Realistic options for a “cam only” ls3 build - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TommyC · 08-28-2020, 11:29 AM

So I recently purchased a 2015 2ss m6 camaro. Love it, I already have LT’s, 4.11 gears and my plan has been to add an aftermarket cam. Doing so research it appears you the ls3’s limitations when adding power is, piston/valve clearance, stock intake manifold and weak pistons. My goal for the car is to touch 11s and trap around 118-120 in the quarter. Would a mild cam, like gpi’s stage 2 do that? I was wondering because the price to replace heads, cam and various parts plus labor, is about the same as installing a supercharger, seems silly in my opinion to spend 8k for around 520whp when you can pull 600+whp with a supercharger. Do i HAVE to replace the lifters when doing a cam? Id hate to spend the extra 2-3,000 bucks just to have the heads come off to change them. Ive read people argue that the ls3 lifters are fine for a mild cam while others say they must be changed. If thats the case, ill just go forced induction. I was quoted for $3600 parts labor and tuned by my local shop. Thats not bad for an extra 50-60whp. The lifters being below the heads makes doing a cam only build tricky. If you pull the heads to do the lifters, might as well port them, if you port the heads, the intake manifold will now be restricting you, if you change or port the intake manifold, the p/v clearance becomes an issue when trying to max effort. This is why I just want to do a cam only, make decent power for an NA street car.

joshnmn · 08-28-2020, 02:34 PM

Have to pull the heads and lifters to swap the cam. Piston/valve clearance is only an issue on big cams. There are plenty out there that don’t need cut pistons. The stock LS3 intake is one of the best ever made and can support 1500 hp from the factory. The heads flow well stock also. However, there is room for improvement there. To get you in the 11 sec range you’re gonna need to be around 500 whp, which is doable in a manual. Driving a manual to a 11 sec time slip is a feat, however.

joshnmn · 08-28-2020, 02:41 PM

Just went to look at fast time slips section and record for bone-stock manual ZL1 is 11.969

Food for thought

old motorhead · 08-28-2020, 07:23 PM

You don't have to pull the heads to swap the cam.

AGM 1LE · 08-28-2020, 08:12 PM

Yep, no need to pull the heads. And the LS3 lifters are the same ones that are in the LS7 and fine for a cam swap. They're not the dookie DOD lifers from an L99
Have you looked into rod mod/ porting the intake manifold? That is another place to pick up a few hp NA.

WHAMMO · 08-29-2020, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyC

So I recently purchased a 2015 2ss m6 camaro. Love it, I already have LT’s, 4.11 gears and my plan has been to add an aftermarket cam. Doing so research it appears you the ls3’s limitations when adding power is, piston/valve clearance, stock intake manifold and weak pistons. My goal for the car is to touch 11s and trap around 118-120 in the quarter. Would a mild cam, like gpi’s stage 2 do that? I was wondering because the price to replace heads, cam and various parts plus labor, is about the same as installing a supercharger, seems silly in my opinion to spend 8k for around 520whp when you can pull 600+whp with a supercharger. Do i HAVE to replace the lifters when doing a cam? Id hate to spend the extra 2-3,000 bucks just to have the heads come off to change them. Ive read people argue that the ls3 lifters are fine for a mild cam while others say they must be changed. If thats the case, ill just go forced induction. I was quoted for $3600 parts labor and tuned by my local shop. Thats not bad for an extra 50-60whp. The lifters being below the heads makes doing a cam only build tricky. If you pull the heads to do the lifters, might as well port them, if you port the heads, the intake manifold will now be restricting you, if you change or port the intake manifold, the p/v clearance becomes an issue when trying to max effort. This is why I just want to do a cam only, make decent power for an NA street car.

Small tires, big cam, some weight reduction, very good induction, high rpm could get you 122mph++. I did 123.6 cam only with stage 3 TSP. I had a short runner intake. Some very basic weight reduction (drag wheelS/ rear seat removal) and all the proper boltons will get you there. SS trans with 4.11 gear is good stuff.

My 1LE have the long gear trans, which sucks for drag racing.

N/A setup are not silly; they are light and efficient. Just gotta work the combo. Cam only I made 519rwhp on 91oct. Stock lifters are fine. Stock rockers too. They are stout pieces.

Clarkstar · 08-29-2020, 05:49 AM

Cam swap is fairly easy and well worth it. Don't need to pull the heads....

Bo White · 08-29-2020, 08:47 AM

TSP 3.2 is a great street cam

TommyC · 08-29-2020, 10:13 AM

Thanks for the replies. Im thinking im just going to do the cam swap without changing the lifters. With some seat time, and good tires, hopefully ill touch 11s with the 120 trap. I was definitely not hating on full NA builds. Just in terms of power vs cash spent, forced induction is just so much better. Im not trying to make my car a hellcat killer or anything. Id just take $10k and put it down on a 6th gen zl1 and go from there. I think these cars have gotten so fast, its really hard to even push them in the street. My bolt on ss has trouble keeping traction, I can only imagine what its like for cars with 700-800hp in the street.

Im stuck between gpi ss3 or Texas speed Stage 3

WHAMMO · 08-30-2020, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyC

Thanks for the replies. Im thinking im just going to do the cam swap without changing the lifters. With some seat time, and good tires, hopefully ill touch 11s with the 120 trap. I was definitely not hating on full NA builds. Just in terms of power vs cash spent, forced induction is just so much better. Im not trying to make my car a hellcat killer or anything. Id just take $10k and put it down on a 6th gen zl1 and go from there. I think these cars have gotten so fast, its really hard to even push them in the street. My bolt on ss has trouble keeping traction, I can only imagine what its like for cars with 700-800hp in the street.

Im stuck between gpi ss3 or Texas speed Stage 3

Both are great. with slicks youll be easily in 11s. Those cars need really sticky tires to do something on the 1/4.

KW Baraka · 09-06-2020, 12:52 PM

If I were to do a 'cam only' swap in an M6 Camaro, I'd go with a BTR Stage-3 with upgraded vavle springs and (of course) a dyno/street tune.

BTR is about 229*/244*, 113" + 4*, and about .615/.595" lift....

But that's just me.

KW

Jrichards73 · 09-19-2020, 12:18 AM

I wouldn't run a cam with 500 rwhp on factory springs, but that's me... YMMV

Also... Labor? You paying yourself? Buy some wrenches and wrench Bro!

HOJO · 09-19-2020, 07:49 AM

You’ll want to check spring heights also. Just installed a BTR stage 2 turbo cam yesterday, it will be a little time consuming if you do ever spring, ask me how I know, lol. Yes they all needed shimed 90 thousandths. If you have Time remove the intake and get all the lines out of your way believe me it will be much easier show me in the springs with all that extra stuff out of your way. I did it with the intake on it can’t be done it’s just a lot to work around. Good luck.

08-28-2020, 11:29 AM	#1
TommyC Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: New Jersey Posts: 28	Realistic options for a “cam only” ls3 build So I recently purchased a 2015 2ss m6 camaro. Love it, I already have LT’s, 4.11 gears and my plan has been to add an aftermarket cam. Doing so research it appears you the ls3’s limitations when adding power is, piston/valve clearance, stock intake manifold and weak pistons. My goal for the car is to touch 11s and trap around 118-120 in the quarter. Would a mild cam, like gpi’s stage 2 do that? I was wondering because the price to replace heads, cam and various parts plus labor, is about the same as installing a supercharger, seems silly in my opinion to spend 8k for around 520whp when you can pull 600+whp with a supercharger. Do i HAVE to replace the lifters when doing a cam? Id hate to spend the extra 2-3,000 bucks just to have the heads come off to change them. Ive read people argue that the ls3 lifters are fine for a mild cam while others say they must be changed. If thats the case, ill just go forced induction. I was quoted for $3600 parts labor and tuned by my local shop. Thats not bad for an extra 50-60whp. The lifters being below the heads makes doing a cam only build tricky. If you pull the heads to do the lifters, might as well port them, if you port the heads, the intake manifold will now be restricting you, if you change or port the intake manifold, the p/v clearance becomes an issue when trying to max effort. This is why I just want to do a cam only, make decent power for an NA street car.

08-28-2020, 08:12 PM	#5
AGM 1LE Drives: 14 SS/ 1LE Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: parts unknown Posts: 922	Yep, no need to pull the heads. And the LS3 lifters are the same ones that are in the LS7 and fine for a cam swap. They're not the dookie DOD lifers from an L99 Have you looked into rod mod/ porting the intake manifold? That is another place to pick up a few hp NA. __________________ 2014 1SS/1LE AGP 57/57s, E85 + meth injection, Monster triple, ZL1 diff swap, Z28 coilovers

08-29-2020, 05:49 AM	#7
Clarkstar Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ixonia wi Posts: 1,456	Cam swap is fairly easy and well worth it. Don't need to pull the heads.... __________________ 2013 1le- Katech 416 short block, TSP custom grind cam, LOD intake, cnc heads by F.ED., Nick William's 102mm T.B., CORN fed, Pedders coilovers. Performance street alingnment by Justin at Lake Country Alignment and dyno tune by Late Model Throttle. 603 h.p. 495 ft lbs tq.

09-06-2020, 12:52 PM	#11
KW Baraka Drives: 2014 Chevy SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 277	If I were to do a 'cam only' swap in an M6 Camaro, I'd go with a BTR Stage-3 with upgraded vavle springs and (of course) a dyno/street tune. BTR is about 229/244, 113" + 4*, and about .615/.595" lift.... But that's just me. KW __________________ 1995 Impala SS -- Heads/Cam LS3 1996 Impala SS -- 398ci LL Solid Roller LT4 2014 Chevy SS --- 429ci Hydraulic Roller LS3

09-19-2020, 12:18 AM	#12
Jrichards73 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Victory Red Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 921	I wouldn't run a cam with 500 rwhp on factory springs, but that's me... YMMV Also... Labor? You paying yourself? Buy some wrenches and wrench Bro! __________________ Updates: BTR Stage 2 VVT Cam Kit w/Smith Brothers Trunnions, Fluidampr, RX catch can, B&M Trans pan mod, Kooks Black Headers, Borla S-tunes, Eibach Multi-Pro-R2 coilovers and Swaybars, BMR Full Bushing kit with Toe and Trailing arms, RB Rotors w/EBC Pads, GForce 1400 Axles (now on order). AVH-X5800BHS in Scosche GM5201AB.

08-28-2020, 02:34 PM	#2
joshnmn 2&THEHIT Drives: 5th Gen Camaro; 5th Gen Ram 3500 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,013 View My Garage	Have to pull the heads and lifters to swap the cam. Piston/valve clearance is only an issue on big cams. There are plenty out there that don’t need cut pistons. The stock LS3 intake is one of the best ever made and can support 1500 hp from the factory. The heads flow well stock also. However, there is room for improvement there. To get you in the 11 sec range you’re gonna need to be around 500 whp, which is doable in a manual. Driving a manual to a 11 sec time slip is a feat, however.

08-28-2020, 02:41 PM	#3
joshnmn 2&THEHIT Drives: 5th Gen Camaro; 5th Gen Ram 3500 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,013 View My Garage	Just went to look at fast time slips section and record for bone-stock manual ZL1 is 11.969 Food for thought

08-28-2020, 07:23 PM	#4
old motorhead Drives: Maggie blown LS3 vette Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SE TX Posts: 1,490	You don't have to pull the heads to swap the cam.

08-29-2020, 08:47 AM	#8
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	TSP 3.2 is a great street cam

08-29-2020, 10:13 AM	#9
TommyC Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: New Jersey Posts: 28	Thanks for the replies. Im thinking im just going to do the cam swap without changing the lifters. With some seat time, and good tires, hopefully ill touch 11s with the 120 trap. I was definitely not hating on full NA builds. Just in terms of power vs cash spent, forced induction is just so much better. Im not trying to make my car a hellcat killer or anything. Id just take $10k and put it down on a 6th gen zl1 and go from there. I think these cars have gotten so fast, its really hard to even push them in the street. My bolt on ss has trouble keeping traction, I can only imagine what its like for cars with 700-800hp in the street. Im stuck between gpi ss3 or Texas speed Stage 3

09-19-2020, 07:49 AM	#13
HOJO Drives: 2014 Camaro SS/RS 1LE 1967 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 874	You’ll want to check spring heights also. Just installed a BTR stage 2 turbo cam yesterday, it will be a little time consuming if you do ever spring, ask me how I know, lol. Yes they all needed shimed 90 thousandths. If you have Time remove the intake and get all the lines out of your way believe me it will be much easier show me in the springs with all that extra stuff out of your way. I did it with the intake on it can’t be done it’s just a lot to work around. Good luck.