[BIGglaSS]

I was considering doing a cam swap in my stock 5.3/4L60e before installing the engine in my 57 pickup project. I have never driven one of these, so I don't know it's potential in stock form. But I was thinking since the engine is out, "might as well". I have been in contact with a custom cam grinder, and he recommended swapping out the stock torque converter and installing 3.73 gears (currently 3.07).

The short story is that I'm already over budget on this truck. When I put the $$$ down on paper for all the "might as wells", it just doesn't make sense.

However, when I get this thing on the road in stock form, will I say "should have upgraded?" For now, this truck will be a fun summer cruiser with an occasional burn out. Is stock "good enough", or will I be disappointed?

 

[hotrodg726]

I have a stock 5.3/4l60e in my 68 firebird. It has lots of power and will fry the tires easily. I had it dyno tuned and it made 310hp at the rear wheels. it does have long tube headers. my car has 2.79 rear gears and 25.5" tall rear tires. That being said if I had it to do over again, I would have swapped in the ls6 cam and pushrods. it probably would have made close to 350 at the wheels If I had done that. the ls6 cam and pushrods can be has for under 400 bucks and works well with the stock converter.

 

[rayharris]

3.55 gears are optimum for the 4L60. If you are going to change the cam, now is the time to do it. :anim_25: bowtie-trifive :gba:

 

[BO185]

I was considering doing a cam swap in my stock 5.3/4L60e before installing the engine in my 57 pickup project. I have never driven one of these, so I don't know it's potential in stock form. But I was thinking since the engine is out, "might as well". I have been in contact with a custom cam grinder, and he recommended swapping out the stock torque converter and installing 3.73 gears (currently 3.07).

The short story is that I'm already over budget on this truck. When I put the $$$ down on paper for all the "might as wells", it just doesn't make sense.

However, when I get this thing on the road in stock form, will I say "should have upgraded?" For now, this truck will be a fun summer cruiser with an occasional burn out. Is stock "good enough", or will I be disappointed?

What tire size? That effect things as well.

A 4l60 with small tires 27-26'' will be fine with 3.07's. The 5.3L will have enough toque with the decent first gear of the 60. A stall will actually help too. As these motors make power above 4k.

Now the cam swaps on these motor are pretty easy. You don't have to pull the intake or anything. Just remove the valve covers and front timing cover etc. The lifter are in trays that will hold them up.

That said if on a budget as mention the LS6 cam is a good valve for what it is.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12565308/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/n...IO0BRDXmLndksSB0WgSJADNKqqoCdHZCy9xiuxkzqPioUUCyq-aZr0xxS9JnE3fQrynyxoCYnjw_wcB

You'll want little longer push rods to get max lift as well but not really needed. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rsc-pac-pr202-ls


Jeggs has it little cheaper but most place price match each other just use the GM P/N to search.

 

[BIGglaSS]

That sounds like 3 votes for cam swap. lol

BO185, tire size is 27". Hotrodg726, with stock cam and custom tune, that sounds like it should be good enough for my needs. I think I have the coveted TBSS/NBS intake manifold, but using stock 862 heads and 2010 camaro exhaust manifolds.

My #1 goal is budget, and learn what I'd like to do different on the next build. (yes, there will be another!)

Considering custom ground core is $400. Wouldn't custom be better option? Cam sounds cheap, but all the nickel and dime parts add up.

Here's the quote I got for $785:
Cam, LS6 springs, locators/seals, hardened push rods, IWIS chain, timing cover gasket, timing seal, water pump gasket, ARP cam bolts, ARP balancer bolt.

FTI 3600 billet 9.5" converter $705.

Plus add transmission cooler? Or use a radiator internal cooler?

+$$$ dyno tune for cam swap? The PCM has already been flashed by LT1swap.com

This project is not a keeper. I bought it as someone's abandoned "parts collecting project". My intent was to put it together with what I have, drive it for the summer while trying to sell it. With that said, $1500-2000 may not be return on investment. I think I will get it running on the road now, and then make the swap later if I'm not happy.

Thanks for listening, guys. I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions as I get further into this project.

 

[BO185]

You will need a retune with a cam swap period. www.150tunes.com can reflash your PCM for that cam and setup. Also he tunes for life of PCM so if you go 6.0L later he will reflash for free less shipping and handling.

You can use the 5.3L pushrods. The gaskets are reuseable if in good condition. But i would replace the timing cover one for sure and oring on oil pump pick up if you remove the pump. But a stock replacement timing chain is fine too. Stock replacement bolts are fine too as the are one time use.

The LS6 cam swap will cost around $400 total.

I would run an external trans cooler these are affordable and cheap ins. You can get by with out a stall. But I would do the vette servo in the trans.

As far as the larger intake the TBSS/NBS its 90mm so you need a aftermarket 90mm cable TB or adapter for DBW stock TB. Or run the NBS DBW TB with a harness adapter. Not really worth it IMO to use it on this build as you won't gain much vs the money spent adapting the TB.

 

[BIGglaSS]

As far as the larger intake the TBSS/NBS its 90mm so you need a aftermarket 90mm cable TB or adapter for DBW stock TB. Or run the NBS DBW TB with a harness adapter. Not really worth it IMO to use it on this build as you won't gain much vs the money spent adapting the TB.

I think I will start a swap thread where I can ask more questions about this.