Transgo, servos and extra large cooler are going in today.
As much as i'd love to S/C my truck i honestly cant afford to do so. I would like a little more Umph from the litttle 5.3 though so i was thinking some type of cam would be good. Maybe a little head work (or new heads) later, but for now just a cam.
Keeping in mind that i am 4wd and dont want to lose towing/off road function, what cam would work for me and what kind of improvement would i notice?
I know jack about cams, only understand basic function.
Thanks.

 

I'm not too knowledgable about bigger cams for our engines, but I do know that most of all bigger cams will make your engine sacrifice some lowend torque. It wil make up for the loss, but not until about 3,000 rpms.
I too was looking for my brother's 01' Z71 exactly what you are looking for, but everyone is telling me that most of all bigger cams will cause a loss in low torque, unless you will be adding a higher stall converter to make up for it.
I would have to say adding more compression with different heads would give more added grunt at the bottom end, but then again, that would cost more than a cam swap.
The best addition to really suite your needs would of course be a SC, but there not cheap as you already know.
I guess just see what others will inform you on.
Good luck!

Jim

 

Thanks Jim,
Kinda what i was guessing. Would i lose bottom end or just not make any gains below 3000rpm?

 

you would loose some slight HP/tq down low.. with my 210/218 when the trucks in OD u can tell its a little sluggish below 2300 roughly.. when the rpms get above that it starts feeling like stock, then at 3k it feels better and better all the way up through the rpms

im not sure what size cam comes in the HO? but a 206/212 is a nice form what i hear for stock stalls.. you might loose a tad down low, but i dunno if you would notice it big time or not?

a 212/218 seems to be a awesome combo for most that want some cam and a little stall... the bigger you go in cams, then you want about a 2800-3k stall

im getting a tt3000 for mine which will be here tomorrow

 

Thanks 98TAauto.
What kind of cam is refered to as an "RV" cam?

 

206/212

 

trever its all gonna depend on the driver also.. some might think the truck lost more low end that others. If you are WOT more than part throttle then a big cam and big stall is good lol

im going with a 216/220 or a 220/220 shortly since i have the stall to handle it. Ive been happy with my 210/218 and stock stall though. The sound and WOT power made it worth the swap for me even if i lost some low end on the stock converter

Either way, i wouldnt go much bigger than a 210/218 if you are EC and espically 4x4 on the stock stall

 

Not understanding what the XXX/XXX mean, can you tell me what cam would work best for my aplication, ECSB with 5.3HO? I want real good mid range power without sacrificing low end and having to do to much more to make it work.
Should i forget the cam and save for a year (or 2) and go for the Radix?

EDIT: We must have posted at the same time.

So what is my gain from a 210/218 (whatever that means?)? :confused

this?:080

DUR @ .004" 272*/280*
DUR @ .050" 210*/218*
LIFT .551/.551
OVERLAP 48*
LSA 116* "ULTRA TORQUE"
POWER RANGE 1500 TO 5800
PROVIDES VERY HIGH TORQUE GAINS
GREAT FUEL ECONOMY & POWER
LIGHT THUMPY IDLE

$399.00

Or this?:

045 DUR @ .004" 278*/ 286*
DUR @ .050" 216*/ 224*
* LIFT .551/.551
OVERLAP 53*
LSA 115* "THE TRUCKER"
STREET / STRIP / POWER
POWER RANGE 2000 TO 6200
TUNING REQUIRED
POWERFUL CHOPPY IDLE
DYNAMITE WITH A SUPERCHARGER

399.00

 

look at the power range... that will tell you. Obiviously the 216/224 doesnt start making power untill 2000+, should probably be 2500+ though.

the 080 is the same I have except mine has only .535 lift and is 114lsa

out of those 2, the 210/218 is my choice for stock stall

 

It is a bit confusing until you do a bit of research on it.
All in all, you will be losing some bottom end power either way.
You may want to just save up for the Radix. It seems to fit your bill of need.
I would like to see what or how these cam swaps effect pulling a 5,000lbs+ boat. ie; gas miliage, initial go from a dead stop, & 3rd gear or OD load on motor (not WOT power either). What kind of cam would you guys suggest then??
I myself want more pulling power than just a power increase at mid & top end.
If that is the case with you as well, then the Radix may be the best modification.
I may be going with a S/C or Livernoise turbo set-up as well. I too have some decisions to make.
If GM ever fixes my brakes!!

Jim