DUSTYWS6

I'm mapping out the goals for my car and I'm the fence about getting a cam. My main concern is losing a spring and valve and chunking my low milage engine. What kind of spring valvetrain longevity could I expect with a cam that is around a 218/218 or a 224/224 both with a 114 LSA running and around 0.565 lift.

Since my car is a weekend cruiser, I'm thinking about going with the 218/218 with a SS3200 or a 224/224 with a SS3600 converter. I'm more concerned for my trans then peak hp, so I'm thinking the milder cam with the lower STR SS3200 would be my best bet, but if I'm going to the trouble I don't want to short change myself. I'll be doing long tubes and getting a tune when I get the cam and converter installed.

Any advice would be appreciated

Cal

iTrader: (1)

Put in no less than the 224 cam. Don't worry about springs; if you use CC 918's, they will last a good long time. I checked mine at 15,000 miles as recomended, and they were still at factory presure. You could probably run them 40,000 miles if you don't constantly bounce off the rev limit like I do.

fnbrowning

DUSTYWS6;

Put in the cam you want. Everyone tells you to put in a larger cam, but it's your car! Also, you gotta wonder about these 15,000 spring checks.
Read Between the Lines on cam recommendations. If a cam/spring setup is causing the guys to want to check their springs often, {and 15-20k is often} then it is a more of a drag strip cam/springs.

When I researched to buy a cam, I spent hours pouring over specs till my eyes crossed. Like you I wanted valvetrain reliability.
The two cams that had drawn my attention were the 63-LS-218/224 off Thunder’s CompCams page, and the Lunati 55003LUN.

I called several cam tech lines and talked to their people. The nicest and most helpful guys were the techs from Lunati and Comp Cams.

Lunati gentleman was very willing to discuss my personal application. We talked at length about power, performance & economy. He gave the highest confidence that I would be pleased with the 55003LUN.
The Lunati has an ADV duration of 282/287 Duration @.50 .218/.221 Lift @ valve is .526/.534 LSA 116 The ramp rate is 64.
The LSA is a little higher than I would like. It costs $349 @ Jegs.

I also had a long conversation with a Comp Cams tech. With his help, I finally chose a cam that closely mirrored the GM Hot Cam with a more idle friendly 114 LSA. I may leave some horsepower on the table, but with the this lobe, the valvetrain will last for years of reliable driving. The specs are below.

Also, you will save money with a smaller cam buying the Comp Cams #26915 springs & 7.400 push rods on eBay.


SPEC CARD
PART #: 54-000-11 ENGINE: LS1 CHEVY LS1/GEN III '97-UP ROLLER
GRIND #: LS1 3767R /3753R HR114.0

GROSS VALVE LIFT .532 .535
DURATION @ .006
TAPPET LIFT 273 277

DURATION @ .050 = 220.00 224.00
LOBE LIFT .313 .315
LOBE SEPARATION 114.0
ROCKER ARM RATIO 1.70

PREDATOR-Z

(.006 lift-.050 lift)= variance= (273-220)= 53 intake and (277-224)= 53 exhaust which usualy indicate your cam is an XE, so not what I would call slow ramps.
53 denotes XE
49 denotes XE-R