Wanting a "swap it and forget it" cam...
10-08-2008, 12:13 PM
#1
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Wanting a "swap it and forget it" cam... I DD my car and after I get headers, I thinking about a cam/valvespring swap. The thing is, I don't want to worry about valvesprings again, so no huge cams for me.
After doing some research on here, it seems that I only have a few options. A cam under 220/220ish, a GM ASA cam or possibly a Stealth II (not sure on this one) as I know the Cheatr is rough on the valvetrain.
If I manage to do this swap without many problems, I might be up for a bigger cam down the line and swapping springs every 20k miles, but for right now I don't want to worry about it.
So with this said, what is going to be my best bet? I plan on doing the cam/spring swap myself and then most likely have somebody tune it, or pick up an HP tuners and doing it myself.
I would almost prefer the sleeper approach, but the ASA cam does sound good.
As long as I can turn on the ole A/C at a stoplight and have no problems, I'm game.
After doing some research on here, it seems that I only have a few options. A cam under 220/220ish, a GM ASA cam or possibly a Stealth II (not sure on this one) as I know the Cheatr is rough on the valvetrain.
If I manage to do this swap without many problems, I might be up for a bigger cam down the line and swapping springs every 20k miles, but for right now I don't want to worry about it.
So with this said, what is going to be my best bet? I plan on doing the cam/spring swap myself and then most likely have somebody tune it, or pick up an HP tuners and doing it myself.
I would almost prefer the sleeper approach, but the ASA cam does sound good.
As long as I can turn on the ole A/C at a stoplight and have no problems, I'm game. 
10-08-2008, 12:18 PM
#2
Keep the lift low in relationship to the duration, AKA: non-aggressive lobes. Most cams, especially over 220 duration, will require tuning, so factor that in as well. The GM ASA is one of them.
10-08-2008, 02:04 PM
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The TR224 is a great daily driver. I put mine in last october and have a little over 20k miles on it. I got the 114lsa and you can hear a slight difference in the idle, not much. AC works fine at a stop light. Fyi I went with PAC 1218 springs. No matter what cam you get I suggest getting a good tune.
10-08-2008, 03:08 PM
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I'm running it with LS6 springs, no problems so far. specs are 226/236 .525 110lsa
Only drawback is it really needs a really high-flowing exhaust to perform.
Good luck with whatever you choose!
10-08-2008, 03:33 PM
#6
The TR224 is a great daily driver. I put mine in last october and have a little over 20k miles on it. I got the 114lsa and you can hear a slight difference in the idle, not much. AC works fine at a stop light. Fyi I went with PAC 1218 springs. No matter what cam you get I suggest getting a good tune.
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10-08-2008, 08:07 PM
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My next cam will be the Comp Cam LS6 Street Replacement Cam it is 212/218.....550/550.......115 LSA. Idles like stock, no tuning required, good driveability and mileage, works with stock converter, passes smog test. New GM LS6 springs work fine.
10-08-2008, 08:26 PM
#9
I would just get the 2002 LS6 cam from GM if I didnt want any driveability problems and for the stealth setup (non detectable) and a set of comp cam 918 springs with titanium retainers or not (but I would just use the stock retainers). I have put 7.45 pushrods and 7.40 pushrods that I have put in a few cars for people with the LS6 cam but that was before you could buy 7.425 pushrods (right size) because the valves in the 2002 LS6 are a little longer and the base circle on them are smaller to I believe. and with most bolt ons have seen it put down in the 370 rwhp range with stock 241 heads (LS1) .
10-08-2008, 08:57 PM
#10
ramp rate effects more of the srping life then duration and lift. So the stealth 2 for example has a very harsh ramp rate and will eat through springs quick. I would say go with the asa then the hotcam then the ls6 but that comp cam highgear suggested sounded interesting.
10-08-2008, 10:02 PM
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If you want a small cam I would do something like an LPE GT2-3. A friend of mine had it in his H/C car and you could barely tell it even had a cam in it.
Of course something custom ground from Pat G. would probably be your best option.
Of course something custom ground from Pat G. would probably be your best option.
10-09-2008, 01:10 AM
#18
a long time depends on the person. with your suggestions he will be doing the exact thing that he does not want to do, which is have to change out springs every so often. O and before you call the stealth weak look up some results i would bet that there are stealth cam cars that make just as much power as you.
10-09-2008, 07:42 AM
#19
If your gonna go that low, get the 216/224 .551/.551 115LSA from crane cam. alot of people wouldnt go lower than a 224 cam, but this cam was my first cam on the car and you couldnt tell I had a cam in it and it would take off like no other!!! Looks like it fits your needs. No tuning required.
10-09-2008, 09:27 AM
#20
Agreed. But let me say this, UNLESS your running a stock spring on a stock cam at some point, you WILL need to change springs. Now compared to a very aggressive cam, this may go MANY years and miles before a new set should be thrown in. But nothings is set it and forget it. Even a tune which you SHOULD get too.