Cam Experts Please Help !!!!

[jolivieri]

I have an Ls3 with LT headers, hi-flow cats, 3in exhaust, intake, and 160 thermostat. I want to do a cam, something that will give me good performance gains and lopey sound....something with good drivability, so not too aggressive. I called comp cams and they told me to use PN-146-426-11. Is this a good one or is there something better for what i want ?

[papabearcamaro]

Please throw the specs of that cam up here so we all do not need to run to Comp Cams website to look them up. You will probably get more responses to your question.

[omegaman]

Here are the specs Comp Cam provided you. I'm sure some forum members can comment on the selection.

[jolivieri]

(227/243 .614/.624) 113 LSA....these are the specs to the new cam that i am considering, any thoughts ?

[ebbett21]

Hey mate im have been in exactly the same boat as you unable to pick a cam. The standard performance of a LS3 is pretty good as is so upgrading makes it that much more harder. For one consideration is that your pulling out a perfectly good cam and upsetting everything else with it in my opinion. Ive heard of engine failures due to people picking wrong cams that are too big and harsh on the valve train and causing problems.
I have looked at the 231/236 TSP cam but thats quite big for a street cam. Im thinking the 225/230 tsp level 1 cam would work well in a street car as its not as harsh on the valvetrain and by the dyno graphs makes plenty of torque.
I have spoken to my tuner at lenghts about which cam and said you have to take into account driveability and fuel economy.
If you want a lumpey idle remember a tuner can make a standard cam shake and roll like a big cam if need be.
There are a heap of cams out there but i personally believe a mild cam mid 220s is a good compromise

[IPS Brandon]

Comp is correct that is a good mid range cam, which will still retain average drive-ability, yet will denote an audible cam sound.

We use a similar ST.2 cam in our builds with similar client requests
230 / 236 .590 .600 114 - this cam yields a good cam sound, an increase of 45-50 horsepower and good NO SURGING drive ability.

Good Luck

[ebbett21]

The LS3 cam is a 204/211 564? 117.5 lsa why are cam over 230 duration so popular in the LS3, would a smaller cam like a 220-225 or 225-230 for example have more torque for a street driven car?

[3min3m2]

Only alittle bit more torque...

[Slowhawk]

Originally Posted by ebbett21

The LS3 cam is a 204/211 564? 117.5 lsa why are cam over 230 duration so popular in the LS3, would a smaller cam like a 220-225 or 225-230 for example have more torque for a street driven car?

Cams close to what you list do make excellent power. Alot of people are still in the bigger is better attitude. I'm a midrange guy,expecially with these over weight cars.Who cares what it makes at 6600rpm.2500-5500 is the area you want.

[Huggerorange73]

I've got a Comp Cams XR281HR13 .571/.590 228/240 on a 113 LSA in my LS3.

Put down 470/423 at the wheels with the mods in my sig....as far as sound goes...have a listen :

Stock baseline vs. Cammed results on this chart :

[ebbett21]

nice sound has about the rite lope without overdoin it. Has anyone got the 225/230 texas speed grind

[JUISSD]

Originally Posted by Slowhawk

Cams close to what you list do make excellent power. Alot of people are still in the bigger is better attitude. I'm a midrange guy,expecially with these over weight cars.Who cares what it makes at 6600rpm.2500-5500 is the area you want.

I agree bigger isn't always better. It's the combo of parts working together that makes it all work. However 2500-5500 isn't necessarily right for everyone. People that like to drag race will never see 2400rpm and will be above 5500 a lot.

[Slowhawk]

Originally Posted by JUISSD

I agree bigger isn't always better. It's the combo of parts working together that makes it all work. However 2500-5500 isn't necessarily right for everyone. People that like to drag race will never see 2400rpm and will be above 5500 a lot.

I agree, should of added - in my opinion.


The 228 cam above does pretty good for power across the curve.

[Anthony @ LG Motorsports]

Originally Posted by jolivieri

I have an Ls3 with LT headers, hi-flow cats, 3in exhaust, intake, and 160 thermostat. I want to do a cam, something that will give me good performance gains and lopey sound....something with good drivability, so not too aggressive. I called comp cams and they told me to use PN-146-426-11. Is this a good one or is there something better for what i want ?

The first thing I tell customers looking for a cam change, is figure out how you drive the car and the RPM range you drive in most of the time, or what range you want to build the car for.

When changing cam's, typically you will have to give up something to get something else. That is why we have a line of cams, as well as do custom grinds so we can cover just about anything you are wanting to do.

Quick sound clip of one of our most popular cams, the G6X3