When building a sleeper, the goal is simple: make serious power while keeping a low profile. Our 1996 Caprice, Project Old Dirty B-Body, perfectly embodies this philosophy, especially after installing the Howards Cams Torque Monster hydraulic roller cam. The results speak for themselves, with dyno-proven gains that transformed our heavyweight B-Body into a genuine performer while maintaining its unassuming appearance.

The journey started with careful cam selection. The Torque Monster cam specs caught our attention with 214 degrees of intake duration and 220 degrees of exhaust duration at 0.050 and 0.525 inches of lift on both intake and exhaust. While internet experts might debate these numbers endlessly, we knew this combination would deliver exactly what we wanted in our 5.3-liter LS build.

Before installation, we thoroughly cleaned the cam bearings and journals, carefully inspecting for any debris or damage. Using high-quality assembly lube, we coated the cam bearings, lobes, and journals generously, ensuring proper lubrication during the initial startup. The cam went in slowly and smoothly, taking extra care not to nick or damage the cam bearings during installation. We torqued the cam thrust plate to factory specifications in a cross pattern, double-checking our work to ensure proper end play.

With the cam physically installed, we moved on to the critical degreeing process. Using a degree wheel and dial indicator, we verified the intake centerline at 103 degrees and confirmed our 107-degree lobe separation angle. This precision setup ensures the cam’s timing events occur exactly when they should, maximizing the power potential of our chosen grind.

Supporting modifications to go with our new camshaft are the recipe for success with our build. We paired our cam with Frankenstein cylinder heads to handle the increased airflow demands. A FAST LSXR intake manifold ensures efficient air distribution across the improved power band.

The dyno numbers tell the real story of this combination’s effectiveness. From a respectable stock baseline, the Torque Monster cam helped unlock an additional 18.3 horsepower at peak, pushing our final numbers to 515.2 horsepower at 6,400 rpm. Torque output jumped to 491.1 lb-ft at 4,700 rpm, marking a 12.1 lb-ft improvement over stock.

What makes these numbers particularly impressive is the power delivery. From 3,300 rpm to 5,400 rpm, torque stays above 460 lb-ft, creating a flat curve that translates to immediate response and strong acceleration at any speed. The top-end power is equally impressive, maintaining over 500 horsepower from 5,600 rpm through 6,900 rpm. This broad powerband ensures our Caprice pulls hard whether we’re merging onto the highway or making a high-speed pass.

The cam’s effectiveness is evident in the midrange, where we see gains of 19 horsepower. These improvements become even more pronounced in the upper-RPM range, where the engine now produces 30 to40 more horsepower above 5,500 rpm compared to the stock cam. This additional power transforms the driving experience without compromising daily usability.

Street manners remained excellent thanks to thoughtful cam specs. The LSA helps maintain a good vacuum for power brakes and other accessories, while the moderate duration numbers keep the engine docile during normal driving. At idle, the cam produces just enough lope to hint at the power within, without announcing its presence to everyone within earshot.

The power improvements start right at 3,000 rpm, where we saw an immediate gain of 13.6 lb-fts of torque. This instant response makes the car feel lighter and more agile, despite its substantial curb weight. The power builds progressively and predictably, exactly what you want in a street-driven vehicle.

Our dyno testing revealed consistent gains throughout the powerband. At 3,000 rpm, torque jumped from 425.9 to 439.5 lb-ft. By 4,700 rpm, where the engine now makes peak torque, we saw an improvement from 478.7 to 491.1 lb-fts. The horsepower curve shows similar gains, with the most significant improvements coming in the upper-RPM range where the stock cam began to fall off.

For builders considering similar projects, our results demonstrate that significant power gains don’t require radical cam specs. The key lies in selecting components that work together effectively and taking the time to install them correctly. The Howard’s Torque Monster cam, precisely degreed and paired with appropriate supporting modifications, delivered impressive results while maintaining the practical, streetable nature of our build. This combination perfectly suits our sleeper philosophy. The car maintains its stock appearance and comfortable driving characteristics but now packs a serious punch when called upon. From stop lights to highway speeds, the power is always there, ready to surprise anyone who underestimates this unassuming Caprice.

When picking a cam, you need to pair it with other matching engine components to meet your performance goals and same goes for for the rest of the drivetrain. We planned ahead with our little 5.3-liter and went with TCI’s full manual 4L80 transmission in a previous article. This isn’t your typical automatic, it’s features a transbrake and a 3,500 RPM stall TCI Breakaway torque converter that’s perfectly matched to our cam’s powerband. The transmission’s closer-ratio gearset (2.48:1, 1.48:1, 1.00:1, and 0.75:1) makes excellent use of our broad torque curve, especially compared to the stock 4L60’s wider-spaced ratios. With constant line pressure from the full-manual valve body, every shift is firm and consistent, ensuring all 515 horsepower gets to the pavement. While the 4L80 adds about 80 pounds over a 4L60, its ability to handle 750+ horsepower with ease made it the obvious choice for our sleeper build.

The combination of proper cam selection, precise installation, and supporting modifications resulted in exactly what we wanted: a substantial increase in performance without sacrificing drivability. The Torque Monster cam lives up to its name, providing the kind of power delivery that makes a heavy car feel responsive and eager while maintaining perfect street manners.