480 Hot Cam or Full Crate Engine Swap in Gen5

[CHRISCAM]

I know this topic must be worn out already, but I did a logical, intuitively-worded search in various combinations of key words and could not find any old threads that discussed my specific questions about swapping in a "Hot" cam or full 480 hp engine into their LS3 Gen 5.

Can anyone who has actually performed either of those swaps comment on how the engine behaved with respect to the ECU and overall driving 'manners'?

With otherwise stock LS3 specs. (intake, exhaust, valve springs, etc.) what issues are likely to come up with the Hot cam swap, or is it an easy swap with no issues?

[CamaroCracka]

I put the ASA cam in an LS3, which seems to be the same thing, and it had a good bit of lope but stalled a lot until I got the tune on it. It felt like a much more aggressive cam than the stock LS3.

[CHRISCAM]

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

I put the ASA cam in an LS3, which seems to be the same thing, and it had a good bit of lope but stalled a lot until I got the tune on it. It felt like a much more aggressive cam than the stock LS3.

I checked the specs. Looks like the ASA cam is actually quite a bit longer in duration and a little higher lift too.

Anyone install the Hot cam PN 12480033 219/228 dur. .525/.525 lift, 112 deg. lobe separation with stock ECU?

[Warship2k15]

Originally Posted by CHRISCAM

I know this topic must be worn out already, but I did a logical, intuitively-worded search in various combinations of key words and could not find any old threads that discussed my specific questions about swapping in a "Hot" cam or full 480 hp engine into their LS3 Gen 5.

Can anyone who has actually performed either of those swaps comment on how the engine behaved with respect to the ECU and overall driving 'manners'?

With otherwise stock LS3 specs. (intake, exhaust, valve springs, etc.) what issues are likely to come up with the Hot cam swap, or is it an easy swap with no issues?

Why would anyone go thru all the work to put in a cam that in my opinion isn’t very good and get minimal gains.

The 480 they talk about is without any accessory’s.
The ls3 puts out 426 with all the accessory’s.
So you would probably end up with 20-35 hp gain.
There are much better cams out there.
Guys are getting 480 at the wheels on the ls3s with a good camshaft.
That’s over 576 engine hp with the accessory’s included.

[zz430camaro]

there are way better cams than that hot cam. If the engine is OK, why would you change the whole thing?

I have a TSP Stage 1 LS3 cam and its great.

[Avenging Orange]

Understand this (with no disrespect to anyone), If you don't follow the leader, you are likely to get negative replies. There are many in this world that believe bigger is always better.
A hot cam is a nice simple upgrade that will function on GM stock springs and require little to no maintenance. It will, with supporting mods, give you a nice boost in hp and much needed tq. It makes for nice daily driver fun to drive car.
I am not a drag racer, so I do not need a big whopping cam that does not kick in till 4,000 rpm. We have a heavy car with so so gearing, with the 1le being the exception with 3.91's. All cams, big or small will require a good dyno tune. Will you break any records...no. Will it make you car much more fun to drive..hell yes. It's not about max hp but about the proper combination of parts working in harmony. I have tried both baby and large cams...and prefer the smaller. The tq starts low in the rpm and holds steady to red line. Keep asking questions and research...study the science and purpose of the camshaft. Take your time and make and educated decision. Also, go search other sites like LS1 tech. See what cams some of the quickest f-bodies ran.
Fyi, If I decide to cam my camaro, it will probably be an ASA hot cam or and older Comp cam in the 224/.550 110 lsa.
God luck in your search.

[CHRISCAM]

Originally Posted by Warship2k15

Why would anyone go thru all the work to put in a cam that in my opinion isn’t very good and get minimal gains.

The 480 they talk about is without any accessory’s.
The ls3 puts out 426 with all the accessory’s.
So you would probably end up with 20-35 hp gain.
There are much better cams out there.
Guys are getting 480 at the wheels on the ls3s with a good camshaft.
That’s over 576 engine hp with the accessory’s included.

I'm interested in a relatively mild upgrade. Here in CA we no longer have tailpipe emissions testing, for 2000 & up models, but we do still have biennial smog check that looks at things like tampering with smog parts, adding non-approved mods (which a lopey cam would fall under), as well as OBD port scans for non-approved tunes, etc.
Basically, I'd like to get a little bump in power and still f'fly under the radar'' with the smog police, if possible.
Regarding the crate engine aspect-- it would be nice to have the 2 year, 50K mile warranty at least-- since I have no warranty at all right now.

[Bo White]

The ASA cam is actually a good street cam. Granted it was originally designed for cathedral port engines it still has a great torque curve. I would like more lift out of it, say around .560" though.

[Bo White]

Originally Posted by CHRISCAM

I'm interested in a relatively mild upgrade. Here in CA we no longer have tailpipe emissions testing, for 2000 & up models, but we do still have biennial smog check that looks at things like tampering with smog parts, adding non-approved mods (which a lopey cam would fall under), as well as OBD port scans for non-approved tunes, etc.
Basically, I'd like to get a little bump in power and still f'fly under the radar'' with the smog police, if possible.
Regarding the crate engine aspect-- it would be nice to have the 2 year, 50K mile warranty at least-- since I have no warranty at all right now.

The ASA cam sounds like it would rip your head off and shit down your neck so flying under the radar will be a challenge to say the least.

[Warship2k15]

Originally Posted by CHRISCAM

I'm interested in a relatively mild upgrade. Here in CA we no longer have tailpipe emissions testing, for 2000 & up models, but we do still have biennial smog check that looks at things like tampering with smog parts, adding non-approved mods (which a lopey cam would fall under), as well as OBD port scans for non-approved tunes, etc.
Basically, I'd like to get a little bump in power and still f'fly under the radar'' with the smog police, if possible.
Regarding the crate engine aspect-- it would be nice to have the 2 year, 50K mile warranty at least-- since I have no warranty at all right now.

Ok now it makes sense.
Didn’t notice you were in Cali.Carry on.

[CHRISCAM]

I've heard the sound clips online of guys with the Hot Cam installed in otherwise stock engines and the idle lope is only a little more choppy than the stock LS3 cam, to my ear.

My original question here is, 'has anyone actually installed either the Hot Cam in a stock LS3, or swapped the entire 480 HP LS engine in their car and reused the stock ECU ?

Thanks again for the input thus far.

[WHAMMO]

Originally Posted by CHRISCAM

I know this topic must be worn out already, but I did a logical, intuitively-worded search in various combinations of key words and could not find any old threads that discussed my specific questions about swapping in a "Hot" cam or full 480 hp engine into their LS3 Gen 5.

Can anyone who has actually performed either of those swaps comment on how the engine behaved with respect to the ECU and overall driving 'manners'?

With otherwise stock LS3 specs. (intake, exhaust, valve springs, etc.) what issues are likely to come up with the Hot cam swap, or is it an easy swap with no issues?

Hot cam is useless imo. Anything is better. Too small, I'd pick a LS9/7 cam over it. Any stage 1 is better.

[Bo White]

Ahh I'd rather have the hot cam over the LS9/7.

[TheFlyingBananaSS]

The first thing you need to do is leave Cally and go to a car friendly state. Once this first mod is completed, the world is your oyster.