Bad lifter killed stock LS1 cam, money is tight so I'm going with an LS7 cam.
04-07-2016, 02:12 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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Bad lifter killed stock LS1 cam, money is tight so I'm going with an LS7 cam. I already read up on cams and such so I know about that.
Backstory: 2000 Z/28 died on me two months ago. It's currently getting rebuilt. It was a bad lifter and it killed the cam. So it will cost about a grand to rebuild since he's going to re-ring, hone, and put new bearings in. I got cheap Stainless Steel Long tube headers (speed engineering) because my stock headers have cracked welds and are rusting to dust. I'm also getting a new clutch since the previous owner absolutely destroyed the previous one (getting LS7 clutch, already have Tick MC). Also getting new tires, motor mounts, etc.
Basically I'm 20 and it's already costing a lot. I'll recoup all my losses once my other car is sold and have the Camaro back. My tuner/mechanic is advising me to go with an LS7 cam since the cam and some supporting mods would only cost about $500 vs an aftermarket one that would cost nearly $1k due to all the extra stuff needed like springs, chains, etc.
Keep in mind, this Camaro is a DD that drives like a normal car 90% of the time and I'm not needing big HP or the ability to race everyone. So should an LS7 cam be okay with my goals? I know they have longer duration and lift and that hurts torque, which is what I love most, but if it's cheaper than it's cheaper. He said I might get anywhere from no change to 10 whp more with it. I do know that it should sound meaner since the LSA is higher so that's nice. I just want to make sure I'm not "de-investing" for my future self by trying to save money now. Since it will have to be tuned anyways that's another $250 for a mail order tune.
Any opinions? Also I'm getting prothane motor mounts since the stock ones are too expensive. I already had poly trans mounts and the vibration wasn't that bad so I should be able to handle the motor mounts right? Thanks!
Backstory: 2000 Z/28 died on me two months ago. It's currently getting rebuilt. It was a bad lifter and it killed the cam. So it will cost about a grand to rebuild since he's going to re-ring, hone, and put new bearings in. I got cheap Stainless Steel Long tube headers (speed engineering) because my stock headers have cracked welds and are rusting to dust. I'm also getting a new clutch since the previous owner absolutely destroyed the previous one (getting LS7 clutch, already have Tick MC). Also getting new tires, motor mounts, etc.
Basically I'm 20 and it's already costing a lot. I'll recoup all my losses once my other car is sold and have the Camaro back. My tuner/mechanic is advising me to go with an LS7 cam since the cam and some supporting mods would only cost about $500 vs an aftermarket one that would cost nearly $1k due to all the extra stuff needed like springs, chains, etc.
Keep in mind, this Camaro is a DD that drives like a normal car 90% of the time and I'm not needing big HP or the ability to race everyone. So should an LS7 cam be okay with my goals? I know they have longer duration and lift and that hurts torque, which is what I love most, but if it's cheaper than it's cheaper. He said I might get anywhere from no change to 10 whp more with it. I do know that it should sound meaner since the LSA is higher so that's nice. I just want to make sure I'm not "de-investing" for my future self by trying to save money now. Since it will have to be tuned anyways that's another $250 for a mail order tune.
Any opinions? Also I'm getting prothane motor mounts since the stock ones are too expensive. I already had poly trans mounts and the vibration wasn't that bad so I should be able to handle the motor mounts right? Thanks!
04-07-2016, 04:07 PM
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Staging Lane
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Thanks! I already read that article and all the other ones on this site I could find about LS7 cams in LS1's.
I was just asking if it was worth it or if I should cough up the dough for a better cam. I don't know if I'll change the springs or not yet.
I was just asking if it was worth it or if I should cough up the dough for a better cam. I don't know if I'll change the springs or not yet.
04-07-2016, 06:08 PM
#4
vette forums has some good info also. i had an 02 ls6 cam in my 99 for awhile and it was ok for what it was.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...to-an-ls1.html
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...to-an-ls1.html
04-07-2016, 06:26 PM
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What about this?
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=6830
For about $80 more than an LS7 kit I get any cam (custom grind included) of my choice, plus chromoly pushrods, plus some springs. That should do me well with a non-insane cam right?
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=6830
For about $80 more than an LS7 kit I get any cam (custom grind included) of my choice, plus chromoly pushrods, plus some springs. That should do me well with a non-insane cam right?
04-07-2016, 08:40 PM
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Wasn't set, just money and "will I actually ever use this?" Constriants. Once I'm outta college I'll probably have enough money to build a full on stroker if I wanted lol, working part time sucks.
Here's what my tuner said about it, "That kit doesn't include a new timing gear, timing chain, valve cover gaskets, timing cover gasket, crank bolt, or damper. Which comes to $250-300. So add another day $300 to the $580 and you're at $900. Unfortunately man more than stock cams can get pricey quick."
Yeah...might just have to go LS7 lol
Here's what my tuner said about it, "That kit doesn't include a new timing gear, timing chain, valve cover gaskets, timing cover gasket, crank bolt, or damper. Which comes to $250-300. So add another day $300 to the $580 and you're at $900. Unfortunately man more than stock cams can get pricey quick."
Yeah...might just have to go LS7 lol
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04-13-2016, 07:41 AM
#15
I understand the financial concern but your talking about $100-$150 difference to pick up a far better off the shelf/custom cam from what you would pay for that LS7. Plus that's not a direct swap on a Ls1, you need to change some of the front accessories...which will end up costing you more in the end. Check the for sale section, nothing wrong w/ a used cam.
04-13-2016, 08:42 AM
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I'm probably going to go with a custom cam setup now. It might be more expensive now but in the long term if won't. An LS7 cam would just be holding me back and let's say I wanted to put heads on my car in the future, well a custom cam means I don't have to tear all the way down to that part of the engine to get some power. The shop that's building my car also ensures all of their custom cams are easily driveable on the street.
