Hi ,
My name is Mike and I'm new to this forum and also internal engine mods. I have a 1997 jeep wrangler and about 3 years ago i got a LM7 5.3L Vortec installed. Engine is completly stock internally, has hooker competition headers with 3 inch exhaust into magna flow cat and exhaust. It also has an air intake. I drive this jeep for fun in the summer but everyday in the winter. It runs great and sounds even better when its on the move. I don't however like the extremly smooth engine idle. I'm constantly going to truck shows hearing other trucks all cammed up with a rough idle but i don't know the first thing about picking out a cam shaft for my engine. I really want that rougher idle with also added power. What i'm looking for is some advice and knowledge on which cam is best without really sacrificing engine life in the long run. What else besides the cam do i need to purchase? springs, lifters, rods ? Also i'd have to send my computer out to get it redone too correct? I do apologize for being such a "newbie" on my question. The jeep is a manual trans (nv4500). I have 4.56 gearing in the axles with 35" tires so top speed really isn't on my to-do list.

 

Sound like a sweet ride. You could go something like the Isky 212/216, .532/.532, 110 lsa. That would give a nice little lope at idle and pick up power throughout the curve. Works with the GM ls6 valve springs, and factory pushrods.

 

thank you stock48. about how much HP can you gain from installing a cam like that?

 

Around 40RWHP and a healthy amount of tq in the mid range. The cat and short headers will hold it back some.

 

thats a decent amount. So i did some research and tried to study up on the numbers and sizes of cams and what they mean. This is whats i'm trying to grasp and please let me know if i'm way off. You suggested that i go for a cam like the Isky 212/216 .532/.532 110lsa. The lsa being around 110-112 would give me a lobing idle unlike a higher number like a 114-116 right? But if i go lower it wouldn't be practical for street? From what i can dig up my engine stock has a lsa of 114. The stock cam is 190/191 int/exh @ .05 duration .466"/.457" int/exh lift. The Isky cam you suggested has a higher lift which i would need the other springs also like you suggested to handle the lift. What i'm trying to figure is why 212/216? What happens if i go higher or lower? Does that get into having to change my compression and other internals? Is there a chart out there that has the effects of the different durations on a cam and a different lsa? Sorry Stock48 for buggin the hell out of you i'm just trying to play catch up and fit in haha

 

the higher you go in duration the less power your goin to make down low.

the 212/216 will make nice low end torque and pull to 6000 with more power thru the whole rpm range.

The Isky 215 im running is really quiet at idle on the 114 lsa but i like that and it makes great power down low for towing and such.

 

mechanical or hydraulic lifters?

 

Current cam:
236/238 .615”/.605” 111LSA +1 advance
Comp Cams XFI/XE-R lobes
3017R/3729R HR111LSA +1 advance (110 installed intake center @ .050)

This is the cam I have. I lopes like a Harley Davidson and rocks the whole truck and that is at 700rpm...

 

are these cams custom ground or like an off the shelf setup?

 

hydraulic

the Iskys are custom grinds.