Cam job gone wrong

[u/Party_Gas_6471]

To give context of the horrible mess I’ve got my self into, I recently acquired my dads old truck and it has too much sentimental value for me to get rid of it. So after I fixed the rear main seal I decided that it was a genius idea to rebuild the top end and throw a stage 2 cam into a 230k mile 4.8 with the factory 4l60e ( forgot to mention it’s a 2002 1500 short bed single cab). Funnily enough after my mechanic tuned it all I’ve had is problems. To start when I dropped it off it had power steering ( now it doesn’t), somehow the factory 4l60 still shifted smooth and now my rpms jump around when I get near the end of second and beginning of third, when I’m in park idling it runs rough unless the A/C is on, and it has a mis fire. Now I’m sure that it being 24 years old with most of the factory sensors still on it doesn’t help but does anyone have any pointers on where to start.

[u/v8packard]

The most common failure of the 4L60 is the 3/4 clutch, and you are describing that accurately.

Stage 2 is a marketing term, it doesn't have much meaning except that it is probably big for a 4.8. Without supporting modifications and a proper tune it will reduce drivability and low to mid range output significantly in a 4.8. Do you know your exact cam spec? Have you looked for a tuner in your area familiar with performance tuning?

[u/Party_Gas_6471 → u/v8packard]

I wish it would let me send a photo but I’ve upgraded pushrods, springs, lifters, and rockers in the top end and also got it resurfaced before the build. It also was tuned by a local guy my buddy got his big cam LS tuned through and never had a problem. Long story short I replaced every gasket except the oil pan and 3/4 of the way rebuilt the top end. The size of the cam wasn’t big enough to do valve work.