L86 engine upgrades

[goeb34]

Any pros/cons on a cam swap for l86? things to get checked while the engine is getting worked on? Any trans/rear end issues after everything is finished? 125k miles, daily driven, occasional towing a boat/four wheelers..

[Lsgun1]

I don't see any negatives to a cam swap at all unless you get something that isn't streetable. Delete the DOD/AFM while you're in there.

[goeb34]

I don't see any negatives to a cam swap at all unless you get something that isn't streetable. Delete the DOD/AFM while you're in there.

I had that turned off when it got tuned, still have those lifters though im waiting for one to start tapping so i have a better reason to swap out the cam i just didnt know how the trans/rear end would hold up if i did want to really test it

[truckguy82]

Downside to cam

-it’s pretty expensive, it’s like 24 hours of labor

-it shifts the powerband to the top end

-supercharger is not that far off in cost and really shines in a truck
 

upsides - 

-lots of top end power

-little easier on the drivetrain than a supercharger

 

This is the same motor as the lt1 in the vette and the camaro. If I had a vette or a camaro, the decision would be more difficult as NA builds are awesome in lighter cars. But with 5500lbs unloaded, and sometimes maybe 15,000 lbs while towing, I’d personally rather have a supercharger.

 

If you diy, cam is probably considerably cheaper. If you pay someone to do it, likely around the same ballpark.

[NWI Denali]

On 5/7/2020 at 12:52 PM, truckguy82 said:

Downside to cam

-it’s pretty expensive, it’s like 24 hours of labor

-it shifts the powerband to the top end

 

-supercharger is not that far off in cost and really shines in a truck
 

upsides - 

-lots of top end power

-little easier on the drivetrain than a supercharger

 

This is the same motor as the lt1 in the vette and the camaro. If I had a vette or a camaro, the decision would be more difficult as NA builds are awesome in lighter cars. But with 5500lbs unloaded, and sometimes maybe 15,000 lbs while towing, I’d personally rather have a supercharger.

 

If you diy, cam is probably considerably cheaper. If you pay someone to do it, likely around the same ballpark.

Great info here. OP just make sure you do non-afm lifters if you do a cam.