LS6 Cam Upgrade
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca
LS6 Cam Upgrade Hi, Looking for some help here. I have 04 LS6 which is basically stock that I am looking to do a cam upgrade on. I have it in a jet boat. Right now I can get it to turn about 5k. I am going to put a new impller on it to get some more rpms out of it but I would like a cam that has alot of mid/top power around 4-5500 rpm to match it. (if some how i can get to 6k great, but I dont see it happening in a jetboat). Looking for a choppy idil and about 30-40 hp gain.
This is my current set up:
04 ls6
stock cam, heads, bottom end w/ all arp fasteners
750 cfm holley
Edelbrock single plane intake w/ MSD box(curve pills,non-programmable)
1.75 rockers
open wet exhaust, no baffles
Thanks, Keith
This is my current set up:
04 ls6
stock cam, heads, bottom end w/ all arp fasteners
750 cfm holley
Edelbrock single plane intake w/ MSD box(curve pills,non-programmable)
1.75 rockers
open wet exhaust, no baffles
Thanks, Keith
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
LS-based motor making peak power at 5k? I'm curious to see what others have in mind... However, I DO know that the stock LS6 cam is a terrible choice. 
I'd change the title of the thread to get more views though... "Best cam for 5k rev" or somethign similar.
I'd change the title of the thread to get more views though... "Best cam for 5k rev" or somethign similar.
My question is why can you only get it to 5,000 RPM?
If you were able to spin it into the 6,000-6,500 range I would say throw in something like an MS4, Vindicator, or a TREX
If you were able to spin it into the 6,000-6,500 range I would say throw in something like an MS4, Vindicator, or a TREX
Last edited by c0ncEpT; Feb 27, 2009 at 02:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca
Well generally in a jetboat. What ever it turns on the street its about a 1000rpm less pushing a jet, whatever motor it is. Especially a small block. Thats why I need a big boost in the mid aswell as the top range.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 3
From: Upstate NY
Hi, Looking for some help here. I have 04 LS6 which is basically stock that I am looking to do a cam upgrade on. I have it in a jet boat. Right now I can get it to turn about 5k. I am going to put a new impller on it to get some more rpms out of it but I would like a cam that has alot of mid/top power around 4-5500 rpm to match it. (if some how i can get to 6k great, but I dont see it happening in a jetboat). Looking for a choppy idil and about 30-40 hp gain.
This is my current set up:
04 ls6
stock cam, heads, bottom end w/ all arp fasteners
750 cfm holley
Edelbrock single plane intake w/ MSD box(curve pills,non-programmable)
1.75 rockers
open wet exhaust, no baffles
Thanks, Keith
This is my current set up:
04 ls6
stock cam, heads, bottom end w/ all arp fasteners
750 cfm holley
Edelbrock single plane intake w/ MSD box(curve pills,non-programmable)
1.75 rockers
open wet exhaust, no baffles
Thanks, Keith
Converting to EFI isn't all that much trouble with the stand-alone systems available. Consider that a correct valve job on the 243 heads, the correct HR cam, stock rockers and lifters and the truck/LS6 intake will net you much more than the 40 hp you seek. The down side is the idle won't be very lumpy, but the boat will be fast.
More power in the under 5K rpm range should spin the impeller you have a bit higher, but then you could change impeller to allow the engine to run where it makes best power.
I'd contact someone who knows what to do as described above. There aren't many, because most are building for max power at/above 6000. There are a few, however.
Basically you are building a truck engine that hauls "mules".
My $.02.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca
The ms4 sounds nice , but seems large. The guys at comp cams told me I should stay under .600 lift. But im no cam guy that is why im asking. I was thinking the ASA cam was nice, but i would like to see some more lift than .525......
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Try a custom cam to fit your needs. There aren't any off the shelf 'LSx cams for use in a jet boat running a single plane intake and carb tuned to 5000rpm'. Some members here are pros at cam suggestion, for a small fee.
boats need need awsome torque.. I dont recommend a peaky as cam. AT ALL.
something with a tight LSA is going to give the mid range punch to get it on plane in a heart beat. I'd say something in the 218/224 range with around .580 lift and a low lsa.. you wont have idling issues with a tight lsa because jet drive dont have that much resistence.
btw... I used to be a marine mechanic
something with a tight LSA is going to give the mid range punch to get it on plane in a heart beat. I'd say something in the 218/224 range with around .580 lift and a low lsa.. you wont have idling issues with a tight lsa because jet drive dont have that much resistence.
btw... I used to be a marine mechanic
somthing like the tr 224 reverse split....230/224 on a 111 ive read that cam has a killer tourqe curve.......my old vinci 220/224 551/551 114 was a tourqy cam had a stock like powerband with a couple hundred extra rpms,and i ran it on 04 ls6 springs......
you may wanna search around on the truck board.....
id stay away from big cams such as an ms4.....they will not help you at all......
you may wanna search around on the truck board.....
id stay away from big cams such as an ms4.....they will not help you at all......
Like was mentioned in a jet boat you need torque to spin the impeller. Even with an impeller change you will not be able to spin much past 5000rpms with small block torque. There's a local guy at the lake that runs a 588ci BBF 13.1-1 Compression, 101Blue, well over 600Hp and can only spin 5800-6000rpms.
I recommend something along the lines of a 208/218 .563/.598 110+4 for max torque production along your rpm range. You need alot more exhaust duration and lift with marine wet exhaust vs car exhaust. The bad thing about the above cam is, will it work with wet exhaust without getting reversion? Maybe, depending on the length of your risers and where the water mixes. You might have to cut it on a 112+4 LSA to reduce overlap.
I run a 234/240 .580/.568 112+4 in my 385ci SBC in my boat. I also run 22" long dry risers to prevent reversion. I have AFR heads and spin it to 6000rpms @ 78.2 GPS. Alpha SS 2.5" shorty outdrive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyKTqEhzfCc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuL_dEX0SoM
I recommend something along the lines of a 208/218 .563/.598 110+4 for max torque production along your rpm range. You need alot more exhaust duration and lift with marine wet exhaust vs car exhaust. The bad thing about the above cam is, will it work with wet exhaust without getting reversion? Maybe, depending on the length of your risers and where the water mixes. You might have to cut it on a 112+4 LSA to reduce overlap.
I run a 234/240 .580/.568 112+4 in my 385ci SBC in my boat. I also run 22" long dry risers to prevent reversion. I have AFR heads and spin it to 6000rpms @ 78.2 GPS. Alpha SS 2.5" shorty outdrive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyKTqEhzfCc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuL_dEX0SoM
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca
Wow. Thats a killer motor..Whats the specs? Is it really going to fit in that boat? if so what kinda cam you gonna use custom grind or shelf?
Thanks for the cam input. At first I did like the reverse split, but I will give it another look over. I will take some more pics when I can. The boat is in storage right now.
Thanks for the cam input. At first I did like the reverse split, but I will give it another look over. I will take some more pics when I can. The boat is in storage right now.
I wouldn't think a boat is much different than a car. In a car you build the engine to run in the RPM range YOU want, then adjust the gearing to get it down the track. In a boat, you'd change the prop or impeller.
Russ
Russ
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Over the rainbow
LS7 Aluminium Block
F2 Procharger
Direct drive for blower ( No Belt )
4 fuel rails
Custom 16 Injector Methanol Manifold
GMM Custom cam
Dry sump 1.8 inches high
GMM custom motor plates
electric light weight water pump
8.9 inch lightweight flywheel and remote starter
F2 Procharger
Direct drive for blower ( No Belt )
4 fuel rails
Custom 16 Injector Methanol Manifold
GMM Custom cam
Dry sump 1.8 inches high
GMM custom motor plates
electric light weight water pump
8.9 inch lightweight flywheel and remote starter
