5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

General Tuning Questions And Discussions
darkman5001
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:15 am
cars: 2004 Suburban, 2001 Tahoe, 2002 Envoy, 2006 Envoy, 2003 Lincoln LS
Location: New Jersey, USA

5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by darkman5001 »

I am building a new 5.3L for my wife's 2004 Tahoe and the motor is almost done. Instead of using the stock cam, I am going to install a performance cam. It isn't anything crazy; the intent is to still have a good running street truck but to wake up the motor a bit. I will be using Universal Patcher to make my changes. My question is what exactly do I need to change in the PCM calibration to accommodate this cam so everything is running correctly? The PCM is a P59 (intel).
In-Tech
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Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:35 pm
Location: California

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by In-Tech »

Hiya,
There's really too much to put into a post. Being a 2004, are you sure it is Intel and not AMD? No worries either way. What cam is it? Is it already installed?

Anyway, I don't normally do this but you are great member here. If you would like, you could send over your stock file and I will modify for you so you can do a compare, there will be over a thousand changes in the lookup tables. It will be a MAF only tune and you will have to do your speed density tables on your own if you desire. I will make a calculated guestimate on the VE tables for your cam change to get you closer. Of course you will need to fine tune the spark tables as well. I've been doing EFI tuning since the early 90's, so, my calculated guestimate's are usually pretty good :)
darkman5001
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:15 am
cars: 2004 Suburban, 2001 Tahoe, 2002 Envoy, 2006 Envoy, 2003 Lincoln LS
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by darkman5001 »

Thanks for responding In-Tech. Yes I am 100% positive it is an intel P59. As far as the cam goes I have a friend who is a serious engine builder and has even raced in the NHRA. He is teaching me about building engines. He builds some pretty serious engines with the latest being a 1978 Cadillac engine, 525cid with Weiland blower and FiTech ECU and dual throttle bodies which was just on an engine dyno putting out almost 800hp and almost 800 foot pounds of torque. However tuning and PCMs is not his thing at all. He mostly deals with carbs. This will be the second engine I have built, and I also love making these engines look amazing. The first engine I built was in the last two years was a Ford 5.4L. Anyways I told him basically that I want a performance cam that will wake the motor up, but still run smoothly and can pass emissions also. I haven't got the cam yet. I would be more than happy to send you the stock file off the PCM and it would be very appreciated if you could take a look and perhaps make changes that will help. I will pull the flash off the PCM tomorrow. Thank you In-Tech.
In-Tech
Posts: 778
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:35 pm
Location: California

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by In-Tech »

Sure, no problem. Most engine builders don't like to mention their cam specs, see if he will allow you to pm me this info so I can better make the ve table closer.
darkman5001
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:15 am
cars: 2004 Suburban, 2001 Tahoe, 2002 Envoy, 2006 Envoy, 2003 Lincoln LS
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by darkman5001 »

Okay once you questioned if I am sure it was an intel and not AMD this had me think twice about the information I thought I knew, so I decided to pop the cover and put eyes on the flash chip. It is indeed an AMD chip, NOT intel as I thought.
Last edited by darkman5001 on Mon Oct 03, 2022 4:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
darkman5001
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:15 am
cars: 2004 Suburban, 2001 Tahoe, 2002 Envoy, 2006 Envoy, 2003 Lincoln LS
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by darkman5001 »

Okay I spoke with the guy helping me in regards to the cam. The cam is 228/232 .600"/.600" Camshaft. Also attached is the stock flash in my wife's truck. So for the record it is a P59 AMD.
Attachments
2004 Tahoe 5.3L 4x4 Factory Tune OS 12606960.rar
(235.99 KiB) Downloaded 93 times
In-Tech
Posts: 778
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:35 pm
Location: California

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by In-Tech »

Thanks for the cam info, similar to my stage 1. Can you ask him what the LSA(lobe separation angle) is and also what ICL(intake centerline) he wants you to install it?
Good on you for checking the chip. It doesn't matter to me for tuning. I was just curious as I've never seen an intel in p59's but a very few 03's. Thanks
darkman5001
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:15 am
cars: 2004 Suburban, 2001 Tahoe, 2002 Envoy, 2006 Envoy, 2003 Lincoln LS
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by darkman5001 »

Sorry forgot to include LSA, which is 112. What do mean by the intake centerline? It's getting a stock intake and electronic throttle body.
In-Tech
Posts: 778
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:35 pm
Location: California

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by In-Tech »

Intake centerline is where the cam is installed. Yours is ground on a 112 LSA but is probably ground with 4 degrees of advance built in...so ICL will be 108 and exhaust will be 116. Anyway, not a big deal. I'm sure you will dial it in once it is running.
darkman5001
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:15 am
cars: 2004 Suburban, 2001 Tahoe, 2002 Envoy, 2006 Envoy, 2003 Lincoln LS
Location: New Jersey, USA

Re: 5.3L cam upgrade tuning questions

Post by darkman5001 »

Let me know if you need any more information to play with the tune. Thanks In-Tech.
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