5.3L camshaft options 2006 Chevy Silverado Z71 LT2 Crew Cab

[spenceb69]

Ok i wanna change out my camshaft out for an aftermarket. I would like more torque and horsepower what would be an ideal shaft for this modification all anwsers are appreciated plz and thank y'all

P.S. I'm not totally understanding lobe lift yet thats my big problem what a good lift for each side and whats not a good lift for each side

[jyount]

Originally Posted by spenceb69

Ok i wanna change out my camshaft out for an aftermarket. I would like more torque and horsepower what would be an ideal shaft for this modification all anwsers are appreciated plz and thank y'all

P.S. I'm not totally understanding lobe lift yet thats my big problem what a good lift for each side and whats not a good lift for each side

What a bag of worms you have opened, wow. Go to performance trucks. net, google it, and start researching, be prepared to spend some time, even then you are probably gonna go through 2 or 3 cams atleast before you find the one you like.

GM designed the stock cams to pull in a wide power band. Most aftermarket cams, raise peak power alright, but they put the powerband in a different rpm range, meaning the stock TC is out of its optimum range most likely, and on and on and on, wow. Sure you can slap a cam in and get the classic lope idle, but who care what it sounds like if it doesn't work for you. If its not in its proper band for you it will kill gas mileage also. Long story short, a cam is the best bang for the buck you can get, but be prepared to support it with other mods.
A cams profile/lobe separtion/lift/duration etc is probably the singlemost deciding factor on how your truck runs out.

[wafrederick]

Competition Cams has a tech line you can call.I did hear Crane cams is out of buisness,went bankrupt.For camshaft makers besides Comp,there are Isky and a couple more.Plus you will have to change pushrods for longer ones to prevent early valve seat and guide wear.

[ColoradoSilverado]

Maybe a dumb question but why do you need more power ? I have a stock 2000 ext cab long bed with the 5.3 and have plenty of power to pull a loaded 5 ton trailer here in the Colorado hills.........

Bert

[spenceb69]

It's actually not a dumb question. Its not that i need it but more or less that i want it. And I was asking everyone if what would be the best cam to put in so i'm not wasting my money.

[jyount]

Not at all dumb, I completely understand, as I have a bad power hungry disease too. The best option for you is to talk to your buddies, guys at the parts house etc, and see what they have had good luck with.

ALSO, its not longer pushrods you need, it is shorter. The reason for this is the increased lift of the cam can bind the springs, and it can collapse your lifters. If you don't go with very much lift though, you won't need em. If you do go with a big cam, not only will you need different pushrods, but also most likely reprogramming, it might run without it, but might set check engine lights, and you are wasting the money for a cam if you don't reprogram for it in these newer smarter engines in my very humble opinion. Lift is only one part of the power equation. Duration has a lot of effect, as in lets the valve open more or less to let more or less in. Lobe seperation angle has a ton to do with where the powerband of the engine is at.
A short LSA makes a lopey idle, and allows the valve open times to overlap more, more scavenging, what that equates to is more power higher in the rpm range, very sucky power for towing. You must change tourqe convertors to make use of these cams.
Bigger number lsa means more power at a lower rpm, but less than possible at higher, so you really need to think about what you want it for.
The general put a cam in the truck that works relatively well for all, most of your aftermarkets are gonna be good for one thing or the other.
If the stocker is middle of the road, you are gonna move it one way or the other with the cam, like I said, they can completely change the power curve of the engine.