Cam reco 5.3L L83

[pronstar]

Doing a full DOD/AFM hardware delete on the wife’s 2018 Suburban, it’s a 5.3L and has 3.08 gears, Gen V LT motor. Fresh GM reman 6L80 tranny.

Shop is recommending an OEM-style delete cam, so same profile as stock/no power gains, doesn’t even need a tune (I’ve already disabled DOD/AFM via HP Tuners).

They say even a Stage 1 BTR/Texas Speed cam designed for stock-stall converter will lose 50 lb-ft below 3k rpm, and the truck will be a bit of a dog.

The adult in me says I should follow their reco, but I wanted to see if the inmates had any recommendations.

Also, there’s probably a lot of “while you’re in there” stuff to consider. The shop is putting the numbers together for me, but I want to make sure I’m educated as much as possible before I start signing papers.

What would you guys evaluate/replace while I have the motor apart? Work will be done with the motor in the truck, not on a stand.

Thanks fellers

 

[Army 1911]

You could just jack up the radiator cap and drive a new truck under it . Just saying.

 

[Brains]

220/224 @ 0.050" on a 114 LSA.

 

[Grumps21]

In the “since you are already there” department, I’d say a new water pump since it’s probably already removed. R/R are already part of the build you are doing. I’d say plugs and the belt, but those are easy to do if you aren’t anywhere near the replacement time right now

As for the cam, if it were me I’d just stay with the standard profile. But, since this is a burb that would never be a hot rod, and if you do much towing, might consider a cam profile that adds a little more torque. Others might know if HP would be affected or not.

 

[EZ-E]

Twin turbskis

 

[G O B]

I would use a cam like the ones that used to be called 'RV' cams. More midrange torque and a mild HP gain.

 

[Texasgordo]

If you're not planning on keeping it forever then leave it stock. Just my opinion.



Unrelated note:


My older brother swapped out the factory tired 4.8 with a 5.3 out of a wrecked pickup in his family hauler 2002 Tahoe. He started Friday afternoon and had it running by Sunday afternoon. Hopefully your Suburban is also easy to fix unless GM screwed that up too.

 

[pronstar]

I would use a cam like the ones that used to be called 'RV' cams. More midrange torque and a mild HP gain.

The factory cam is akin to an RV cam. Great power right off idle considering the small-ish displacement.

I'm pretty much leaning toward keeping it stock profile.

I've had a ton of modded cars in the past, and Mrs Pornstar specifically said "don't **** with my car"...I may have forgotten to post that part

 

[pronstar]

My truck will be getting deleted next, I am absolutely putting a more aggressive cam in it when I do.

 

[Texasgordo]

Is it still common to put 6.0 heads on a 5.3?

 

[pronstar]

Is it still common to put 6.0 heads on a 5.3?

Not on the Gen V LT motors. GM did a good job with these heads

 

[Lead Belly]

What is your goal for the truck? Power? Towing? Reliability? How many miles on it?

Have the lifters failed (collapsed #5) yet? How much glitter are we talking about? I'd want a complete rebuild if they have already sent metal through the motor... and it sounds like you are keeping the truck.

It sounds like you went down the rabbit hole and are making correct choices.

I see you've read this board already, lol. Best of luck on it.

https://www.silveradosierra.com/forums/ecotec-5-3l-v8.193/

 

[toddnjoyce]

What is your goal for the truck? …

For it not to be a divorce catalyst.

…Mrs Pornstar specifically said "don't **** with my car"...I may have forgotten to post that part

 

[pronstar]

What is your goal for the truck? Power? Towing? Reliability? How many miles on it?

Have the lifters failed (collapsed #5) yet? How much glitter are we talking about? I'd want a complete rebuild if they have already sent metal through the motor... and it sounds like you are keeping the truck.

It sounds like you went down the rabbit hole and are making correct choices.

I see you've read this board already, lol. Best of luck on it.

https://www.silveradosierra.com/forums/ecotec-5-3l-v8.193/

Goal is Happy Wife, Happy Life
I need this to be a reliable Mom Mobile.

Already have a thread on that site, but since it’s technically not a pickup truck they moved it to “tailgate talk” and not too many views. Their site, their rules…

But I’ve got a few other resources that I’m leaning in, this site being one of them.

I had a lifter collapse last week, we all know that sound, truck would barely move and ran like garbage…but it pumped itself back up when I restarted the truck 20 mins later and has been fine ever since . Basically I’m on borrowed time and I’ve lost trust in it.

Definitely keeping it, I can’t afford to replace it at current pricing. Once I take care of the lifters, the major known issues have been addressed.

And a new truck will have its own set of issues… if I stick with GM it will be the exact same damned issues LOL

 

[toddnjoyce]

Goal is Happy Wife, Happy Life
I need this to be a reliable Mom Mobile.

Already have a thread on that site, but since it’s technically not a pickup truck they moved it to “tailgate talk” and not too many views. Their site, their rules…

But I’ve got a few other resources that I’m leaning in, this site being one of them.

I had a lifter collapse last week, we all know that sound, truck would barely move and ran like garbage…but it pumped itself back up when I restarted the truck 20 mins later and has been fine ever since . Basically I’m on borrowed time and I’ve lost trust in it.

Definitely keeping it, I can’t afford to replace it at current pricing. Once I take care of the lifters, the major known issues have been addressed.

And a new truck will have its own set of issues… if I stick with GM it will be the exact same damned issues LOL

My few thoughts, generally. The best *performance* payback on modern motors is opening up air flow…full exhaust system…mapping out the overly lean conditions due to emissions software controls, then decide if the intake needs addressing.

 

[Brains]

I think you should get this cam package.

 

[pronstar]

So I’ve landed on a local shop to do the work in Haltom City. I’m a bit old school, if I’m going to give a shop thousands of dollars I’m going to interview them, talk with them, shake their hand…I got a good vibe. Same location for decades, looks like they can afford to stand behind their work. Got a good referral for them, it’s called Second Opinion Automotive.

I’ve got a Texas Speed hardware delete kit coming, OEM-style cam.
New belts and hoses, tensioner.
New cam chain tensioner.
New oil pump.

This shop is pulling the motor, so I’m putting a Circle D triple-disc converter in it with factory stall. Was going to wait until the first service at 30k miles to swap the factory garbage TC, but it’s basically free labor to do it now.

Its just gonna be a couple weeks until they can get to it. So we’re gonna drive it as little as possible until then.

 

[lonestardiver]

I’m probably going to do a similar change out to my 6.2 hoping I can get the shifting of the 8spd firmed up a little bit as well as it has the inefficient shift chirp going on when shifting from 1-2, and 2-3. I haven’t investigated what the after market tuners can do with transmission line pressure and shift points being its the 2018 6.2 with the 8spd transmission.

 

[pronstar]

I’m probably going to do a similar change out to my 6.2 hoping I can get the shifting of the 8spd firmed up a little bit as well as it has the inefficient shift chirp going on when shifting from 1-2, and 2-3. I haven’t investigated what the after market tuners can do with transmission line pressure and shift points being its the 2018 6.2 with the 8spd transmission.

I’m not at all familiar with the 8-speed, but I do have the HP Tuners interface.

There’s tons of resources on tuning these trucks, if you can find what needs to be done, and you’re ever near Arlington, I’d be happy to revise your tune.

For my 6L80 transmission tunes, I basically did just that…I researched what the experts said to do, and once I determined a consensus, I adjusted my tune and uploaded it.