5 Best Cam for 4.3 Vortec

No, not all the camshaft will serve you the same thing! No matter which vehicle you are fond of an unfit camshaft can make your automobile weak! Are you a user of 4.3 Vortec?

And if you are a user of Vortec 4.3, it is required that you get the ideal camshaft with the right duration, lift, RPM, and lube separation, you must choose the best cam for 4.3 Vortec!

Among all the camshafts we have mentioned here, we prefer the Crane Cams 113901 H-260-1 Camshaft more than the others for quality construction, impressive RPM, and amazing attributes!

In a Hurry Here are Top Picks:

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Buying Guide – Camshaft for 4.3 Vortec

You cannot just get out of your house and buy a camshaft! Not every camshaft will fit the 4.3 Vortec engine. And even if it fits, you cannot feed your favorite vehicle anything you want!

So, for this, we will tell you how to pick up the right Vortec 4.3 camshaft and improve your car’s performance!

Types of Camshaft

Before you get in, the type of camshaft is your first job to go through. If you think that all the camshafts are the same, you are doing wrong.

There are four different types of camshaft available in the market. The basic types of camshafts are:

• Flat Tappet Camshaft
• Solid Roller Camshaft
• Solid Flat Camshaft
• Hydraulic Roller Camshaft

Go through each of them and then decide which one is best for you.

However, we recommend you get the hydraulic roller camshaft for your 4.3 Vortec as these will afford good quality and will keep pace with the engine too!

Operating Range or RPM

If you are an automobile lover, you already know what RPM is and how it works. But if you are new, it might be slightly confusing. The range of the engine where it performs better is called the rpm range.

When you plan to get a camshaft for you, you must get the one that has a camshaft that goes right with the parts of your vehicle. Yes, the rpm has a connection with the other parts of the vehicle.

If you have smaller duration numbers, you will go to the highest horsepower at the lowest rpm. Such camshafts are the best for daily drivers, towing applications, and stock replacements.

However, if you increase the duration, the highest power of the engine will also increase. In this case, you will also move the power curve upper in the rpm range. As a result, you will see less low-end power.

Lift

Another important fact when it comes to choosing the camshaft is the lift. It is the measurement of the distance that the valve of your car is lifted off its seat. It is measured in a thousandth of every inch. The camshaft lobes depend on the lift of it.

Now, there are some specifics that you need to learn about the lift. When we talk about lifts, there can be two things we are talking about. Let us know what they are.

Valve Lift: In most cases, the lift we talk about is the valve lift of your camshaft. The distance that the valve of your camshaft moves is called the valve lift, as we have already told you. In other words, you might find people mentioning it as Gross Lift.

When the valve lift is increased, there is more free space in the intake and exhaust ports of your car’s cylinder. If this happens, more fuel and air will be drawn inside!

Also, the exhaust gases that will be pushed out will surely be more than before.

Cam Lift: Another lift people talk about when it comes to the camshaft thing is the cam lift. The cam love rises from the base circle.

The distance of the risen lobe is called cam love. The lifters will move according to this distance! In other words, this is popular as Lobe Lift.

Lobe Separation Angle

The LSA or Lobe Separation Angle of a camshaft is the distance between the intake and exhaust lobes. Yes, we are talking about the center-line between the intake lobes and exhaust lobes.

We usually count this in degrees. With the help of the lobe separation angle, you can learn where the camshaft lobes are settled.

Duration

The valve will be off its seat through the process of working. The duration of this period is known as Duration. We count this on degrees.

This is the degree of crankshaft rotation. The cam lobe’s height also depends on this one. At times, the users of the Vortec engine will talk to you about a bigger camshaft. Yes, what they mean is a camshaft that has more duration!

Best Cam for 4.3 Vortec to Buy

In this part, I will summarize the camshaft for 4.3 Vortec included in this review with each of the items going along with specific features.

Take a look at this part to know which product is suitable for your purpose of use.

1. Lunati Race Solid Flat Tappet Cam

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If you want the best torque cam for your 4.3 Vortec, the best option is to settle for this Lunati flat tappet camshaft.

If you are going for all-out bracket racing, you can never forget the name Lunati! The operating range of this amazing camshaft is from 3800 rpm to 7200 rpm.

Yes, you heard right, the rpm range is amazing! The whole kid comes with a camshaft along with the lifters you need. There is an instruction book; however, understanding the instructions for a newbie can be difficult.

The assembly lubricant is also included in the set. The duration at .050 inches is 256/268.

On the other hand, the lobe separation angle is 106 degrees. The valve lift of the cam is about 0.550/0.571 inches.

What We Like

• Goes with racing situations
• Impressive operating range
• Produces additional torque
• Assembly lubricant included

What We Don’t Like

• Complicated instruction

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2. Crane Cams 113901 H-260-1 Camshaft

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This is often loved by the users of Chevy V8 engines as this one is constructed in a premium-grade method.

The core of the camshaft is an iron core and so, you already know how amazing the quality of this one is.

You can use this for street, flat tappet, and restoration usage. It has a smooth idle along with an increased amount of torque. The product will offer you improved horsepower along with amazing throttle response.

This kit comes with love patterns. As they have unique profiles, you will get the opportunity of getting the upper rpm along with the medium and the maximum one.

If you are worried about the RPM, don’t worry because it can afford you almost all the stages. The rpm starts from 1200 and rises to almost 5000.

The valve lift with 1.5 rockers is about 0.432 inches intake and 0.218-degree exhaust. The 112-degree lobe separation angle and the high operating range make it one of the best picks for users.

What We Like

• Impressive intake and exhaust
• High operating range
• Improved horsepower and torque
• Upper, medium, and low rpm
• Increases throttle response

What We Don’t Like

• No lifters added

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3. Comp Cams 56-430-8 Hydraulic Roller Camshaft

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The operating range of this hydraulic roller camshaft is impressive to whoever has used it. The great Rpm power works the best with good-grade aftermarket torque converters. It fits all the 4.3 engines without any complications.

The love separation angle is about 110 degrees and the valve lift is the same too! The duration of this camshaft is about 224/224 at .05.0 inches.

The most amazing fact about this camshaft is the cam is easy on the valvetrain parts. So, you can use this with ratio rocker arms too!

Using it with the traditional valve spring is also effortless! If you are worried about the lift, don’t do it because it has 0.525 inches valve lift which is just ideal! In terms of quality, it is high-grade.

Along with this, the appliance is capable of increasing the torque and horsepower along with the throttle response!

What We Like

• Improves throttle response
• increases torque and horsepower
• Outstanding rpm
• Goes with traditional valve springs
• Works with ration rocker arms

What We Don’t Like

• Guidelines are tough to understand

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4. Edelbrock 2231 Rolling Thunder Camshaft

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This roller camshaft comes with the lifters included. If you are using a Chevy V6, this can be the best option you are going for!

It is capable of affording you the ultimate torque that you were asking for all these days! From the low-end to the mid-level, it will manage everything.

If you want an amazing improvement in the throttle response and are waiting for the aggressive call from your automobile, this can be the right deal for you.

It goes with the vehicle from off-idle to 5500 rpm. No matter whether you are a daily driver or you are using trucks, RVs, and vans, this Rolling Thunder camshaft can be a smooth idling cam for you.

The camshafts by the brand always include the flat tappet lifters, as we have told you before. Along with this, the assembly lube and instruction booklet come with the kit. The intake duration of the camshaft is 210 degrees and the exhaust one is 214 degrees.

On the other hand, the intake left is about .479 inches and the exhaust lift is .488 inches.

With the 112-degree love separation line and 107 intake centerline, you cannot prevent yourself from buying it! The vacuum is 17 inches.

What We Like

• Increases torque
• Improved throttle response
• Low-end to mid-level torque
• Comes with an assembly lube
• 17-inch vacuum

What We Don’t Like

• Complicated instructions

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5. COMP Cams 56-450-8 Magnum Roller Cam

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The best part of this Vortec 4.3 camshaft is this comes in a kit full of necessities and so, you don’t need to waste your money on buying the other parts individually.

The performance of the product is high-grade and the construction is also loved by the users. The hydraulic lifters are included in the set.

Along with this, the assembly lube is added there for your convenience. It comes with complete instructions so that you do not get confused about how to operate this appliance.

No matter whether you are settling for trucks, vans, or daily drivers, you will see the improvement in your Chevy within days. It is designed for Chevy 1992-2002 models.

The intake duration at the 050-inch lift is 210 whereas the exhaust duration is 215. The advertised intake is 266 and the exhaust duration is 270. The cam style is a hydraulic tappet.

If you want an amazing RPM, this can be truly designed for you! The basic operating RPM range is 1800-5000. 

On the other hand, the love separation is 112 degrees and it is computer-controlled compatible.

What We Like

• Impressive RPM range
• Comfortable on valve train parts
• Goes with mild ratio arms
• Matches with traditional performance valve springs
• Designed for mid and low-range torque

What We Don’t Like

• Not perfect for high torque

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Final Verdict

So, you have already learned about the best cam for 4.3 Vortec and its positive and negative aspects. All you need to do is pick up the right one from the crowd.

Yes, all of them are nice but you must find the right fit for your Vortec engine!

Comment below if you have used any of these camshafts before. Write to us about your experience regarding the 4.3 Vortec. Do they work seamlessly with the camshaft you use?

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