Hello,

I recently got a 4.8 motor from a Silverado with 150k. It will be going into my 86 IROC. I wanted a decent bump in power over the stock numbers, without breaking the bank. Well, I purchased the earlier iteration of the LS1 camshaft, and I'm thinking I may have jumped the gun on that...

I've researched around, and it seems that most people are saying that the LS1 cam will kill my low end power, and not actually help the motor until the higher RPM range. But almost all of the postings I saw were for people with their trucks, if that makes a difference?

Would i be best off cutting my losses and selling the LS1 shaft? I guess my alternative options are to leave it stock or get Cam Motion's stage 2 truck cam, or maybe look around for one of the familiar companies to work with on getting a custom grind done.

Thanks!

 

LS engines really respond to a cam, so it's very much worth your while to spend the few hundred dollars to buy the right cam. Swapping to another factory cam is probably a waste of time and money. Problem is most aftermarket cams are the 3-bolt style so you'll have to factor in the cost of a new front cover and timing sprocket. I have no experience with a 4.8L to give, except that it's the most important decision you'll make with your engine swap.

 

Thanks for the reply! Thankfully, (and I should have specified) my engine is from a 2000 truck. Yeah, I really should have waited to buy a better suited cam.

Alright, with that in mind, the off the shelf grind I was looking at is the Cam Motion Stage 2 Truck cam. Its specific to the 4.8.
http://www.cammotion.com/camshafts/4...202-206-114-4/

My question with this, is since the camshaft is targeted at users that utilize trucks, would it be okay to use something like this, or would it be a better choice to look into a custom grind, perhaps with BTR?

 

He didn't say what year/ Generation of 4.8 he has, but if it's a Gen III, it has a 3 bolt cam already, and won't need a new timing cover.

To the original poster: I wouldn't think a factory LS1 cam would "kill" your low end, but you will lose something you can feel.
I don't know how much you paid for that cam, but selling it and buying a more appropriate custom cam probably wouldn't hurt.

Or you could try it out, and make up your mind after. That's what I'd do.

Remember, you're putting this in a 3,300 pound car, not a truck, and even the lamest 4.8s made more HP than an L98.
For what it's worth, I'm doing a 4.8 swap too, but I'm keeping the stock cam (for now).

 

Cammotion will make recommendations or customize for you. Just call them. You won't necessarily end up with a cam straight off the website.

 

That's true, weight is a big factor in the equation. I'll look around and get in contact with Cam Motion and see what options they have got for me before selling off my LS1 shaft. Thanks guys! I appreciate the help.

 

Well, I got a cam recommendation from a couple different places. One is the COMP XR265HR and another is the TSP Stage 3 high lift (216/220 112lsa). I was informed that the stocker torque converter is not all that great a choice for the build. After some research, it seems that TSP's Yank 3000 rpm stall is $550. A total of $1129!! That's alot of money for a 4.8.. So, I guess next is to decide if I really want to put that much into it. I already have the 98-00 LS1 camshaft, so I'm really wondering if I might be better off purchasing the rest of an LS1 turning assembly and building up an iron block 5.7! I'm just thinking perhaps it would be more worth it to build up a fresh engine that puts out about the same power figures and spending a similar amount of money (hopefully). Plus it gives me head room for upgrade in the future.

I'd mostly like to be able to keep up with all the muscle cars of nowadays, while still having some "polite" street manners. Any suggestions are welcome! Turbo, stick with the cam/TC or even advice on a 5.7 build would all be great

Thanks!

 

You could use a re-man Chevy Trailblazer I-6 torque converter, which stalls at about 2,600 rpm; as far as I can tell, that's the highest stall for a factory 4L60E converter.

They go for less than $200.

That's what I'm going to do.

 

I thought so, too. But I was told for either of those cams (or anything aside from a baby cam) that the I6 TC's are only "OK". I have the stock 4l60e from a 98-02 Camaro, and it came with the TC. Supposedly those stall at ~1800 rpm behind an LS1. Not sure about when behind a 4.8. I was told that an I6 TC was not worth it over the one I already have.

 

Hey, I thought of you the other day when I stumbled across a video of 5.3L and 6.0L comparisons of stock vs. BTR Stage 1, 2, 3 cams. That Stage 1 cam was very impressive!

 

Hey! Was it a comparison of their truck cams? Those are actually the ones I was looking into as an option before I started asking for a spec'd cam. I'm almost thinking something like the stage 1 or 2 might be best to avoid spending too much money on the 4.8. And neither need a converter to perform well!

I wonder if I would be missing much if I went for something like that vs higher stall converter and a bigger camshaft?

 

Yep, the BTR truck cams. I found it again.

 

Thank you for the video! Actually very helpful. Wow, that might have swayed me towards the stage 1! Thanks for the help @QwkTrip ! They have the whole kit for a little under $400, too. Should be plenty to put my friend's '11 V6 Mustang to shame (Even though I'm the one that installs his mods haha).

Once I get all my goodies together, I'll start a build thread.

 

 

I'd check out the Summit Pro LS cams too. Some good looking budget options.

 

@Grant2k thanks for the tip! I reached out to Summit, and they have a couple good options, as well as a good torque converter for pretty cheap. More options.

 

Just wanted to follow up and share what Camshaft I got for the 4.8:

It's a Howard's custom grind 206/212 @ 0.50, .515"/.522", 112+0. The gentleman I bought it from had spoken to Howard's Cams about a good low/mid camshaft for a 5.3 that's also easy on the valve train. I figured that this is plenty an upgrade from the stock stick. The biggest difference between this grind and the BTR Truck stage 1 is the LSA. Yes, the max lift is also a bit less, too. As for the LSA, I think it should bring the power curve forward a bit, which should play happier with a stock T/C.

I've seen alot of people opt for the LS6 springs, but I think I'm going to go for BTR's version of the same thing (.560 max lift). They're cheaper, and likely better quality, anyway.

As of now, I've redone the interior seam sealer and am working on getting the interior ready for a spray bomb coat of black, but I'm looking forward to actually working on the swap, lol. Happy Saturday everyone!