Just curious what the highest reported gains out there are on a factory 5.3. Factory manifold, untouched heads cam swap only deal. I came across this (Which is very old and why I'm asking if better cams have been found) Its by far the largest gain I've seen. Few of the cam tests are deceiving because they indicate the power gained at "X" RPM over "Stock". But the peak numbers are rarely more than 70-80HP on a factory intake/head. Typical gains are much less. This cam offered a 108HP peak gain over stock.

Its odd to me a REC port cam with a larger exh duration seems to perform so well. Esp. when very few shelf cams used here have a larger split on the exh side. I'd think a budget twin setup with this cam would really shine.

http://www.cpgnation.com/the-100-horsepower-upgrade/

COMP Cams 54-454-11

.614./.624 lift split, a 227/243-degree duration split and 113-degree lsa

 

Keep in mind those are crank HP numbers,

 

Thanks, defiantly aware, with no accessories and long tubes on a TBSS intake and 92mm TB as well. Holdner has dyno'd a lot of cams and put up many vids of 5.3's run in similar fashion. That was just the highest number I'd seen so far.

 

Yes he has!

 

He also shows it don't matter if its a rec port or cathedral cam

I don't know what you're going for but the biggest cam you can buy is rarely the best..

But that should be right around the highest. A 227 cam is a pretty good size for a 5.3 and I doubt you can get much higher with stock heads and intake etc

 

Looks like the TSP "MAGIC STICK" made a whopping 5 more HP. 472.6 dyno'd in pretty much the same fashion. Their youtube channel is great. They run 5-6 of their popular cams on basic 5.3 W tbss intake for us.

238/242 .600 lift 112LSA

 

Mainly curious what the most someone has squeaked out of a 5.3 in close to factory trim. Not interested in cams that need PTV massaged or giant valve train upgrades. Not concerned about performance below 4k either. I have a twin turbo 5.3 at the moment and am going to swap the very mild GM hot cam I have in it, in my daily Truck. I'd like to put as "wild" of a cam in it as practical. Don't need a "turbo cam" for a low back pressure twin setup on lowish boost. Current setup is about 560/600whp on 11-12lbs. But I'm guessing I only pick up 20-30hp with the GM hot cam. If I can get the NA gains up, I'm thinking I can add another 100hp or so at like boost levels. Low end power and "spool" is not a concern. Currently have to do all sorts of tricks to get this thing to hook on the street as is. Boost by speed, timing retard traction control etc... Less power before PK TQ would actually help me out.

 

Gotcha and hear ya man

 

What did you come up with? I know this thread is a year old. Did you look into the summit pro ls cam SUM-8711 Holdener dynoed?

 

Just saw this. During COVID I got bored and ran my SBE 5.3 with SUM-8702 basically a copy of GM LSX454 cam, 236/246 .612/.612 110. Had stock heads with dual valve springs, cometic .040 gaskets, super vic intake with 4 barrel throttle body, long tube 1 7/8 headers and zinged it to 8000 RPM on E85 ran 27-28*. It ran WAY better than I expected. I hear ya on not needing any low end power on the street, especially in sub 2500lb cars.

 

I ended up with the MS3 camshaft It popped up local cheap. It was within a few HP of the highest cam only dyno I had seen. Unfortunately the car didn't perform well and ate a lifter quickly. (my fault, used the wrong lifter tray). I will say @19lbs I had 1:1 back pressure up to 7500 with the 78/75 and the smaller than usual .68 T4 housings. I have since switched to the summit stg3 (just because it was on sale for $250) and went to .96 mirror image 78/75s. We'll see what happens next season. This motor has some pretty heavy bearing/journal damage from 4 of the lifters eating themselves. I put new bearings in and am hoping for the best. Hoping it get a season out of it... might not last that long.