1) I see there are a few cam options out for the L, can anyone help me distinguish between them? So far I have seen archived discussions about cams from:

- Crower
- Modmax
- Comp Cams
- JDM (Crower special?)
- Anyone else I am missing on this list that I should consider?

2) Without going into the technical specs, can anyone tell me the performance and behavioral differences between the various "stage" cams? For instance, will I notice a Stage I vs stock, are the stage II's the best compromise for street drivability, or will the Stage III's rattle my truck apart? Are all "stage II's" created equal... for example, do Comp Cams Stage II = Crower Stage II = apples to apples? Or are some notoriously more aggressive than others?

3) How bad is drivability with more aggressive cams? The archives are full of horror stories ranging from poor idle and engines dying, to excess oil sucked from the PCV and brakes that don't work well because of the vacuum. Are the available cams intended for drag racing applications only (where they move the powerband so much they might hurt around town performance)?

4) I'm probably looking for something mild that won't shake or rock the truck too much, but will the gains for something that mild be worth the cost? At what point in the mod progression do cams really benefit the most? I don't even have longtubes or a single-blade throttle body yet. I may be ordering a built motor soon so it would be a convenient time to add the cams, but would my money be better spent elsewhere?

5) Is ~$1000 the going rate for all of the cam packages that include cams, springs, sprockets, spacers, etc.? Or are some cam packages better values than others?

Thanks in advance!

 

You've also got the REM/Comp Cam specials and the JLP cams...

 

CompCams (the ones I use) are less aggressive than the Crowlers. The stage II Crowlers have more lift than the Stage III CompCams. I have the StageIIIs in my L and it is a daily driver. I also have no problem with the brakes (no vac tank) I have noticed the vac is about 5 less than before (about 10 crusing and idleing). It will be hard to start and may even stall if other things are not done (change idle rpm for instance). The more cam the more you may have to tweek. The CompCams stage IIIs have a loby idle but not too much (ok matter of prefference). I LOVE MINE!!!!!

 

Tommy,

Can you list the specs for the Comp Stage III's? Is it the same Stage III that is listed on their website? The Comps seem to have significantly more duration than the Crowers if that's the case...at least according to Comp Cams' website.

Cam Lift Duration Duration @ .050"

Crower .581 262/262 216/216

CompCams .550 278/282 242/246

It would appear that the Comps open and close the valves significantly faster (at least to .050")...wouldn't this be harder on the springs, etc?

 

The specs are as listed. The lobe profile is not as drastic with the CompCams because they have less lift and how the lobes are done, more (less drastic) time used to close.