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

Bigger cam suggestion help?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 2, 2003 | 12:07 PM
  #1  
Jimmyz's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 1
From: Marietta, GA
Default Bigger cam suggestion help?

The cam I currently have is a (224/228 .567/.571 113) I believe with the 20-30 cfm increase I've got, I'm losing compression and cylinder pressure with the small duration and not effectively using the additional air flow.

the Z06 heads flow:

100 200 300 400 500 600
Int 67 147 201 246 282 305
Exh 53 104 142 189 208 214

This is a daily driver and I'm looking for more low to mid-range TORQUE then just peaky HP numbers. I also will spray a 125-150 shot once and a while.

What do you think?

Here's what I'm thinking (230/228 duration, .592"/.588", 112) but, Is there a MORE technical way to pick the correct cam than just trial and error if one has correct flow numbers?

Suggest away.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 08:50 AM
  #2  
mike#9's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 0
From: Apopka, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by Jimmyz
The cam I currently have is a (224/228 .567/.571 113) I believe with the 20-30 cfm increase I've got, I'm losing compression and cylinder pressure with the small duration and not effectively using the additional air flow.

the Z06 heads flow:

100 200 300 400 500 600
Int 67 147 201 246 282 305
Exh 53 104 142 189 208 214

This is a daily driver and I'm looking for more low to mid-range TORQUE then just peaky HP numbers. I also will spray a 125-150 shot once and a while.

What do you think?

Here's what I'm thinking (230/228 duration, .592"/.588", 112) but, Is there a MORE technical way to pick the correct cam than just trial and error if one has correct flow numbers?

Suggest away.

You can use that reverse split cam...but I would recommend doing a bigger standard split...if you want something bigger.

I am putting a 230/236 cam in my car and I am probably going to spray it with a 75-150 jettable kit. No spray in the immediate future, but give me a week or 2 and I can tell you how the cam drives...it will be installed along with my stage 2 heads soon!!!
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 01:37 PM
  #3  
z98's Avatar
z98
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 0
Default

Desktop dyno maybe?
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 01:44 PM
  #4  
Camaroholic's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,449
Likes: 1
From: Waco, TX
Default

Originally Posted by z98
Desktop dyno maybe?
DD2K will NOT work for you unless you have very accurate data.

For example, with my head flow numbers alone (similar to what's posted above), the cam iterator said that I should run a 228/242 .48"/.65" solid roller to maximize power. heh.

But, scale back those intake port numbers (by bolting on an intake and TB), make some new measurements, and you may get something more realistic. I scaled back my intake port flow numbers (just to simulate an intake being bolted on), and wound up at a 239/236 .65/.65 cam with DD2K. So you can see, without more data - REAL flow data for the SYSTEM - the numbers are worthless. Even my reverse split numbers were based on "made up" intake flow numbers.

DD2K is a fun toy to waste away a rainy Sunday afternoon with, and learn about how valve events affect RPM performance, but I wouldn't build a LS1 around it.

-Andrew
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 03:34 PM
  #5  
Cstraub's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 39
From: Tri-Cities, TN
Default

Actually this is where "most" go wrong with the bigger thing. As cylinder heads have progressed with port velocity, clean air, and good numbers down low the common thing to do is go bigger cam, this is the wrong thing to do. If you think about what the cam is, it controls the air in and out. Now take an engine with poor flowing heads. For the engine to make power the cam is going to have to over compensate for the heads based on a performance engine exceeding the RPM range of the engine. IE Super Stock. Now take the heads available today and terrific low lift numbers the heads get. Most of these heads will sustain the CID of engines into the rpm range with no problem, the head doing the work. Knowing this, the camshaft does not have to be as large because the head will achieve cylinder fill in a shorter time (less duration) and the head flows suffiecient air at lower lifts (less lift) to sustain the engine and make power.

Case in point, I was asked to provide a camshaft to a WoO engine builder a few years ago for a new cylinder head that was going on the 410CID engines. The engine was not performing with 3 supplied grinds from other cam companies. Once I was supplied the info on the engine and airflow off the heads, I ground a camshaft that was 20degree shorter in duration and .100" less lift. The cylinder head manufacturer was insulted by the cam but at the insistance of the engine builder he wanted to try it. Dyno results were 70HP more, 100#/ft of torque and a power band that was 2400 rpm broad with a 5% variance across it.

So, when selecting cams, I would go conservative especially if you have good flowing heads.

Cstraub
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:37 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE