Raise

iTrader: (31)

First of all, let me express what a true believer I am in the small to mid size cams, such as the TR224 as a perfect example. I love the low to mid range power it puts out for daily street use, and still pulls pretty hard up top. These size cams work great with stock heads, especially 241 heads. However, I am worried about leaving power on the table when using these size cams with aftermarket heads. Ive had a few different head/cam setups and its hard to pin point which I liked best.

For my current project, my 02 WS6 is a 6-speed car. It is a daily driver and will see mostly street time with an occasional trip to the track. I am going with a set of PRC stage 2.5 5.3L heads. I am trying to pick a good street cam to go with these heads. I love the idea of a 224 size cam for the good torque it produces. However, 224 cams work very well with stock heads, and Im worried that I will be leaving power on the table if I stay with the smaller cam paired with the upgraded heads. On the other hand, I dont want to sacrifice my low to mid range power by going too big. I dont wanna have to spin the motor to 3000 rpms to feel any kind of power. Id like to hear some suggestions on a cam choice for my application. Would a 224 cam be too small for these heads? Will I be leaving usable power for the street on the table by staying this small? I see plenty of guys with these heads going with the MS3 or the Torquer 3. While they are happy with the power it puts out, a lot of them regret sacrificing that low to mid range torque for the top end power that you will only feel while actually racing. Ill be the first to admit...the thought of going with a big cam is very tempting, but I dont wanna kick myself in the *** later when the car feels like a pig until it reaches 3000 rpms. Anyway, I would appreciate some suggestions and opinions, and I thank you in advance.

Raise

Empatho

iTrader: (16)

go with a 228R or a custom grind.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

Talk to Predator-Z about speccing you a custom but my cam has a really flat torque and makes 350ft.lb+ from-3500K-6300k peaking at 383 tq, and 417 rwhp. TC locks up at below 2k and still has at least stock torque. Just a little ornery at cold start which should be in the tune .224 is a great cam but there are many more choices now

Pwebbz28

iTrader: (31)

IMO you cant go wrong with a F-13 or F-14. I would use the F14.

jsteele90

iTrader: (13)

with those heads and a 228r my buddy made 439 hp and 409tq w lts and td. 02 t/a m6

Fratsit

iTrader: (1)

For off the shelf I would second a cam in the 228 range. I have the 228r from Texas Speed, however, I know Shawn over at Virginia Speed has seen some great results from his own 228 cam. I believe he posted a graph in the Dyno Forum.

R/

Frat

LS1C5Vette

iTrader: (11)

228/232 .59X/.59X sounds like what you would want

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Just wondering...what is the benefit of a longer exhaust duration? I noticed that the stock LS1 cam has a longer exhaust duration. Is that just ideal for these motors? I can see where a longer exhaust duration would benefit a forced induction motor, but for a naturally aspirated LS1, is the longer exhaust duration a natural better fit for the motor?

AINT SKEERED

iTrader: (2)

I would contact Patrick G on a cam. he seems to get good results to meet the customers needs.

I also have used the f13 and it would work great for you. I now have the f14 in a 6.0 liter and it works great but I find it doesnt have as much low rpm tq as the f13 did in the 5.7

02HawkTA#195

iTrader: (9)

tsp recommended the 233/239 when i talked with them. and thats what i got. i was originally going with there 228r. i put down 440s/410ish on crappy tune. new tune coming this week. if you dont want that stock feeling till 3000rpm then custom or 228r may make you happy. i dont notice it being doggy with everything i have done to the car, gears etc...good luck

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

Ported heads will lessen the need to go with a large cam to make the power that you need. Basically, you keep the cam small and live off the heads. This approach was what I did with my Torque Coming out of My Ears combination a few years ago. By using AFR heads combined with a 224/228 110LSA cam, I had 402 cubic inch torque in the low and mid-range and 475 rwhp up high. All from 346 cubes. Best street combo I've ever run.

My advice? Spend all your money on the best heads and intake manifold you can, get the compression above 11.0:1 and keep the cam duration moderate. Try not to get your overlap at .050" over 7 degrees and try not to exceed 230 degrees on the intake. With the right heads, there won't be any need.

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Thanks Patrick

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Well, I have a set of PRC Stage 2.5 5.3L heads on the way to me now. So I am basing a cam off of this setup. I will probably be sticking with my LS6 intake...at least for a while. Given this info, would you still recommend a duration in the 224-228 range? I noticed you ran that cam on a 110 LSA. What does the smaller LSA do fore you?

5_02ls1

iTrader: (20)

people get caught up in big cams way to much...way to much....this one post should be a sticky haha

zman1969

iTrader: (91)

TRUE DAT! if its a street driven car its power under the curve you want - drag racing you want all you can get - cam it accordingly. The heads you chose are highly recomended by PredatorZ - a super knowlegable and helpful guy and for the cam he would say stay with the 224 -228 sized cams - they will work great with those heads

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Thanks Z Man. I appreciate everyone's help

TXZ28LS1

iTrader: (5)

i think PRC 5.3 heads + 224 cam will be a stout street car everyday driver setup..

Raise

iTrader: (31)

Yeah me too man. I will admit, I am tempted to go bigger and Im trying to fight it off like the flu. Ive been talking to Patrick G on cam specs. It seems the ideal application for me would be a custom grind. I realize I would pay the full price of a new cam to have a custom grind cam. Its tempting when I see a lot of the off the shelf cams with low miles in the for sale section for $200-250. So Im wondering if one of the off the shelf cams, such as a TR224, or the TSP 228R, would get me close to where I wanna be.

firefighting1101

iTrader: (48)

i have a friend who ran those same heads with the thunder racing TR230 reverse split cam with amazing results... it was one of the fastest daily drivers i have been in with great drivability. that would be my recommendation

TXZ28LS1

iTrader: (5)

thats good to know cuz im running the MTI X1 reverse split and i hear this cam will kick some *** with some 5.3 heads...