Suggestions for Performance Camshaft for 2005 Trailblazer EXT 5.3L V8

[ahhyeah]

I'm looking to replace my camshaft in my 2005 Trailblazer EXT with the 5.3L V8. I'm wanting a performance camshaft and wondering if anyone has suggestions and has been through the process. Or has a recommendation on a place to contact that would know more. I'm doing plugs and wires too so throw that in if you want


I did find this website so far: http://www.pcmofnc.com/index.php/trailblazer-ss-trailblazer-envoy-5-3l/category/653-engine-components

I left a message and am waiting for a call back. Seems a little pricey. $400 for the camshaft and $500 for install kit.

 

[Playsinsnow]

http://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/1531941-5-3-mods.html

Do some homework. Here's some reading. A neighbor of a buddy has a cammed 5.3 tahoe, LS something- I forget, and it sounds bad@$$.

 

[ahhyeah]

Thanks you! I'll check that out!

 

[ahhyeah]

Now that's what I'm talking about!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr8_RsBm83I

 

[ahhyeah]

I've heard you can put a Z06 cam in without changing anything else. Any comments on that?

 

[ahhyeah]

OK, I'm gonna pull the trigger tomorrow on this cam: http://www.pcmofnc.com/index.php/performance-parts/product/65-pcm-of-nc-rob-style-cam-220-228-58x-58x-050 and this install kit: http://www.pcmofnc.com/index.php/performance-parts/product/26-brian-tooley-deluxe-cam-install-kit. The total cost is $920 plus shipping. Takes them 3 days to make the camshaft. It's a custom made Comp Cam brand. Here's some pics.

 

[C-ya]

Are you doing DOD removal/deactivation during this tear down/rebuild?

 

[ahhyeah]

No. Do you have to?

When I called to place the order for the camshaft we decided on the Rob Style Jr. Here's the link and some more pics from the shop: http://www.pcmofnc.com/index.php/performance-parts/product/2610-pcm-of-nc-rob-style-jr-cam-217-221-60x-560x-050-112-lsa

 

[C-ya]

No, you don't have to, but I did see the description said tuning was required. If I was going that far, I would use the DOD elimination kit and get it turned off in the program. The DOD lifters are somewhat / kinda sorta prone to failure (collapse). If I was that deep, they would be outta there. I just had mine turned off via a tune since I had no reason to dig in to the engine yet.

(All that is assuming you have a DOD/AFM engine, which you should. If you have an M in the 8th digit of the VIN and LH6 as an RPO code, you have the DOD/AFM engine.)

Pretty serious damage and wear on that lifter roller and on the cam areas you zoomed in on. Wow...

 

[ahhyeah]

I've got all the parts but the camshaft it's self. Comp was waiting on cores to be delivered so they could custom make mine. Hopefully it ships soon!

I do have the Active Fuel Management. I've seen the main part that does it and I have the M in the VIN. I'm keeping it for now, we'll see how that goes.

Do I have to take it somewhere to tune it or can I buy my own programmer? If I can buy my own, what's the recommendation? I know it was about $500 to have it tuned on a dyno here locally.

 

[Mounce]

You'd need hptuners software or the like which is quite expensive IIRC.

 

[ahhyeah]

So I'm not tuned yet but camshaft is installed. Here's a video of it running. Not happy with the engine noise. Starting to hear from others that it's typical. Anyone have experience with that? I'm sending computer to the company I bought the camshaft from for tuning next week while I'm on vacation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZtgXUDbd1w

 

[ahhyeah]

So I just stopped at Karl performance and had two guys listen to my motor and they both said it sounds exactly like they would expect after a cam. It sounds like a louder exhaust is going to be my solution! Anyone have a good recommendation? Looking for something sporty and clean sounding. But still medium loud.

 

[Boricua SS]

Sounds like basic vavle train noise to me... just more noticable due to higher RPMs and not being tuned yet. And if you want to keep things quiet/throaty/clean sounding, then MagnaFlow is the way to go. Lot of SS guys use them but it's too quiet for me. But I like loud .

 

[C-ya]

My valvetrain is kind of noisy like that. I don't have a resonator on mine, but I do have the stock cam. When my muffler opened up at the rear seam, it sounded pretty darn mean. I wanted to go with a throatier muffler but with a little one, I decided to keep it quiet for now. Next muffler will be a bit louder. The current may or may not get some help in expiring in a couple of years.

I had Thrush Boss Turbo's on my Isuzu Hombre (aka S-10) when I dropped a small block in it. Rumbled pretty decently at idle (no cats), sounded good to me, obnoxious to others, and roared when you got on it. Flowmasters were too loud and I didn't want a drone when cruising. I put a 700R4 in it to avoid high RPM cruising after a friend and coworker told me his Malibu drove him nuts with the Power Glide he had in it.