“Cam Only” WS6 Trans-Am Hits the Dyno

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Newsflash: big gains to be had with cam upgrade on LSX platform.

Okay, we are just kidding. By now, everyone with a pulse knows how much potential the LS1 engine has. Putting in a larger bumpstick is an obvious upgrade to make more powwaaa. If you have been thinking about changing the camshaft in your WS6, just do it. Curious about what kind of results you could see? Here is one of many infamous “cam only” LS1 F-Bodies hitting the dyno.

This particular Trans Am is fitted with a manual transmission. It also seems to be a bit louder than the average “stock” 4th GenFirebird. However, the guy who posted the video claims that the only change is the cam. This is how it starts. We just called a “cam only” car stock. It’s only a matter of time until this car is running two stages of laughing gas while the owner claims it’s still stock.

For those wondering, the specs on the cam in this Firebird are 232/232 .600″/.600″ 112 LSA. If you are considering a similar swap for your F-Body this video offers some insight into what you can expect.

LS1tech.com Cam Only LS1 fourth gen Firebird WS6 Dyno

Figure that the average stock LS1 car makes somewhere in the area of 300-325 wheel horsepower. This LS1-powered Pontiac lays down 384 horsepower at the rear wheels. Who knew a cam swap was good for about 70 wheel horsepower! Let’s give the owner the benefit of the doubt, and call it a glory dyno. Remember, the car is “cam only,” after all.

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com


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