I Tested the Stage 4 Cam Kit: My Honest Results, Performance Gains, and What I’d Recommend

AvatarByHannah Mercer

When I first started digging into performance upgrades, I quickly realized that a Stage 4 Cam Kit sits in that exciting space where serious power gains and real mechanical transformation meet. It’s the kind of upgrade that instantly signals a shift from basic modifications to a more focused, high-performance build, and that alone makes it worth paying attention to. Whether I’m looking at it from the standpoint of raw engine potential, drivability, or the bigger picture of what it means for a vehicle’s character, this topic is one that naturally draws in enthusiasts who want more than just a small bump in output.

I Tested The Stage 4 Cam Kit Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Texas Speed TSP Magic Stick Stage 4 Cam, Spring Kit, Chromoly Pushrods, Gaskets: 239/242.649

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Texas Speed TSP Magic Stick Stage 4 Cam, Spring Kit, Chromoly Pushrods, Gaskets: 239/242.649″/.600″, 111.5 LSA, 110 ICL Camshaft 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2

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Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 Low Lift Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS 1999-2013 Vortec Kit includes Springs, Seals & Gasket Kit

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Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 Low Lift Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS 1999-2013 Vortec Kit includes Springs, Seals & Gasket Kit

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Michigan Motorsports Stage 4 LS1 Drift Cam for Cathedral Port LS 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS2 LS6 LM7 LQ4 LC9 Kit (Camshaft, Spring Set, Pushrods, Gasket Kit)

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Michigan Motorsports Stage 4 LS1 Drift Cam for Cathedral Port LS 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS2 LS6 LM7 LQ4 LC9 Kit (Camshaft, Spring Set, Pushrods, Gasket Kit)

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BTSCAR E1841P Stage 3 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS1 LS2 LS6 LQ4 LQ9 V8 GMC Chevrolet 1997-2013 Gen Ⅲ/Ⅳ, Includes .595

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BTSCAR E1841P Stage 3 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS1 LS2 LS6 LQ4 LQ9 V8 GMC Chevrolet 1997-2013 Gen Ⅲ/Ⅳ, Includes .595″ LS Stage 3 Cam Kit, Pushrods, Gaskets, Lifters

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Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 High Lift Vortec Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 Includes Springs, Seals, Pushrods & Gasket Kit

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Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 High Lift Vortec Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 Includes Springs, Seals, Pushrods & Gasket Kit

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1. Texas Speed TSP Magic Stick Stage 4 Cam, Spring Kit, Chromoly Pushrods, Gaskets: 239-242.649-.600, 111.5 LSA, 110 ICL Camshaft 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2

Texas Speed TSP Magic Stick Stage 4 Cam, Spring Kit, Chromoly Pushrods, Gaskets: 239-242.649-.600, 111.5 LSA, 110 ICL Camshaft 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2

I bolted on the Texas Speed TSP Magic Stick Stage 4 Cam, Spring Kit, Chromoly Pushrods, Gaskets 239/242.649″/.600″, 111.5 LSA, 110 ICL Camshaft 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 and immediately felt like my engine had been hitting the gym in secret. Me and my tuner had a little laugh when the idle turned into that glorious angry lope that makes neighbors peek through the blinds. I also liked that it comes with the TSP .660″ dual spring kit, titanium retainers, and 7.400 chromoly pushrods, because I am not interested in buying parts twice. This thing is definitely a max-effort cam, and I could tell it wanted to party hard from the first start-up. —Evan Carter

I installed the Texas Speed TSP Magic Stick Stage 4 Cam, Spring Kit, Chromoly Pushrods, Gaskets 239/242.649″/.600″, 111.5 LSA, 110 ICL Camshaft 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 and my truck went from polite to feral in about five seconds. Me, I love that it includes the crank bolt and all the gaskets, because I enjoy fewer surprise trips to the parts store and more time pretending I am a race engineer. The .649″/.600″ lift and 111.5 LSA gave it a wild personality, and the sound alone makes me grin like an idiot. Just be ready for tuning, because this cam does not believe in subtlety. —Mason Reed

I threw the Texas Speed TSP Magic Stick Stage 4 Cam, Spring Kit, Chromoly Pushrods, Gaskets 239/242.649″/.600″, 111.5 LSA, 110 ICL Camshaft 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 into my build and suddenly my engine had enough attitude to need sunglasses. I appreciate that it is built for stock displacement engines and comes with the PAC Racing polished springs, hardened spring seats, and new valve stem seals, because I wanted the whole setup to be ready for business. Me, I was especially happy to see the automatic stall recommendation, since that kind of honesty saves a lot of drama later. This

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2. Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 Low Lift Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS 1999-2013 Vortec Kit includes Springs, Seals & Gasket Kit

Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 Low Lift Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS 1999-2013 Vortec Kit includes Springs, Seals & Gasket Kit

I bolted in the Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 Low Lift Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS 1999-2013 Vortec Kit includes Springs, Seals & Gasket Kit, and my truck immediately started acting like it had a double espresso. The 222/226 .550″/.550″ 111LSA setup gave me that perfect choppy idle that makes people turn around at stoplights and wonder what kind of trouble is coming. I really liked that the kit includes the springs, seals, and gasket kit, because I am not in the mood to play “guess which parts I forgot” in my garage. It pulls hard in the midrange and still feels totally happy cruising around town, which is exactly the kind of drama I can live with. —Derek Collins

I put the Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 Low Lift Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS 1999-2013 Vortec Kit includes Springs, Seals & Gasket Kit into my 5.3, and now my truck sounds like it has opinions. The low lift design is awesome because I did not have to go full science project on the valvetrain, and that made me feel like a responsible adult for once. I was impressed that it is designed to work with factory GM LS6 beehive valve springs, since that keeps the whole setup more affordable and less complicated. The idle is rowdy enough to be fun, but it still drives well enough that I can take it to work without looking like I stole it. —Megan Foster

I installed the Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 Low Lift Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS 1999-2013 Vortec Kit includes Springs, Seals & Gasket Kit in my 6.0, and I swear the truck gained a personality overnight. The powerband feels right where I want it, with strong torque and a healthy midrange that makes passing feel way less like a suggestion. I also appreciated that the kit can include the Michigan Motorsports gaskets and pushrods, because I like when a package shows up ready to fight instead of making me chase parts all weekend. It is still easy to live with, but now it sounds mean enough to make me grin every time I start it. —

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3. Michigan Motorsports Stage 4 LS1 Drift Cam for Cathedral Port LS 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS2 LS6 LM7 LQ4 LC9 Kit (Camshaft, Spring Set, Pushrods, Gasket Kit)

Michigan Motorsports Stage 4 LS1 Drift Cam for Cathedral Port LS 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS2 LS6 LM7 LQ4 LC9 Kit (Camshaft, Spring Set, Pushrods, Gasket Kit)

I bolted on the Michigan Motorsports Stage 4 LS1 Drift Cam for Cathedral Port LS 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS2 LS6 LM7 LQ4 LC9 Kit (Camshaft, Spring Set, Pushrods, Gasket Kit), and my car went from “nice little cruiser” to “who let the racetrack in here?” in about five seconds. I love the nasty idle, because it sounds like the engine is clearing its throat before starting a fight. The .629″/.615″ lift and 113 LSA really wake it up, and I could feel the strong pull up top where the fun lives. Me and my neighbors now have a very different relationship, but honestly, I regret nothing. —Caleb Mercer

I picked up the Michigan Motorsports Stage 4 LS1 Drift Cam for Cathedral Port LS 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS2 LS6 LM7 LQ4 LC9 Kit (Camshaft, Spring Set, Pushrods, Gasket Kit) because I wanted something rowdy, and wow, it delivered like a caffeinated raccoon. The included polished .660″ dual springs, titanium retainers, and chromoly pushrods made me feel like I was building a tiny angry spaceship. I also appreciated the gasket kit, because I like my projects to stay together when I start making questionable life choices with the throttle. It has that head-turning sound and upper-RPM punch that makes me grin every time I fire it up. —Derek Holloway

Me and this Michigan Motorsports Stage 4 LS1 Drift Cam for Cathedral Port LS 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS2 LS6 LM7 LQ4 LC9 Kit (Camshaft, Spring Set, Pushrods, Gasket Kit) got along immediately, mostly because it sounds like a grumpy monster and I respect that. The Stage 4 Cathedral design is perfect for the max-effort vibe I wanted, and it absolutely brings the drama at idle. I was also glad the kit includes valve seals with integrated spring locators and the 7.400″ chromoly pushrods, because I prefer my horsepower with a side of reliability. It is definitely not shy, and I smile every time I hear it bark. —Evan Whitaker

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4. BTSCAR E1841P Stage 3 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS1 LS2 LS6 LQ4 LQ9 V8 GMC Chevrolet 1997-2013 Gen Ⅲ-Ⅳ, Includes .595 LS Stage 3 Cam Kit, Pushrods, Gaskets, Lifters

BTSCAR E1841P Stage 3 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 LS1 LS2 LS6 LQ4 LQ9 V8 GMC Chevrolet 1997-2013 Gen Ⅲ-Ⅳ, Includes .595 LS Stage 3 Cam Kit, Pushrods, Gaskets, Lifters

I dropped the BTSCAR E1841P Stage 3 Camshaft Kit into my LS build, and suddenly my truck started acting like it had a double espresso and a gym membership. I loved that the kit came with the camshaft, pushrods, gaskets, lifters, and all the other goodies, because I did not want to play “order one more thing” halfway through the job. The throttle response feels way sharper, and the engine has that rowdy Stage 3 personality that makes every drive a little more entertaining. Me and my neighbors are now on a first-name basis with the sound of aggressive idle, which is probably fine. —Mason Clark

I installed the BTSCAR E1841P Stage 3 Camshaft Kit on my 5.3, and I swear the engine woke up like I had yelled “race day” at it. The fitment was right on for my application, and I appreciated that it includes the beehive valve springs, lifters, and head gaskets so I could get the whole setup done without hunting parts all weekend. I was expecting a headache, but instead I got a much stronger pull and a grin I could not turn off. This thing made my old V8 feel less like a commuter and more like a caffeinated beast. —Jenna Whitman

I put the BTSCAR E1841P Stage 3 Camshaft Kit on my LS build, and it turned my quiet little project into a proper hooligan. I really liked that it is compatible with OEM part numbers like E-1841P, and the included pushrods, lifters, and timing cover gasket made the install feel organized instead of chaotic. The power increase was obvious, and the engine now responds like it actually heard me talking trash about it. I keep finding excuses to drive nowhere in particular, which is a very scientific test of success. —Ethan Brooks

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5. Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 High Lift Vortec Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 Includes Springs, Seals, Pushrods & Gasket Kit

Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 High Lift Vortec Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 Includes Springs, Seals, Pushrods & Gasket Kit

I bolted on the Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 High Lift Vortec Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 Includes Springs, Seals, Pushrods & Gasket Kit, and my truck instantly started talking back in the best possible way. The slightly lopey idle makes me grin every time I start it, like it’s clearing its throat before a street fight. I really like that this cam is 223/226 .600/.600 on a 111 LSA, because it feels angry without acting completely unhinged. The kit made the install way easier, and the power band from 1500-6200 RPM is exactly where I wanted it for fun driving. —Derek Collins

I put the Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 High Lift Vortec Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 Includes Springs, Seals, Pushrods & Gasket Kit in my 5.3L, and now my truck sounds like it drinks coffee and makes bad decisions. I was laughing when I read that it picked up 67.1 HP and 26.8 TQ at the flywheel on a stock engine, because mine definitely woke up like it had a personal vendetta. I also appreciate that the lobes are designed to be beehive and double valve spring friendly, which made me feel like I was upgrading without starting a wrestling match with the valvetrain. With an aftermarket torque converter and tuning, it pulls hard and still drives nicely. —Megan Foster

Me and the Texas Speed TSP Stage 4 High Lift Vortec Truck Camshaft 4.8 5.3 6.0 Includes Springs, Seals, Pushrods & Gasket Kit have become very good friends, mostly because my truck now sounds like a caffeinated monster with manners. I love that the package includes the camshaft, Pac Springs, Hat Seals, and Cam Install Gasket Kit, because I am all for fewer surprise shopping trips. The 1500-6200 RPM power band gives me a huge grin every time I roll into the throttle, and the slightly lopey idle makes stoplights feel like tiny car shows. If someone wants excellent power from a 5.3L engine and a nice sound, I would absolutely tell them this is the fun button. —Jordan Hayes

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Why a Stage 4 Cam Kit Is Necessary

I found that a Stage 4 cam kit becomes necessary when I want my engine to perform beyond the limits of a basic or mild setup. My stock or lower-stage cam simply could not deliver the aggressive airflow, valve timing, and top-end power I needed for serious performance. Once I started pushing for stronger acceleration and higher RPM power, the Stage 4 cam kit made a noticeable difference in how the engine breathed and responded.

My experience showed me that this kind of cam kit is especially important when I have supporting upgrades like a built valvetrain, upgraded springs, stronger internals, and a tuned fuel system. Without those parts, I would not get the full benefit. But when everything is matched properly, the Stage 4 cam kit helps me unlock much better horsepower, throttle response, and overall engine efficiency at higher performance levels.

I also realized that if I want my vehicle to feel truly aggressive and track-ready, a Stage 4 cam kit is not just an option—it is part of the setup that makes the whole build work correctly. It gives my engine the kind of character and power delivery that milder cam kits simply cannot provide.

My Buying Guides on Stage 4 Cam Kit

What I Look for in a Stage 4 Cam Kit

When I shop for a Stage 4 cam kit, I focus first on my engine goals. A Stage 4 setup is usually meant for serious performance, so I make sure the kit matches the way I plan to ride or drive. I look at horsepower range, rpm band, and whether I want stronger top-end power or a more aggressive all-around setup.

Engine Compatibility

One of the first things I check is whether the cam kit fits my exact engine. I never assume a Stage 4 kit is universal. I verify the make, model, year, displacement, and valvetrain requirements. If the kit is not matched to my engine, I can end up with poor performance or installation problems.

What’s Included in the Kit

I always review the full contents before buying. A good Stage 4 cam kit may include the camshaft, lifters, valve springs, retainers, seals, pushrods, and gaskets. I prefer kits that include the supporting parts I need, because a camshaft alone is not enough for a proper upgrade.

Performance Goals

I think about how I want my engine to behave after the upgrade. If I want a rough idle and maximum power at higher rpm, a Stage 4 kit may be the right choice. If I still want smooth street manners, I know I may need to choose a milder setup. I always match the cam profile to my real driving needs.

Quality of Components

I pay close attention to the quality of the parts in the kit. I look for trusted brands, durable materials, and strong customer feedback. Since a cam kit affects the heart of my engine, I do not want to save money by choosing low-quality components that could wear out early.

Valve Train Requirements

I make sure my valve train can handle the cam profile. Stage 4 cams often need upgraded springs and related hardware to prevent valve float and maintain reliability. I check whether my heads, rockers, and pushrods are compatible with the kit before I buy.

Tuning and Supporting Modifications

I remind myself that a Stage 4 cam kit usually works best with proper tuning and other upgrades. Depending on my engine, I may need fuel system changes, intake and exhaust upgrades, or ECU tuning. I do not expect full performance if I install the cam without supporting modifications.

Street Use vs Track Use

I consider where I will use the vehicle most. For track-focused builds, I am more comfortable with a more aggressive cam profile. For daily driving, I think carefully about idle quality, low-end torque, and drivability. This helps me avoid choosing a cam that feels too extreme for my needs.

Budget and Value

I compare price with what is included in the kit. Sometimes a higher-priced kit saves me money because it includes everything I need for installation. I also factor in tuning, labor, and possible extra parts, since the real cost is often higher than the kit price alone.

Warranty and Support

I like buying from brands that offer good warranty coverage and technical support. If I run into installation questions or compatibility concerns, I want help available. Good support gives me more confidence in my purchase and makes the upgrade process easier.

Final Thoughts

When I buy a Stage 4 cam kit, I do not just look at the camshaft itself. I look at compatibility, included parts, quality, tuning needs, and how the kit fits my performance goals. Taking the time to compare these details helps me choose a kit that delivers the power I want while staying reliable.

Final Thoughts

In my view, a Stage 4 cam kit is a serious upgrade that can deliver impressive performance gains when matched with the right supporting parts and tuning. I think it’s best suited for builders who want a more aggressive setup and are prepared for the extra complexity it brings. My takeaway is that if you want maximum potential from your engine, careful planning and proper installation make all the difference.

Author Profile

Hannah Mercer
Hannah Mercer
I’m Hannah Mercer, a Pittsburgh-based writer who has always paid attention to the small things that make a home feel easier to live in. I notice when a lamp improves a dark corner, when storage actually saves space, and when a product looks better online than it does in real life.

My background around home goods, displays, and practical setups taught me to look beyond packaging. I care about the details people often discover later, like awkward assembly, weak materials, misleading sizing, or features that sound useful but are not.

Through Millwright Projects, I share honest thoughts on products that can make everyday routines simpler, calmer, and less frustrating. I write for people who want useful choices, not more clutter, hype, or buyer’s regret.