5.3 performance camshafts

[silvrzuki77]

Anyone here done one in the hummer yet? I know the 5.3 can be made to make stupid HP, but camshaft would be easy and cheap hp. Talked to a guy at work who also owns a speed shop and he suggested 2001-2005 Z06 cam and springs. Make a solid 60-80 hp no computer mods. Have a another friend that also has a H3 alpha and owns a huge shop that supplies unlimited trophy trucks with rearends and transmissions that is looking into spec'ing acomp cans drop in cam. Anyone?

 

[RamRod]

I haven't heard of anyone that has done this yet, but sounds promising!

 

[benlaud87]

Interested if anyone has any info on it

 

[ReconH3]

You should check on Colorado forums (355) because they are forever experimenting with stuff for their engines. You could get some real world feedback and not some seller trying to make some money.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[silvrzuki77]

Cool i will check 355 out didnt even think of that. The guys I mentioned before are friends specially the one the does the trophy truck stuff.

 

[amrg]

It would be great to have such a thing available on the 5.3 .

 

[ALPHA of JONESY]

Also, check out Trick Flow, I know they have 5.3L truck performance upgrade kits

 

[Expendable]

I'm no engine expert. but upgrading from a factory truck camshaft/springs to C5 Z06 camshaft/springs probably won't yield 60-80 HP.

Alpha is rated at 300 HP and 320 LB-FT. C5 Z06 was rated at 385 HP and 385 LB-FT. so the Z06 was rated at 85 more HP and 65 more LB-FT. Z06 is 6.0L versus 5.3L, share the same heads (except Z06s had sodium filled valves). Z06 is a Gen III engine versus the LH8 (5.3L) is a Gen IV. Z06 had 10.5:1 compression and LH8 has 9.9:1

But like I said I'm not an engine expert so I could be wrong in getting that much power from only swapping out camshaft/springs.

 

[silvrzuki77]

I agree with ya. They were dyno test at the fly not at the wheels. The 2001 and a few years up were 5.7 liters and the switched to the 6.0 sometime. Lot of the colorado guys have done the swap (not just the Z06 cam) have been super happy with the cam swap. Heck 30hp for 300-400 bucks aint bad!

 

[amrg]

Heck 30hp for 300-400 bucks aint bad!

If a header install costs $1000 dolllars for an I5 parts included and MAYBE yield 30 hp (as claimed) then such a thing is way more feasible.

 

[2010H3TAlpha]

Cool i will check 355 out didnt even think of that. The guys I mentioned before are friends specially the one the does the trophy truck stuff.

Any luck with your quest? I'm considering a different cam as well for easy performance gains. Speaking with my small block guru friend tomorrow to see what we can brainstorm.

 

[silvrzuki77]

I have found several. The 355 guys have a company thats makes several performace cams. Most recommend a texas speed 224r cam. I think the z06 cam is cheaper maybe? Fyi out cams are a catherdral port head design.

 

[amrg]

Ive read around about performance cams, how would they affect the drivability of our trucks? Also, how hard is it to do such a mod?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Be extra careful on cam selections. Most cams simply increase the hp by opening the cam a bit sooner - which is not helpful for bottom end torque... yes, they make more hp up at 5000-6000 rpm but it comes with a cost.

 

[silvrzuki77]

Doesnt affect driveability at all. No changes to pcm, or anything else. Its not going to be like a old muscle car unless you throw a super aggresive cam in. Not a super hard mod if you have done one before, but it needs to be done exactly correct. Ive done a couple on older motors but I will let my fiend do it since he has swapped a bunch of 5.3 already.

You can find a happy medium on cam that will gove uou more torque also. The Z06 and the one form texas speed shop is a all around cam to increase hp and torque. I think buick meant it opens the vales sooner and longer not open the cam. As buick said some cams will only produce hp in high rpms, but they can also be designed for hp lower in rpm. Have to do your homework and call around.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I was considering a supercharger for mine - but then it dawned on me - a supercharger is 100 hp "extra".... and 7k - I can buy a 6.0 or 6.2 and get the same hp for less.... and no blower to mess up... point is, dollarwise, as the 6.0 is plug n play; I keep wondering if it make sense to do much to the 5.3. Especially since everyone and their brother want the 5.3 out of the H3s because they're all aluminum - so the cost of the swap could be quite advantageous.

 

[silvrzuki77]

I have a friend who is currently swaping a crate motor 6.2 into 2010 v8 colorado with a upgrade cam. Ill post pics if people are interested. I agree to buy a supercharger is crazy for the hp gain. Ramrod lucked out having it installed prior to buying.

 

[2010H3TAlpha]

I have a friend who is currently swaping a crate motor 6.2 into 2010 v8 colorado with a upgrade cam. Ill post pics if people are interested. I agree to buy a supercharger is crazy for the hp gain. Ramrod lucked out having it installed prior to buying.

Wow, yes please keep us posted on that swap, that sounds awesome.