06 5.3 Cam Upgrade

VR021302 · February 23, 2009

Ok, heres the deal; I have an 06 Sierra 2WD w/ a 5.3L. I want to add a cam for better performance then get a BB tune. But I am at a loss for what cam to get. I do no towing, and very little racing, but I want the power on tap when I do fel the urge to hammer the throttle. Any suggestions would be great, even the smartass ones form the usual guys on here. I also plan on putting LT headers too. Any suggestions on a brand.

66nova · February 23, 2009

Ok, heres the deal; I have an 06 Sierra 2WD w/ a 5.3L. I want to add a cam for better performance then get a BB tune. But I am at a loss for what cam to get. I do no towing, and very little racing, but I want the power on tap when I do fel the urge to hammer the throttle. Any suggestions would be great, even the smartass ones form the usual guys on here. I also plan on putting LT headers too. Any suggestions on a brand.

I would go with a solid roller around 255-260 @ 0.050 and 0.680-0.690 lift ground on a 110-112 LSA (that should keep it streetable in your 5.3)

Of course I am just messing around. I'm not sure what cams work well for your ap. I would highly suggest calling a couple cam companies and get their suggestions.

I also would consider doing things in reverse. I would get the Blackbear done first. You may be shocked at the difference. Then get the cam. He retunes for free, so after the cam he retune it for you, but in the mean time you get the pleasure of driving it around with a tune.

vortec350 · February 23, 2009

Are you wanting to also upgrade to a higher stall torque converter?

If not then I would personally look into a comp 212/218 high lift which on a 114LSA

This cam works great with a stock torque converter

This cam is very daily driver friendly and very simple to tune for

That was the first cam (I have had 4 different cams) I ran in my 06 crewcab,cam only with my tuning with 3.73 gears it ran a 14.2 in the 1/4 with a 2.13 60FT which is not bad for the weight and those mods.Of course I wanted more and went a different route

With a STOCK torque converter I would personally stay under a 220 duration because of the weight of the crewcab

VR021302 · February 23, 2009

Ok, heres the deal; I have an 06 Sierra 2WD w/ a 5.3L. I want to add a cam for better performance then get a BB tune. But I am at a loss for what cam to get. I do no towing, and very little racing, but I want the power on tap when I do fel the urge to hammer the throttle. Any suggestions would be great, even the smartass ones form the usual guys on here. I also plan on putting LT headers too. Any suggestions on a brand.

I would go with a solid roller around 255-260 @ 0.050 and 0.680-0.690 lift ground on a 110-112 LSA (that should keep it streetable in your 5.3)

Of course I am just messing around. I'm not sure what cams work well for your ap. I would highly suggest calling a couple cam companies and get their suggestions.

I also would consider doing things in reverse. I would get the Blackbear done first. You may be shocked at the difference. Then get the cam. He retunes for free, so after the cam he retune it for you, but in the mean time you get the pleasure of driving it around with a tune.

Oh I def want the tune just missed out on the DFW tune, and wont have my truck at the time of the NOLA tune. But I do plan on going with the mail order tune from BB. Prolly in the next few weeks.

Jennabear · February 24, 2009

I have a CompCam 206/212 115LSA on my Tahoe and love it. Great for a DD, didn't lose any power across the band, and works great other add ons.

Schmids5.3l · February 24, 2009

Are you wanting to also upgrade to a higher stall torque converter?
If not then I would personally look into a comp 212/218 high lift which on a 114LSA

This cam works great with a stock torque converter

This cam is very daily driver friendly and very simple to tune for

That was the first cam (I have had 4 different cams) I ran in my 06 crewcab,cam only with my tuning with 3.73 gears it ran a 14.2 in the 1/4 with a 2.13 60FT which is not bad for the weight and those mods.Of course I wanted more and went a different route

With a STOCK torque converter I would personally stay under a 220 duration because of the weight of the crewcab

Wheatley speaks the truth! I run 14.4's @ 96 with the 212 218 with 2.4 60FT's! Can't wait to run with my Mickey Thompson's...

With a cam, long tubes, and a tune you'll be over 300rwhp/tq. ^^^ Has tuned shit tons of fast trucks.

Schmids5.3l · February 24, 2009

Here is a dyno of one in an 06 with headers.

http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=435536

svensk · February 24, 2009

God that makes great power all the way up to 6K. The torque curve is still flat enough to tool around/light tow.

Schmids5.3l · February 24, 2009

It's a perfect DD/tow/weekend warrior cam, stock until 3500..it's like VTEC!

I'd like to see a 5.3 with the 212 218, full boltons + AFR heads. There's probably one out there but I don't feel like searching.

txab · February 24, 2009

Oh I def want the tune just missed out on the DFW tune, and wont have my truck at the time of the NOLA tune. But I do plan on going with the mail order tune from BB. Prolly in the next few weeks.

San Antonio is getting a tune together for June or July. Look for the thread.