Best Cam for 4.8 Silverado Reviewed

How To Choose The Right 4.8 Silverado Cam

Vehicle Compatibility & Intended Use

To find the best cam for a 4.8 Silverado, you need to think about your truck model and year. You won't purchase a 2002 Chevy Silverado 4.8 cam kit if you are driving a truck with a different motor. You also need to pay attention to the compression ratio, type of fuel delivery, other modifications you might have, cylinder heads, and gearing.

Cam Type & Profile

Decide whether you need the flat tappet vs. roller cams. Both have been around for some time, but the flat tappet has been around longer. It was meant to last for the engine's lifetime and is cheap to produce. However, as horsepower and fuel economy demands increased in the 1980s, the roller tappet camshaft became more popular in mass-production motors.

Valve Lift & Duration

You want a camshaft with more lift. The more lift offered, the more RPM power is received. It's also important to look at the duration time. As the valves stay open longer, you receive more consistent power overall.

Valve Overlap & Lobe Separation

Camshaft Timing

Pay close attention to the camshaft timing because this dramatically changes the performance. Advancing or retarding the camshaft moves the torque curve, either higher or lower, adjusts the RPM range.

Price & Warranty

While you might want the cheapest 2008 Silverado 4.8 cam kit, you should never sacrifice quality for the price. Instead, read through customer reviews carefully and choose an option from a reputable brand. You also want to choose a camshaft that has a warranty for additional protection.

1. COMP Cams 54-458-11 LSR

You can choose this high-quality 2003 Silverado 4.8 cam kit from a reputable company. In fact, this model fits the 1999-2017 trucks with a 4.8-liter engine. This particular camshaft model features a 1,900 to 7,000 RPM range to provide plenty of versatility.

To use this, you want to have substantial airflow upgrades of both the inlet and exhaust. It features a 227/235 duration at .050" and 113 Degree Lobe Separation Angle with a 0.614/0.621 valve lift, which is exceptional.

This Silverado camshaft features a broad powerband with high exhaust duration and more valve lift. Because of this design, you can receive the maximum benefits from the LS high flow cylinder heads. It also features a three-bolt configuration and is made in the United States, unlike some other options.

While there haven't been a lot of customer reviews, what is available is favorable. Plus, this company is reputable, ensuring that you get a reliable product. To make this purchase an even better value, the company offers a one-year warranty. While that might not be as long as you would hope for, it's enough to provide peace of mind. Plus, there's nothing that should go wrong, thanks to the exceptional craftsmanship and durability.

2. Texas Speed TSP Stage 2

If you are planning a Silverado 4.8 cam swap, this Texas Speed State option is a good fit. It features a 1200 to 5800 RPM range, which is a reasonable range. It also features a 212/218 duration at .050"/0.55" and 112 Degree Lobe Separation Angle.

It's an ideal option for your 1999-2013 Chevy Silverado truck model. The company claims that it produced a 51.4 horsepower gain with some other upgrades, which is just mind-blowing. It's difficult to find gains like that from other products.

This camshaft uses TSP lobe profiles from the factory single beehive valve springs and the pushrods. Because of this, it's slightly more affordable than some other options. If you are looking for a smooth idle, this camshaft will surely provide the best results. You can even keep your factory torque converter intact, which keeps the price to a minimum.

Installation shouldn't be too difficult if you have some mechanical knowledge and time on your hands. However, we can't seem to find warranty information from the manufacturer. If you don't mind rolling the dice, you can save money with this option. Based on the customer reviews alone, there's no reason to think that that aftermarket camshaft should fail you.

3. Brian Tooley Stage 3 Cam and Beehive Spring Kit

Another 2006 Silverado 4.8 cam kit is this high-performance option. It features a 2600 to 6200 RPM range. It also features a 218/224 duration at .0553"/0.553" and 113 Degree Lobe Separation Angle. As with the last cam model, you can use this with your 1999-2013 Chevy Silverado truck to increase performance. Not only does this set come with your Stage 3 truck cam, but also beehive racing springs and a complete set of VS LS hat seals.

It will require a three-bolt timing gear, allowing you to also use your GM LS2, LS3, and LS6 pushrods and springs. After installation, you will notice a unique cam sound that helps you feel like you have a powerful truck and is sure to turn heads. Plus, it creates more torque than a Stage 2 cam but could sacrifice some low-end torque and fuel economy. You can use this with your stock converter with some truck models.

Again, you can expect a fairly standard installation with this kit, but you will need to set aside some time. Still, the company doesn't offer any warranty information, which leaves you vulnerable once again. If you go strictly by the customer reviews, you should feel confident about your purchase.

4. HuthBrother Camshaft 585"

You can get another high-performance option for your 1997-2007 Chevy Silverado truck. It features a 2200 to 5400 RPM range. It also features a 228/230 duration at .050"/0.50" and 112 Degree Lobe Separation Angle. This durable Stage 2 camshaft kit can increase horsepower, upgrade torque, and save more fuel. It's also simple to install, as far as camshafts are concerned.

If you are planning to replace your stock Chevy Silverado cam, this will take the place of Chevy GM LS V8 engine part number E-1840-P. Sure, you could put the stock option back in, but why not take advantage of some upgraded performance for a minimal amount of money. Additionally, the durable construction ensures that you won't have to replace this camshaft anytime soon, making it an even better value.

As with many of the options, there aren't a lot of customer reviews. You will have to take the word of the few that have reviewed it to determine if this works for you. However, we aren't thrilled with the lack of warranty information. If something goes wrong, there's no guarantee that you have coverage. For the price, this is something that might be worth taking a risk on.

5. Brian Tooley Stage 3 V2 Cam

Brian Tooley makes another Stage 3 cam for your 4.8 Silverado. It features a 2600 to 6200 RPM range. It also features a 218/224 duration at .0553"/0.553" and 110 Degree Lobe Separation Angle.

As with the other option from this company, you can use this with your 1999-2013 Chevy Silverado truck to increase performance. This set comes with your Stage 3 truck cam, but also beehive racing springs and a complete set of VS LS hat seals, plus 7.400 Chromoly pushrods.

You need a three-bolt timing gear, plus this complete kit includes your pushrods and springs too. Once the installation is complete, you will notice a unique sound that draws more attention. Plus, it creates more torque than a typical Stage 2 cam, but you sacrifice some low-end torque and fuel economy. Use this with your stock converter on some truck models to make things even easier.

Once again, the warranty information is strangely absent. This leads us to believe that you won't have any protection from the manufacturer. On the bright side, there are more reviews with this camshaft, so there is more peace of mind knowing that customers are enjoying the kit and find it to be worth the money.

Quick Guide: Installing Cams on a 4.8 Silverado Engine

You need to have some mechanical knowledge to change your 4.8 Silverado cams. Here are some basic steps to follow.

You can get more in-depth instruction with this YouTube video.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What oil does a 4.8 Silverado take?

You need six quarts of SAE 5W-30 oil to do a complete replacement during a tune-up. Don't forget to install a new oil filter too.

How much does it cost to replace a 4.8 Silverado camshaft?

RepairPal suggests that the average cost to replace a Silverado 1500 camshaft is between $2,189 and $2,618. That includes labor costs between $1,642 and $2,071, which can be saved if you do the job yourself.

How do I degree a camshaft?

Do these aftermarket cams increase horsepower? If so, by how much?

By changing the cams and headers on your Silverado, you could gain between 15 and 50 horsepower.

Can camshafts be repaired?

If the camshaft just has some lobe wear, it's possible to recondition it. However, if the wear is excessive, you won't be able to rebuild it.

Conclusion