Mike's 530i

I am searching for a Z06 cam for my L33. I found a guy who has one, but it has 95k miles. Should I consider this or keep looking? Thanks.

twitchtwice

iTrader: (12)

is there a reason you want to go with the z06 cam? you may want to look at a custom speced cam for your setup.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

If it appears in good condition with no wear by just feeling on the lobes it should be just fine. Just check for pitting and grooves. I put one in a car for someone that had 120k on the clock when it came out. Never had a problem going into a new shortblock. Car has been running just fine for over 5 years on the same cam.

Mike's 530i

I am on a tight budget for a Porsche 944 swap. I want to save money so I am able to get a good car and for the other conversion parts.

I believe the engine I am planning is referred to as "the poor man's LS6". This is the all aluminum L33, which includes LS6 heads, and modified with the LS6 cam, springs, and intake. The combo is supposed to make about 370 hp, which should be good for a 3100 pound car.

The guys asking price for the cam is $120, so I can probable get it for $100. I bought the springs already, which cost $50.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

I think that motor was made in 2005. Its a 5.3 right? yeah that is a reasonable price for the cam.

Mike's 530i

Yeah, its the 2005 5.3L truck engine with LS6 heads and 9.9:1 compression. I already got an LS6 intake and the springs....just need the cam.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

That seems like a pretty optimal combo to me. Just make sure you once over that 95k cam. I am sure it is fine. Good luck with your build!

garygnu

have the seller measure the lobes,if the don't match specs don't buy it.

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

Cams dont travel distances, so mileage is irrelevant.

JBarron

Cams can go a lot longer than that. Ideally it should be mic'd - find the max lift with a dial indicator. Feel the lobes and cam bearing surfaces by dragging a fingernail across them (from front to rear of cam, or vice versa)- see if a nail catches.

I disagree with this. It could be argues that cams do travel distances - the bearing surfaces move against each other for a certain distance, a length which could be "rolled out" into a long straight line - by taking axial forces into account, it would even have small curves in it. It is just that the distance the cam travels is not directly proportional to the mileage of the car.

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

So a car with a 100k miles on it running down the highway at 1400 rpms would have the same effect as a drag car with the same mileage on a cam? No....mileage doesnt mean ANYTHING! Inspecting it is the only way to know. Mileage or time on a cam does not alter its structural integrity. If its good, its good, if its bad its bad... It could go bad in 50 miles, or 500k miles.....its irrelevant.

I just took the cam out of my 160k mile vette......The thing looks just as perfect as the used one I put in with maybe 5k on it.

johnzss

iTrader: (11)

^ agree

JBarron

I agree with that actually. I never meant to say anything different. Just that the cam rotates some finite amount in it's life, but not that it means anything.