ls7 or ls9 cam for turbo. Opinions, experience, advice PLEASE
10-19-2012, 10:07 PM
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
ls7 or ls9 cam for turbo. Opinions, experience, advice PLEASE After months of reading, debate, and starting to believe that cam selection is like voodoo and i dont speak witchdoctor, Ive almost settled on one. I had almost convinced myself that dropping $400 on a 'turbo' cam was acceptable, even tho i had no idea which one since all the sponsors cam specs for what i wanted seem completely different from one another.
Seems like alot of guys are making big power with the ls9 cam. Its relatively cheap and since i have an '05 motor i should have the right cam gear to drop it right in.
Would this be a better choice? Would it make noticeably more power? Bigger cam equals more horsepower, right? Also I thought i read that for a turbo cam you want a tighter LSA.
The 2009-2010 LS9 ZR1 camshaft is a perfect choice for LS supercharged or turbocharged engines. The LS9 camshaft is 211/230 @.050 valve lift and .558/.552 lift with 1.7 rockers and a 122.5 centerline.
Interestingly the LS7 Cam is VERY similar to the LS9 Cam but has a tighter LSA and a little more lift:
LS7 Cam---->: 211/230 @ 0.050; 0.591/0.591; 120.5
LS7 Cam---->: 211/230 @ 0.050; 0.591/0.591; 120.5
10-19-2012, 10:51 PM
#2
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Okay i guess ill answer my own question. The ls7 specs are for a 1.8 rocker. (knew that) but with a 1.7 rocker the lift is .558/.558 which makes it almost identical to the ls9. That and its priced almost the same as a custom turbo grind. **** that noise
10-19-2012, 11:31 PM
#3
This is one area where I would bite the bullet and spend the money to go custom. Ed, Pat, Martin, Shawn... they can all get you squared away with something much better than the ls9 cam. However, out of your two options I would just go with the cheaper of the two.
10-20-2012, 12:01 AM
#5
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Why go custom? Can someone dumb it down so I can understand? Why spend the money if you can make the same power on a "production" cam? I know you can spec a cam to maximize power, affect spool and make power in your desired rpm range but i just dont feel its justified for my goals for the price. Its a 70's musclcar so i want a little lope to the idle. Its a street car so i want it to make power and pull to 68--7000. Untouched 317s upgraded to ly6 inconel exhaust valves, pac1218s. s480 1.32 t6 looking for 8-900hp
