Hi.
Joined this forum to ask a few questions about an issue that I have with my current truck. It's a 1997 GMC K1500. It has the 5.7 vortec with 163,000 miles. After several test and process of elimination I have found that I have some issues with the heads. I just bought this truck 6 months ago. I'm getting water into the #3 and #4 cylinder. The compression on these two cylinders is 152. All the others are 181-183. I'm about to pull the heads. I'm betting that both heads have cracks or atleast one. So I plan on replacing both heads with summit racing vortec heads. Which exceed the lift amount and flow of the standard vortec GM head. So here are the questions.

I plan on changing the cam shaft at this point with the intention of a low end torque increase. Any cam shaft recommendations?

Compams suggested the extreme energy HT258. To match these heads. I will be sending the pcm to black bear performance to be tuned. The heads will also be ported when they arrive. Along with new quality gaskets. I have searched for long tube headers for this truck which leads me to the question about a smog pump delete or bypass? Any suggestions. Or just run shorty headers because I see a pile of them with the smog hook up.

The trans has been rebuilt and upgraded. Will be a daily driver and pull a bass boat. The desire for the cam shaft is low end torque 1000 rpms to 4500 rpms. As well as a noticeable idle.

I figured I would change the timing change and water pump while I was there as well.

Any tips or help from previous experience would be great. Thanks