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LS1 Cam in a 5.3

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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 09:33 AM
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Default LS1 Cam in a 5.3

I'm looking to get a little more HP out of a stock '04 5.3 liter. What would happen if I put an LS1 cam in this motor? Would I sacrifice drivability? What other mod's would I need to do? I'll have the computer reprogrammed, so that won't be a problem.

Any advice?
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 09:39 AM
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What cam are you talking about? A factory LS1 cam? All f-body and truck motors have the same cams (5.7, 5.3, 4.8, 6.0) from 01-04. Even a vette cam would not be worth it. Check out a 224 or something if you are looking for something mild and driveable.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 10:42 AM
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It really surprises me that all Gen 3 motors have the same cam? But yes I was looking at a stock LS1 cam. The 224 cam you mention, what manufacturer(s). Is 224 the duration? What lift? Are there some standard manufacturer numbers to look for?

Thanks for any help.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 10:47 AM
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ummm a vette cam is worth it, I put an 02 LS6 cam in my 99 5.3L and gained 41rwhp at the wheels, this was a std hp gain, I didnt get sae corrected numbers the first dyno.

Chris
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 10:59 AM
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It's a stock GM cam PN # PN/12561721 - on ebay right now, guy is just down the street.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 11:51 AM
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The Z06 is not a standard vette cam dude. He said LS1. ZO6 has LS6. I don't know the PNs of these. Does he have durration and lift specs? 224 is duration. Many of the sponsors here have a version of it. But like said before the Z06 would be a nice unit. Typically can be found for cheap. No matter what you choose though you are going to need to upgrade the springs and retainers. 918s can be found cheap too.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 12:43 PM
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Springs need to be changed with any new cam setup? Mine is a new motor, thus new springs. Is the spring rate different or something to match the cam?

-Good thing I ask this question now, rather than later.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 12:54 PM
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Oh yeah. The stockers are ****. Anytime you go bigger you need an upgrade. Even with the LS6 cam. Push Rods should be replaced too. Expect to pay arround $500 for everything needed. Good news is the job is easy. I would rather do cam and springs then headers from a labor point of view.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 12:58 PM
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if you look around you can find a ls6 cam with ls6 valvesprings for around $150. It may take a while, to find it that cheap but ive seen it before. One of my friends got a ls6 cam for $130 shipped with springs the other month. I dont think its really worth the hassle of changing a cam and not going to a bigger one though. Unless you have the motor out already, then it would be real easy to install
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 04:22 PM
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try the truck section of ls1tech (performancetrucks.net) i'm running the tr220/112 w/ boltons. it's also my DD.
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