Let's talk cams!

[lynxone]

I'd like to start a little discussion about cam choices. I'm considering upgrading my cam as my next step in mods. Currently have a CAI and a set of long tube headers/ high flow cats. I haven't tuned yet cause I'm waiting to make a decision on a cam.

My SS is not my daily driver but I'm also not a track junkie. I do want to run a 1/4mile every now and again but mostly I drive my car on the street. Do I really want the biggest cam I can squeeze in for maximum hp gains or is there something to be said for a milder cam that still can acheive some nice performance gains?

Lets hear your thoughts:

[NDC123]

I am looking for a street friendly cam as well but with the most hp as well.

[camaroRND2]

i wish i could give u a better answer from actual experience but as we are talking JRE's smooth idle blower cam is going in mine and hopefully will be done today. i plan on throwing a supercharger on it later down the road so thats why i went with this cam. very mild cam but expecting good numbers from it

[Avenging Orange]

I know this forum and many other are all about getting the biggest most expensive..........Dont lie, you know you do!
But from some experience, I would suggest something in the 220-228 dur range and keeping lift under .600....112-114 LSA. Big heavy car needs good even torque all through the curve. My example: Had an LS1 GTO AND LS2 GTO. Had a Thunder Racing TR220 (220/220 .551/.551)114lsa in the LS1. Great street manners, all the grunt I needed from 0-5500 rpm. The LS2 got a Comp 228/232 .55x/.55x 112lsa. Not as nice street wise....power didnt start till about 4000rpm. Was a beast after that. Which did I like best? The TR220.
Everyone will have a different opinion. But mine is, keep it small, keep it tight.

[camslambam]

I have found my 22x/23x 114LSA .6xx cam on the border of street friendly. Very nice lope and sound but have to fight with brakes at times because I don't have a converter. It doesn't have much power in low rpm but once you hit about 3.5-4k hold on, car lurches forward violently.

Won't have this problem if you're manual.

[audiomikej]

A good article on the subject.
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...rack_packages/

I am on the side of smaller cam. For a LS3 I like the LS9 cam, for a L99 I like the Mast Stage 1. I ran a big cam in the past and I didn't mind the loud rough side, but I stopped driving the car because I could only go 110-120 miles on a tank of gas or about 7 MPG.

Big cams lose power in 1-3k range and kill MPGs.

[audiomikej]

Originally Posted by camslambam

I have found my 22x/23x 114LSA .6xx cam on the border of street friendly. Very nice lope and sound but have to fight with brakes at times because I don't have a converter. It doesn't have much power in low rpm but once you hit about 3.5-4k hold on, car lurches forward violently.

Won't have this problem if you're manual.

What do you mean "fight the brakes"? More detail please

[bmbbl be]

before my blower i had a livernois 2C cam ...stock TQ converter..with LT's and cai and was putting down 442 to the rear wheels ..the cam has a lump to it...almost stock like driving...little surges here and there....perfect cam shaft...hardly anymore pressure on the brakes

[audiomikej]

Originally Posted by bmbbl be

before my blower i had a livernois 2C cam ...stock TQ converter..with LT's and cai and was putting down 442 to the rear wheels ..the cam has a lump to it...almost stock like driving...little surges here and there....perfect cam shaft...hardly anymore pressure on the brakes

Brake loss? Low engine vacuum?

[flht99b]

If you have a LS3 and can do the cam install yourself, the LS9 cam can be installed inexpensively and with no other supporting parts besides a seal, gaskets, crank bolt, antifreeze and oil. I have one in my car and although I did change many supporting parts due to my car being used on road courses occasionally ( sustained high rpm usage ). With your existing mods and a good tune you'll see around 430rwhp ( Dyno Jet dyno ). FYI, with the mods in my signature which include 3.70 gears I still averaged 24.6mpg going to Indy for the C5 fest at above legal speeds.
PM me if you have any questions.
Ed M.

[litle88]

ALOT of the street manners are in the TUNE, period. Yes gears and LSA play a role as well an LG cam like the G6x3 with a 111 + 4 LSA will definitely be a biach to drive on the street.

Ls3's according to Comp after Many talks with them say that you must have at least 10* of more exhaust duration than the intake because they from flow so good on the intake side so it must be complimented with that.

Look at Comps catalog I would go with the second one in the rectangular section. That way you know you didn't get the smallest because trust me your going to want to go bigger later it's part of the game lol
http://www.compcams.com/Technical/Ca.../pdf/page6.pdf

Can't forget to do the supporting mods while your in there sir.

Do it once and do it right or you'll be paying twice.

[Dan2510]

I just dont see the LS9 providing adequate power for all the work. Is it safe to bet that cam would yield you 15-30hp max? I was going to go this route until reading more into and figured I'd go with TSP 231cam

[MikeOD]

Originally Posted by flht99b

If you have a LS3 and can do the cam install yourself, the LS9 cam can be installed inexpensively and with no other supporting parts besides a seal, gaskets, crank bolt, antifreeze and oil. I have one in my car and although I did change many supporting parts due to my car being used on road courses occasionally ( sustained high rpm usage ). With your existing mods and a good tune you'll see around 430rwhp ( Dyno Jet dyno ). FYI, with the mods in my signature which include 3.70 gears I still averaged 24.6mpg going to Indy for the C5 fest at above legal speeds.
PM me if you have any questions.
Ed M.

If you want 430 RWHP on a dyno jet, leave the stock cam in there...I did 425rwhp with long tubes, full catback, vararam, and tuning.

[Birm]

TSPs 231/236 is pretty solid