anthony.fatica

iTrader: (10)

I was looking into doing a mild cam upgrade until I can do the complete H/C setup. My question is can I use an LS6 cam in my stock internal LS1 engine with stock LS1 heads? If so, I'm guess I need springs. Anything else? I've read a couple older threads through the search on here but couldn't find my answer, just the different gains people seen. I was planning on waiting to cam up until I could do my complete setup but I seen one for a decent price so I figured if it wouldn't take too much more $$ why not do it until I get what I want...

Thanks for any input you guys may have!!

brian_rs/ss

you'de be better off just doing a small aftermarket cam. it would still cost about the same. maybe slightly more expensive for the timing set you'll need. but that's about it.

anthony.fatica

iTrader: (10)

I was originally just going to wait and do a nice H/C set, but browsing around on here I found one in the classifieds for 75 and it put the idea in my head. He's also selling the springs and PRs, I could get everything for about 165. And after reading a few articles on here I seen there was some alright gains in the upper rpms...so I really don't wanna spend extra $$ to get something smaller when I plan on changing it out anyway. But if I could pick up something like that for a good price I would go for it...Will I be able to find a small aftermarket cam to run on stock heads for around the same price?

Thanks!

brian_rs/ss

if you cruise the classifieds you can find used cams in good shape fairly easy. hell if you wait till the winter i will be selling my 224r.

mtuggle86

iTrader: (7)

There's no way in hell Id go through all the work of a cam swap for a tiny ls6 cam. Get a used 224 sized cam atleast.

Mike Morris

iTrader: (55)

Yes you can. You will need different pushrods too and shift the car at 6500. Make sure its a 02 and up cam.

Like mentioned there are better cam choices out there that will get much better gains. GT2-3 LPE has stock like idle,can run on a stock tune and has more power uptop.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

Buy the cam only for 75. Buy new LS6 springs for $65, GM part # 12499224. There is no difference between stock LS1 and LS6 pushrods. Ignore the people that say it is not worth it if that is what you want to do or the ones that say it is too much work. You can change the cam and springs in 6 hours or less. That cam will give you nice gains.

mtuggle86

iTrader: (7)

he will need 7.450 push rods if he wants his **** right. ls6 and ls1 use the same push rods but the ls6 has longer valve stems to make up for the ls6 cam having a smaller base circle. He wont have those longer valve stems so hes gonna need longer push rods.

99.5% of people on tech will not get anywhere near being done with a cam/valve spring swap in 6 hours or less. Most will be about half way done

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

The pushrod length to run the exact same lifter preload is 7.427, not 7.450. And that is if the stock pushrod was actually 7.400. If you measure them you will see they are actually 7.380~7.385 so that is even wrong. The pushrod would need to be .027 longer. Production tolerences in rocker arms and the pedistals they sit on can even make that more or less. You can run stock pushrods. I have it in my 2000 SS with stock pushrods and it runs fine. I've installed that cam and have seen it in many other cars and trucks with stock pushrods and they run fine.

mtuggle86

iTrader: (7)

I know you CAN run them but you should run a longer push rod either 7.425 or 7.450. The lifters preload will allow you to run either 7.425 or 7.450 7.400 is short though. You can do whatever you want on your car but don't tell people to run stock ones when they should have a longer push rod.

You said it yourself Production tolerences in rocker arms and the pedistals they sit on can even make that more or less. His car isn't the same as yours so just because you get away with 7.400 push rod's doesn't mean he will.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

Do you mean lifter piston travel? That will allow you to run a shorter push rod just as easily as it will let you run a longer push rod.

anthony.fatica

iTrader: (10)

Thanks for all the input guys! Love the little debates on here, makes it interesting...it wasn't a matter of worth my time or not because I already knew what it would entail, I just wanted to know if anything but the springs needed changed. Now its just a matter of how much I have to drop my lawyer today after another custody hearing...lol

mtuggle86

iTrader: (7)

Yes piston travel there's about .100 worth so you have some leway but running to little or to much is a bad thing. 7.400 is for sure on the short side. You can just wing it with your ****. But he should use a longer push rod then 7.400 and you could be giving him bad advice.

Mike Morris

iTrader: (55)

Shouldn't use stock pushrods with that cam regardless of length. Upgrade to a hardened one since you will be reving higher. That cam is set up for the sodium filled valves on a 243 head so yes you need a different length.

IRONFIST

I had a similar thought process to the OP..
Went and found a late-model LS6 cam, springs and pushrods.
Bought them.
Got my car on the driveway, popped the hood on the Trans AM.
Closed the hood..
Called EPS....

I just looked at all the work I'd have to do and didn't want to do it twice.

anthony.fatica

iTrader: (10)

Wasn't too worried about the amount of work. I work 3rds and I'm a single dad so my daytime choices were either work on the car or watch backyardigans on netflix over and over...If I do end up finding another cheap small cam I am going to get it along with new springs and pushrods. The pushrods were what I was curious about and figured I'd rather be safe for the few extra bucks.

Once again, thanks to all! And keep up the debates, it's interesting what comes out of them