Camshaft replacement

Raptordude · May 17, 2019

I am replacing the camshaft and lifters on a 2007 Silverado 2500HD with the LQ4 6.0 engine due to a slightly chewed up lifter.

Who makes the best mild performance cam for these engines?

I do not want to do upgraded valve springs or pushrods or change the tuning in any way. The truck is only used to pull a 1 horse trailer, not looking for anything crazy

Suggestions?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SierraHD17 · May 18, 2019

Just find a stock one then... wrecking yards are full of them. It's really not a terrible cam and the tuning on these LQ4s is so bad even for the engine totally stock adding a cam to it isn't going to do you any favors. It's bad enough running the 60 second power enrichment delay stock with no ignition timing... trying to add more air to that is just going to make it worse. Replace in kind...

KARNUT · May 18, 2019

I wouldn’t tear down an engine and put a used cam in. I would look online (like you are) and contact your local performance shop for input. Check out tuning as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SierraHD17 · May 18, 2019

2 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I wouldn’t tear down an engine and put a used cam in. I would look online (like you are) and contact your local performance shop for input. Check out tuning as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Roller cams last forever if they aren't damaged by something like the OP's by a lifter. It's not a flat tappet Gen 1 small block here... GM uses billet cores that are actually better quality than most generic replacement cams. A used one that isn't scarred or damaged is perfect for the guy... and likely can be sourced for free.

The OP might come back with some "I would never use used parts" reply too but none the less buy a stock one either way. He said he doesn't want to tune it so stock it is! The stock cam is a actually a decent grind for what it is... the tuning, exhaust and other things are a lot more of an issue..

KARNUT · May 18, 2019

Roller cams last forever if they aren't damaged by something like the OP's by a lifter. It's not a flat tappet Gen 1 small block here... GM uses billet cores that are actually better quality than most generic replacement cams. A used one that isn't scarred or damaged is perfect for the guy... and likely can be sourced for free.

The OP might come back with some high and mighty "I would never use used parts" reply too but none the less buy a stock one either way. He said he doesn't want to tune it so stock it is!

I admit I’m a bit old school. I’ve used salvage rebuildable parts, heads, blocks etc. Rods, cams, pistons would make me a little nervous.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Raptordude · May 19, 2019

Ok thanks for the replies. I guess I will just get a stock replacement because I don’t want to mess with tuning at all

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Raptordude · May 22, 2019

What do you guys think of this cam bearing? They all seem to be about the same. I really do not want to have to pull the engine all the way apart and send it to a machine shop to replace them

My buddy said when he rebuilt one of these that the bearings were all showing some brass. He didn’t replace them and it’s been fine. Thoughts?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SierraHD17 · May 22, 2019

GM line bores them with the cam bearings in place for fitment so that's normal. That looks absolutely fine and should be no concern. At least you didn't go to pull the cam and have it try to bring one of the bearings with it haha.

Raptordude · May 22, 2019

Thanks for your reply, that’s good to know. Looks like I will go ahead with a new cam and 16 new lifters

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Raptordude · May 22, 2019

Here’s the intake lobe for cylinder #4. All other lobes and journals looked fine

Would you be concerned with debris from that messing up the bottom end? The truck ran smooth, no knocking whatsoever. The lifter was marked up but did not come apart, no needle bearings escaped

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SierraHD17 · May 22, 2019

No. Thats pretty minor and a good majority would be in the oil filter. The sad thing is GM just does cam replacements on trucks that are missing most of the lobe and send them out the door lol. You caught that one early enough I wouldn't even think twice about running it.