What cam?

[md30095]

Hey guys, this is my first post so hopefully this is in the right section. I’m looking for advice on what cam kit I should get. I have a 2010 with the LS3, longtube headers, cold air intake, and 160 thermostat. I daily drive my car, and I know cams make the driveability go down, so I don’t want too aggressive of one for that reason. Also not too concerned about power, the main reason I want one in all honesty is for the choppy aggressive sound and different driving experience of the car shaking. There’s just so many to pick from and i’m not super knowledgeable about the specifics on cams. I don’t plan on adding FI, and I was planning on 3.91 gears. I don’t know, what do you guys think would be a good choice?

[Camaro2ss2010]

To get a the chop and car rocking you will have to reduce drivability some. I have a custom ground Texas speed 227/243 .629/.629 with 113 LSA. It is choppy and shakes a little bit. Drivability was reduced a little but not real bad. Others on this forum have more experience than me so I would see what they chime in with. Just my two cents.

[md30095]

Originally Posted by Camaro2ss2010

To get a the chop and car rocking you will have to reduce drivability some. I have a custom ground Texas speed 227/243 .629/.629 with 113 LSA. It is choppy and shakes a little bit. Drivability was reduced a little but not real bad. Others on this forum have more experience than me so I would see what they chime in with. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the reply, your car looks awesome by the way! So what stage is yours, is that a stage 3? Because I was thinking about getting the TSP stage 3. I feel like I just don’t know enough, which is why i’m seeking advice in the first place. But yes, I do understand driveability will be affected I just don’t want it to be so bad I stall my car all the time and hate it

[TheFlyingBananaSS]

Get the GPI stage1 cam. Choppy asf, and no converter needed. I have the GPI stage 2 and stall converter so around town isn't too bad. Compare lift and duration of several cams. Or search posts from acammer here on the forum. Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and he works at GPI.

[Quicksilver-SS]

Originally Posted by TheFlyingBananaSS

Get the GPI stage1 cam. Choppy asf, and no converter needed. I have the GPI stage 2 and stall converter so around town isn't too bad. Compare lift and duration of several cams. Or search posts from acammer here on the forum. Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and he works at GPI.

Op has LS3, no converted needed. I'm LS3 and went with the BTR Stage 3, choppy, decent driveabality. I have all the supporting mods and made 472 rwhp. No complaints.

[ariZona28]

You also need to be aware of the added stress on the valve train. From what I've been reading it is recommended that you change the valve springs every 20K miles if you go with the type of cam you're describing. No big deal on a hobby machine but if you daily drive your beast that is about every other year. The cam change is kinda pricey just for "the driving experience" but if you want to crank up the heat a bit maybe consider a 2nd vehicle as a daily, at least in the winter. Happy to see you already mentioned my favorite improvement: 3.91 gears.

[md30095]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

You also need to be aware of the added stress on the valve train. From what I've been reading it is recommended that you change the valve springs every 20K miles if you go with the type of cam you're describing. No big deal on a hobby machine but if you daily drive your beast that is about every other year. The cam change is kinda pricey just for "the driving experience" but if you want to crank up the heat a bit maybe consider a 2nd vehicle as a daily, at least in the winter. Happy to see you already mentioned my favorite improvement: 3.91 gears.

Thanks for the advice. I have a daily for the winter but can’t help myself from driving this car every chance I get LOL. But I have heard about changing the valve springs, and definitely it’s still worth it to me. I’ve debated between 3.91 gears or a cam, and decided the cam was a better move for now

[md30095]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver-SS

Op has LS3, no converted needed. I'm LS3 and went with the BTR Stage 3, choppy, decent driveabality. I have all the supporting mods and made 472 rwhp. No complaints.

That’s some pretty good power, I appreciate your input thank you. I have been thinking a stage 3 would be perfect for what i’m looking for. Why did you choose that cam in particular from BTR? That’s the most confusing part to me is the specifications on the numbers. Like what the hell is the difference between BTR stage 3 and TSP stage 3?

[md30095]

Originally Posted by TheFlyingBananaSS

Get the GPI stage1 cam. Choppy asf, and no converter needed. I have the GPI stage 2 and stall converter so around town isn't too bad. Compare lift and duration of several cams. Or search posts from acammer here on the forum. Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and he works at GPI.

I will look into it, thank you!

[sdynak]

Originally Posted by md30095

Thanks for the advice. I have a daily for the winter but can’t help myself from driving this car every chance I get LOL. But I have heard about changing the valve springs, and definitely it’s still worth it to me. I’ve debated between 3.91 gears or a cam, and decided the cam was a better move for now

It is your call here but I did the 3.91's before the cam and that was a major improvement alone where it should actually be done in that order. You will enjoy the cam a lot more if you have them first. You might be disappointed if you wait on that. Looking back I could have been happy with that long term and waited on the cam. It does take away from the drivability a bit but the lope is soo worth it also LOL.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

I have the TSP Stage 3 cam in my L99, 231/246@ 112LSA,,614/641 lift and daily drove it for 2 years until I got a second vehicle to preserve the miles on her. I also have a 4200 stall converter and the drivability for me is alright. Love the shake rattle and roll of a big cam. lol. I made 475rwhp with it..

[md30095]

Originally Posted by sdynak

It is your call here but I did the 3.91's before the cam and that was a major improvement alone where it should actually be done in that order. You will enjoy the cam a lot more if you have them first. You might be disappointed if you wait on that. Looking back I could have been happy with that long term and waited on the cam. It does take away from the drivability a bit but the lope is soo worth it also LOL.

You know I was really debating between the two, so I really appreciate you sharing this. I think I still wanna do the cam first, but I 100% understand it would probably make more sense to do it the other way around

[md30095]

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

I have the TSP Stage 3 cam in my L99, 231/246@ 112LSA,,614/641 lift and daily drove it for 2 years until I got a second vehicle to preserve the miles on her. I also have a 4200 stall converter and the drivability for me is alright. Love the shake rattle and roll of a big cam. lol. I made 475rwhp with it..

I’m curious how it would affect driveability in an automatic, since mine is a manual I just think about getting going in 1st gear with the bucking and the possibility of stalling on the highway in 6th gear if my rpms are too low

[ariZona28]

Originally Posted by md30095

I’m curious how it would affect driveability in an automatic, since mine is a manual I just think about getting going in 1st gear with the bucking and the possibility of stalling on the highway in 6th gear if my rpms are too low

Old school talk here. In the good 'ol days big cams loved/needed manual transmissions. Slip the clutch a little more and apply slightly more throttle pressure to alleviate any perceived bucking. Stalling on the highway in 6th? Increase speed as appropriate or downshift to 5th to keep RPMs at a satisfactory minimum. This is where 3.91s come into play. Better for your launch and easier to stay in the desired RPM range for your more aggressive cam.