5.3 cam and headers build

a-fuso

GMC Owner
Mar 28, 2012
1,856
77
0
CA
Well, over the last week before school started again Today, I installed a set of calspeed 1 3/4" headers and a comp cams 212/218 low lift, and blue z06 springs. It's a mild build, and I kept the stock converter for towing purposes, but I must say I'm pleased with outcome.

First, pics from the header install. I had a friend tig weld on stainless v band clamps, and I am running a cat directly after the y. The rest of my exhaust is 3.5" stock duramax piping, with a aero turbine 3535 muffler, to a 6"x30" chrome stack tip.

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Then I spent 2 days to install the cam. Installed blue springs, hardened 7.4 pushrods, comp 212/218-114 lsa low lift cam, cleaned everything the best I could, and painted my valve covers and water pump assembly gloss black. I also converted my stock rockers with the comp trunion upgrade kit.
I was also surprised at how clean my engine is inside, it's always been well maintained, and it shows.
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I also ended up making my own valve spring compressor, since I couldn't find any that would work locally. Worked great
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I'll update with some video sound clips, and more pictures after I get the truck cleaned up.
 
It's a blast to drive, still about like stock around town, but above 3000 is like a whole new beast.
 
I don't think they would have cleared stock height on my truck, I still had to dent a tiny bit to clear the weight welded to the driveshaft, and I chose to dent the y pipe instead of angling down the whole thing. It was a very tight fit all the way around though nothing rubs thankfully.
 
Here's some shitty videos, my camera doesn't have much zoom, just turn up your speakers.





 
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