6.0 Cam question

[Willie G]

Hello all. Im in the middle of my build and have 2 cam options to go with. GM 12565308 LS6 cam(204/218 117.5 LSA). pr SD0053 (205/210 115 LSA)from scoggin-dickey. This is an Lq4 engine with flat top pistons. I do not want lope at all. This will be a daily. I like the almost stock sound, but was told the SD0053 would give me about 20-30hp gains over the ls6 cam while still keeping me nearly lope free. Thanks for your input

[71cadc10]

IMO those 2 are a wash in a 6.0L
any of the GM cams will drive better, idle smoother, easier on springs etc.
I don't see 20hp with the SDPC cam unless it has a lot more lift or something.

[Willie G]

what cam would you suggest, to get smooth idle etc. i have upgraded springs.

[Willie G]

Still looking for advice on a cam gents. Wanting to have a stocklike idle, but still get as much hp as possible. This will be a daily driver that the old lady will drive at times. Only looking to be around 400 or so. Again thanks in advance for your support.

[nsb29]

Originally Posted by Willie G

Still looking for advice on a cam gents. Wanting to have a stocklike idle, but still get as much hp as possible. This will be a daily driver that the old lady will drive at times. Only looking to be around 400 or so. Again thanks in advance for your support.

Why not go with stock and have it tuned ?

[Willie G]

Engine is torn apart, stock cam promised to a friend. Got some info from the BDTurnkey websote on Lq9 with LS6 cam Making great HP and has an almost stock sound with a little more kick. I only want to go into thos engine once. I dont want to regret not doing a cam when i could have.

[Robznob11]

Well it's kinda crazy to want the benefit of the cam but not the sound but if that's what you want you need to look for the duration range you have spaced there go for the highest lift and the wider LSA will be Less noticeable in choppy sound. If you stay around a .575 lift you can use ls6 springs but the 6.0 will like the .600 lift better with some good beehives. I would suggest talking to Brian tooley to get a cam suggestion. If you talk with cammotion you can get a nice cam as well. One thing about them is they have less aggressive lobes (they dont snap the valves open and closed like comp) the result is easier on valve train. Dont forget to put some good pushrods in there for cheap insurance.

[Willie G]

Thanks Rob. My story is i was all set to order the GM12565308, but when i talked with the salesman, he suggested the SD0053 cam (205/210 115 lsa) would out perform the ls6 for what i wanted. I them came here to see which cam would work better for me, and was told they noth are a wash for the 6.0 which made me 2nd fuess what i wanted even more. lol. I just dont have alot of experience with cams. This is my 1st LS build, ive alway did the Euro. Thanks again. i will take your advice and ask the experts.

[Robznob11]

Take a look at this one.


COMP CHEATR Camshaft 214/230 .601"/.578" 117 LSA LS1 LS2 LS6 Sleeper Cam (factory Idle, high HP & TQ street cam).

This camshaft features Comp Cams XER lobes! The XER lobes have been proven to make big horsepower & torque thanks to their aggressive ramp rates & healthy lift.

1800-6800 RPM Power Band; This is an excellent performance camshaft with an factory idle! Custom tuning required

This camshaft typically gains approximately 30-40rwhp!

[Robznob11]

I'd like to hear a sound clip caus I'm skeptical that its stock idle.....but hawks is another good place to get a recommendation.

[71cadc10]

a pullout LS7 cam, would be 211/230 duration...lift around .570, wide lobe sep.
this will idle like stock in a 6.0 and drive like stock. if 400hp is all you are looking for, either the LS6 like you mentioned, or the LS7 cam will work.
what i was meaning about it being a wash, between the 2 cams you listed originally, I don't see one being 20hp better than the other. put whichever one is readily available, or cheaper...etc.

[Willie G]

This cam thing is really tricky. I can get a lS6 cam for $175, a LS7 cam for $150. Heard a Comp Cam 216/220 114 LSA , I-525, E-.532 in a sliverado. Sounded pretty good, but that cam is nearly $400. Are the gains on this cam worth the cash over the other ones?

[Super73]

Bigger question is what your supporting mods are?

If you are on stock manifolds the gain of the 216/220 will be much less over an LS6 cam.


But let's for a minute forget peak HP and talk about TQ and power under the curve which is what you want in a heavy truck with likely a stock converter and freeway gears.


I will bet the LS6 cam has a sooner intake valve closing point making more dynamic compression aiding in TQ production.

The LS6 cam also have less valve overlap which is going to yeild less reverion in the low RPM's again helping with TQ.

My advise would be:
LS6 cam
Upgrade valve springs to Comp cams 918
Put a 1.8 rocker on the heads

[71cadc10]

you mention not having lope...stock driveability...I think a GM cam would be winner for you. Either the LS6 or the LS7. if you have LQ4 gen III with the rear cam sensor, do the LS6 cam.

[Willie G]

Thanks guys, seems like the ls6 cam would be best for the build i want. Still learning about these builds.