My list of best max effort cams inside
 

I have compiled a list of max-effort cams that should make over 400rwhp and put me in the low 11's with a properly set up car. Help me narrow down the list with pros in cons. They are all excellent designs and made by well known companies.

My main goal is to have plenty of torque down low as it will be driven on the street often with a PT4000 converter with 3.42 gears. I don't want to have to keep revs up all the time.

Thunder Racing TR230 "Reverse Split" Camshaft
230/224 .575/.563 111 LSA

MTI Signature X1 reverse split cam
230/227 .591/.571 112LSA

MTI Signature R1 split cam
232/236 .575/.578 112LSA

LG Motorsports G5X-2 Cam
232/240 .595/.609 112LSA

TSP Custom 232 Reverse-Split Pattern Cam
232/228 .595/.588 112 LSA

TSP Custom 231/237 Cam
231/237 .598"/.595" 112 LSA

I was in the same place you are I went with the TR230 I have not gotten it in yet but the main part to get it right is gonna be the tuning and it works well with stock and ported heads just my .02 cents

I would go with the G5X2 or the TSP 231/237 they work really well with stock heads and work even better with ported heads.
Jimmy

Why not add the TR236 to the list :)

MAX effort? Far from it IMO. Most of those cams idle like a baby with some tuning and a 900 rpm idle speed. Far cry from MAX effort if you ask me.

The GM Grand-Am cup cam would be considered max effort or something similar. Something in the mid-upper 240's duration, 110 or lower LSA.


Josh

TSP 232 if N/A

TSP 231 if you plan to spray or go with some better heads.

Damian, can you send me some info on your hybrid rear..thanks

Don't know the specs. :confused:

And I would think these are large enough to call max effort. These are some of the largest grinds available for our stock displacement engine. With exception to the new secret cams coming out (ie G5X3, "magic stick") IMO, but to each his own I guess.

I'm kinda leaning towards the R1 grind from MTI. :cool:

I have one with about 7500 miles on it, perfect shape ;)

It will be a while before I get a bigger cam, I'm just narrowing my list down in preperation. Thanks for the offer though. BTW, what kind of power and or times did it make?

I don't think you need anything like a 230, or max effort cam to see low 11's in a 'properly setup' cam only car. All of those cams you listed will make good power and probably perform alot closer than you think. All of those cams are alot more radical than anything I'd want to idle through a drive-thru though. You should consider this.

Further, any of those cams will need more than a 3.42 gear to be 'properly setup'. I think you will need atleast 3.73's for any of those cams to operate somewhat efficiently down the track. 4.10's would be even better--that's why I went with them. Remember, the bigger the cam the higher you will need to rev it to get the most out of it.

Lets see, I've run the TSP 231/237 cam, I've run the F1 - 230/226, and I would hardly call those "max effort" cams. They are pretty big, but with tuning they drive just fine. Add a gear to the equation and they drive even better, however there is absolutely nothing wrong with rolling around with a 3.42 gear. Next one on my list is probably going to be the Thunder 236 reverse with a nice set of heads to compliment it.

What is this new Thunder cam specs??

Peoples description of max effort is different for every person I guess. I will definately be getting some nice heads to go with, this large of a cam.

I thought 232 is the largest intake duration you can go without flycutting or am I missing something. :suspiciou

ss427ci - you aren't missing a thing - flycutting will be required :) Should be fun.

i noticed you dont have LT's yet, those cams wont perform nearly as well if you dont have them. also an ls6 or if you want to wait for numbers on the lsx intake.

personally i'd go with a TR224 112lsa and get some nice heads. you'll have an excellent mid range and top end power and will be over 400rwhp. dont try to overcompensate by just stuffing a huge cam in just to hit 400rwhp.

TR236: 236/230 599/570 on a 112

I am in the process of installing this in my car right now. Per Thunder no flycutting pistons and Comp 918's will be fine. I will be sure to post sound clips and impressions of the cam before and after serious tuning. Also Dyno/track results.

For rolling around I agree with your statement, but for drag racing this will be no where near enough gear for any of those cams. 3.42's would produce lackluster 1/4 mile times with any of those cams.

Max effort would be a custom cam designed for your engine combination to produce the desired power range. Shelf stuff is great and makes good power for the masses but if you are after maximum effort I would not go with anything but a custom cam.

Cstraub

I'm running the TSP 231/237 with comp 918 springs. It's street manners are really nice and I"m still running the 3.42 gears. Any of those cams you have listed are great and with tuning should be very driveable.

Mike, you are absolutely right - a 3.42 gear for the track for these cams doesn't exactly let them shine, but its totally fine for the street. Most people are of the opinion that you HAVE to have a gear with a cam, but I don't subscribe to that as I have done it both ways. However on the track my 4.30s kicked the crap out of the 3.42s. It feels like you are going 4 seconds slower with the 3.42s

:) We are on the same page