Cam/tranny

[rainierthanever]

Howdy fokes,

i just bought a 2004 buick rainier cxl with the 5.3 in it and i finally got it looking descent so now im ready to make it fast haha

i was planning on just doing intake cam exhaust and getting it tuned but first of all i dont really know that much about cams so does anyone know of a cam setup that would be a good one for a 5.3 and are there other things i need to change or should change if i do get a cam? im trying to get the most power out of her without havin to boost it for now. i was also wondering if anyone knows what tranny my truck has in it? im pretty sure its all wheel drive so im not sure whether it has the 4l60 or 65. thanks hope you can help

[Schmids5.3l]

Probably a 4l60E. If you do a cam swap you'll need: valve springs (LS6, comp 918, or patriot gold duals if you get a big lift aggressive lobed cam), push rods (7.4" depending on the cams base circle vs stock, but more than likely 7.4"), 2 water pump gaskets, new crank bolt, timing cover gasket, crank seal, and you should be set. I'm not sure of the curb weight on the truck or if your willing to buy a torque converter so I'll wait for you to reply back with that info. If you get a big enough cam you will loose low rpm power thus needing to make it up with a higher stalled torque converter.

 

Don't bother with an intake swap.

[Zembonez]

Probably a 4l60E. If you do a cam swap you'll need: valve springs (LS6, comp 918, or patriot gold duals if you get a big lift aggressive lobed cam), push rods (7.4" depending on the cams base circle vs stock, but more than likely 7.4"), 2 water pump gaskets, new crank bolt, timing cover gasket, crank seal, and you should be set. I'm not sure of the curb weight on the truck or if your willing to buy a torque converter so I'll wait for you to reply back with that info. If you get a big enough cam you will loose low rpm power thus needing to make it up with a higher stalled torque converter.

 

Don't bother with an intake swap.

Hay SAM. What did your truck run stock? I ran mine Friday and was really not happy.

 

Sorry about the threadjack Ranier.. but this IS somewhat related.

[Schmids5.3l]

Never ran it stock, but I did run it with a cat-back and a Wait4me tune (which was a lame excuse for a tune).

 

It hit a few 14.9's @ 91, but averaged 15.0X's @ 89-90 mph. That's with 255/70 tires on stock 16" wheels, and 3.73 gears.

 

A tune really wakes up these trucks, I remember switching from my crap W4M tune to my stock PCM and it felt horrible! Stock tunes are extremely safe and weak. I have no doubts that my truck would have ran 15.5+ bone stock.

[Zembonez]

Never ran it stock, but I did run it with a cat-back and a Wait4me tune (which was a lame excuse for a tune).

 

It hit a few 14.9's @ 91, but averaged 15.0X's @ 89-90 mph. That's with 255/70 tires on stock 16" wheels, and 3.73 gears.

 

A tune really wakes up these trucks, I remember switching from my crap W4M tune to my stock PCM and it felt horrible! Stock tunes are extremely safe and weak. I have no doubts that my truck would have ran 15.5+ bone stock.

I went 16.210 @ 87.50 Friday in cool air bone (stock with crappy 3.23s and the shell on)

 

PATHETIC!

 

EDIT: Changes are coming.

[Schmids5.3l]

The gears and wheels are killing! The gears esp.

[Zembonez]

The gears and wheels are killing! The gears esp.

I'll have the 3.73s within two weeks. I'll post a new time with just that upgrade.

[Schmids5.3l]

Awesome! I'd guess it would knock off around half a second in the 1/4, maybe more. Not to mention less pedal to get going around town.

[svensk]

Never ran it stock, but I did run it with a cat-back and a Wait4me tune (which was a lame excuse for a tune).

 

It hit a few 14.9's @ 91, but averaged 15.0X's @ 89-90 mph. That's with 255/70 tires on stock 16" wheels, and 3.73 gears.

 

A tune really wakes up these trucks, I remember switching from my crap W4M tune to my stock PCM and it felt horrible! Stock tunes are extremely safe and weak. I have no doubts that my truck would have ran 15.5+ bone stock.

I went 16.210 @ 87.50 Friday in cool air bone (stock with crappy 3.23s and the shell on)

 

PATHETIC!

 

EDIT: Changes are coming.

 

FAIL lol jk not bad considering the 3.23's and clown wheels. Usually everyone drops at least a half-second with a tune. I know I did, my 0-60 was like 8 seconds before and about 7 flat with just a wait4me tune.