Lt1 cam swap in k1500

Searched forum and the rest of the interweb and found mostly 2wd or lowered k1500s.

Would the stock lt1 cam perform well in a 96-99 5.7 vortec that is powering a truck on 33s? Mine is a 99 burb k1500 with 3.42s, mostly a highway cruiser with occasional towing. (Small trailer or hauling home a junker). Putting together parts list to do injector swap and while im in i want to replace the timing chain, so now would be a time to consider a cam swap.

Im not looking for lope or making the truck “fast”, just looking for possible better performance and drivability, and i can get a camaro stock cam for a great deal >$50.

Thanks.

I had a factory LT4 cam in both the TBI 350 in my G20 van and the L31 in my Express. They work best with a little looser converter like the S10, intake, headers and tuning. IMO you will see more from an 0411/Tune than another factory cam swap. The LT1 and LT4 cam have a very flat power band though and will give a ~30 hp gain near the WOT shift points without giving up much if anything in torque.

Personally I would use the GM 6492' cam. Can get one new for ~$100 shipped from GM. The 395' cam also works great for low-speed grunt, but I found mine to be a bit detonation sensitive with the added cylinder pressure at lower rpm. I would also swap the springs and retainers at the minimum along with new valve stem seals fully seated. Comp 787 retainers and LS6 springs are a nice, inexpensive upgrade.

L31MaxExpress said:

Personally I would use the GM 6492' cam.

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Just ordered one of these to put on the shelf for later use. $128 from gmpartsdirect. Didn't say it was out of stock or anything, waiting on the shipment confirmation.

sync said:

Just ordered one of these to put on the shelf for later use. $128 from gmpartsdirect. Didn't say it was out of stock or anything, waiting on the shipment confirmation.

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Well, i got a shipped notification. I'll post again with a pic of proof when I get it.

sync said:

Well, i got a shipped notification. I'll post again with a pic of proof when I get it.

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I ordered one from them a few weeks ago and received the '6492.

SAATR said:

I ordered one from them a few weeks ago and received the '6492.

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I had someone tell me they received a '6395 by mistake in the un-opened 6492' tube. They kept that cam since it is a lot more $ and ordered another. Never heard the outcome.

L31MaxExpress said:

I had someone tell me they received a '6395 by mistake in the un-opened 6492' tube. They kept that cam since it is a lot more $ and ordered another. Never heard the outcome.

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I heard the same story. Seems GM managed to get it right the second time.

SAATR said:

I heard the same story. Seems GM managed to get it right the second time.

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Good deal!

L31MaxExpress said:

I had someone tell me they received a '6395 by mistake in the un-opened 6492' tube. They kept that cam since it is a lot more $ and ordered another. Never heard the outcome.

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I mean, even if I did, at the price I paid. Yea, I'd just order another and keep it or sell it for break even (still cheaper than ebay or summit).