Cam Ideas For My 4.8

chevyboss22 · February 10, 2010

Hello everyone i got a 03 silverado with a 4.8 i got an intake and 3" exhaust pipe connected to a flowmaster single in dual out dumped but its not enough power i want alittle more it my dd so i dont want to go with a big cam nor do i want to have to change to many other parts. the cam would be just for fun not for towing any info would be helpful dont have to much knowledge in that area

thearborbarber · February 11, 2010

I would get thunder racing's TR224/224-114 cam with new pushrods and valve springs.

Jennabear · February 11, 2010

The 224 cam is rather large for a 4.8L DD, there will be no bottom end whatsoever. I would suggest calling a cam company and ask them what they would suggest for your application, or contact one of the folks that charges to personalize a cam grind for you.

chevyboss22 · February 11, 2010

whats a brand to go with so i can give them a call

Z'06 · February 12, 2010

whats a brand to go with so i can give them a call

Jenna is correct. That 224 is borderline too big for even a 5.3, unless you go with a 3,600+ RPM stall torque converter, and even then, you may not like daily driving it, because most of its power curve will be shifted way out of daily driving range.

Your best bet would be to stick to something no higher than Comp's famous 212/218 low lift cam or maybe one step smaller (which is the same, or very similar to, the cam Jenna is running in her supercharged 5.3). You can keep your stock torque converter with either of these cams. If you decide you want bigger (like the TR220/220), you will need a higher stall torque converter like an inline 6 Trailblazer verter or a custom rebuilt one from Circle D.

Nytemare · February 14, 2010

A company up here in Langley British Columbia, Colt Cams, makes a nice RV cam for our engines...its not boasting huge gains or anything, but it is computer friendly and moves the power band down a few hundred RPM.

I use this guy for a lot of builds....the ford 2.9L V6 just wakes right up with one of his cams. There's not a lot that can wake up a Ford....LOL

Link

Jennabear · February 14, 2010

CompCams, Lingenfelter and Vinci are all good companies.

chevyboss22 · February 15, 2010

Thanks everyone ya'll been great help 212/218 it is

Zembonez · February 15, 2010

A cam alone is not going to make a HUGE difference.

chevyboss22 · February 16, 2010

A cam alone is not going to make a HUGE difference.

What else would you suggest just can't go to crazy it is my dd but won't mind the ideas

Z'06 · February 16, 2010

A cam alone is not going to make a HUGE difference.

What else would you suggest just can't go to crazy it is my dd but won't mind the ideas

Lots of guys on performancetrucks.net are modding their 4.8's and getting great results on their daily drivers. If you are serious about performance, ditch that Flowmaster and get a straight through muffler like Magnaflow.

A modified higher stall Trailblazer torque converter from Circle D will help, as well as a PCM tune from sponsors Wheatley or Black Bear. You don't absolutely have to have a higher stall torque converter if you don't exceed Comp's 212/218 low lift cam, but it can only help and will still drive 99% like stock and allow you to tow on occasion.

chevyboss22 · February 16, 2010

I already had in mind the pcm tune after the install of the cam and ill look into the stall converter thanks for the ideas

nickvrebel · March 1, 2010

your first thoughts need to center around:

*how is this truck going to be driven?

*what is the goals for this truck?

*have you listened to/ rode in/ experienced a "cammed" vehicle?

*have you rode in/ driven/ experienced a vehicle with an after market/ higher stall rate?

NO ONE on this board can make a "good" suggestion of what cam you should have until you evaluate these items for us.

I've installed a bunch of cams in these motors. I've tuned a bunch of these trucks. I'm very familiar with the items that are being discussed.

I recently traded in a '03 Silverado with a 4.8L that I drove since new. I played around with mods on it and honestly the best "bang for your buck" mod on the 4.8L is a higher stall converter (if you can tolerate it). Past that, swap in a LQ9 or LQ4 motor (I've done this "mod" twice, remarkably easy and efficient use of money).