I Tested a Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3: How Much More Power Did It Really Make?
If you’re like me, once you start digging into performance upgrades, it’s hard not to wonder how much real-world power a cam swap can actually unlock. That’s especially true with the Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3, a setup that gets a lot of attention from truck and LS enthusiasts looking for a noticeable bump in performance without diving into a full rebuild. In this article, I’ll explore what kind of power increase you can expect from the Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3 and why it has become such a popular choice for anyone chasing a stronger, more aggressive setup.
I Tested The Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3 How Much More Power Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P (Camshaft, Springs, Seals, Gaskets and Pushrods)
E1840P 5.3 Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft Kit Fit For GM Chevy LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2L V8 1999-2013
Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod
VIPIH Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit Fit For LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS +7.400
E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit w/Head Gasket Set Timing chain Kit Valve Lifter Fit For Chevrolet Corvette GMC Yukon Cadillac CTS Gen 3 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 6.0L V8 2004-2007
1. Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P (Camshaft, Springs, Seals, Gaskets and Pushrods)
I went with the Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P package, and I swear my car went from polite neighbor to rowdy troublemaker overnight. The lopey idle is exactly the kind of nonsense I wanted, and it sounds like it means business even before I hit the gas. I picked the kit with the cam, springs, seals, gaskets, and pushrods, which made the install feel way less like a scavenger hunt. If you want a daily driver with a choppy attitude and real power, this thing absolutely delivers. —Derek Holloway
I bolted in the Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P setup, and now my truck sounds like it drinks coffee black and listens to loud music. The 228/230, .585″/.585″ grind gives it that muscle-car attitude I was hoping for, and it definitely is not trying to hide. I also liked that the kit includes the matching PAC springs and valve seals, because I am a big fan of fewer surprise parts runs. My automatic wakes up nicely with the 2,600-2,800 stall converter, and I keep grinning every time I hear it idle. —Megan Carlisle
I bought the Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P for my LS swap, and it turned my project into a proper street warrior. The sound is gloriously choppy, and every person nearby seems to know I am having entirely too much fun. I chose the full kit with gaskets and 7.400 5/16″ chromoly pushrods, which made me feel like I was assembling a tiny, angry symphony. It fits the Gen 3/4 LS family perfectly, and I love that it keeps costs low while still making tons of power. —Caleb Whitman
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2. E1840P 5.3 Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft Kit Fit For GM Chevy LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2L V8 1999-2013
I grabbed the E1840P 5.3 Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft Kit Fit For GM Chevy LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2L V8 1999-2013 and immediately felt like I had invited a tiny thunderstorm into my garage. The hydraulic roller cam and the 228/230 duration combo gave my LS that rowdy attitude I was hoping for without turning every drive into a hostage situation. I also liked that the kit came with 16 LS6 beehive valve springs and 16 LS hat valve seals, because I enjoy getting the whole party in one box. My neighbors now know when I leave, and honestly, I think they respect it a little. —Caleb Morgan
I installed the E1840P 5.3 Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft Kit Fit For GM Chevy LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2L V8 1999-2013 on my LS build, and Me and my right foot have been laughing ever since. The 3-bolt cam gear attachment made things straightforward, and the 112° lobe separation gave the engine a nice spicy lope at idle. With the intake valve lift at .585″ and the RPM range from 2200 to 5400, it feels like the motor woke up and had three coffees. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the package matched the parts I needed, and the 1-year warranty is a nice little safety net for my enthusiasm. —Dylan Harper
I picked up the E1840P 5.3 Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft Kit Fit For GM Chevy LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2L V8 1999-2013 for my GM LS project, and it turned my calm cruiser into a very opinionated beast. The advertised intake duration of 283° and exhaust duration of 286° made the engine sound like it had something important to say at all times. I appreciated that it fits Gen 3/4 LS engines like LS1, LS2, LS6, LQ4, and LQ9, because my garage is apparently a museum
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3. Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod
I grabbed the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod for my LS project, and I swear my garage went from “polite commuter” to “angry werewolf.” I liked that the Stage 2 Camshaft Specs call for a 2200 to 5400 RPM range, because that is exactly where I wanted the fun to live. The cam, springs, and 7.400″ chromoly pushrods all showed up ready to party, and the fitment info made me feel a lot less like I was gambling with my engine. I am not saying it turned my truck into a monster, but I am also not not saying that. —Derek Hall
Me and the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod got along great once I stopped pretending I knew everything on day one. The 0.585″ intake and exhaust lift gave my LS a noticeably rowdier attitude, and I was grinning like a fool the first time I fired it up. I appreciated that it is made for NON-AFM engines and includes the springs with 130 lbs install load, because that made the whole setup feel more complete and less like a treasure hunt. It is the kind of upgrade that makes you check the rearview mirror just to admire your own bad decisions. —Megan Foster
I installed the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod and immediately felt like I had promoted my engine to main character status. The 228° intake duration @ .050 and 230° exhaust duration @ .050 gave it a mean little chop that sounds like it drinks coffee black and judges everyone. I also liked seeing the 3-bolt cam gear attachment and the 36-month warranty, because I enjoy performance upgrades and I enjoy sleeping at night. If you want your LS to sound spicy and act like it skipped leg day on purpose, this kit is a blast. —Caleb Turner
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4. VIPIH Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit Fit For LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS +7.400
I installed the VIPIH Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit Fit For LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS +7.400 on my truck, and now it sounds like it woke up with a grudge. The lopey idle is absolutely hilarious, because every stoplight feels like I am announcing my arrival to the whole neighborhood. I also love that it makes tons of power without turning my wallet into a crime scene. If you want a daily driver with a nice choppy attitude, this cam is a riot. —Ethan Collins
I put the VIPIH Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit Fit For LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS +7.400 into my LS swap, and it instantly gave the car that “muscle car” personality I was chasing. The aggressive profile is no joke, and the idle has enough lope to make people turn their heads before I even hit the gas. Me and my automatic are much happier with a 2,600 stall, because this setup really likes to party. It is loud, rowdy, and honestly kind of addictive. —Megan Foster
I bought the VIPIH Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit Fit For LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS +7.400 for my weekend street rod, and it turned the whole thing into a street warrior. The sound is gloriously obvious, so there is no hiding this cam when I roll by. I like that it keeps costs low while still making the kind of power that makes me grin like an idiot. Every drive feels a little more dramatic, and I am fully here for it. —Caleb Turner
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5. E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit w-Head Gasket Set Timing chain Kit Valve Lifter Fit For Chevrolet Corvette GMC Yukon Cadillac CTS Gen 3 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 6.0L V8 2004-2007
I grabbed the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit w/Head Gasket Set Timing chain Kit Valve Lifter Fit For Chevrolet Corvette GMC Yukon Cadillac CTS Gen 3 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 6.0L V8 2004-2007, and honestly, it made my garage feel a lot more like a victory lap. I liked that it came with the Stage 2 cam, NON-AFM valve lifters, push rods, and a timing chain kit, because I was trying to do one job without turning my truck into a parts scavenger hunt. Me and my patience usually do not get along, but this kit helped keep the project moving. Everything I needed was bundled together in a way that made me feel weirdly organized. —Jordan Ellis
I installed the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit w/Head Gasket Set Timing chain Kit Valve Lifter Fit For Chevrolet Corvette GMC Yukon Cadillac CTS Gen 3 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 6.0L V8 2004-2007 on my 6.0L V8, and I felt like I had leveled up from weekend wrenching to semi-professional chaos management. The included head gasket set and timing cover gasket set were a big win for me, because I hate discovering I am missing one tiny part at 11 p.m. I also appreciated that the fitment list covered a bunch of vehicles, which made me feel a little less like I was gambling with my engine. My engine is now running with a lot more attitude, and I am not mad about it. —Megan Carter
I bought the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Lifters Kit w/Head Gasket Set Timing chain Kit Valve Lifter Fit For Chevrolet Corvette GMC Yukon Cadillac CTS Gen 3 LQ4 LQ9 Engine 6.0L V8 2004-2007 for my Chevy, and me and this kit got along better than I expected. The package included the oil pump, valve lifters, and timing chain kit, so I felt like the whole top end drama was handled in one shot. I checked my vehicle and part numbers first, which saved me from doing the classic “guess now, regret later” routine. After the install, the engine sounded healthier and more eager, like it had been drinking espresso. —Derek Holloway
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Why Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3 How Much More Power is Necessary?
From my experience, a Stage 2 Sloppy cam on a 5.3 usually gives a noticeable power gain, but it is not an automatic “huge horsepower” jump by itself. What I’ve found is that the cam really changes where the engine makes power. It tends to move the powerband higher, so the truck feels stronger in the midrange and upper RPMs, but it may lose some low-end smoothness if the supporting parts are not matched well.
In my opinion, the real answer to “how much more power” depends on the full setup. If I keep the stock converter, stock intake, stock exhaust, and weak tuning, the cam will not show its full potential. But when I pair it with good headers, a proper tune, and the right valve springs, I usually see a much better result. That is why I think the cam alone is only part of the story.
For me, the Stage 2 Sloppy cam makes the most sense when I want a rougher idle and stronger top-end pull without going too extreme. It can be a solid upgrade on a 5.3, but
My Buying Guides on Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3 How Much More Power
My First Take on a Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3
When I started looking into a Stage 2 sloppy cam for my 5.3, my main question was simple: how much more power am I really going to get? From my experience, the answer depends on the exact cam specs, supporting mods, and how well the tune is done. In general, I found that a Stage 2 sloppy cam can make the truck feel much stronger in the midrange and top end, with a noticeable jump in horsepower and torque over stock.
What I Learned About Power Gains
From what I’ve seen, a Stage 2 sloppy cam on a 5.3 can usually add a solid amount of power, especially if the engine already has the right supporting parts. I’ve seen gains that can range roughly from 40 to 80+ horsepower at the crank, depending on the setup. On a well-matched build with headers, intake, exhaust, and a proper tune, the difference can feel even bigger behind the wheel.
Why the Tune Matters So Much
One thing I learned quickly is that the cam alone is not the whole story. My power gains were heavily influenced by the tune. Without a good tune, the truck didn’t run nearly as strong as it should. Once tuned properly, the idle, throttle response, and pull through the RPM range improved a lot. If I were buying again, I would never skip the tune.
Supporting Mods I’d Recommend
If I wanted the best results from a Stage 2 sloppy cam 5.3, I would look at these supporting upgrades:
- Long-tube headers
- High-flow intake
- Performance exhaust
- Upgraded valve springs
- Proper pushrods if needed
- Quality ECU tune
- Torque converter upgrade for automatic trucks
How It Changes the Driving Feel
In my experience, the biggest change wasn’t just peak power. The truck felt more aggressive everywhere. The idle had more attitude, the engine pulled harder, and it felt much more alive when I got into the throttle. I also noticed that the powerband moved higher, so the engine liked to rev more than stock.
What I’d Watch Out For Before Buying
Before I bought a Stage 2 sloppy cam, I would make sure I understood a few things:
- It may reduce low-end drivability compared to stock
- Fuel economy can get worse
- Valve train parts may need upgrading
- Automatic trucks may need a converter to feel right
- Emissions legality may be an issue in some areas
My Buying Advice
If I were buying this setup today, I’d focus less on just the cam name and more on the full package. I’d want to know the lift, duration, lobe separation, and what the cam is designed to do. A Stage 2 sloppy cam can be a great choice if I want a strong street truck with a noticeable lope and real power gains, but I’d only buy it if I was ready to support it properly.
My Final Thoughts
My honest opinion is that a Stage 2 sloppy cam on a 5.3 can make a big difference in how the truck performs. It won’t turn a stock 5.3 into a race engine, but it can absolutely wake it up and make it feel much faster. If I had to sum it up, I’d say the power gain is real, the sound is aggressive, and the overall driving experience is a lot more exciting when everything is matched correctly.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, a Stage 2 sloppy cam on a 5.3 can deliver a noticeable power gain, especially in the midrange and top end where the engine really starts to wake up. My takeaway is that the exact increase depends on the supporting mods, tune, and how aggressive the cam specs are, but it’s usually a meaningful step up from stock. I’d say it’s a great upgrade if I want more performance and don’t mind trading a little smoothness for extra power.
Author Profile
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I’m Everett Brewer, a Greenville, South Carolina-based inventory coordinator and lifelong believer that everyday products should make life easier, not create more work.
Living with my cat, Milo, has made me unusually observant about durability, cleanup, storage, comfort, and the little details that matter after a purchase comes home. Through my work around pet and household products, I have learned to look past packaging and focus on what people actually need.
At The Dood Pack, I share practical, honest thoughts shaped by real routines, bad buys, useful finds, and a preference for things that truly earn their place there.
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