Torque low end cam

[ebbett21]

Am interested in every ones choice for a camshaft that makes low end torque over stock. Crane Cam have a 216/232 590 624 113 Designed for LS3 and so do TSP at a 225/230 that considering either one whichone will sound better on idle don't want a fast thumping over the top idle but a slow lope that you know its cammed but not rediculious. Plenty people opt for the 230 something but don't want a fuel guzzler, and around town driving issues where as its a mission just driving the car from a to b Thanks.

[Kip Fabre]

Originally Posted by ebbett21

Am interested in every ones choice for a camshaft that makes low end torque over stock. Crane Cam have a 216/232 590 624 113 Designed for LS3 and so do TSP at a 225/230 that considering either one whichone will sound better on idle don't want a fast thumping over the top idle but a slow lope that you know its cammed but not rediculious. Plenty people opt for the 230 something but don't want a fuel guzzler, and around town driving issues where as its a mission just driving the car from a to b Thanks.

If you want a cam with more low end than stock you will need a smaller cam than stock. Any after market cam with more lift and duration than stock will make less torque than the stock until about 3000 rpms depending on the size you go with. So the torque of the new cam may not catch up with the stock cam until 3000 rpms. Even a cam with only 10 more duration will hurt the off idle torque.

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by Kip Fabre

If you want a cam with more low end than stock you will need a smaller cam than stock. Any after market cam with more lift and duration than stock will make less torque than the stock until about 3000 rpms depending on the size you go with. So the torque of the new cam may not catch up with the stock cam until 3000 rpms. Even a cam with only 10 more duration will hurt the off idle torque.

That's too bad, I wasn't aware of this. Thanks for that info....maybe a cam isn't for me as low end torque is all I want as I DD my car and I personally feel low end torque and great drivability are what I will enjoy the most in city driving.

Thanks again!

[JWoj3540]

ST1LE, I think you have two good options:

1. Go with a supercharger for low-end torque

2. Stay with a cam (will increase peak power), but also get yourself some gears (3.91 or 4.10 axle ratio). A higher ratio in the rear end will not increase engine power of course, but will increase torque to the wheels giving you excellent acceleration from a stop...then the cam kicks in as your RPMs go above 3-4k

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by JWoj3540

ST1LE, I think you have two good options:

1. Go with a supercharger for low-end torque

2. Stay with a cam (will increase peak power), but also get yourself some gears (3.91 or 4.10 axle ratio). A higher ratio in the rear end will not increase engine power of course, but will increase torque to the wheels giving you excellent acceleration from a stop...then the cam kicks in as your RPMs go above 3-4k

Thanks a lot for your advice! I already have the stock 3.91's that the factory put in my 1LE, but the different transmission somewhat negates their low end benefits of increased torque. A supercharger would be awesome, but that's much more expensive that a cam....maybe I will get a small custom spec'd cam from Pat G or something. Thanks again man!

[thahemp]

Don't get too caught up in the numbers. I put a bigger BTR cam in my car and didn't even notice the TQ dropoff. It was minimal at worst. Mine is .617/.596 231/246 114+4. Certainly not a reason to forego the cam. It will still blow the tires off in 2nd below 3K RPM.

[ebbett21]

Some good posts, the stock cam is 204/211 so its baby. So the stock cam is virtually best option for low end torque for a DD. The next choice would then be diff gears and the S/C. tsp have there 225/230 and it apparently doesn't lose any power over stock down low, so that's the best so far. The LS3 heads can take a bigger cam and retain torque like stock?

[sloSS]

Here's the dyno run of my LS3 with Vengeance Racing Stage 2 custom spec cam.
I asked for road course useable torque rather than peak power.
Drives the way I wanted it to, slight lope at idle and strong t/o the rev range.
6th gear at 60 mph no problem - but when I get on it

[ebbett21]

So a small cam or baby cam terms, for all out torque from 2000pm onwards, easy driveable and tuning what is the pick. Ive had response ffom TSP and the 225/30 is the one recommended. The car has full 3'' exhaust. Any other cams out there that match

[axis]

You can PM GPI (Rhino79) to see what his SS1 or SS2 LS3 cams would do for you.

What rearend gear does the HSV run? That might be another option.

[L99CAMA2011]

Originally Posted by ebbett21

So a small cam or baby cam terms, for all out torque from 2000pm onwards, easy driveable and tuning what is the pick. Ive had response ffom TSP and the 225/30 is the one recommended. The car has full 3'' exhaust. Any other cams out there that match

3" exhaust = less back pressure. I removed my 2 3/4" BBK mid section and went to Corsa 2.5" now the low end feels way better. 3" for big hp ranges.

[NinoSS]

Originally Posted by sloSS

Here's the dyno run of my LS3 with Vengeance Racing Stage 2 custom spec cam.
I asked for road course useable torque rather than peak power.
Drives the way I wanted it to, slight lope at idle and strong t/o the rev range.
6th gear at 60 mph no problem - but when I get on it

I have their stage 1 cam. I selected a small cam for the very reasons the OP stated. My cam gave up nothing down low, however gave up top end power. In the end I am happy with my set up, it drives perfect.

[ebbett21]

Tsp and lethal have the night fury and the 231/236 that are popular grinds for higher end but what's the equilivant down low, the ls1 responds well with 220/220 cam for a all rounder but what about the ls3, ? Or a on between low to mid 20s cam look the go with the heads but has any one specced a cam abit bigger than the stock cam with higher lift would be interesting but hardly worth the change, if you spend the time and money changing cam at least change it to something better

[Synner]

It aint all about lift. My cam is under .600 and makes plenty of hp and has a torque curve thats flat as can be. Get something custom spec'd by Brian Tooley or other reputable cam vendor.