Livernois 2c cam kit - Review, Vid and graph

[marticus24]

Well - I've had it for a couple of weeks now - I've only been able to drive it a few times since we've had NOTHING but rain here in beautiful MI for the past couple of weeks, but I've driven it enough to be able to give it a solid review... so, here goes.

(BEWARE - long, but worth a read if you're interested in similar work - I know I would've appreciated a thorough review when doing my homework)


Livernois - I can't say enough good things about these guys. I'm VERY lucky in that I'm local and can drive < 30 minutes and be at one of the best shops in the country!

I started my research back in late January when I found out that I'd scored a side-job that would likely get me enough $ for a sweet cam. I immediately engaged Andy and asked what cam they'd recommend for somebody that wanted to gain some nice power with an LS3 (I already had full catback, CAI, long tubes), would give me a nice lopey sound, yet still maintain good drive-ability... I was OK with a SMALL trade-off in drive-ability and wanted the most aggressive cam I could get while keeping that in mind. After talking about the cams they offer, he was very confident that their 2c cam kit would be a perfect fit, especially since I already had the supporting exhaust mods. So over the next couple of months I did my research and learned all about cam specs, priced another vendor and talked to them, but still ended up at Livernois for various reasons.

A week after dropping it off, let me just say - they were dead-nuts on with their recommendation. The car gained 47rwhp and 18rwtq, sounds amazing and IS A BEAST! I've hardly had the opportunity to really get on it, but the times I have it just pulls and pulls and wants to keep going. I need to get to the strip to really stretch her legs out.

It made my exhaust note sound much sweeter, has the perfect amount of lope and drives almost like stock. There IS some minor surging if you're cruising at lower RPMs (below 1300'ish) at lower speeds with little to no throttle applied, but hardly noticeable and well worth it. And the best part is that this cam is blower friendly... guess that may be next

The staff was always friendly and very thorough. I think I'd already posted in another thread that Andy had found some VERY VERY tiny chips on the inside edge of my door when doing the drop-off inspection, chips that I didn't know were there - and I'm pretty meticulous about my finish, junkman style. So, I appreciate that kind attention to detail when it comes to my car; things like that really help you to know your car is in good hands.

Over the course of my research Andy and I had exchanged over 50 emails back and forth and he always answered my questions, was polite, and most importantly, was honest. It was this, coupled with their stellar reputation, and the vids/reviews of other work they'd done that sold me on the shop. While my car was there, I got updates when I asked for them and Rick was awesome enough to document the build with pics and vid of the final dyno pull - something that was very important to me.

Overall they did a wonderful job - not a scratch on my exterior, no muddy boot prints, greasy hand prints, or dirt on my interior, and the engine bay was also spotless... my car was returned to me exactly as I'd dropped it off - except much more bad ass... something that is hard to find these days when leaving your child (yes, child) with somebody for some work.

I’m VERY happy with the cam selection and the work done on the car. Kudos to Andy, Rick and everyone else at Livernois - VERY stand-up shop, well deserving of the reputation they have. I know where I'm going when I'm ready for a blower, gears, and other supporting mods.

If you're interested in the cam, or have any questions about my experience, feel free to post or PM me.

The fun stuff is below!

Cam specs:
117 LSA 224/236 .608/.608
(Andy or Rick - please correct me if I'm wrong)

Graph:


Vids:
Includes start-up, idle, revs, dyno, walk-around, and interior idle


Vid by Livernios


Sound before the cam (if interested)

[camarohead]

great set up there. those seem to be some great specs for our fifth gens. looking to get a cam and trying to determine what kind of specs to get. livernois has definetly done their homework on a good street cam for our cars..

[Andy@Livernois]

Marty, as always thank you for your kind words. Hopefully we will have some better weather here soon so you can enjoy it more

[Silver Ice]

Looks and sounds great

[jsharp]

I know ur luvin it mine is running awesome!!

[zarenski]

Marticus your car looks and sounds awsome. I was at Livernois this past friday. I installed a set of Kooks LTs with catted conections. I picked them up thursday and they were cool enough to tune it for me the next day. These guys are awsome. Ive been dealing with Kyle and like you said. They are ALWAYS friendly and profesional and very knowledgable.
The heads and cam package is my next project. I cant wait to get the $ saved up. Its kind of addicting. lol

[marticus24]

Originally Posted by Andy@Livernois

Marty, as always thank you for your kind words. Hopefully we will have some better weather here soon so you can enjoy it more

You're welcome - thanks again for the excellent work.

Originally Posted by Silver Ice

Looks and sounds great

Thanks

Originally Posted by zarenski

Marticus your car looks and sounds awsome. I was at Livernois this past friday. I installed a set of Kooks LTs with catted conections. I picked them up thursday and they were cool enough to tune it for me the next day. These guys are awsome. Ive been dealing with Kyle and like you said. They are ALWAYS friendly and profesional and very knowledgable.
The heads and cam package is my next project. I cant wait to get the $ saved up. Its kind of addicting. lol

Yes - it is VERY addicting, and congrats on your headers... it's amazing how well these cars respond to just headers. I know that after this, it's going to be difficult to stop myself. Next logical step for me will be a blower... just may take a while to save up for it, as I'm not sure what else I'll need to beef up along with it.

[Chris@Livernois]

Marty,

Thank you for your great review and kind words!

Hopefully we get some nice weather soon so you can get out and enjoy it.



Regards,

Rick LeBlanc
Livernois Motorsports

[Tshepp]

This was recommended by my local tuner as well...I was hoping for something with a little more power like the 229/236 but the drivability comparison might be the biggest difference.

[caverman]

Wow....I really like that one. Nice lope but not radical. I've been putting off adding a cam because I'm worried about street manners for a daily driver. With a 117 LSA it seems like this would be a real good street cam. Even though it may not make as much HP/TQ as others that's still a nice number. I would like to see more than just an 18 rwtq increase though.

This just might have to go on my list of cams when the time comes.

[Dave Coyle]

Caverman, I also had Livernois do the 2C cam upgrade on my car and I went from 374 RWHP to 434 RWHP, as you can see, I picked up 60 RWHP and RWTQ went from 382 to 403 with this cam. Sounds GREAT at idle and the power is GREAT!!!!

[caverman]

How is the street manners though? I'm willing to give up a little power in order to have no surging or bucking down low and I don't want to be sitting at the light and having it really swaying back an forth. I do want to kind of know it's there if I listen for it as opposed to it being really obvious. This is a daily driver for both the wife and I......street manners will be really important.

[bmbbl be]

I have the 2c from livernois with there tune. i have a L99 street manners are fantastic...it rocks alot when first starting for about 2 minutes warming up. after that hardly at all....as far as surging almost none going forward ,,,some in reverse

[Dave Coyle]

It has great street manners but does have "slight" surge when you first take off. When you are coming to a stop and the car is "down shifting", when you get almost stopped, it will down shift into 1st gear and slightly jumps forward but other than that, just like it was before the cam only with more power now. It does "shake" a little when you are stopped and idleing but nothing radical, just lets you know you are packing some power!!