Help me with my cam choice - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

GLBL WMR · 06-03-2012, 10:15 AM

Since before I got the car I knew I wanted to stuff a bigger cam into it. I've restrained myself because I didn't want to trash my warranty, but my plan is to find a reputable speed shop to do some work for me when I pull it out of storage next spring. LT ARH 1 7/8" headers, Stainless works retro chambered cat-back, cold air, tune, and of course the cam.

Mid to top-end performance (without sacrificing too much on the bottom-end) and of course that lovely chop music are my main drivers. I've read the cam basics thread and have a solid understanding of the mechanics. I just need help finding the specs on a cam that meets my needs. I believe I'm looking for a more aggressive Stage II cam. The sound I am looking for is exemplified pretty well here and here. Granted, I know Andre's SS is a stroked 429 and I can't match the sound with just a cam, but it is hands down the best sounding car I have ever heard.

1. What should I be expecting when it comes to long-term reliability of the engine and drivetrain as a whole with a more aggressive cam? This will still be my daily driver in-season and I do not want to throw the reliability of the LS3 out the window. It will probably never see the track and I take it relatively easy on it.

2. What extra maintenance will be required? Assuming I err on the side of caution and actually change the springs (looks like most people don't), what cost should I expect for parts and labor and how often?

3. Is the extra cost of having somebody custom grind something worth it?

4. Aside from requiring a little more attention at slow speeds (ex: parking lots), what driveability issues am I going to encounter with a cam this big?

5. Is there a Camaro5 reputable shop somewhere close to eastern PA that somebody could recommend?

6. Lastly, what cam specs do you think I should be looking for?

Thanks for the help...

VADER SS L99 · 06-03-2012, 10:28 AM

1. none, unless you don't get the right parts to compliment the cam and have it installed/ tuned correctly.

2. Only extra maintenance is changing the springs about every 30K and yes it is 100% required to get new springs with that type of cam.

3. It can be if a off the shelf cam doesnt fit your needs but I think for what you want a off the shelf cam is going to work.

4. Lower MPG and bucking and surging

5. ECS is kinda close to you. Jannetty Racing is somewhere up there as well

6. No idea. Refer to answer 5.

Bo White · 06-03-2012, 10:51 AM

Good street driving manners have the intake duration below 230 @ .050"
Have a lobe split of 5*-10* for most applications of the exhaust haveing that amount more than the intake.
Over .600" intake lift and over .580" lift exhaust.
112-114* lobe seperation with 108-110* intake centerline

This is pretty much what Ive gathered reading up on 6.2 engines that have made great power and driveability.

My choice for my GXP is:
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1402&sb=0

JANNETTYRACING · 06-03-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLBL WMR

Since before I got the car I knew I wanted to stuff a bigger cam into it. I've restrained myself because I didn't want to trash my warranty, but my plan is to find a reputable speed shop to do some work for me when I pull it out of storage next spring. LT ARH 1 7/8" headers, Stainless works retro chambered cat-back, cold air, tune, and of course the cam.

Mid to top-end performance (without sacrificing too much on the bottom-end) and of course that lovely chop music are my main drivers. I've read the cam basics thread and have a solid understanding of the mechanics. I just need help finding the specs on a cam that meets my needs. I believe I'm looking for a more aggressive Stage II cam. The sound I am looking for is exemplified pretty well here and here. Granted, I know Andre's SS is a stroked 429 and I can't match the sound with just a cam, but it is hands down the best sounding car I have ever heard.

1. What should I be expecting when it comes to long-term reliability of the engine and drivetrain as a whole with a more aggressive cam? This will still be my daily driver in-season and I do not want to throw the reliability of the LS3 out the window. It will probably never see the track and I take it relatively easy on it.

2. What extra maintenance will be required? Assuming I err on the side of caution and actually change the springs (looks like most people don't), what cost should I expect for parts and labor and how often?

3. Is the extra cost of having somebody custom grind something worth it?

4. Aside from requiring a little more attention at slow speeds (ex: parking lots), what driveability issues am I going to encounter with a cam this big?

5. Is there a Camaro5 reputable shop somewhere close to eastern PA that somebody could recommend?

6. Lastly, what cam specs do you think I should be looking for?

Thanks for the help...

Videos are not the best way to shop a camshaft, as Exhaust systems and a bad tune can make them sound Awesome or Crappy!

I have Engineered Cam and tuning Packages to meet your specific needs,, feel Free to contact me for a consultation and estimate.

Ted.

rdblan2 · 06-03-2012, 01:41 PM

The fine folks at Livernois do great work as well. I, and a few other folks here went with their 2C cam with much success.

Janetty also has an excellent reputation.

mikeSS · 06-03-2012, 01:54 PM

good thread with good questions. i hope everything its answered.

1. i will say, i have been on here since 2009, people didn't start messing with cams until 2010-2012. from what i seen and heard on here. i have only heard of 2 people who blew there engines after doing cam, but it seems that they did not use recommend parts. for the most part it seem thats many people here with cams are having great success. i would go with well known people for buying parts, tune, and install. thats key.

Whipped416 · 06-03-2012, 02:13 PM

I would contact Ted or Patrick G

Jcobra · 06-03-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

Videos are not the best way to shop a camshaft, as Exhaust systems and a bad tune can make them sound Awesome or Crappy!

I have Engineered Cam and tuning Packages to meet your specific needs,, feel Free to contact me for a consultation and estimate.

Ted.

Ted, how does a tune effect the exhaust sound??

JLBIII · 06-03-2012, 08:06 PM

I've used Phoenix Performance in Phoenixville for some work on my SS. They do a lot of work on and race Corvettes with LS motors.
http://phoenixperformance.net/

BLACK10 · 06-03-2012, 09:25 PM

call us and we can inform you about our NIGHTFURY cam. It makes great power NA or FI!

ITGuy11 · 06-03-2012, 11:02 PM

Call Ted at Jannetty racing, he will set you straight :-)

JANNETTYRACING · 06-04-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcobra

Ted, how does a tune effect the exhaust sound??

Both ignition timing and injector timing affect how the cam will sound run and drive.

The better the tune, the better they drive, and smoother they sound.

Ted.

IDEALG · 06-04-2012, 08:27 AM

I installed my own custom grind cam and Had Ted @ Jannetty Racing tune it and I can't be happier.http://youtu.be/YxYMqmZE7wQ
He's easy going and knows what he's doing.

He also has his own street cam package that makes a ton of torque throughout the power band.

jtvst4 · 06-04-2012, 04:35 PM

Jannetty Racing 470 kit ! Huge power with great driveability. Customer service is top notch.

06-03-2012, 10:15 AM	#1
GLBL WMR Booya Drives: Black 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 361	Help me with my cam choice Since before I got the car I knew I wanted to stuff a bigger cam into it. I've restrained myself because I didn't want to trash my warranty, but my plan is to find a reputable speed shop to do some work for me when I pull it out of storage next spring. LT ARH 1 7/8" headers, Stainless works retro chambered cat-back, cold air, tune, and of course the cam. Mid to top-end performance (without sacrificing too much on the bottom-end) and of course that lovely chop music are my main drivers. I've read the cam basics thread and have a solid understanding of the mechanics. I just need help finding the specs on a cam that meets my needs. I believe I'm looking for a more aggressive Stage II cam. The sound I am looking for is exemplified pretty well here and here. Granted, I know Andre's SS is a stroked 429 and I can't match the sound with just a cam, but it is hands down the best sounding car I have ever heard. 1. What should I be expecting when it comes to long-term reliability of the engine and drivetrain as a whole with a more aggressive cam? This will still be my daily driver in-season and I do not want to throw the reliability of the LS3 out the window. It will probably never see the track and I take it relatively easy on it. 2. What extra maintenance will be required? Assuming I err on the side of caution and actually change the springs (looks like most people don't), what cost should I expect for parts and labor and how often? 3. Is the extra cost of having somebody custom grind something worth it? 4. Aside from requiring a little more attention at slow speeds (ex: parking lots), what driveability issues am I going to encounter with a cam this big? 5. Is there a Camaro5 reputable shop somewhere close to eastern PA that somebody could recommend? 6. Lastly, what cam specs do you think I should be looking for? Thanks for the help... __________________ 2010 Camaro SS/RS RP6 \| 2SS package, M6, black, black leather

06-03-2012, 10:28 AM	#2
VADER SS L99 Drives: 2013 A6 GT 5.0 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 2,909	1. none, unless you don't get the right parts to compliment the cam and have it installed/ tuned correctly. 2. Only extra maintenance is changing the springs about every 30K and yes it is 100% required to get new springs with that type of cam. 3. It can be if a off the shelf cam doesnt fit your needs but I think for what you want a off the shelf cam is going to work. 4. Lower MPG and bucking and surging 5. ECS is kinda close to you. Jannetty Racing is somewhere up there as well 6. No idea. Refer to answer 5. __________________ BLK/BLK 1SS/RS Ordered 11-01-2009 Took delivery 12-22-2009. Heads/cam/converter/bolt ons. SOLD Feb 2015 to fund 6th gen LT1 SS with 8L90E.

06-03-2012, 10:51 AM	#3
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	Good street driving manners have the intake duration below 230 @ .050" Have a lobe split of 5-10 for most applications of the exhaust haveing that amount more than the intake. Over .600" intake lift and over .580" lift exhaust. 112-114* lobe seperation with 108-110* intake centerline This is pretty much what Ive gathered reading up on 6.2 engines that have made great power and driveability. My choice for my GXP is: http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1402&sb=0 __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

06-03-2012, 01:41 PM	#5
rdblan2 Drives: 2SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,272	The fine folks at Livernois do great work as well. I, and a few other folks here went with their 2C cam with much success. Janetty also has an excellent reputation. __________________ Livernois 2C cam and tune, LS3 conversion, Roto-Fab intake, Kooks headers, DSS driveshaft and axles, BMR suspension parts, VMax ported throttle body, Whipple blower. (623hp).

06-04-2012, 08:27 AM	#13
IDEALG Chevy's "Rumble" Best! Drives: 2015 ZL1 6 speed Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ideal Garage aka (Grayskull) Fords, nj Posts: 4,458 View My Garage	I installed my own custom grind cam and Had Ted @ Jannetty Racing tune it and I can't be happier.http://youtu.be/YxYMqmZE7wQ He's easy going and knows what he's doing. He also has his own street cam package that makes a ton of torque throughout the power band. __________________

06-03-2012, 01:54 PM	#6
mikeSS Drives: 2015 c7 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MI Posts: 7,462	good thread with good questions. i hope everything its answered. 1. i will say, i have been on here since 2009, people didn't start messing with cams until 2010-2012. from what i seen and heard on here. i have only heard of 2 people who blew there engines after doing cam, but it seems that they did not use recommend parts. for the most part it seem thats many people here with cams are having great success. i would go with well known people for buying parts, tune, and install. thats key.

06-03-2012, 02:13 PM	#7
Whipped416 Drives: 2010 CAMARO SS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,515 View My Garage	I would contact Ted or Patrick G

06-03-2012, 08:06 PM	#9
JLBIII Drives: 2010 RJT 2SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SE Penn. Posts: 175	I've used Phoenix Performance in Phoenixville for some work on my SS. They do a lot of work on and race Corvettes with LS motors. http://phoenixperformance.net/

06-03-2012, 09:25 PM	#10
BLACK10 Drives: 2010 CAMARO. 10.04@133mph, 1.4 60' Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 4,585	call us and we can inform you about our NIGHTFURY cam. It makes great power NA or FI!

06-03-2012, 11:02 PM	#11
ITGuy11 Burning up tires Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Macomb Twp, MI Posts: 717	Call Ted at Jannetty racing, he will set you straight :-)