Hugger

iTrader: (21)

I am debating on advancing my current cam to try and bring the power-band down some. I was hoping some of the resident cam experts would give me their opinion. I want to squeeze the most power out of my setup that I can.

My setup consists of most all the bolt-ons including Mac headers and home-ported 6.0L heads that have been milled down to bring them back to stock compression ratio. My cam is a 228/228 .571”/.571” 113+2. I used to have the Hotcam in the car and that was the only time I was every able to cut a 1.5x 60’. I feel like I am missing some low end with the 228. I took the car to the track last weekend and ran 7 times all between 11.69-11.74 seconds at 114.9-115.3mph. I am happy with both my ET and MPH since they are on par with what I run on a similar night (1000’ DA). My best 60’ of the night was a 1.63. I have a 4000 stall and Hal R’s up front and competition engineering shocks set to 50/50 out back. The car also has 3:42 gears.

Here are the current specs of my cam:

Intake Duration - ID 228 0.006
Exhaust Duration - ED 228 0.006
Lobe Center Angle - LCA 113
Intake Centerline - ICL 111


Intake Valve opens - IVO 3.0 BTDC (- indicates ATDC)
Intake Valve closes - IVC 45.0 ABDC
Exhaust Valve Opens - EVO 49.0 BBDC
Exhaust Valve Closes - EVC -1.0 ATDC (- indicates BTDC)
Exhaust Centerline - ECL 115.0
Overlap 2.0 degrees


I am thinking of advancing 4 degrees which I think would give me these specs:


Intake Duration - ID 228 0.006
Exhaust Duration - ED 228 0.006
Lobe Center Angle - LCA 113
Intake Centerline - ICL 107


Intake Valve opens - IVO 7.0 BTDC (- indicates ATDC)
Intake Valve closes - IVC 41.0 ABDC
Exhaust Valve Opens - EVO 53.0 BBDC
Exhaust Valve Closes - EVC -5.0 ATDC (- indicates BTDC)
Exhaust Centerline - ECL 119.0
Overlap 2.0 degrees

I don’t have an adjustable timing set on the car right now but can put one on fairly quickly. Will advancing my cam 4 degrees be worth the effort or should I just look into another cam? Although I really don't want to have to buy another cam right now, do any of you think that there will be some noticeable gains in the ¼ mile? I am posting my most current dyno graph below for everyone to look at. My goal is to run consistent 1.5x 60’s. Any help is appreciatedDyno graph .

-Josh

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

All this depends on if your cam is really in your motor at 111 ICL right now. If it is, it's perfect. By advancing the cam 4 degrees, you will pick up some torque in the 2000-4000 range, but lose it after that. The valve events with a 111 ICL are much better for making total power under the curve.

I would look at your timing and A/F ratio at 3500-4500 rpm. If not optimized, you'll be leaving lots of torque on the table. My prediction is if you advance the cam 4 degrees, you might pick up a few hundredths in 60' time, but lose lots more on the big end of the track.

Best solution IMO would be to super tune the cam you have and look into getting a better (looser) torque converter. You're most likely making peak torque around 4800 rpm with that cam and I highly doubt your converter is stalling a true 4000. More converter and a better tune will net you a better ET and mph than advancing your cam. Been there, done that (too many times to remember). FWIW, I've owned 15 different torque converters in my previous 4 LS1 powered vehicles.

Hugger

iTrader: (21)

Thanks for your reply Patrick. I have been keeping up with your different projects over the years and appreciate your advice. I just replaced the converter about 3 weeks ago. I picked up a great deal of time in the 60' switching to the TCI 4000 but I was really hoping to get that elusive 1.5 60'. I feel like with a better DA and a little more practice on the new converter I will get it, but I still feel like the low end is not what it should be. I almost miss my hotcam(/flame suit on) and am just trying to maximize my potential. I really feel like I could give up a little of that top end at this point since i spend very little time there especially on the street. As far as the "super tune" I am very envious of your tune especially the better than stock gas mileage. I tune my own car with LS1edit and the help of a friend and I am far from super tuner status. I also do not have a wideband. I can send you my file if you would like to take a look at it and tell me where improvements can be made. Thanks
-Josh

Beast96Z

iTrader: (21)

Advancing another 4 degree's will give you a total of 6 degree's advance. Personally, I believe that is to much. I can understand 4, but like Patrick said, you'll be gaining in one aspect, but loosing in another. At the track, your time and MPH are made in the higher rpm's. Advancing your cam will hurt in this aspect. I would reccomend you tune your suspension for the better 60's and maybe play around with diffrent converters to find one that matches your set-up better. Also tune the **** out of it.

Hugger

iTrader: (21)

Thanks Beast, what about just advancing 2 degrees? How does that sound? The other thing I am considering is replacing the 3:42's with 3:73's. Any opinions on that?

Beast96Z

iTrader: (21)

If you have the breathing room, gears will deffinatlly help. I always used a 2 step increment when doing gears. if you have 3.23's, go up 2 sizes, hence the 3.73's for auto's and 4.10's for M6's. Personally, I wouldn't tear back into the front of the motor for a 2 degree advance. More time and money could be spent on things like gears and dialin gin other components of your car. I believe the 3.73's would work well in your case.

gomer

iTrader: (13)

I think that cam should be doing ok. I have a 232/234 112lsa 110icl in Mark's car and he ran some 1.52 60ft's on ET street radials this past Thursday night... with 3.23 gears and a TCI 4000 stall. Are you pretty confident with the tune that's in the car right now? What MPH and ET is it running in the 1/8th?

Hugger

iTrader: (21)

Gomer, my best eighth the other night was 7.43 @ 92.13. As far as the tune it is not a dyno tune just a SOTP tune and I'm sure it could be improved upon. Many of my values are close to stock. It's a very conservative tune. I can send a copy for you to look at. Thanks for your help.
Josh

gomer

iTrader: (13)

Email it to me at scott@Gen3Performance.net and I'll take a look at it.

markp03

iTrader: (4)

not really about the cam but if you want a lower 60ft....spray a 50shot =) start spraying it at like 3k or 3500...

Hugger

iTrader: (21)

Gomer, you've got email