Wikedhd

Working on a budget, like most of us do. I have a 2007 Avalanche LT. Looking for advice on camshaft. Where do I start. This is my daily driver, so looking for dependability and power for towing. In the market for a 20' toyhauler/camper. So I need ideas what to expect from this 5.3. Recommend headers, exhaust, intake, cam, tune and anything else.

Avalanche2002

We need to know a couple of things first. Do you have the flex fuel option or the cylinder shutdown feature (DOD - my Av is an 02 so I don't know when the DOD was brought out as a feature in the Av)? Will you consider forced induction in the future? Would you consider a small bump in the converter stall?

That said, a good starting point for a cam would be either a low lift or high lift Comp XR265.

Specs on the low lift: 54-412-11 XR265HR 265/271 advertised 212/218 @ .050 .522/.529 114° LSA

Then, as you suggested, open up the intake, exhaust, and get a good tune from one of the site sponsors. Short tube headers would be better for no loss of low end torque for towing but you really won't gain a whole lot over the stock manifolds.

And, since you have an Av, check out these sites if you haven't:

chevyavalancheclub . com and chevyavalanchefanclub . com

mhotrodscooter

iTrader: (13)

How much you looking to spend? Can you do the work yourself?

Wikedhd

Thanks for the reply.
Yes sooner or later I want to do a Magnacharger, but not now. I have cylinder shutoff but not Flexfuel.
The problem I have is no power towing. Just came back from Sturgis Bike week, 2 weeks and 3600 miles. I pulled my bike on a 5x10 open trailer, loaded down for 2 weeks of camping. So I guess around 2000# range. Flat ground not much of a problem, 75-80mph. Slow on take off. But the hills and mountains!! Had to keep it in tow mode and even would downshift it myself. Had to keep the rpms high. Trans temp never got much more than 210.
My problem is my new wife loved the rally and camping, but not much having to share a showerhouse. So we're about to buy a small 20' toyhauler, around 6500# gvwr. And the Ava is rated at 7200#. I Love my truck and don't want to buy a bigger truck. Just want to invest in more HP.
Can this be done?

mhotrodscooter

iTrader: (13)

What gears do you have now? My 4.8 with 3:42 would down shift on flat ground pulling a 20ft car hauler with a 300z sitting on top! I switch to 3:73 dual exhaust & a cai! It would still downshift but that was only on overpasses & hills!

Wikedhd

3.73 with slightly lower profile tires.
On the money budget, I don't want to spend over $2000. Yes I can do most work myself. If not my friend has everything else I need to do it. He even has HP tuner. He did do a small tune on it.

mhotrodscooter

iTrader: (13)

My cam swAp cost me around 1200 buying everything new & doing it myself! Coarse that's paying for a tune 2! I payed 550 for the headers! IMO I'd go with headers, cai, 4:10 gear & a tune for starters! Then if u need more cam it!

Avalanche2002

I believe 07 still had the 4-speed auto? If so, you probably have 3.73s. If you have the 6-speed you probably have 3.42s.

I think mhotrodscooter is on the right track - what is your gear ratio? I specifically bought the 4.10s in my truck because I knew it was a heavy pig and the lower gear ratio would get it off the line better. It hurts a little on gas mileage but that's the price you pay for better driveability.

A slightly higher stall converter, like a Yank TT2600 or TT3000 will help also. You just have to be careful because a stall creates more heat when towing. You'll want to get a good tranny oil cooler when you start towing the heavier weights regardless of whether you put a stall in or not.

EDIT: You might try 4.10s as it would help considerably. Maybe try the TT2600 stall also and decide on a cam if that's not sufficient.

lady3bglover

iTrader: (3)

I know this isn't the idea for most, but I've learn to build from the back up. Make sure you're back-end can handle the front-end. And without me sounding too ignorant, what trans is on your truck?

Wikedhd

I'm thinking it's 4L60
I know its a 3.73 rearend, dealership just rebuild the thing.
Started get bad roaring noise around 45000 miles and they
fixed it. To bad the noise is coming back. Different story!