cam choice and stall speed HELP
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Eastern nc
cam choice and stall speed HELP i am gearing up to 5.3 swap my 1978 jeep cj5, mainly used for cruising or beach riding (it rarely sees 55+ mph). i need help with cam choice and stall speed for my application. i was leaning towards btr stage 2 truck cam or tick performance torquemax stage 2, i am mainly looking for more low end torque and a slightly choppy idle. any other cam suggestions for this application? i am new to the LS lifestyle and i need all the help i can get. what stall speed would be a good fit for my application?
As far as stall, need to know things like rear gear, trans, and tire size. For your application a converter might not be 100% needed though. One of the Summit Racing Torque Cams might fit your bill exactly and save a few bucks too. @Summitracing care to chime in?
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 532
Likes: 630
If you change the cam you will probably need a lot more, like a new tune. If its running and driving maybe leave it as stock.
If not, then a call to the cam manufacturer will be a better source of info than we would.
If not, then a call to the cam manufacturer will be a better source of info than we would.
LS1Tech Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,233
Likes: 1,522
From: Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, Texas
OP,
You're on the right path looking at truck cams for this combo and goals. You've received good advice from the community.
Our SUM-8728R1 "Big Torkinator" would be a great candidate for this combo. Specs on it are .600/.585, 212/218, 110+3 with -5* of overlap. It'll have a nice steady lope but will be easy to tune and live with. This has a 3-4* earlier intake valve closing than the other two you're looking at. The earlier we close the intake valve the lower the powerband starts and ends. The 8728R1 will make great torque from 2,000 on up and pulls well to 6,500 for when you're feeling sporty! Our SUM-174004 .600" lift beehives pair well with this cam.
If you're interested in a cam combo we have a variety of options available for our Pro LS cams. Click HERE for all available 8728R1 cam combos.
If you're trying to stick with .550" lift cams to use an LS6-style spring look at the Truck Norris from BTR. Specs on it are .552/.552, 212/22X, with a 107 LSA. It's very similar to our 8728R1 just with less lift so it allows you to use an LS6-style spring. We also have this available in a cam combo. Click HERE for that.
Regarding a stall converter. As @biketopia mentioned we'd need to know the rear gear, transmission, and tire size. With any of these cams, a stock converter should be ok but no way to know for sure without those previous specs.
You're on the right path looking at truck cams for this combo and goals. You've received good advice from the community.
Our SUM-8728R1 "Big Torkinator" would be a great candidate for this combo. Specs on it are .600/.585, 212/218, 110+3 with -5* of overlap. It'll have a nice steady lope but will be easy to tune and live with. This has a 3-4* earlier intake valve closing than the other two you're looking at. The earlier we close the intake valve the lower the powerband starts and ends. The 8728R1 will make great torque from 2,000 on up and pulls well to 6,500 for when you're feeling sporty! Our SUM-174004 .600" lift beehives pair well with this cam.
If you're interested in a cam combo we have a variety of options available for our Pro LS cams. Click HERE for all available 8728R1 cam combos.
If you're trying to stick with .550" lift cams to use an LS6-style spring look at the Truck Norris from BTR. Specs on it are .552/.552, 212/22X, with a 107 LSA. It's very similar to our 8728R1 just with less lift so it allows you to use an LS6-style spring. We also have this available in a cam combo. Click HERE for that.
Regarding a stall converter. As @biketopia mentioned we'd need to know the rear gear, transmission, and tire size. With any of these cams, a stock converter should be ok but no way to know for sure without those previous specs.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 526
My 98 Wrangler has a LS6/4L60E swap. 4:10 gears. 32" tires. I'm running a LS6 cam and springs. Upgraded push rods. 2002 Camaro torque converter which has I believe about 2000 stall. Works great. Very driveable.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 239
From: Dade City, Fl.
I think you'd be fine without a stall for the purpose of cruising and beach riding. Unless your cj5 gear ratio has been changed it should be either a 3.54 or 4.11. As Summit Racing posted, the engine will gain quite a bit of low end torque. Should be a fun beach cruiser
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Eastern nc
i ended up finding a 4.8 with 56k miles for a steal, i purchased a chopacabra cam with supporting mods. I spoke with Hughes torque converters and chose a 1800 stall, if it ends up not being the right choice ill go a different route.
