So I came across these threads in my search and have a few questions:

https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...g+cam%2C+tahoe
https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...g+cam%2C+tahoe
https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...g+cam%2C+tahoe

it seems about a 206/212 seems to work well for towing. the Tahoe is completely stock, no mods whatsoever (2002 model year). i think it was a different forum i read that the 5.3 loves a 224 cam (TR224/TSP etc), so this is actually what i had in mind when i searched here, only to find people recommending the 206/212

to me, a TR224 isnt a big cam (thinking of my Camaro), but i have no idea how the tahoe would respond. its a DD and i use it to tow my Mastercraft boat and do long road trips from so cal--nor cal, as well as a lot of drives into the mountains (sometimes towing)

so is the 224 just way to big for my application? will the 206/212 suffice? who do you guys recommend getting it from and with what specs?

keep in mind, the Camaro isn't smog legal (in CA) and i definitely want to keep the Tahoe smog legal for sure! only other things i want to do is shorty headers (do they make them for tahoes?), intake, and a diff muffler (can anyone recommend a high flowing QUIET muffler?)

so along with the cam i'm assuming new springs/retainers, lifters (necessary?), and timing chain are also required?

TIA,
Chris

 

depending on what you are towing, weight wise, i would stay smaller, around 206/212 @ .050", and keep my stock stall. also springs and hardened PR's.

a 224 is fine in a 5.3, with the right stall ( 3K or so ) and gearing, but probably not the BEST for towing. i tow with my 3K stall, and .23x duration cam, but nothing heavy.

a good tune and the smaller cam should produce the results you need, low end off idle torque.

 

gotcha, thanks. ya, i want to avoid getting a stall

 

oh, i'm typically towing a 21' boat, but sometimes have open trailers with cars to tow (in the 2-4k lbs range)

would a 208/212 on a 112* LSA work well? in what way would it differ from the 206/212?


these may be easy answers, but i'm really no cam guru at all, all i know is for my Camaro i will be getting a Vengeance VRX4

i do appreciate your guys help with this. also, i didn't see anything about oil pumps, so i'm assuming truck oil pumps are better then F-body's/stock vettes and don't need to be replaced/ported?

 

I ran a 224 cam with 114+4* and hated it. Power didn't come on 'till 3500rpm. I am no expert by any means but this is what I have learned: the smaller cam will keep your power band lower ad the slpit will aid your stock exhaust.

 

ok, thanks for the input!

so i just ran across this thread: https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...d.php?t=425898

so with the compcam XR259HR being on a 112 i will have a lot of low end torque, which is great for towing, but i think my biggest complaint is nearly everywhere i tow is in the mountains or curvy roads with a lot of hills, so i'm more so in the mid-upper rpm range...especially when pulling at 55+mph going up hill...the tahoe likes to downshift to i presume 2nd (way up in the RPMs) just to hold speed. wouldn't i want a cam with more mid-upper range if this is what i'm disliking the most is these high RPM downshifts?

so something like the XR265HR may be better? people say i can run stock stall and be fine with it..i'm going to talk to my tuner about that. or maybe the XR261HR15 (the 208/212 on a 115) would be better being smaller?

now i see the 265HR on a 115 LSA and that would give me a little more top end sacrificing some off idle power...i think this may be what i want?

damn, i dunno :help:

 

Of those, I'd go with the 265. That will give you enough mid without losing too much low. I have the 269 and 2nd gear at 60mph is the sweet spot. Thats with 3.42 gears. Obviously your going to want some 4.10's pulling a boat around.

You also shouldn't down shift as much after the swap because your going to have more power where you need it. It should do a better job at maintaining speed. Add a 2800 stall to keep you in your power band and you should be good to go.

 

so just the regular 265 you think? with a good tune, how long would i be able to get away with no stall? after all, towing is really only a summer thing...

 

What gear and tire size are you running? My truck has plenty of torque down low, but for towing would require a bit of gear.

 

The stall wouldn't be a Necessity.
I kinda like the idea of the 265HR with the higher lift on a 115. It'll will produce a little more HP and has a power range all the way up to 6700rpm. That way you can enjoy it more when your not towing.