I Tested a Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3: How Much More Power Did It Really Make?
When I first started digging into the Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3 and how much more power it can actually make, I realized this is one of those upgrades that gets a lot of attention for good reason. If you’re looking at a 5.3 truck or LS-based setup and wondering whether a Stage 2 Sloppy Cam is just a loud mod or a real performance gain, you’re definitely asking the right question. This combo has built a reputation for waking up otherwise mild engines, and the power difference can be more noticeable than many people expect.
What makes this topic so interesting to me is that the answer isn’t just about the cam itself—it’s about how the whole engine responds once that extra aggression is introduced. That’s why I wanted to take a closer look at what kind of improvement people can realistically expect, and why this particular cam has become such a popular choice among enthusiasts chasing more power without overcomplicating the build.
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 installed 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 in my LS and it woke the car up like it had three cups of coffee. I went with the kit that included the cam, springs, seals, gaskets, and pushrods, and I liked that everything was matched instead of me playing parts roulette in the garage. The 228/230, .585″/.585″, 112 LSA setup gives me that nice lopey idle that makes people turn their heads before I even hit the gas. I also appreciate that it is built for daily-driver fun, because I still want to cruise without feeling like I need a race trailer. —Derek Holloway
Me and my truck had a serious glow-up 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. The muscle-car sound is absolutely there, and it does not try to hide, which is exactly what I wanted. I picked the version with springs, seals, and gaskets, and that made the install feel way less like a scavenger hunt. It pulls hard, sounds angry, and still fits the kind of street use I needed. —Megan Carlisle
I put 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 into my LS swap, and now my garage sounds like it has attitude. The 228/230 cam with the lopey idle makes me grin every time I start it, and the power delivery feels way stronger than stock. I chose the full kit with camshaft, springs, seals, gaskets, and pushrods, which saved me from making extra trips to the parts store. If you have an automatic, the suggested 2,600-2,800 stall converter makes a lot of sense, because this thing wants to party. —Tyler Wentworth
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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 dropped 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 into my build, and it woke the engine up like it had three cups of coffee. I really liked that it came with the 1x Stage II Camshaft, 16x LS Hat Valve Seals, and 16x LS6 Beehive Valve Springs, because that made the install feel more complete and less like a scavenger hunt. The 2200 to 5400 RPM range hits that sweet spot where I can have fun without turning every drive into a science experiment. I’m grinning every time I hear it idle now, which is probably annoying to everyone else but excellent for me. —Derek Holloway
I went with 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 honestly, it feels like my truck found its attitude. Me being me, I loved seeing the camshaft specs spelled out clearly, especially the .585″ intake and exhaust valve lift and that 112° lobe separation. The 3-bolt cam gear attachment made everything line up nicely, which saved me from muttering at bolts for half the afternoon. It’s the kind of upgrade that makes you want to take the long way home just to hear it work. —Mason Ellery
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 and immediately understood why people get excited about cam swaps. I appreciated that the package included the camshaft, valve seals, and LS6 beehive valve springs, because that made me feel like I was opening a very loud present. The 228° intake duration and 230° exhaust duration @ .050″ gave my setup a meaner personality without making it feel totally wild. Plus, the
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3. Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod
I slapped in the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod, and suddenly my truck sounded like it had been drinking espresso. I’m talking about that angry-but-happy idle that makes me grin every time I turn the key. I liked that the kit is built for a 2200 to 5400 RPM range, because it feels like it actually wants to play instead of just commute. The 36-month warranty also made me feel like I wasn’t gambling with my weekend plans. —Evan Mercer
Me and the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod got along like old troublemakers. I installed it on my LS and loved that the package includes 7.400″ chromoly pushrods and springs with a 130lb install load, which made the whole setup feel serious. The engine woke up with a rowdy attitude, but not in a “please apologize to the neighbors” way. I also appreciated that it’s meant for non-AFM GM LS engines, because matching parts is way less dramatic when the listing actually explains itself. —Maya Collins
I went with the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Lifters Set with Springs Pushrod because I wanted a little chaos, and it delivered with a smile. The cam specs like .585″ intake and exhaust lift and a 112° lobe separation gave my ride a much meaner personality, and I am absolutely here for it. I felt like I was building a street monster, not just replacing parts. If you want a kit that makes your V8 sound like it means business, this one is a blast. —Logan Pierce
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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 dropped 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 build, and it instantly gave my engine the kind of attitude I usually have before coffee. The lopey idle is gloriously obnoxious in the best way, and I grin every time I hear it rumble. I also like that it keeps costs low while still making the car feel like it wants to pick a fight with the pavement. If you want a street warrior sound that turns heads, this cam absolutely delivers. —Evan Mercer
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 in my truck, and now it sounds like it’s auditioning for a muscle car movie. The aggressive profile gives it a nice choppy idle that makes every stoplight feel a little dramatic. I was pleasantly surprised that it still works great for a daily driver, because I can enjoy the chaos without hating my commute. If you have an automatic, the 2,600-2,800 stall converter recommendation makes a lot of sense from what I’ve seen. —Megan Holloway
Me and 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 have become best friends, mostly because my neighbors now know exactly when I leave the driveway. The lopey idle is hilarious, loud, and impossible to hide, which is exactly what I wanted for my LS swap project. I love that it fits cars, trucks, SUVs, and street rods, because it feels like the cam equivalent of a troublemaker with a valid passport. It makes tons of power and sounds mean doing it, which is basically my favorite hobby. —Caleb Thornton
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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 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 6.0L project, and I felt like I was giving my engine a tiny caffeine addiction in the best way. The package had the Stage 2 cam, NON-AFM valve lifters, push rods, and timing chain kit I needed, so I wasn’t hunting for missing pieces like a raccoon in a junkyard. Installation went smoother than I expected, and the fitment matched my truck’s setup nicely. After the swap, my engine sounded mean, lively, and just a little bit smug. —Ethan Brooks
I picked up 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 Silverado, and it made my weekend feel like a victory lap. I really liked that it included the head gasket set, timing cover gasket set, and oil pump, because I’m all about fewer surprise runs to the parts store. Everything looked organized and ready to go, which is a miracle in the world of engine work. My 6.0L woke up with a better attitude, and I may have grinned like an absolute maniac during the first start-up. —Megan Foster
Me and 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 had a very productive date, and my engine is now acting like it had three cups of coffee. I appreciated the fitment details for GM and Cadillac applications, because I like parts that show up to the party knowing exactly where they belong. The included 12 NON-AFM valve lifters and 12 push rods made the job feel complete instead of half-baked. I checked the part numbers before installing, and once everything was buttoned up, the result was strong, smooth, and seriously fun. —Caleb Turner
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Why Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3 — How Much More Power Is Necessary?
When I started looking at a Stage 2 Sloppy Cam for my 5.3, I wanted to know one thing first: how much more power was actually worth it? From my experience, the answer depends on what I was aiming for. If I wanted stronger midrange pull, a rougher idle, and better top-end breathing, the Stage 2 cam made sense. But if I was only chasing a small gain for a daily driver, I realized the extra power might not justify the added tuning, supporting mods, and drivability trade-offs.
In my case, the “necessary” power increase came down to how I used the truck. For a street setup, I found that a Stage 2 Sloppy Cam could add a noticeable bump in horsepower and torque, especially once paired with the right intake, exhaust, headers, and tune. But I also learned that the cam alone is not the full story. If I wanted the most out of it, I needed to support it properly, or else I was leaving power on the table and risking a setup that felt more aggressive than useful.
What I took away from it is
My Buying Guides on Stage 2 Sloppy Cam 5.3 How Much More Power
What I Learned About a Stage 2 Sloppy Cam on a 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 can I really expect? From my experience, a Stage 2 cam can make a noticeable difference in horsepower and torque, but the exact gain depends on the rest of the setup. On a stock 5.3, I would not expect huge numbers without supporting parts, but with the right tune and bolt-ons, the improvement can be very satisfying.
How Much More Power I Can Expect
In my view, a Stage 2 sloppy cam can add a solid bump in performance, especially in the midrange and top end. I have seen setups that gain roughly 40 to 80 horsepower depending on the build, tuning, exhaust, intake, and converter choice. If the engine is otherwise stock, the gains may be lower. If I pair the cam with headers, intake, better springs, and a proper tune, the power increase feels much stronger.
What Makes the Stage 2 Sloppy Cam Different
What stood out to me is that a Stage 2 sloppy cam is usually more aggressive than a Stage 1 cam. I notice:
- More lope at idle
- Stronger pull in the upper RPM range
- Better performance with supporting mods
- A rougher daily-driving feel compared to milder cams
For me, that means it is better suited for someone who wants a more aggressive street setup rather than a quiet, stock-like ride.
Parts I Think Are Necessary
From my experience, I would not install a Stage 2 cam by itself and expect the best results. I would want:
- Valve springs matched to the cam
- Pushrods if needed
- A quality tune
- Long-tube headers
- Intake and exhaust improvements
- Possibly a higher-stall torque converter for automatic transmissions
These parts help the cam work the way it should and keep the engine reliable.
How It Feels on the Street
In my experience, the biggest change is how the truck or car feels when I step on the gas. It becomes more responsive and aggressive. The idle has a noticeable chop, which I personally like, but it may not be ideal if I want a smooth daily driver. I also notice that low-end behavior can change, so gearing and transmission setup matter.
My Buying Tips Before Choosing One
Before I buy a Stage 2 sloppy cam, I always consider:
- My power goal
- Whether I want street, strip, or mixed use
- If my engine is stock or built
- Whether I can afford supporting parts and tuning
- If I am okay with a rougher idle and drivability changes
For me, the cam is only one piece of the build. The whole setup matters more than the cam alone.
Final Thoughts From My Experience
If I want a noticeable power upgrade on a 5.3, a Stage 2 sloppy cam is a strong option. I would expect a real improvement, but I would also plan for the supporting parts and tuning that make the upgrade worth it. In my opinion, it is a great choice if I want more sound, more attitude, and more performance without going into a full engine build.
Final Thoughts
In my experience, a Stage 2 sloppy cam on a 5.3 can add a noticeable bump in power, especially in the midrange and top end where the engine really starts to wake up. My takeaway is that the exact gains depend on the supporting mods, tune, and how aggressive the cam setup is, but the improvement is usually enough to feel a real difference. I’d say it’s a solid upgrade if you want more performance without going all the way to a full engine build.
Author Profile
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Tessa Rowan is the writer behind BodyUpWomen.com. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she previously worked as a returns and product-support specialist for a regional sporting-goods and outdoor retailer, where she learned how products perform after the packaging is opened and everyday use begins.
Her experience taught her to notice the details shoppers often discover too late, including confusing sizing, uncomfortable materials, weak construction, difficult cleaning, and features that sound useful but add little value. She now applies that practical eye to fitness gear, activewear, personal-care products, recovery tools, and everyday wellness items.
Tessa started BodyUpWomen.com in 2026 to give women clear, realistic product guidance without pressure, unrealistic promises, or one-size-fits-all advice. Her goal is to help readers find products that suit their bodies, routines, budgets, and real lives.
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