Cam Advice

govener71 · October 22, 2013

I have an 06 silverado 5.3l vin z, z71 4x4 with 3.42 gears,g80, crew cab, super chips programmer, cooper 285/70/17 tires.

I had the camshaft on my truck become de-laminated, apparently a tsb on the issue, and now am in the process of having the motor torn down and the work done under an extended warranty.

I have no mods accept an air aid intake, super chips tuner, and a magnaflow muffler. Nothing much.

Should I stick with the stock cam when I get the new one put in or should I look into something a little different. I know there is not much room to go crazy, especially with the stock stall converter. What are some options that you think might be beneficial or a quality cam to go with? Any and all advice, even down to keep it stock, is appreciated. Thanks.

Chris · October 22, 2013

About as wild as you could go with stock stall is the LS6 cam or the LPE GT2-3

govener71 · October 22, 2013

Pros or Cons to either? I know its not much but at the expense of my warranty it might be fun to change it up a bit.

kstruckcountry · October 22, 2013

I like the way my truck runs smooth, if it was my truck I'd stay stock.

Chris · October 22, 2013

These cams will run smooth. The GT2-3 is a little warmer than the LS6. Both require new valve springs, a new stock cam should get them as well. Both will need a retune.

govener71 · October 23, 2013

Just reading about the LPE GT2-3 and a lot of people seem to like it and say it runs like stock, but better built than stock. It also has a longer power band. Not that I am drag racing anywhere. My only fear with stock is if it de-laminates again. I know its not very likely but hey its fun to investigate the options.

Ahh its the retune I am trying to avoid. I thought I read that if you go with the LS6 cam the pcm will learn it.

My wife is due in the spring to I am trying to do a budget change while I can adding a couple things if I can. If it gets more expensive then I wont do it. But, it is getting new springs, rods, cam, rockers, seals and all the good stuff with it. Its a friend mechanic that is doing it so he is working with me on what I want and the best stuff to put in.

Chris · October 23, 2013

Rods should be 7.4" stockers. Rockers use stock, I would do the comp trunion upgrade. Retune wont be bad. It will run a lot better. Seals should be good

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govener71 · October 23, 2013

What does it do for you? I see it replaces the needle bearing but what is wrong with current bearing? Would you do this with the stock cam or a different one? Thank you for all the input, I am learning a lot.

Chris · October 23, 2013

Do it regardless. Getting higer in the miles those bearings WILL fail. The upgrade gives you fully caged bearings. When I do my internal upgrades this is on my list with the GT2-3.

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govener71 · October 23, 2013

Sounds like it's more important to do that than to change the cam. If the warranty place gives an option I will change it, but if not I will just stick with the trunion upgrade. Would a cam affect my ability to use my super chips? I know BB could take care of it to but my hand held was only 90 bucks. I feel like it would not because the new tune would be saved as the stock tune in the programmer. Hmmm decisions.

Chris · October 23, 2013

That one I am not sure of. I have very little knowledge of the superchips device

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kstruckcountry · October 23, 2013

The superchip would override the BB tune.

govener71 · October 24, 2013

Today the mechanic called and said the adjuster was there and looking at the motor and was very impressed with how clean it was and how there was no sludge any where just normal bronzing. What was brought up though was the nasty amount of wear on the 4th cylinder portion of the cam and starting I believe on number 6. Everything else looked good but here is what is going to happen to put it back together.

Heads cleaned up at the machine shop.

Comp Cam Trunnion Kit on the Rockers

New lifters

New Cam, stock dimensions but after market builder

New gaskets and fluids.

Nothing crazy but that is all I could think of. I am excited about the Trunnion Kit and hopefully many years of reliable service.

Chris · October 24, 2013

Here is a bit on the trunion upgrade

govener71 · October 28, 2013

Going back with the stock cam, trunion upgrade, new water pump, heads and being machined and pressure checked, new lifters, springs too I believe, new exhaust bolts and head bolts. I am also going to do the big 3 in 4ga when I get it back to try and get rid of dimming lights. That seems simple and cheap assuming my extended warranty holds up, Stillwater siting to hear from them too. Can you think of anything else I should do when I am at this point with the motor?