HOW TO MAKE JUNKYARD 5.3L LS POWER. BTR CAM FAMILY FEUD-L33 VS TN NSR VS TN VS HOT ROD VS RED HOT.

[@hurleyinc1967]

OMG Richard just said "420 *cough* horsepower!!" 😂😂

[@scotthansen2240]

😂😂

[@jeanettewest]

I've been lurking on your channel watching all these videos. I have a 2005 Silverado with the 5.3 "Z" motor. I work week-on, week-off, and on my week-off, I drive to other facilities to work as they are very short workers. Some of these facilities are 150-miles from the airport. I am willing to do a little to my engine to get more breathability for mileage, but it is so expensive. All I've done so far is the K&N, shorty headers, catless pipes to the Y, and Amsoil in everything. It would be nice to get better than 15.69mpg. Especially as gas here is $5.15 per gallon. This is with cheap 10-ply tires pumped up to 45psi too.

[@stlchucko]

I hypothesize that the difference in LSA did as much (or more) to change the power curve in the TN cam vs HR cam. The 5 degrees in extra duration normally wouldn’t make the power below 3500 drop that much, but going from a 107 LSA to a 114 (in combination with +5 degrees of duration) would explain the significant power loss below 3500. I’m sure the LSA helped a little on the top end gain too since 25hp seems a bit much from 212 to 217 intake duration increase. If I had to guess, normally a similar increase with same/similar LSA would gain about 15-20hp on a stock 5.3

[@richardholdener1727]

I like not guessing and actually getting the answers from dyno testing

[@stlchucko]

@@richardholdener1727 I’d like to do the same, but I don’t have access to a dyno. Instead, I have to make hypotheses and try to find tests that others have done to compare. It’s why I find your info so valuable… often the same engines on the same dyno so it minimizes the changes in variables. Can’t thank you enough for all the info

[@camshaftsteve]

Take this one more step, have a look at how LSA typically affects the intake centerline or ICL. Typically, a camshaft with a 107 LSA will have an ICL of 103 to 107 degrees, whereas a camshaft with a 114 degree LSA will typically have an ICL of 110 to 114 degrees unless it is a VVT camshaft. The reason this is significant is because the ICL will have a much more drastic effect on a camshafts RPM range and powerband than the LSA does. This is because, one key thing ICL determines is when the intake valve closes. When the intake valve closes is crucial when it comes to tuning a camshaft to a given RPM range. Unfortunately, for years people have confused the effects of LSA and ICL. LSA has a direct effect on overlap. While increasing overlap can increase upper RPM horsepower, it does not have as much effect on the power curve as the ICL.

[@fourcam150]

Would be cool to see you get your hands on another 5.4 4v navigator engine and test all the different coyote intake manifolds on it since they have adapter plates for that now.

[@jeffreydurham5342]

I don't get the x on the exhaust duration, 23x, 24x ,etc like it's some kind of top secret stuff. Is it marketing? Or trying to convince people there's some kind of magic in cam design that only BTR knows? Anyone with a wheel and indicator can find the exact specifications of every lobe in a short time.

[@v8tergt653]

It’s basically there so another brand cant say they have the exact same specs

[@trailerparkcryptoking5213]

These cams have been run on a Cam Dr for the exact specs and BTR is not being straight forward with the specs! There are videos on KZbin showing the Cam Dr specs. He may have wanted some head start selling these before someone mocks it or it’s marketing so that others can’t put the same exact numbers on their box....

[@camshaftsteve]

Years ago people did it because they were using catalog lobes from companies like Comp Cams and they did not want people to be able to figure out which lobes they were using so they could not call Comp directly and order the cam from them. Not sure why people do it these days. Back in the day, whenever anyone tried to do the "secret specs" silly name cams, somebody would buy it, measure it and publish the specs on a forum within a couple months anyway. lol

[@lp_rc523]

I’m sure the cam card has the exact specs and valve events

[@sffabrications3872]

Can’t wait for you to get a set of tooleys new canted valve heads and push the limits.

[@natelorimer8567]

Sometimes depending if you dont care about bottom end as much.. low lift flow porting and valve chamber work will find that Horsepower on a lower lift.. at a certain sacrifice on low end and some power curve

[@WDMtea]

Thank you for making this vid for me, appreciate it!

[@richardholdener1727]

for you and 10K of your close friends

[@robertpatton7442]

Great stuff, Richard! I now wish I could see the overlays of comparing the same cam, same motor, but before and after the intake and heads swap. I can see the peak numbers differences such as with the Hot Rod cam, but I wondered if the upgraded heads and intake with the Hot Rod cam, made the low end torque or less low end torque. I wish I knew what intake centerlines everything was installed at, but thanks for listing many specs. such as LSA, etc.

[@SubePelayo928]

For my 4runner that spends its time in the dunes. 2500-5500 is where it’s at. Truck Norris is perfect then. What about the Low Buck Truck cam

[@richardholdener1727]

same power-just less $

[@MrPhukyew]

Great comparison and great info!

[@CountryAggie80]

Now should do this on a 6.0 and see if the extra cubes changes anything.

[@richardholdener1727]

would be same relative results

[@dsm4959]

Not sure if you’ve heard of or ever been to the Woodward Dream Cruise, which is next weekend. Honestly, the weekend before (this weekend if weather is nice) is better because the Cruise is way Crazy. But I guarantee you see cars and builds you’ve never seen before, largest Cruise in the world with everything from all the new super cars Lambos, Porsche, Ferrari, etc. and all the older super cars Gt40, 63 split window, super snakes, etc, etc. Definitely something to see one time in your life. Just Say’n Again I prefer the weekend before the Cruise where you are still actually able to drive...

[@mxguy2438]

My cam is similar to the red hot, Wide LSA, lots of exhaust duration. At the strip you can really see it come on past the 1/8th and in the MPH. The low speed torque is lower but that's ok because its traction limited anyway.

[@chriswise1232]

Sounds like my summit ghost cam.

[@BCars_Garage]

If nothing else this closes the argument of lift vs duration especially when on a good breathing LS cylinder head. DURATION is where the power is. On a typical sbc I bet that 5-6 hp gets cut in half with a .50 more lift on a same duration cam

[@TheFastAnderson]

Seems like the truck Norris is probably the best for “Most guys” Hey Richard, I’d love to see a “Truck V10 Shootout” the Ford Triton 6.8L vs the Dodge Magnum 8.0L

[@felonebike9859]

Love all these videos and information. But can we just get a sound bite of the cams? ❤

[@richardholdener1727]

IDLE CLIPS?

[@felonebike9859]

@richardholdener1727 Exactly. That would be awesome.

[@jmflournoy386]

So have your grinder do a Hot Rod type cam with the Intake and exhaust ground with an inverse radius on the flanks with a small grinder wheel shortening the durations say 8 degrees with similar durations at .200 and similar lifts Why spend all that money on a build and leave torque on the table? Shortens the overlap which u can pick What cylinder pressure do you have or what are you going to build, go from their with your head flows cheers Looks like those two bigger cams need more head and compression

[@richardholdener1727]

You need to understand why these tests are run. The goal is not to make the most power possible-otherwise the components would be different. The goal was to test popular shelf street cams.

[@jmflournoy386]

@@richardholdener1727 great tests and BTR cams are well tested shows why bigger is not better unless the combo is changed. Probably the same today but at the speed shops new customers were always asking for the cam at the bottom of the page

[@camshaftsteve]

In this particular test, they are using an LS engine which has a 55mm camshaft. You do not need an inverse radius on a 55mm camshaft to produce high valvetrain acceleration rates. That is something you might use for a small block chevy where the journal diameter and base circle is so small that an inverse radius is the only way you can get aggressive acceleration rates.

[@jmflournoy386]

@@camshaftsteve close steve but if I use a max HR inverse radius profile I can get less side loading and more acceleration at less duration You can't avoid the simple mechanics of a flat flank cam 280 @ .006 LSX 224-231@.050 139-150@200 SBC 222-227@.050 139-148@.200 for this discussion I can shorten up to less than 270 compared to a non inverse sbc HR and still get 140+ @200 I get more torque with the same top end either can be better with the lifter bores trued up at Chrysler size with a bigger roller worn lifter bores are a major point of failure with old SBC/ bbc I hardly ever did brass bushings unless needed longer lifter bore appreciate your comments, cheers

[@EricErnst]

Have you ever thought to test a sbc cam but changing from 1.3 break-in rockers to 1.7 rockers? I thought the difference in power would be bigger. Of course, the heads would be better off if they had good flow at higher lifts. I'm running 1.7 roller rockers on my old 92 c1500 with a bolt-on tbi 350.

[@W.A.R.R.]

I’d like to see the result of the hot rod cam but on a 110 or lower lsa

[@rifleman7313]

Specific cam selection probably depends on the vehicles intended use.

[@GrandPitoVic]

Awesome info sir!!!

[@joeyjojojr.shabadoo915]

Richard, I just stumbled upon something that I can't seem to get any straight info about and wondering if you can help ? *In regards to 799/243 LS Cylinder Heads:* Do the Gen4's have a bigger *Exhaust* valve than the Gen3 models of the exact casting/name ? For example, Gen4 (LY5 5.3L) 799/243 = 1.575" Exhaust Valve .vs. Gen3 (L33 5.3L) 799/243 = 1.550" Exhaust Valve, both Gens have same 2.000" Intake valve ? Both the Gen3 L33 and Gen4 LY5 are 9.99:1 Compression ratio and have the 'same' cylinder heads but the Gen4 LY5 is Spec'd as having +5-10 HP and +3-5 lb.ft more over the L33. thanks for taking the time to read this and please comment if you are able to.....

[@richardholdener1727]

exhaust valves are the same size as far as I know and have measured

[@doranmaxwell1755]

Very timely vid for me. I have a 74 C10 truck with a stock 5.3 the whole thing weighs like 3200 lbs. Gen 3 truck engine. first off the thing is pretty darn fast for what it is being able to fry 10" tires LOL... but.... looking at cams I am seeing the truck norris? NSR cam and thinking.... why not? it has more HP and torque at every RPM range. and at peak... maybe 40 more hp? And don't have to replace springs etc. I am not into running a motor 7 grand so this seems like a total win win... am I right in this thinking?

[@richardholdener1727]

that cam upgrade is worth 60 hp-I have a cam that does the same thing for $179 shipped-send me an email if you are looking for a [e-mail]

[@getawayperformance]

thanks for the vid rich.

[@DARKORBITPYRO]

Good afternoon Mr. Holdner Sir. Thank you for all the valuable information that you have been sharing on your channel. I am planning on building a road course car and have settled on an LS or LT platform. As I have a very limited budget I cannot afford a builder to build it and so will try to do it myself. I am a novice and seek your advice. Which platform would you recommend for a road race application targeting 700 naturally aspirated crank power? I was going to do a 6.2l junkyard build, but have read mixed opinions online. I trust your judgment and so am seeking your opinion. My goal is reliability and cost effectiveness first as I do not have a lot of money to spend rebuilding, so want to build it and maintain it. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.

[@richardholdener1727]

you won't get 700 hp NA in any kind of budget build, in fact, 600 hp with a 6.2L is hard to do. Pick a different power level or pick boost

[@DARKORBITPYRO]

@richardholdener1727 Good afternoon Sir, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to reply. The budget I keep coming to is around $17,500, all in with me doing the labor (eeeek on my labor) It is based on the BTR GEN V LT1 700+HP package, which is around $7k, dry sump system, around $6k, $5k in the engine, controls, and misc parts. Does that seem like a realistic budget for an NA setup? I am trying to avoid turbos for heat soak and reliability issues on the road course. I've seen some crate engines in that range at the crank for about $22k, which seems in line with $6k being the shops labor. Thank you in advance for your reply.

[@ericcastaneda6500]

Hello just had a quick question, I need advice, what kind of intake do you think will work good with a 4.8 engine with a chopacabras cam? Thanks for taking the time to look at my message

[@richardholdener1727]

FAST

[@HersheysGarage]

Can you do a test with just a alternator and then a test with a alternator and water pump to show how much power they steal?

[@richardholdener1727]

watch the accessory video

[@herny181]

Thanks Richard, what about the BTR Torque Cam in a 6.0? It will gain torque?

[@richardholdener1727]

it will make less hp and peak torque than the TN

[@robertrice4441]

The TN cam looks very close in specs to the cam you sell under your own label. The power output is very similar as well.

[@richardholdener1727]

yes

[@smo0v333]

Hey Richard, .....hear me out..5.3 red hot cam lsa blower 799 heads 102 throttle body and methanol can you show the effects of that combination would it be worth it?

[@richardholdener1727]

I don't really do specific combos for people-but I would not choose that cam for an LSA blower on a 5.3L

[@smo0v333]

@richardholdener1727 what would you choose?

[@v8tergt653]

So much explanation but the real question was, how hard do they chop!!

[@americanfamiliesfirst3747]

Always wondered if you ever tested "The Lamb" or "The big stick" cam from TKM?

[@Matp345]

Just talking LS cams today with a friend. Told him check out Richard holdener. like Richard was listening in, bang! a new ls cam video

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

Richard has done it all. Ask him anything, he's most likely tested it. Richards a legend 🇺🇲

[@Matp345]

@@Russell_and_Rosko that's why Ive been watching. He's an engine guy. Loves em all

[@BOOT]

He sells a couple of his own LS cams as well. Low Buck Truck & other is Plus or something

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

@@BOOT to the head 🤐

[@BOOT]

@@Russell_and_Rosko Nah nah

[@billanderson6089]

Not related to this engine, but it’s your latest video, so I’d like to know if/when you’ll be doing some L8T testing ??? You know, headers,cams,tb,blowers etc ?????

[@richardholdener1727]

that might be coming

[@american7169]

I want to see an 8.1 stroker! 540ci I believe the 8.8 is. Is it worth the $$?

[@ktsaylor5947]

How can I translate any of this to my Gen 1 327 SBC with GM'461/'462 Heads and the '151/l79 Cam (220 @ 50) ? When i need to rebuild I want to make it a Roller Lifter/Cam... What range might I expect with the the Truck Norris cam and TF "Double Hump" look alike 175 Intakes ? Reasonable imitation of the L79 or Am I completely missing the picture ?

[@richardholdener1727]

completely different engine families and heads, intakes etc... There are much better heads and cams for the SBC that help

[@randywiddis]

Sorry Richard.. I can't find if you did an L92 6.2 procharged.

[@richardholdener1727]

I have run plenty of 6.2Ls with blowers

[@randywiddis]

@richardholdener1727 Turbo.. I can't find procharger.

[@gtobeerad]

I would like to see E85 vs pump gas in a carburetor application

[@richardholdener1727]

on an NA motor-the gains and not significant unless very high compression

[@hotrodray6802]

Curious about the LSA on each.

[@richardholdener1727]

the lsa was given for each

[@yeahididit9054]

Was the LSA different on all the camshaft choices? I noticed one had an LSA of 107.5 the other I believe was 117. Would that have a bearing on power production? Great video Btw

[@richardholdener1727]

the two Truck Norris cams were 107.5-the bigger cams had wider LSAs

[@FINfinFINfinFINfin]

What is the holy grail of the "cheap" (non LS7 Z06) LS engines?

[@mattgulian6009]

I’d say the L92 (early gen4 Escalade / Denali engine) they do exist in junkyards though they’re hard to come by. But they are aluminum block 6.2L with no AFM (they do have VVT). They are essentially an LS3 with some minor differences

[@richardholdener1727]

there is no "one is better"

[@FINfinFINfinFINfin]

@@richardholdener1727 Which one do you prefer?

[@ethancooper1127]

Test the cam motion little chopper please

[@richardholdener1727]

I DID-THAT VID IS UP

[@camshaftsteve]

@@richardholdener1727 I did not see the test of the Little Chopper camshaft. I saw your test of the "Little Lope" camshaft (which was misnamed in one of the two videos as the "little hotrod". To clarify, the Little Lope is 216/224 108+3 whereas the Little Chopper is 222/232 108+3 and makes wicked peak torque. I sent you both camshafts, so you have the Little Chopper if you ever want to test it. The thing works great with cathedral or Rec Port heads with either long runner or short runner manifolds. It is even a nasty little fellow in the 5.3 and makes a great racing cam in the 4.8.

[@codyedgington6852]

Richard i got an idea build for you. Built/stroked 366..people toss em but i love them. I think they sre very under appreciated.

[@richardholdener1727]

366 BBC?

[@codyedgington6852]

@@richardholdener1727 yessir. Why not give the lil guy some love. Its a 4 bolt main forged crank

[@traydavisautomotive4668]

Do a huge cam with a smaller duration in a 5.3 to see if you can get over 600 NA custom spec

[@richardholdener1727]

how do you make a huge cam with smaller duration when lift doesn't add much power?

[@traydavisautomotive4668]

@@richardholdener1727 Short duration cams with high valve lift can be responsive and provide good torque and power

[@traydavisautomotive4668]

This is a fact when it comes to performance

[@956DTech]

Best cam for l87 engine

[@richardholdener1727]

for what usage?

[@956DTech]

@@richardholdener1727 daily . stock stall if possible 450whp

[@956DTech]

@@richardholdener1727 daily look for 450whp stock stall converter

[@956DTech]

@@richardholdener1727 daily 450 whp if possible

[@95Sn95]

Sorry off topic but the question I have is with a stock stroke 5.0 is 200cc heads to much head for the street? So many forum "experts" who speak in absolutes say thats way to much head on the street...I'm on the side of it's not with a well engineered set of heads a 302 will run just fine on the street with 200cc heads. I've read afr enforcer 185cc match the 165cc versions TQ curve but makes more hp up top so there's no advantage to the 165cc, is that true. I take these key board experts claims with a grain of salt other than a handful so many there are just regurgitating nonsense they just heard no actual hands on experience like over n over n over saying putting cam in a 5.0 with factory heads and explorer intake is totally stupid because it will not make any more power and likely lose power... Even tho bang for your buck isn't huge you have proven that's not the case, I think you made 279hp being a 15 or 20hp gain with an E7 headed 5.0 and it sounds way cooler.

[@richardholdener1727]

A Comp XE274HR cam was worth 30 hp with the stock heads-200 cc heads work fine on a 302 (if they flow well)

[@mrocksalt]

What cam and combinations can I use in ca. For torque and horsepower? I have a LC9 motor . Can you do some tests on the LC9?

[@richardholdener1727]

I have an LC9-it performs the same as every other 5.3L when you get rid of DOD

[@brandonr9918]

Low Buck Truck Cam ordered for my LC9 ❤

[@antoniowalker5728]

I have a question can 6.2 crankshaft fit into a 5.3 just asking would you do build on that or that worthless

[@richardholdener1727]

a 6.2L and 5.3L have the same crank

[@jackperry9369]

Didnt know this tthanks ​@richardholdener1727

[@jasonm3109]

How much total timing for the TN cam in this test?

[@richardholdener1727]

29-30 (WE RUN THEM ON THE DYNO COLDER THAN STOCK-SO YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO RUN THAT MUCH ON THE CAR ON 91)

[@jasonm3109]

@@richardholdener1727 Thank you.

[@smoberley]

That truck norris NSR cam will really turn 6500+ RPM?

[@richardholdener1727]

and higher with a different intake

[@jivan1348]

Do you have a link to the heads in the video the trick flow heads?

[@richardholdener1727]

tfs as-cast 220 heads (Summit has them), but these were ported by BTR (these heads are not your average heads-but you can make this power with others)

[@mishutkin101]

Would the truck noris cam be suitable for towing?

[@richardholdener1727]

yes

[@here_to_watch2115]

How much lift can you get away with on a stock gen 3 4.8/5.3?

[@richardholdener1727]

how much lift before what? Lift doesn't determine p-v (duration does)

[@here_to_watch2115]

@richardholdener1727 before any clearance issues with the piston are a concern. Well I guess you answered me before I could explain lol. I've always thought lift will effect p-v clearance of there's too much. I can understand that duration would play part in it tho.

[@jeromesmith6415]

How long before u have a kit for sell?5.3

[@richardholdener1727]

I have cams

[@erickbernard8208]

I told matt happel and calvin nelson to message you about the wrong cam shirts, just an fyi

[@richardholdener1727]

I need to send them both shirts

[@skunkworks9-3]

So stock cam and a gt45 turbo kit is what im hearing then? 😅

[@Turbogto_guy]

7875 turbo with a .96 exhaust housing.

[@Turbogto_guy]

And an ls2 cam.

[@richardholdener1727]

hard pass on the LS2 cam

[@Turbogto_guy]

@@richardholdener1727 why is that? It seems like in your tests, it faired quite well as a good all around upgrade for someone wanting to keep drive ability, economy, torque and longevity. We just put a 7875 on my sons 2004 5.3 z71 (lowered on weld drag wheels) and we want it to stay driving like stock so we planned on puts ls2 cam in. Looks to be worth 30hp NA and 45-50 on boost with no low speed tq lost

[@countrymechanics803]

Whooo

[@modland-s3b]

whats the biggest cam i can throw in with stock internals?

[@Turbogto_guy]

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. A 5.3 with a big cam is a dog. Especially in a truck. Not a good idea.

[@modland-s3b]

@@Turbogto_guy well what kinda of cam should i get i wanna make a little more power but i need it in lower end?

[@Turbogto_guy]

@@modland-s3b more power in the lower end than stock?

[@Turbogto_guy]

@@modland-s3b if you have a truck….well let’s start like this: what vehicle/engine/gears/stall and intended use?

[@hondatech5000]

Camily feud 😂

[@richardholdener1727]

points

[@quickrodsinc.4244]

Why can't you ever test cams at the low end where street use is. Not all people utilize 7000rpm. I installed a so called stage 1 cam in my dad's truck and gained torque and mpg!

[@Crodgers88]

He does😂 he just runs them all out to 7000 what you do with that info is up to you. The total range is there just open your eyes

[@W.A.R.R.]

Everything you need to see is in the graph. You aren’t going to find many dyno charts that show under 2500rpm

[@derJackistweg]

2 times the same colors isn´t exactly ideal to understand. 😉

[@956DTech]

Why only 5.3 videos no 6.2

[@richardholdener1727]

lots of 6.2L vids up

[@956DTech]

@@richardholdener1727 gen v or it’s all the same I’m a noob

[@956DTech]

@@richardholdener1727 I put daily on your other comment but it deletes it

[@camshaftsteve]

Unfortunately, you would have to work directly with the lobe designer to really get the most out of a .500" valve lift vs. .550" valve lift test for a given application.. Peak lift does not tell the whole story of lobe area. You could create a lobe for .550" valve lift that has no more lobe area than a lobe created for .500" valve lift. If I were doing this test, I would make sure that the lobe created for .500" and the lobe created for .550" valve lift had the same peak positive and negative acceleration rates so that you realize the full benefit of the lobe created for. 550"valve lift in your comparison. If you do not get into and verify these crucial specifics, the test results will mislead you.

[@richardholdener1727]

What you are saying is to create a custom cam-the test was simply to show people the effect of lift-not what happens when you design a custom cam-so not misleading

[@camshaftsteve]

@@richardholdener1727 The goal would be to avoid the pitfall of people mistakenly believing that this test somehow definitively answers the question of how much power 050" of additional lift is worth. A lot of guys are walking away from this believing the going from .500" to .550" lift is worth "X" horsepower. When, in reality, this test only shows what happens with those cams in this engine. Whereas another camshaft with a different lobe design, might have a different results because the lobe design was different. I realize that there is only so much you can do and say in this format and with these sponsors, but I am always trying to help guys see the big picture so that they can make better decisions for their projects.

[@kenbarbour8431]

How can I reach you

[@richardholdener1727]

did you have a question?