Camshaft upgrade?

Tiny
JACKSONM10125
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I want to put a camshaft in my truck. I’ll be using the cam shaft in the 5.3 series on the 2CarPros YouTube channel, and I was wondering if I’ll need a new stall converter and if that would be a good swap even if I’m leaving the bottom end stock.
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 AT 2:03 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
The engine will run slower unless you up the compression ratio of the pistons. FYI. It will be a waste of money, and you will be frustrated. When you try to get more power, it is a combination effort and must be done all at one time. Trust me on this, I have been down this road many times. Just leave it, put the money into a good growth stock like VOO and continue to do so each month, you will have money to retire on :) Life will be good.
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Thursday, June 19th, 2025 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
JACKSONM10125
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  • 9 POSTS
I was planning on putting ported 243 heads. I also figured out it will need a 3600 or 4000 stall converter so I’m going with a chopacobra so I can save money. Do 243 heads fix the compression issue?
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Thursday, June 19th, 2025 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Do you know the combustion chamber size in CC's?
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Friday, June 20th, 2025 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
JACKSONM10125
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  • 9 POSTS
I believe it’s currently 61.15 cc with 706 heads and it will be 64.45 with 243 heads.
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Friday, June 20th, 2025 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
JACKSONM10125
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  • 9 POSTS
I’m thinking about just porting the 706 heads since 243s would lower my compression and I’m planning on keeping it NA.
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Friday, June 20th, 2025 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, lowering it would not be good, I would get the cylinder heads that raise the compression instead. More compression will help much more than porting FYI.
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Friday, June 20th, 2025 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
JACKSONM10125
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Yea I was wanting to learn how to port heads. Can’t go wrong with getting some junkyard heads checking their flat and porting them. Ofc I’ll follow tutorials. Should I have the head milled down if it’s not flat? That would help with compression. And should I run thinner head gaskets? I’m going to use ARP head bolts so idk what issues it could create.
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Friday, June 20th, 2025 AT 11:15 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, that will help, porting the heads is fun so if you get the change go for it. You will need to remove the valves and have them ground while having them resurfaced. Yes, this will up the compression with a thinner head gasket should be good for you.
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Friday, June 20th, 2025 AT 12:52 PM

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