My own internal universe
Posts: 10,446
Received 1,835 Likes on 1,145 Posts
Default

Lol. I've sorta always thought a 214/224 would be almost ideal, but it'd be a custom grind
Old 08-30-2017, 03:12 PM
  #8  
LS1Tech Premium Sponsor
iTrader: (2)
 
tech@WS6store's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,658
Received 237 Likes on 183 Posts
Default

We have done a 215/225 for a 5.3 truck before and it was ok, lost a little bottom end but at towing mph etc it was great with 373 or 410. Did take a little more aggressive timing though vs a sub 220 exhaust.
Old 08-30-2017, 03:44 PM
  #9  
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
Darth_V8r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: My own internal universe
Posts: 10,446
Received 1,835 Likes on 1,145 Posts
Default

Good to know. Thanks. It's tricky camming for torque. Overlap hurts low end and late IVC hurts low end. So there's a real fine line on how far you can push it. Duration capped on both ends
Old 08-30-2017, 04:39 PM
  #10  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
93Polo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 1,037
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts

Default

What is your use for the 5.3 S10? What stall or transmission, gear ratio?
Old 08-31-2017, 05:04 PM
  #11  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (40)
 
00pooterSS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas
Posts: 4,916
Received 523 Likes on 372 Posts

Default

The cam recommendations are good as far as truck cams go, but that's usually a best cam for a full size truck and a stock stall or small stall.

OP what stall are you going to use? Do you want overall power or low end or max hp? Since you're dumping it in a S10 you can get away with a little more cam than a 4500-5000 lb full size truck since you don't need to be as concerned with low end grunt.



Quick Reply: Best camshaft for 5.3 LS1



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:18 PM.