Building a drag truck using a stock 5.3 from a 04 suburban was told to do cam springs and push rods truck its striped and running off of a stock Ecu 400 trans with trans brake 3200 stall looking for recommendations on cams to make this motor as good as it can be in the track for the least amount of money thanks in advance

 

I would contact a dealer, such as Cam Motion ect, and tell them your specs.

 

^^^^^^^^This, and to expand on it further, tell them as much about the car as possible, and be realistic about any goals. They will get you set up as long as you're on the same page.

 

what number are you wanting to run? the 3200 stall needs to be more like 4500

 

Really run a 4500 and a stock bottom end ?

 

I run a 4000 on the STREET, stock bottom end with big cam,I shift at 7200 and thats with a 6.0 witch will peak a couple hundred rpm lower than a 5.3

Thats why im asking what number your looking to run, being a DRAG truck I would assume you would want to go all out?
If its a complete budget build then a small cam will still perform ok with that 3200
What is your rear gear?

 

As I said iam still new at this this truck should run in the 12s iam hoping rear gear is a 411 in a built nine inch and yes this is a budget built iam thinking it will get a sloppy stage 2-3 cam hardened pushrods and double springs to start not sure if intakes are really worth the money at this point

 

Guessing it’s an S-Dime by your screen name. That little thing should go 12’s in reverse. What transmission?

 

It is a s10 as far a tranny was gonna run the th400 manual valve body with a brake

 

Skip the sloppy cams for N/A power. They work with boost because practically everything works with boost so price ends up being the main selling point.
They leave a LOT on the table for an N/A setup with the bad lobe designs and lazy ramp rates.
Even soft lobes from other manufactures look harsh compared to those cams.

If your 04 5.3 has gen 4 rods/pistons, then you can rev it to 7600-7800 regularly without any issues from the bottom end.
You're going to need a real camshaft for that, not one that you bought because it was the cheapest option.

 

In 04 it was a split year they had gen 4 rods with gen thee pistons any advice on a good big cam to run

 

I thought 03 was the split year? Have you pulled the pan yet to see what rods it has?
Either way you will want some good pushrods, double springs with Titanium retainers, a good trunioun upgrade and a good set of lifters to be spinning that high witch is all $$$$
Summit has some excellent new cams out for great price

 

Those were usually late 03 in like LQ9s.
My last 2 04 engines had gen 4 rods and pistons.
Either way, as long as the gen 4 rods are in there, you're set. I don't believe there was ever a discrepancy in the rod bolts regardless of pressed/floating pin.

Summit, Howards, Cam Motion are all I use for LS cams anymore, depending on the situation.

 

For a budget I would go with this https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet
Of course you can go bigger and badder since its a drag truck but that cam would easily get you into the 12's actually you would probably be well into the 11's since it will be setup for drag.
That cam will still be ok with some cheaper Ls7 lifters and a $100 set of pushrods. I would still do a rocker trunion upgrade though.
Even if you have Gen3 rods I wouldnt worry much

 

What’s the biggest cam I can put in that motor and still be reliable plan on doing all the topend up grades already my ls guy is a boost guy so that’s what he knows thanks for the advice

 

Don't go for the biggest cam. Major rookie mistake.

 

What do you suggest

 

The Summit cam recommended by LS7Colorado is an excellent drag race cam for a 5.3.
I used a very similar cam in a stock 5.3 last year with long tubes and valvetrain and it made over 430 horsepower on the engine dyno.
That was stock truck intake, stock heads, pump gas. I could have made 450 with a little more timing up top, but I kept the timing curve fairly flat.

470-500 would have been doable with a gen 4 truck intake, flat top pistons, and some timing

 

Those are also some cheap upgrades! 4.8 pistons and a 08-13 intake
If you happen to have gen 3 rods i would just look for a set of Gen4 4.8 pistons and rods or some new flat tops and a used set of gen4 rods while you got it apart.
if you dont wanna tear into the bottom end I would still suggest the Newer intake, they are the best bang for the buck

 

That summit cam is the best bang for buck you're gonna find for an LS motor that is a quality cam and will get the job done. The only cheaper stuff will be if you resort to some sort of trash.

That cam is big for a 5.3 for sure though. You're gonna want at least a 4000 stall.

Don't be concerned about going big on the stall. The most common street stall size for the last 20 years in LS cars is a 3600. And that's what guys use on the street. I had a 3800 in my daily driver that got driven 500-800 miles a week on average.

I'd probably go with a 4400 in that truck since it's a drag truck.

If that truck is gutted and light, I wouldn't be surprised if you get into the 10's with that cam, a big stall, and decent suspension. Grab some caltracs for the truck too if you don't already have some sort of traction bar in it.