1LE new CAM vs road course performance

[mcsoul]

I am going to assume that minor power adders like a CAI, headers,
accessory under drive pulley and a tune are going to do nothing but improve track dynamics.

How about a large CAM? Does it impact road course dynamics differently
than it does the quarter mile? Is it easier to road race a milder cam?
I'm sure in the quarter mile, bigger is better, but how about the race track?

[Synner]

You need a milder lobe with reasonable lift number or you'll kill springs fast. And most people on here only care for a peak dyno number versus low and midrange.

[b4z]

Agreed. I have even heard of road course guys that are running LS7s taking out the stock cam and going slightly milder and pulling peak rpms from 7000 to 6500 just for valve train longevity.
You should think about doing some valve train upgrades if you are going to spin it.
Chevrolet performance has the new ported ls3 heads and LS 7 cam package coming out that will give you 40 hp. This is a smooth idle cam due to its large LSA. It is not out yet but you can google the part number. 19300535. I will be doing this to my GTO but the valve train is getting upgraded.

[mcsoul]

Wow, thanks for the info!

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Originally Posted by b4z

Agreed. I have even heard of road course guys that are running LS7s taking out the stock cam and going slightly milder and pulling peak rpms from 7000 to 6500 just for valve train longevity.
You should think about doing some valve train upgrades if you are going to spin it.
Chevrolet performance has the new ported ls3 heads and LS 7 cam package coming out that will give you 40 hp. This is a smooth idle cam due to its large LSA. It is not out yet but you can google the part number. 19300535. I will be doing this to my GTO but the valve train is getting upgraded.

Are you saying don't add 19300535 (LS3 High-Performance Heads-and-Cam Kit) to your Camaro w/o also changing the valves / valve train? The 2013 Performance Parts catalog says that tuning is necessary.

Any idea the cost of this kit? Any idea of how long it should take someone who knows what they are doing to replace the Heads and Cam and re-tune the car?

[Unknown SSRS]

I road race with my night fury cam. Redline at 7k. Work just fine... Just gift stay up in the rpms or at where ever your power band is. I am usually at around 4k rpm or higher most of the time on the track.

[Exigent]

I'd say all of those options are worthwhile on a track car. If you can increase useable power without increasing the weight of your vehicle (or possibly even decreasing the weight, like an aftermarket exhaust) you won't alter the vehicle dynamics at all. You will however decrease lap times by increasing speeds. These motors seem to beg for a bigger cam, they really respond to that.

Just remember to go in this order:
1. Driver training
2. Brakes
3. Power

[1leNPP]

I don't think I do the under drive pulley on a track car (road racing) mite slow down the water pump to much when the motor under high loads for long time period . Drag racing ok road racing maybe not so good .

You can go to a LS9 cam .It will use the same valve springs that come in a LS3 motor. Bump the motor 20 HP from 4000 rpm to 6600 rpm . here a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=_3mpJU4yTf8 . Here a story on doing the swap on a truck http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...camshaft_swap/ .
the motor should idle like stock with its 122.5 LSA . Here the part numbers
LS9 cam 12638427
sprocket 3 bolt 1263754
bolts 12556127
crankshaft bolt 12557840 ( one time use item)
this place seem to have good prices http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=12638427 .

[SPCBA]

just get a custom grind with a flat torque curve. peak hp is useless. usable torque is useful.

no underdrive...its just not a good idea. goodluck

[1leNPP]

Torque is useless if you are blowing tire off the car on corner exit . I would like useable torque with better top end horse power but that me .