Calling all turbo daily drivers
Just got an email that the cam shipped out already!!!
Also, going to be doing the cam install in the truck. Any pointers on doing this? I've never removed or installed a LS cam. Any need to replace the timing chain?
Last edited by ElQueFør; May 3, 2018 at 05:33 PM.
Not sure if it needs lifters, it does make the typical LS lifter noise not sure if they need attention or not yet.
Stupid question but how can you tell if chain is stretched?
Can see the difference here.

If you’ve got it apart, throw a decent timing set on it. I kind of hate the sloppy STG2 cam just because everyone thinks it’s a “one size fits all” cam. (it’s not!) I understand the cheap appeal though.
With that cam I’d buy a decent aftermarket timing set that allowed you to advance that cam 3-4*. Cloyes makes a good adjustable single roller chain. I wouldn’t run a double roller... they usually require clearancing.
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Yeah I know there is no one size fits all cam. Just want something better than stock for cheap lol.
BTR racing sells the OEM gen4 timing sets if you want to skip that advice.
https://www.briantooleyracing.com/ch...-12646386.html
It will make it “snappy” down low. This is why when you look at all the “non sloppy” turbo cams out there they have similar durations/lifts, but usually have a +3 or +4 after the title. Meaning the 3-4* of advance are already ground in to that cam shaft.
Get a decent 2 core aluminum rad with 1” cores and derale fans or good OE fans and call it a day. All that bullshit that becool says about 400hp cooling, 600hp cooling is crap. They use the same radiators and just give you better fans. So get a decent rad and a decent shrouded fan setup that covers 80-90% of the core minimum and you should be good.
I pulled off the one head that I though I had on backwards becuase of the tab on the MLS gasket being towards the rear rather than the front like it is supposed to be.
Sure enough, where the label FRONT was printed on the head gasket itself, it was on the back.... So I had that one head gasket on backwards.
I will have it all fixed up here in a few days with the gaskets on correctly, and the new Sloppy Stage 2 cam installed. Got some new LS7 lifters to put in just in case, LS2 timing chain b/c it was super cheap a Trick Flow timing damper and some PAC 1218 springs....
Is it bad that I have been sneaking around this whole time on stock valve springs hahahaha???
Okay I have a question... I know that the LS9 or otherwise MLS style gaskets can be installed backwards as in my case.... If I lay the HG on the head on the bench I can see that IF it is installed backwards that there is at least one coolant passage that is blocked off on the back. Maybe two passages back there I don't have it in front of me at the moment. Anyways... Why is it that it matters so much if it's blocked off in the back vs the front??? I mean, either way it is blocked off in either the front or the back.
Jesus. a legit bonehead mistake.
Forcefed- Thanks for explaining the reasoning, that makes sense. How would I know if it fucked something up?? Everything seems ok, it was running great and only occasionally seemed to want to overheat. I never let it get too warm when I was driving it around.
The coolant temp probe was located on the same side that I accidentally put the HG on backwards.
Last edited by ElQueFør; May 21, 2018 at 04:17 PM.
In the end, it’s a JY motor, so probably money and time ahead just slapping it back together. If it overheats and acts weird buy another long block and slap it in. Don’t fart around with a questionable motor, it will nickle and dime you to death.
And I've been monitoring this pretty closelly the whole time I've been running the engine. When I noticed it was running warm and acting weird I made sure to drive it easily, short shifting and staying out of boost, keeping the revs down etc. These LS engines are tough, and since I've been decently careful with it during these episodes I think it will be OK. Going to put some more work in on it tonight.










