Car Craft – October 2019

(Joyce) #1
➔SOURCES
Holley/Hooker;
270/782-2900; Holley.com
Lucas Oil; LucasOil.com

In went the used LS9 cam. Compared
to the LM7 cam specs (0.457-/0.466-
inch lift, 190/191 degrees duration,
115.5 LSA), the LS9 (0.558-/0.552-inch
lift, 211/230 degrees duration, 122.
LSA) looked plenty powerful. Because
it was a factory cam, the wilder LS
still idled like a stock cam with 19–
inches of idle vacuum.


We then removed the stock cam-
retaining plate to allow removal of
the wimpy, stock LM7 camshaft. The
stock 5.3L cam was well-used, so out
it came. A couple of the cam lobes
showed signs of wear, but the motor
still idled and ran well.


After spending just $100 total
on the used LS9 cam and LS
springs, the power output of the
5.3L jumped from 342 hp and
373 lb-ft of torque to 402 hp
and 379 lb-ft of torque. The
cam swap improved peak power
by 60 hp, but took a loss in
low-speed torque.

(stock-level) performance. Run on
the dyno with the stock cam,
long-tube headers, and no acces-
sories, the 5.3L produced 342 hp
at 5,300 rpm and 373 lb-ft of
torque at 3,900 rpm.
After installation of the LS9 cam
and LS3 springs, the power output
jumped to 402 hp at 6,200 rpm
and 379 lb-ft of torque at 4,
rpm. The LS9 cam sure offered
plenty of extra power on the big
end, but take a note of the torque
loss down low, especially for you
truck guys. Looking at the curve,
you might be wondering why we
would pick a blower cam, even
one that costs just $100, with so
much emphasis on the top of the
rev range? To find out, you’ll have
to check back with us next time
when we install a Vortech super-
charger on this bad boy!


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