Cam Choice Question

grampadirt · November 12, 2008

What can I expect of this cam.I have a 95 burb with a 454 and use it to pull my toy hauler.When loaded the trailer weighs 7,000 lbs. +,the burb is about 6,000lbs.(I think).There are 4:56 gears with 33" tires.I installed this cam about 2 months ago,and seems to be working pretty good.I read a thread where the lobe seperation makes a big difference in performance.I also have Hydro-Boost brake system.Here are the specs:

Schmids5.3l · November 12, 2008

That's a pretty small cam for a 454. Generally a tighter (numerically lower) LSA will have a more narrow power band and more torque. Yours is 110LSA, which is a pretty low LSA!

grampadirt · November 13, 2008

I see you have a Comp Cams cam too,how did it affect your engine? performance? What do you think would be a better cam? I tow up hills on occasion,sometimes in mountains and pull alot of weight so torque is important,right? I went Comp's website and did a little searching.I found a cam(p/n 11-302-4) with a LSA of 112 and lift of .503 for intake/exhaust.Looks to me that's the cam I should have.

Gary

p.s. I love your little banana guy in your sig...makes me laugh

Schmids5.3l · November 13, 2008

I see you have a Comp Cams cam too,how did it affect your engine? performance? What do you think would be a better cam? I tow up hills on occasion,sometimes in mountains and pull alot of weight so torque is important,right?
Gary

p.s. I love your little banana guy in your sig...makes me laugh

lol the banana guy is awesome.

For the size of my cam I'm very happy with it, it's pretty mild so I can get away with cheap valve springs and they will last a long time compared to a radical cam. I think it was good for a solid 30+ rwhp judging by before and after 1/4 times.

For your application TQ is very important, that cam should give you a good increase.

grampadirt · November 13, 2008

I see you have a Comp Cams cam too,how did it affect your engine? performance? What do you think would be a better cam? I tow up hills on occasion,sometimes in mountains and pull alot of weight so torque is important,right?
Gary

p.s. I love your little banana guy in your sig...makes me laugh

lol the banana guy is awesome.

For the size of my cam I'm very happy with it, it's pretty mild so I can get away with cheap valve springs and they will last a long time compared to a radical cam. I think it was good for a solid 30+ rwhp judging by before and after 1/4 times.

For your application TQ is very important, that cam should give you a good increase.

Can you re-read my 2nd.. post..I added a little info

Gary

Schmids5.3l · November 13, 2008

That cam is just a hair bigger than the one you have now. Look into these:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...mp;autoview=sku

Should make good all around power. I don't know how much it will gain over the one you have now though. The 302A6LUN should make good all around power from idle up to redline and 302A4LUN Would be nice for all around and good for towing. If there are any speed shops in your area, especially some small block chevy / big block chevy fans, I'd talk to them too and see what they think. They might be able to point you in the direction of someone who custom grinds cams.

grampadirt · November 13, 2008

Ok,that gives me some options..I'll ask around.I have less than 3,000 miles on the current cam and lifters.If I do get another cam do you think I'd need new lifters again..If I do this again I want it to be the last time...and thanks for your time.

Gary

Schmids5.3l · November 13, 2008

I'm honestly unsure, I'm spoiled by the gen III lifters I'd imagine if you only have 3,000 miles on the current lifters they would be good as new. It sounds like your getting hooked on power

grampadirt · November 13, 2008

Kinda,I don't like the way my rig slows down when i'm going up hills and mountains.I understand there's alot of wieght to pull but I also think the 454 should do a better job of it.The engine that's in there now is not the factory one and it has about 110,000 m. on it.The burb has 210,000 miles.The block is a Gen VI,factory is a V.I'm wondering if it's a Goodwrench engine and detuned some...I've read others posts where the guys are saying how their 454s pull like crazy... maybe I'm too anal..

Gary

Schmids5.3l · November 13, 2008

I'm not sure how you could find out if it were a GM Goodwrench engine or not outside of the previous owner. But there are many ways to make power outside of cams, such as long tube headers and cylinder heads. Since your in California Headers are probably out of the question.

grampadirt · November 14, 2008

Yeah,ca. is nitpicky on the emission crap.I have seen headers on many trucks,I'm not sure if there is a way to do it legally or if they find a guy who's willing to jeopordize his license to make a few extra bucks.The thing that makes wonder is there are no AIR tubes going to my exhaust manifolds so why shouldn't I be able to just replace the manifolds?Something to investigate.I know there are at least two broken manifold bolts and I'm afraid once I get them off how what will take to get the remains out of the heads.I really don't want to remove the heads to gain some hp. Thanksgiving weekend we go to the desert and it will be the first real test to see how this thing runs.I've towed locally with mixed results....wait and see I guess.Thanks for your help..Gary