Need to rebuild top end of my engine and want to do some mods but still be able to use as daily driver. Also I'm a college student on a budget.

I was thinking some kind of valve train upgrade and a cam. I dont know what kind of cam to buy and what valve train parts I need to go with the cam. Also will these affect the trucks computer?

Open to all suggestions, I'm here to learn.

 

Really need to ask yourself how much you want to spend and how driveable you want the truck... also what kind of truck is it? Reg cab, ext cab, long bed, etc.

Just from what you said a 212/218 cam with LS6 springs will really wake it up and will be fine with the stock torque converter.

Welcome to pt!

 

Also will need a tune with the cam welcome to pt

 

Welcome new guy! A lot of information all over this forum about cam's and springs, etc.

Since you are on a budget I take it that you don't want to upgrade the stock converter either do you? Is it a regular cab truck or what?

Idk how much of a budget you are on but, seems like you need to stay with a cam that has a mild lift of about .550 or below and something up to a 212/218 cam max. That would be about the max I recommend for you the 212/218 .522/.529 (low lift) cam version made by comp cams.

Reason why you don't want to go bigger, you can still use LS6/LS9 springs which are very very cheap in price. About $60-$75 depending where you get them NEW. Also when you get a new cam, they raise your rpm powerband up and in return you can have sluggish low end power until you get to a certain rpm range. You can get away with the stock converter on a 212/218 cam, but I still highly recommend getting a higher stalling one soon down the road. It will make your new cam and truck come alive much more and get rid of any "dead spots" or lack of low end that might still be there on a smallish cam.

Another alternative would be a Z06 cam, although they are not considered a mild cam, they can be had for very very cheap as guys with vettes take them out all the time when they upgrade cams. You might get tired of the zo6 cam soon so IMO I really suggest something with a tad more duration.

 

Haha looks like Atomic already answered everything.

 

This is true. You need to get a custom tune with any cam bigger than stock. Although if you bought a Z06 cam you could get by without a tune, but it really defeats the purpose of getting a cam. A tune alone on a stock truck works wonders so I highly suggest a tune for ANY cam.

 

If it's a regular cab, you can get away with the comp 216/220 low lift as well, be able to use with the cheap LS6 springs, and it's still friendly with the stock converter.

 

My truck is a '99 silverado ext cab. Y'alls answers are really helping me out. I would say my budget would be around $800 dollars. My next question is what the stall on the torque converter does. And when y'all say tune does that mean some kind of chip?

 

A tune is just that... a tune. Our sponsors (Blackbear, Wheatly, Nelson) all do custom computer programming for your truck. That alone will COMPLETELY change how your vehicle responds, faster throttle response, better fuel economy (if you can keep your foot out of it) and more power.


I'll let someone else chime in on what the stall of a torque converter does, I know the answer, just I don't know how to explain it... I have a video of it though. lol

 

If I go with atomic's suggestion using the 212/218 cam with ls6 springs and the stock converter, will that make my bottom end rpm range sluggish?