Cam Choice Guide And Question Post

[zippy]

Year of truck: 2003

Model: SSS

Trans: Rossler

Converter: yours

Gear: 410

Tires: stock

List of current mods: 112maggie s/c, rossler tranny, cai, ur tune, pacesetter long tube headers, true dual exhaust,plugs and wires

Possible future mods: cam, e-fans, new exhaust, 160 stat, and a new converter vigalante10.5 muti disc

Goals for truck: want some more power and a sick idle

Uses of the truck: weekend warrior/ i take it on long trips to shows.

 

what springs should i get also.

 

 

I would recomend the Leading Edge Performance blower cam for what you're looking for. It's a bit large for a Radix, but will give you great power and the bad ass idle sound you want. The specs are 224/230 with lift in at .612/.612 on a 116LSA. For springs I'd recomend the Patriot Dual Gold series.

[Cramer]

I am thinking of a cam and spring upgrade, but I have only put cams in carbed motors, so I am wondering what would be a good cam for my SSS.

I have: CAI, Magnaflow dual 3" in and out muffler, 160* stat, Tuned PCM, Taylor wires, NGK TR55 plugs, Prototype Trans-Go 4l65e transmission fully built, my trans guy told me the converter he put in was about 300 over stock stall so whatever that would be. It is my daily driver, but i'm in the go pedal alot. The truck pulls hard from 2500rpms on but needs a boost in the low end. I don't want a cam that's to aggressive in it but a nice streetable and occasional 1320 cam. In the future i'm planning on heads and a manifold swap, but want to keep the stock exh manifolds and do some porting with them to keep the engine looking stock. I don't mind getting the PCM remapped either after the cam. Also would you recommend new pushrods? I know you are tied up in this thread alone, but I appreciate your expertise and willingness to help all of us out with your knowledge on our trucks. Thanks for your time.

[jbi420]

Due to an over popular cam spec requesting this is a new cam help guide and posting. If you want to review the cams here, feel free and ask all you'd like in this post. Want a cam recomdation or have a question on a specific cam, just post it in here. Info for cams needed is...

 

Year of truck:1999

Model:chevy

Trans:

Converter:

Gear:3.73

Tires:285/75/16

List of current mods:k&n cold air intake , series 44 flowmaster muffler , power programmer 3 , throttle body spacer

Possible future mods:cam, and headers

Goals for truck make faster lol

Uses of the truck:daily driver

 

Cam list:

 

Comp Cams:

XR259HR...206/212 .515/.522 112LSA. Great cam for a stock truck looking to make big low rpm torque and use a stock torque converter. Better suited to a 4.8L or very mild 5.3L. Recomended torque converter would be no more than a 3000 for a 4.8L or 5.3L and stock or 2600 for a 6.0L. Recomended valve springs would be LS6 GM springs.

 

XR265HR...212/218 .522/.529 114LSA. Great cam for a stock truck using stock truck exhaust manifolds and either a stock converter or low rpm stall. In a 4.8L or 5.3L I'd recomend a 2600 to 3000 stall. In a 6.0L I'd recomend a stock or 2600 stall, but the 2600 would be better suited to the job. Recomended valve springs would be GM LS6 springs.

 

XR269HR...216/220 .525/.532 114LSA Decent cam for a bolt on type truck running shorty headers or long tubes. Stock manifolds could be used, but headers would be a bigger gain at this point. For a 4.8L this is a fairly agressive cam and I'd recomend at least a 2800 to 3200 stall. For a 5.3L and 6.0L a 2600 to 3000 stall would do the job nicely. This cam isn't really recomended for gains with it's low lift and bigger duration. Other than great valve spring life there isn't much reason to run it. Recomended valve springs would be LS6 springs.

 

XR273HR...220/224 .530/.534 112LSA Decent cam for an LQ9 for someone worried about valve spring life. With this much duration and this low of lift I just wouldn't recomend it as a choice for any application.

 

XR277HR...224/228 .534/.537 112LSA Agressive cam for duration and LSA. Not enough lift to make it worth recomending at this duration.

 

XR265HR...212/218 .558/.563 115LSA Very nice cam for a truck with mild exhaust upgrades. Not a recomended cam for a 4.8L or 5.3L as this much split with the small intake valves isn't the way to go. For a 6.0L this cam makes for a nice and mild dail driver with very little lope at idle. Stock converter can be used, but a 2600 stall is recomended. This cam can also be used with a blower or nitrous with decent results. Recomended valve springs would be LS6 spring or Comp 918.

 

XR275HR...222/224 .566/.568 112LSA Very strong cam for a naturally asperated setup. In a 4.8L you'll need a 3000 to 3400 stall. In a 5.3L you'll need a 2600 minimum and best results at 3000 stall. With a 6.0L I'd recomend a 2600 to 3000 stall depending on how agressive you want the launch. This is a very good cam for torque in the middle rpm range. Recomended to use shorty headers or long tubes. You may also need an injector upgrade at this point. With good tuning the idle will be a bit choppy, but yet still very streetable and will make for a nice daily driver with some bite. Not recomended for nitrous or Supercharger. Recomended springs are LS6 springs or 918's.

 

XR281HR...228/230 .571/.573 112LSA Very strong cam for a naturally asperated setup. Not recomended for a 4.8L or 5.3L. An L33 5.3L H.O. could run this cam with it's increased compression, but would require a 3200 to 3600 stall to be happy with it's results. In a 6.0L I would only recomend this for an LQ9 with it's increased compression and it could be ran with less stall due to it's cubes and compression. In an LQ9 I'd recomend long tube headers, LS6 or Fast style intake, and larger injectors. I'd recomend a 2800 to 3400 stall behind an LQ9 with this cam. Idle even tuned in perfectly will be choppy and will make for a decent daily driver as long as you aren't in heavy traffic. Not recomended for supercharger or nitrous. Recomended springs would be 918's.

 

XER273HR...224/230 .581/.591 114LSA Very similar power band to the XR281HR, except with a better idle and better drivability. I would not recomend this for anything smaller than a 6.0L either. Recomended to run a shorty or long tube header. Larger injectors will be needed. I'd recomend a 2600 to 3000 stall for this cam. If it is well tuned in the idle is lopey, but not unacceptable for a daily driver. This cam will also work ok with L92 style cylinder heads. It happens to be one of the cams that Livernois has chosen for it's L92 package. Will work nicely with nitrous or a blower. MP122 or bigger for Magnacharger or D1SC for Procharger. Recomended springs would be 918's or 921's.

 

 

XER281HR...232/234 .595/.598 112LSA Pretty much a cam built for no smaller than a 6.0L. If you want to run a cam like this you'll want more than the stock compression of an LQ9. I'd say no less than 10.5:1 compression. You'll also want a car intake for this rpm range. With a 6.0L you'll want a 3200 stall or higher. This cam is better suited to bigger inch such as 6.7L and bigger. Not recomended for boost or juice. Recomended springs would be 921's or Partriot Dual Gold's.

 

XER287HR...238/240 .605/.609 112LSA If you want to run this with a 6.0L, shoot for 11:1 compression or higher, a stall of 3600 or higher, 1 7/8 headers, and a Fast intake. This would make for a nice agressive cam in a 6.7L or bigger that can still be daily driven. More cubes of course wouldn't require as much stall. Recomended springs would be Patriot Dual Golds.

 

 

Texas Speed:

 

Thunder Racing:

 

Trick Flow:

TFS-30602001...216/220 .560/.560 114LSA

TFS-30602002...220/224 .575/.575 112LSA

TFS-30602003...228/230 .585/.585 112LSA

 

Still updating...

 

looking for a cam for daily driver with a bad ass idle and more power

[UntoldLegend]

Don't know if this thread is still going but here goes lol

 

Year of truck: 2005

 

Model: Joe gibbs Silverado ex 5.3

 

Trans: stock

Converter: stock

 

Gear: stock 3.73

 

Tires: 275-55R-20 GoodYears

 

List of current mods: CAI, Borla Exhaust (and the Super Charger only boosting 5 psi)

 

Possible future mods: Headers, Underdrive pulley (3.0), cam, heads, Tune (not sure what tune is best), converter, (and debating on 4.10 gears)

 

Goals for truck: Respectable street truck, low Et, nice lopey sound, and give the local Camaro racing team a run for its money

 

Uses of the truck: Daily driver, drags on the weekeneds

[zippy]

Year of truck:2003

Model:SSS

Trans:stock

Converter:stock

Gear:4.11

Tires:305/40/22

List of current mods:gibson exhaust(it sucks, I want to change it), k&n replacement filter

Possible future mods:whatever it tkaes to pep it up a bit

Goals for truck:I want it to have a choppy idle and be a little quicker, while still being able to tow my 7X12 enclosed work trailer.I would like to add a CAI, E-Fans, a shift kit (and converter if I need too), and whatever else you can recomend to acheive my goals.

Uses of the truck:DD, tow 4 to 5 days a week, horse around on the weekends

 

 

Thanks so much zippy. I know this tkes alot of your time.

 

With your truck being more biased toward towing than playing I think you'll need something with low duration with a good amount of lift and an LSA of around a 112LSA. I would recomend the Comp Cams LSR 265Lr HR12 part number 54-455-11 which has spec's of 215/223 .604/.610 on a 112LSA. You'll want a good spring such as a 918 from Comp or some Patriot Dual Golds and good tuning will be a must. With the truck tuned in well it should idle and drive around town almost stock like with a power band of up to around 6200-6400.

[zippy]

Year of truck: 2004

Model: SS

Trans: stock

Converter: stock

Gear: stock

Tires: stock

List of current mods: Volant air box w/ ram air scoop, Hypertech III programer (I will be taking this off eventually and yes I know I should have done a custom tune )

Possible future mods: headers, exhaust, lifters maybe, custom tune

Goals for truck: just to be a little faster

Uses of the truck: cruising

 

What's your recommendation?

 

 

Without much to go on for real goals I would recomend the Comp Cam XR265HR with the 212/218 .558/.563 on a 115LSA. The part number is 54-424-11. This cam has really been a good cam for LQ9's with very few mods. You'll get a light lope at idle and 20-30RWHP gain over stock. Not bad for a cam that retains stock like drivability. I would run this with LS6 or 918 springs.

[SilverBullet6.0]

Year of truck:2005

Model:GMC Sierra 1500 RCSB

Trans:4L60E w/ Corvette and Billet servos

Converter:Stock

Gear:3:73

Tires:275/55R20, soon to be 275/45R20

List of current mods:LQ9/LT's/no cats/dual exhaust with single flow 40/K&N CAI/160* Thermo/Custom Tune

Possible future mods:243 heads/TB Stall (unlikely, but possible)

Goals for truck: DD'able/375rwhp cam only, 400rwhp cam&heads/Choppy idle/off-idle to 6200ish powerband with good low end torque, but plenty high end pull

Uses of the truck: DD, Tow 16ft bass boat, haul harley sportser, would like to be able to tow another car

[Reese Byerrum]

Year of Truck: 2006

Model: Silverado SS (Black)

Trans: 4L60E with Zippy shift kit, steal gear set, 2600 stall

Gear: stock

Tires: Stock

List of current mods: Radix 112 (3.2 pulley), Corsa sport, dynatec LTs, your tune, 90mm TB, K&N 77 CAI, dual intercoolers.

Future mods: cal trac traction bars, cam, Z06 brake set up, maybe a 2.8 pulley, 160 stat

Goals for truck: keep it reliable, would like to get into the low 12s

Uses of truck: DD, don't really tow but would like to be able to if i need to, she takes my dirt bike to the track at least 2 times a week

 

 

Thanks for doing this Zippy and I will be in Vegas next month! I will let you know details when I get them.

[zippy]

Year of truck: 2004

Model:VHO

Trans: stock

Converter:Stock

Gear:Stock

Tire:20'General Tires(Grabber UHP)

List of current mods:CAI,Flowmasters

Possible Mods:Cam,Headers,Wheatley or Blackbear programmer,internals,supercharger.

Goals for truck: Blow Srt-10 out of the water....

Use of truck: Weekend Cruiser after mods are done.

 

 

What you're looking for is going to be difficult. You need alot of power and with a stock converter. I'd recomend a cam ground on LSK lobes (grinds 2124 and 2125) with specs of 215/219 .629/.632 on a 112LSA. You'd probably have to custom order the cam as I don't believe this is an available base grind yet. I would recomend a very good hardened pushrod and very good valve springs like the Patriot Dual Golds. If you added a good set of heads down the road like some TFS225's or so you'd have one hell of a screamer on your hands with decent low rpm torque. This is more of an N/A cam though. If you went with a blower this isn't the cam I'd pick.

[zippy]

Year of truck:2005

Model:Silverado 4.8

Trans:stock

Converter: stock

Gear:4.10

Tires: 305/40R22

List of current mods: pacesetter LT no cats with borla muffler, diablo programmer, K&N FIPK

Possible future mods: shift kit, torque converter (2600 or 3000), 160 thermostat, dyno tune

Goals for truck: more power and responsive, specifically from low to mid

Uses of the truck: daily driver on weekdays and drag racing on weekends

 

 

With a tire that tall and only a 4.10 gear low rpm loss will be a concern with cam choice. My recomendation for you would be the Comp Cam G3 XFI 261 HR15. The specs are 208/212 .554/.558 on a 115LSA. I would call though and try to order that same cam on a 112LSA. A 3000 stall would certainly be the best for running it hard, but only if you have a big enough cooler. If not run the 2600 converter. I'd run LS6 springs with this cam.

[zippy]

I am thinking of a cam and spring upgrade, but I have only put cams in carbed motors, so I am wondering what would be a good cam for my SSS.

I have: CAI, Magnaflow dual 3" in and out muffler, 160* stat, Tuned PCM, Taylor wires, NGK TR55 plugs, Prototype Trans-Go 4l65e transmission fully built, my trans guy told me the converter he put in was about 300 over stock stall so whatever that would be. It is my daily driver, but i'm in the go pedal alot. The truck pulls hard from 2500rpms on but needs a boost in the low end. I don't want a cam that's to aggressive in it but a nice streetable and occasional 1320 cam. In the future i'm planning on heads and a manifold swap, but want to keep the stock exh manifolds and do some porting with them to keep the engine looking stock. I don't mind getting the PCM remapped either after the cam. Also would you recommend new pushrods? I know you are tied up in this thread alone, but I appreciate your expertise and willingness to help all of us out with your knowledge on our trucks. Thanks for your time.

 

 

Any idea what you had in mind for the heads in the future?

[zippy]

looking for a cam for daily driver with a bad ass idle and more power

 

 

What engine and trans?

[zippy]

I'll work on the rest of these and get caught up by the end of the week.

[zippy]

I'll work on the rest of these and get caught up by the end of the week.

[Cramer]

Any idea what you had in mind for the heads in the future?

 

 

I have reconsidered the heads and decided not to do them any time soon. When I do go with heads it will be awhile down the road, and when I go to a 408 or so. So untill then i'm just looking at a cam. Thank you.