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

is this a nice cam to buy?

Old 09-19-2005, 01:22 PM
  #1  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (29)
 
erikthegoalie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Margate, FL
Posts: 2,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default is this a nice cam to buy?

I saw this Cam online, wanted to know what everyone thought..its gunna run me like $200 shipped

Duration at .050 in. 219/228, Lift .525/.525

Its a LS1 Hot Cam...
I have a mostly stock 02 SS...eventually it wont be, im slowly buying parts..
it will be a daily driver...heads will probably remain stock...

im looking for a cam with some lope and nice performance gains..nothing crazy, just something you can hear and something that is enjoyable on the street, car does not see the track

THANKS
Old 09-19-2005, 01:53 PM
  #2  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
Sharpe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Southeastern IL
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

The Thunder Racing TR224 (224/224 @ .563/.563 112 or 114 LSA) is what most people on here recommend for daily drivers. Not many people like the Hot Cam series. When I buy a cam, the TR224 is what I will get. As far as the LSA goes, I haven't yet made my decision.

With long tube headers, a cat-back, and basic bolt-ons, I want to make as close to 400 rwhp as I can. The TR224 should just about get me there, I hope. With stock heads, the TR car did 398/388, I think.

However, the TR224 more than twice as expensive... about $400 before shipping.

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...22&sid=88#P196
Old 09-19-2005, 02:08 PM
  #3  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (29)
 
erikthegoalie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Margate, FL
Posts: 2,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Thanks! APPRECIATE IT..
BY the way what is the LSA (dumb question i know)
Thanks
Erik
Old 09-19-2005, 02:47 PM
  #4  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
Sharpe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Southeastern IL
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Lobe Separation Angle. The lower the LSA (numerically), the lower the power band will peak in RPM range (a good thing for daily drivers, in my opinion), but the lower the LSA, the choppier the idle will be, as I understand. I like choppy idles, so that’s a good thing to me.

If I’m wrong, I’m certain there will be a stampede to correct me.

Go to LS1howto.com and read the cam install guide. It has a thing on cams and what the numbers mean. Then, read the cam guide. It’s a sticky in this board, I think. You could read it and forget about the LS1howto.com thing, but the cam guide on this board has an awfully steep learning curve, and sometimes gets ahead of itself therefore loosing the reader in the process. I’m not knocking it, though, it’s the best cam guide around by far.
Old 09-19-2005, 03:00 PM
  #5  
pdd
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (3)
 
pdd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: dudley mass
Posts: 4,156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

check this out by jrp
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/327734-cam-guide.html
Old 09-19-2005, 03:11 PM
  #6  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
freakynipples69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NY
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I'd go with a FM13. It's bigger, but it drives like a smaller cam and will give you better numbers over the TR224.
Old 09-19-2005, 04:48 PM
  #7  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
Sharpe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Southeastern IL
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I forgot to mention the F13. It will get nearly as many recommendations as the TR224.

TR224: Thunder Racing Custom Camshaft - 224/224 .563/.563 112 or 114 LSA 1700-6600 RPM Power Band. Excellent mid-range & high RPM power. $389.99

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...22&sid=88#P196

F13: FMS Custom Grind Camshaft - 230"/232" .595"/.585" 112 or 114 LSA - aggressive profile with a 2500-6800 RPM range, rough idle. $389

http://www.futralmotorsports.com/fms....asp?pf=1&pg=5

EDIT: My Macencrap at work hates this forum.

Last edited by Sharpe; 09-20-2005 at 10:25 AM.
Old 09-19-2005, 04:52 PM
  #8  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (14)
 
MAXIMO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Cleburne, TX
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Heat the TR224 that thing sound aggresive, and mean. Just pick one of the of those and you should be good.
Old 09-19-2005, 05:09 PM
  #9  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
MannyZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Before you start just buying a cam, be sure you have all the other bolt ons first.

You should have:

Long Tube Headers
Cat Back Exhaust or True Duals
LS6 intake

With the cam you also need to upgrade your valve springs (Comp918's should do for the size cam you're looking at) and hardened pushrods, both of which are usually availabe as a package deal for the cam from all the vendors like Thunder Racing, Futral Motorsports and Texas Speed & Performance. You should also purchase a gasket kit just to be sure you have all the gaskets for the cam install.

I was like you and figured, lets just throw a cam in there....well, there was a lot I had yet to learn, and I bought a lot of parts and put a lot of time into researching to find the parts that best suited my needs for my car.

After all that, the car is now finally pretty much where I wanted it.....7 months ago It still has some tuning issues, but I am gonna have that taken care off sooner or later. I am also not quite happy with my dyno numbers, but many factors contributed to those.

Not to discourage you, but if you start out the way I did, with just a lid and catback, you have a lot of money going into other people's pockets and quite a few issues to content with until it's all said and done. Just as an example....

Stainless Works Longtube headers with Y-pipe: 1320.00
LS6 Intake: 460.00
Complete Cam package with all the gaskets, the cam, push rods, valve springs, ported oil pump, plugs, plug wires etc. etc....: 1300.00
Labor: 1200.00 (that's for installing everything, the whole cam business, the headers, and the LS6 intake, and a few suspension mods)
Misc. Items: 400.00
Ported Throttlebody: 130.00

The list goes on, and I think I could write a book about the whole thing.

I just hope that a final tuning will bring things to an end.

By the way, I have the TR224 with the 112 LSA. I wanted the choppier idle as well, and I am glad that I went with the 112, it actually sounds tamer than I expected, so if you want to hear the cam, the 114 may not be for you. Also, a 112 LSA lowers your powerband a few hundred rpm which is nice to have, since not everyone wants to rev the **** out of their engine. If, however, you have to deal with emissions, then the 114 is the way to go.

Good luck man....and keep coming back for more questions, the guys here know their stuff!

And don't forget to read JRP's cam guide which is a sticky here in this forum.

Manny
Old 09-19-2005, 10:11 PM
  #10  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (29)
 
erikthegoalie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Margate, FL
Posts: 2,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Dam guys thanks!!! Mannyz28, we've spoken before and again THANKS! always helpful...
I'll keep everyone in touch

I think I'll go with the TR224, i want to support Thunder Racing..especially after their damage sustained by Katrina...!!!Nothing against any other sponsor of course!!!! and ill go with the 112 LSA for that LOPEY sound! if ima speand somewhere in the $1000's ima hear that sucker haha

THANKS!

Originally Posted by MannyZ28
Before you start just buying a cam, be sure you have all the other bolt ons first.

You should have:

Long Tube Headers
Cat Back Exhaust or True Duals
LS6 intake

With the cam you also need to upgrade your valve springs (Comp918's should do for the size cam you're looking at) and hardened pushrods, both of which are usually availabe as a package deal for the cam from all the vendors like Thunder Racing, Futral Motorsports and Texas Speed & Performance. You should also purchase a gasket kit just to be sure you have all the gaskets for the cam install.

I was like you and figured, lets just throw a cam in there....well, there was a lot I had yet to learn, and I bought a lot of parts and put a lot of time into researching to find the parts that best suited my needs for my car.

After all that, the car is now finally pretty much where I wanted it.....7 months ago It still has some tuning issues, but I am gonna have that taken care off sooner or later. I am also not quite happy with my dyno numbers, but many factors contributed to those.

Not to discourage you, but if you start out the way I did, with just a lid and catback, you have a lot of money going into other people's pockets and quite a few issues to content with until it's all said and done. Just as an example....

Stainless Works Longtube headers with Y-pipe: 1320.00
LS6 Intake: 460.00
Complete Cam package with all the gaskets, the cam, push rods, valve springs, ported oil pump, plugs, plug wires etc. etc....: 1300.00
Labor: 1200.00 (that's for installing everything, the whole cam business, the headers, and the LS6 intake, and a few suspension mods)
Misc. Items: 400.00
Ported Throttlebody: 130.00

The list goes on, and I think I could write a book about the whole thing.

I just hope that a final tuning will bring things to an end.

By the way, I have the TR224 with the 112 LSA. I wanted the choppier idle as well, and I am glad that I went with the 112, it actually sounds tamer than I expected, so if you want to hear the cam, the 114 may not be for you. Also, a 112 LSA lowers your powerband a few hundred rpm which is nice to have, since not everyone wants to rev the **** out of their engine. If, however, you have to deal with emissions, then the 114 is the way to go.

Good luck man....and keep coming back for more questions, the guys here know their stuff!

And don't forget to read JRP's cam guide which is a sticky here in this forum.

Manny
Old 09-19-2005, 10:36 PM
  #11  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (18)
 
DONAIMIAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NW Houston, TX
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

if you want a cam for 200 bux ill sell you my T1 for that much as soon as I get it out the car. Its a 221/221.
Old 09-19-2005, 11:13 PM
  #12  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
MannyZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Oh damn....I gave you that sermon before? LOL....sorry man!
Old 09-20-2005, 12:43 AM
  #13  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Venkman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Not Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

many cams are better than the hotcam. The TR224 would be comparable in the sense its not huge, but sounds mean.
Old 09-20-2005, 10:30 AM
  #14  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
Sharpe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Southeastern IL
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by erikthegoalie
I think I'll go with the TR224, i want to support Thunder Racing..especially after their damage sustained by Katrina...!!!
Old 09-20-2005, 10:56 AM
  #15  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
freakynipples69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NY
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

go to www.ls1howto.com and read their cam swap guide. You'll have ALL your questions anwsered by that.
Old 09-20-2005, 12:15 PM
  #16  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
ninobrn99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu HI
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

so is my F10 114 thats for sale a 228/228 114. its also a great daily driver cam, but supporting mods is a must!!
Old 09-26-2005, 10:02 PM
  #17  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (7)
 
Greed4Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Ft. Worth-ish
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

LPE has a grind like the old MTI C1 aka "Hammer Cam" for $250.
GT2-5 222/222 .566/.566 112
A bonus is that it can run ls2/z06 spings that you can pick up for under $60 +shipping from SDPC. Use your stock retainers, get some hardened pushrods and you now have a cam kit for the price of a TR cam.

That or watch for a used cam for sale.

If you're unfamiliar w/cams, something you may want to check out is spring life with the more agressive lobes.

Last edited by Greed4Speed; 09-26-2005 at 10:11 PM.
Old 09-27-2005, 08:34 AM
  #18  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
WS6WRX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Spring life was a main determining factor in my purchase of the Hotcam. Alot of people hate on the hotcam, but it has price and spring life on it's side. That LPE cam is interesting.
Old 09-27-2005, 04:08 PM
  #19  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (7)
 
Greed4Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Ft. Worth-ish
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

People like to hate on small cams, but I've seen some smaller cams (B1, T1) put out numbers that I've seen from larger cams and yet not have to spin the engine like they do. Plus they're easier on valve train.
Not every car repsonds well to a big cam, and not everyone wants a big cam.

It is always in the set up.
Old 09-27-2005, 04:42 PM
  #20  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (63)
 
01Z0H6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Hideaway Tx
Posts: 3,591
Received 76 Likes on 63 Posts

Default

I currently am selling a TR220 ( 220 220 .553 .553 @112+4) i'll let it go for $175.00 Shipped...

you could not dream a better deal than that... PM me if interested.. It's a damn good cam!!

I am currently running the RPM4 232 236 .595 .601 @114+2...

Good luck..


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:54 PM.