Fresh_Mutz

I sent largely similar messages to TSP and BTR too. Figured while I am waiting to hear back from them I’d get some of your opinions and real world experience.



The current set-up is as follows:

2000 RCSB Silverado
- LM7 (194k miles)
- 4L60E
- Circle D 300mm 2800 converter (PN: 01-07-09-3D) and SFI flexplate
- 1 7/8 Long tubes, catless y, large case magnaflow muffler
- E-fans
- AC

My goal is to make a really nice OEM+ cruiser truck. Good for cars and coffee, good for running errands, or Home Depot stuff. I don’t tow, but I do load up the bed from time to time with a lot of crap because I work on my house and am building a hobby woodshop. I’m not necessarily going for peak power and torque gains but don’t want to sacrifice anything down low or mid power band. I really never intend to race this thing while this motor is alive so any high RPM gains aren’t really going to be enjoyed all the time by me.

My idea was pairing up a cam with milled 862’s & thinner gasket for an increase in compression (approximately bumping up to the 10.X:1 range). Thinking that would sound pretty nice, and different enough to turn a couple heads.

What are your general thoughts on 1) milled 862s for my purposes, and 2) a cam that would pair well with those heads?

I know everyone is getting into that Truck Norris or Chopacabra but I think that’s just going to be too aggressive of an idle for me. Looking for something with respectable presence.

I’d also be doing oil pump, timing chain, trunnion, springs and pushrods (I have a set of PAC singles and 7.4’s already lying around somewhere), and lifters since it’ll all be open and probably best to refresh that junk too.

Thanks!

strutaeng

Sweet. That's a nice and clean looking truck.

I used the Summit Pro LS Vortec truck cam SUM-8718R1 on my recent Suburban's 2500 LQ4' refresh. I really like it. My truck is just a daily driver and I may do some towing with it down the road. I do have factory 4.10s and I'm running LT265/75/16 tires, just a tiny bit larger than the factory 245s.

There's a thread on LS1TECH someone did a Dyno with that cam on a 5.3 and the gains were pretty good for most of the RPM range.

MikeGyver

iTrader: (5)

Since you didn't mention a budget, nothing beats a positive displacement supercharger. It has power down low and up high, and is out of sight/out of mind until you push the gas pedal far enough.

wretched73

iTrader: (1)

Can't go wrong with a 212/218 112-114LSA

shakenfake

This guy ***** ^^^


Personally I am a preacher of getting some later model heads. That's just me though. 862s will probably be just fine for your application.

GREENSIERRA

I agree with wretched, the 212-218 is a proven cam.
I run one in my 05 tahoe with a L33, 799 heads milled .015, nnbs intake and a 90mm tb.
sounds good and drives great even with a stock converter

Fresh_Mutz

Sorry for my absence, fellas. Stupid work. I do very much appreciate your inputs! @MikeGyver , you're absolutely right I did not specify a budget and I should have. I'll be more cognizant in my future postings. I want to stick around 1500-2000 in parts.

I took much of it into consideration and along with speaking with BTR representatives I went with the following:

BTR Stage 2 Truck Cam (212/218 .553/.553 111+0) and keeping the 862's alone for the time being. I am trying to stray away from doing all the "fun" stuff at the same time. Want to keep some things to look forward to doing in the future.

I will be doing lifters, however. The sales rep quoted me BTR LS9 HEAD GASKET - MLS - BTR22033-2 https://briantooleyracing.com/btr-ls...tr22033-2.html). Head gaskets are a bit out of my knowledge base. Would these "LS9" gaskets be perfectly fine for my LM7 with unmilled 862s? The listing states "These gaskets feature a 4.100" bore and a .055" thickness spread across 7 layers of steel. These can be used in place of GM part # 12622033." I do not necessarily plan on boosting. Again, this is meant to be just a nice cruiser truck (everything between Cars and Coffee and the lumber yard). I was expecting gaskets that would just be more or less a clear replacement of the stock LM7 ones.

​​​​​​​Do you think these are perfectly fine to use? I have not placed my order yet.

RB04Av

Yes. All of that seems reasonable.

You'll need new head bolts as well.