Pickin a cam

Robert.K · Aug 17, 2009

Can somebody please fill this void of stupidity in my brain! I want to UPGRADE my cam but have no Ideal how to go about it. What do I look for? How do I know that the cam Im looking at is BETTER then what I have. Not looking for something aggressive, but a mild cam would be nice. Plan on getting a SC in the future so would want it to work fluidly with one. any help would be nice!

coopiesb · Aug 17, 2009

i have no idea........ but im looking to get the same thing!!

DallasD · Aug 17, 2009

I'm currently talking to my motor guy about a bunch of different setups. I will write on here what the outcome is when I get a sit down with him. I'm looking for more torque down low and not so much on the hp side. I want to scream til about 80 then if it falls off I'm not worried about it. If you want to do a S/C I would suggest doing some forged low compression pistons and all of the supporting mods. Otherwise you won't be able to run more that maybe 6-8 lbs of boost without fear of blowing something.

Robert.K · Aug 17, 2009

yeah please keep us up dated!

SloZ71Hoe · Aug 17, 2009

if you are looking for some low end i would keep the duration around 218/220 or some where close to that. Running a small stall with that will also help, but not nessary. I just got done puttin my cam in my tahoe its a 218/222 .564/.566 on a 112 lsa. If you are wanting a supercharger down the line i would keep it around a 114 lsa. Thats just what i have been told after purchasing my cam. So far i have just a TB stall and my cam and i can tell a difference in low end and its just half ass tuned.

first you need to figure out what all your going to do motor wise then pick a cam combo. Im sure some other guys will chime in also

JennaBear · Aug 17, 2009

First and foremost, the best person to suggest a cam for your needs, would be the cam company itself. You should be able to call them and tell them exactly what you are looking for as well as what your future plans are. They should be able to suggest a grind.

That being said, a 218/220 is not good for low end, and I would not suggest it unless you want a good mid range cam.

I wanted a mild cam for my Tahoe as it is a DD and I knew a blower would be going on. I went with Comp Cam 206/212 115LSA and was pleased with the results across the power band. I didn't want a lopey cam, nor one that would take away the pleasure of driving.

SloZ71Hoe · Aug 17, 2009

thats what i did, called comp and talked to them about what i wanted... And thats what they cut for me.

Robert.K · Aug 18, 2009

Whats the product number on that cam?

SloZ71Hoe · Aug 18, 2009

which one, hers or mine? I dont remember mine. Like i said i called up comp and told them that i was going to put a cam in my truck and he told me that this cam would work for keeping some low end. He said i didnt have to run a stall but if i wanted to it would help alot more.

They will be more than happy to help you pic out a cam. They were alot of help when i was trying to find a cam for my truck, even though its now in my tahoe. lol

NoChrome · Aug 20, 2009

I would say determine what RPM band you want to work with. Keep it under 6k? Maybe push it to 65? Once you have your high side figured out find cams that work up there, and find the bottom of those cams say 2500 rpm. Get a stall to match that cams low end. Now, you want to blow it right? You want little to no over lap between your exhaust and intake lobes. Which is more than the LSA (lobe seperation angle) you must also factor in the duration of the cam to find the over lap...

I would recommend this cam "TR Blower" - 214/230 .601/.579 117 LSA

idle to 6800rpm, will prolly still want a mild stall, say 2300-2500, you can steal one from a 6cyl trailblazer for cheap.

blueflamed03 · Aug 20, 2009

212/218 one
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=1085&sb=2

206/212 one, which I agree with Jenna, this will offer more low end.
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=1095&sb=2

---------- Post added at 03:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:42 PM ----------

NoChrome said:
I would recommend this cam "TR Blower" - 214/230 .601/.579 117 LSA

idle to 6800rpm, will prolly still want a mild stall, say 2300-2500, you can steal one from a 6cyl trailblazer for cheap.

I wouldn't use that on a NA engine, that's a blower grind with wide LSA.

hyde · Aug 20, 2009

Guys picking up a factory ZO6 camshaft out of a 2002-03 -04. This cam will make good power and you will have great reliablity with a factory camshaft. Have dynoed several 5.3's that make close to 330rwhp and then you can change the heads to 6.0l truck heads drop compression and run 10-12 pounds of boost which will respond to the camshaft flawlessly. Just a thought and cheap to do...

blueflamed03 · Aug 21, 2009

hyde, what do you do for a living, access to a dyno?

TheFuzz · Aug 21, 2009

blueflamed03 said:
206/212 one, which I agree with Jenna, this will offer more low end.
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=1095&sb=2

That one says "significant gains in the mid and upper RPM range"

Isn't that contradictive of a low end cam? I'm not trying to be an ass, I really am curious since I know dick about this and I'm eyballing cams for my 6.0 swap.

blueflamed03 · Aug 21, 2009

Yuke2K said:
That one says "significant gains in the mid and upper RPM range"

Isn't that contradictive of a low end cam? I'm not trying to be an ass, I really am curious since I know dick about this and I'm eyballing cams for my 6.0 swap.

if you look at the factory torque peak on even the factory cam, it isn't until 1800-2200. That's why alot of people say a converter is a good first add on.
Now stick a cam with 206/212 in a 350 cu in, that is a really small cam. But in a 284 cu in or 325 cu in, that's about as mild as you can go. A TQ or gear swap will really wake this cam up.

---------- Post added at 11:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 AM ----------

now for your 6.0, you can stand to go a tad larger, you have more displacement.

BOSS · Aug 21, 2009

Like Towelie said on SouthPark, "I have no idea what you guys are talking about."

..But I will!

NoChrome · Aug 21, 2009

blueflamed03 said:
I wouldn't use that on a NA engine, that's a blower grind with wide LSA.

Right, but they guy wants a blower, in the end, why not only buy 1 $400 cam and even if its not the "best" for a na motor, it will still out perform stock.

blueflamed03 · Aug 21, 2009

well it's a package deal, if SC is like a year away, I for sure wouldn't put a blower grind in, or vice versa. If SC is semi close, possibly. But if it's a long term go, I wouldn't.

hyde · Aug 22, 2009

Blue, I had a shop for many years. I have several close friends who own big shops in Houston/Pearland. I know work offshore as a consultant for BP in GoM. I have built many high powered LS1, LS2 and to many to list small block chev and ford race motors. I love the LS platform and they make big numbers very easily.

JennaBear · Aug 22, 2009

Justin has a Z06 cam in his SSS I believe. I wouldn't want it in my 5.3L but it performs well with the blower on the 6.0L.

I went with the 206/212 as I knew I would be getting a blower but also needed it for a DD in the meantime. Kinda the best of both worlds for me.

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