Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Upgrading cam - NEED OPINIONS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-31-2012, 12:01 AM
  #1  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
jenkinscody21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Upgrading cam - NEED OPINIONS

I am currently running a thunder racing classic cam - 230/236 .592 .602 and feel like its time for an upgrade. When dynoed, car made 440rwhp. My goals are to hit 500rwhp before spraying the car with direct port nitrous. Also the car is a weekend street warrior and will hit the track 5 or so times a year to make passes. I also am considering upgrading to the FAST LSX intake and 102mm body. Car mods are in my signature. Thanks guys. Just wanna know your opinions and recommendations.
Old 12-31-2012, 01:06 AM
  #2  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
HCI2000SS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Howell & Fenton MI
Posts: 11,145
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

I would leave the cam alone personally. Certainly not worth the time, labor, and cost IMO
Old 12-31-2012, 01:14 AM
  #3  
Super Hulk Smash
iTrader: (7)
 
JakeFusion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pace, FL
Posts: 11,255
Received 137 Likes on 114 Posts

Default

FAST 102 will be needed, as will 1-7/8" headers, and better heads.

You'll need something in the 238+ intake range and 240s exhaust. MS4, Polluter v2, T-Rex, Vindicator, Futral F16, or custom spec similar. That'd add about 10-15HP at the expensive of some drivability. 455.

1-7/8" headers from TSP would be good with TSP True Duals or if you have the coin the Kooks 1-7/8 and Kooks 3" TD setup would make a ton of power. If you've seen any of the threads on the Pacesetter vs TSP headers, you know that's about 10HP. If you go from 1-3/4" last gen Kooks (roughly equivalent to Pacesetter) to the 1-7/8" new gen Kooks with the Merge collector, it's closer to 20HP. So I'd expect at least 10HP. 465.

And heads. Well that's a war waiting to happen. But since you already have PRC, you could step up the PRC 227s. I think the PRC 227s are worth about 10-15HP over the LS6 PRC heads, which are good for about 10 over the 5.3s. So that plus the FAST, which will add a solid 10-15HP, should add you a good solid 30-40HP. That'd put you in the 495-505 range.

Just make sure your valvetrain geometry is good and preload is correct, degree the cam, set the gap in the spark plugs, and all the other little tricks to make sure you hit the numbers. At 440, you have a way to go, but I think 480+ would be no problem with the above changes and if everything were perfect, you could chase 500.
Old 12-31-2012, 01:16 AM
  #4  
Super Hulk Smash
iTrader: (7)
 
JakeFusion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pace, FL
Posts: 11,255
Received 137 Likes on 114 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by HCI2000SS
I would leave the cam alone personally. Certainly not worth the time, labor, and cost IMO
Or you could keep the cam and make the other changes. You'd still probably hit 480 all day and keep the manners the same. But if you want to add 60HP, you're going to need to make changes. At that point, the cam swap is the cheapest option.
Old 12-31-2012, 09:21 PM
  #5  
TECH Senior Member
 
garygnu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,446
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

get a custom cam from Pat-G,or Martin from Tick performance. .look at some PRC 215/227 heads ,or some ported trick flow or AFR heads ported by Tony Mamo.
Old 12-31-2012, 09:41 PM
  #6  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
IllusionalTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Bump that compression up a bit too , don't forget to flycut, and look at rod bolts too .. Rpm is your friend
Old 12-31-2012, 09:54 PM
  #7  
Super Hulk Smash
iTrader: (7)
 
JakeFusion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pace, FL
Posts: 11,255
Received 137 Likes on 114 Posts

Default

The PRC heads allow you to run at like 60cc chambers pretty easily with stock PtV clearance. So that's a plus. I just wish we saw more results with them...
Old 12-31-2012, 10:54 PM
  #8  
Grr
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Grr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fargo ND
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Leave it alone, put the 102/102 on there with a sd tune and hit it with the hose. You won't gain near what you will put into time and money wise.
At the very most put in a better cam, I like the polluter v2, but everything else will be a huge waste of money IMHO if you spraying anyway
Old 12-31-2012, 11:16 PM
  #9  
FormerVendor
iTrader: (3)
 
Sales@Tick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Mount Airy, NC
Posts: 7,480
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

I dont think guys realize how hard 500 is to hit on one of these ls1's... can it be done, sure but it takes very close attention to detail. If you'd like some direction I'd be more than happy to help but I would honestly put a bigger jet in it to make up for the power you're looking for. It's going to take significant changes IMO to hit that mark. I'm always up for a challenge though
Old 01-01-2013, 03:28 AM
  #10  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
jenkinscody21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the help guys. Still taking any outside opinions and making phone calls
Old 01-01-2013, 07:34 AM
  #11  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
IllusionalTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

It's easy.. 500rwhp.. There I said it...
Old 01-01-2013, 08:31 AM
  #12  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
96capricemgr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,975
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts

Default

60hp gain on top of an already heads/cam setup would require pretty much starting over. "bigger cam" is likely to be 10-15hp of the 60 you want to find.
Old 01-01-2013, 09:04 AM
  #13  
Teching In
 
z28josh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I've read several threads over the same topic of hitting 500 with an ls1. What you will find is you have to have everything just bout right. And the durability and street manners will suffer. To reach the goals N/A on a street driven car most the recommendations i've read being made are to get more cubes to make the power and maintain drivability.
Old 01-01-2013, 12:25 PM
  #14  
Launching!
iTrader: (2)
 
HeavyMetl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

500rwhp? Bah...I'm more impressed seeing a street car that can run 10's. Chasing dyno numbers is just an internet activity.
Old 01-01-2013, 01:53 PM
  #15  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
TXZ28LS1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Classified
Posts: 6,164
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Keep that cam.. It's a good size.. I would add heads, fast, and some 1 7/8 headers..
Old 01-01-2013, 03:56 PM
  #16  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (24)
 
ldyzluvdis06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Springfield, IL
Posts: 397
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by HeavyMetl
500rwhp? Bah...I'm more impressed seeing a street car that can run 10's. Chasing dyno numbers is just an internet activity.
x2. go for the times, don't worry about dyno numbers. i wish internet people would step away from the dyno so much, it's just another tuning tool. swap out nitrous jets and you can kit any dyno number you want. worry about the track times that you want, it's a lot more ideal man.
Old 01-01-2013, 04:54 PM
  #17  
FormerVendor
iTrader: (3)
 
Sales@Tick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Mount Airy, NC
Posts: 7,480
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by IllusionalTA
It's easy.. 500rwhp.. There I said it...
Trouble maker
Old 01-01-2013, 11:12 PM
  #18  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
jenkinscody21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It's just a personal goal of mine. I have my goals for times as well just haven't had the chance to run it at the track. Previous owner said he ran 10.48 at 1000ft with stock heads. Just weighing my options and learning what I can from others opinions and experiences. Once again, the feedback is appreciated!



Quick Reply: Upgrading cam - NEED OPINIONS



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:05 PM.