The Stupid Engine Questions Thread

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BowtieBrody

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Completely aware and agreed. I remarked regarding the question Bowtie asked about the hot cam kit, that comes with springs/locks/retainers. He'd need to grind down the bosses is using the stuff in that kit. However, the alexsparts kit would require no machining. I'm running the alexsparts kit on the '395 cammed L31 in my Suburban.

I've probably asked before, but what's your opinion on the 395 Cam?
I want to add something to the L31 in my Suburban to get more power, what all did it take to run your 395 besides a computer tune?
I'm making my head hurt trying to make a plan for the engine in my truck :anitoof:
 

99'Subourbon

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I've probably asked before, but what's your opinion on the 395 Cam?
I want to add something to the L31 in my Suburban to get more power, what all did it take to run your 395 besides a computer tune?
I'm making my head hurt trying to make a plan for the engine in my truck :anitoof:

He will correct me if i am wrong, but the stock truck tune will run the 395 (as it does with the ht383e). A dyno tune would really help, but it isn't needed.

Regarding a plan, Slowburb and I have discussed this in length. Compression test the engine, if its good, then throw in a 395, run some 1.6 rockers, and use alex parts springs and retainers (to allow for more lift, safely), and do some cleanup on the heads (exhaust side porting, not intake, cleaned up runners, etc). Be pretty much golden.
 

slowburb

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I'll say this. Don't touch the ports unless you know what you're doing. That doesn't mean look at some pics of ported heads and try your hand at your own. Bad idea. The cam will run on the stock tune, but it won't be optimized until computer tells the fuel and ignition systems to wake up.

The '395 cam is small. I picked it because I wanted something that would make more torque, but not make my truck unable to perform as a workhorse appliance/commuter/daily driver able to run AC on full blast in rush hour traffic. If the time ever comes when I don't need this truck for that purpose, a bigger cam is going in.
 

99'Subourbon

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I'll say this. Don't touch the ports unless you know what you're doing. That doesn't mean look at some pics of ported heads and try your hand at your own. Bad idea. The cam will run on the stock tune, but it won't be optimized until computer tells the fuel and ignition systems to wake up.

The '395 cam is small. I picked it because I wanted something that would make more torque, but not make my truck unable to perform as a workhorse appliance/commuter/daily driver able to run AC on full blast in rush hour traffic. If the time ever comes when I don't need this truck for that purpose, a bigger cam is going in.

Yeah, I didn't specify, but my recommendation of cleaning up the exhaust ports and runners was having it done by someone who knows what they are doing.
 

BowtieBrody

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I'll say this. Don't touch the ports unless you know what you're doing. That doesn't mean look at some pics of ported heads and try your hand at your own. Bad idea. The cam will run on the stock tune, but it won't be optimized until computer tells the fuel and ignition systems to wake up.

The '395 cam is small. I picked it because I wanted something that would make more torque, but not make my truck unable to perform as a workhorse appliance/commuter/daily driver able to run AC on full blast in rush hour traffic. If the time ever comes when I don't need this truck for that purpose, a bigger cam is going in.

So this is an ideal cam for a daily driven heavy vehicle?

My friend told me to go with a ***** Thumpr cam, but I saw somewhere they don't offer any performance gains; it's just a cam for the sound affect.

I apologize for asking all of the stupid questions, I don't want to annoy anyone. I just can't seem to find the answers I want online, and the people I ask in person about performance stuff like this only redirect me to something else.

I want to get all my ducks in a row before I tear apart my daily for the summer, hopefully I'll have another truck to drive, but I want to get the Suburban torn down, rebuilt, and put back together as soon as I can. But I think everyone knows how that goes.
 

slowburb

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It's no annoyance, dude. You have to learn somewhere. Why not here, right? Yes, we are just some people on the internet, but we'll shoot you straight.

You DO NOT want a ***** dumpr cam.

If you want a cam that will make your engine stronger without changing its pulse, and without having to change a LOT of other parts, the '395 is a great choice. If you want something that may draw attention because of idle rhythm this cam is not ideal.

Spell out exactly what you want, and we will help point you in the right direction.
 

Big D

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InsanePyro

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You have to tap in somewhere else, the fuel pump gets a signal from the oil pressure switch.

Turns out my dumbass forgot the knock sensor when I put everything back together. Theres a way to bypass the fuel cut off on the oil pressure switch and my guess is one of the POs did it at some point cause she runs like a gem now
 

1500z71

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What are do these symptoms belong to?
-lagging to start
-low voltage on cluster
-cluster RPM and MPH twitching
-extra heavy dimming of lights in and out when using windows
-HIDs flick once when using blinker

Is it a bad alternator? Its progressively gotten worse to the point where I started the truck today a few hours after a long day's drive with AC blasting and it started, hit, then died. Didn't do it anymore after that. One time only.
 

Justin S

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What are do these symptoms belong to?
-lagging to start
-low voltage on cluster
-cluster RPM and MPH twitching
-extra heavy dimming of lights in and out when using windows
-HIDs flick once when using blinker

Is it a bad alternator? Its progressively gotten worse to the point where I started the truck today a few hours after a long day's drive with AC blasting and it started, hit, then died. Didn't do it anymore after that. One time only.
Bad ground, check the little one by the battery going to the fender.
 
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