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

cam off a tooth

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 30, 2003 | 02:55 AM
  #1  
MYTURBOT/A's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: orlando, florida
Default cam off a tooth

What would happen if a cam got installed one tooth off? How would it affect performance? Is there anyway to tell if it`s off without pulling the cover?
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2003 | 03:06 AM
  #2  
CAT3's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 7,603
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Default

I dont think you can check it with the cover on, unless you were bruoght #1 up, and checked the valve stems to make sure they were closed. That is one way, and for that it doesnt ahve to be #1. I thought I had one tooth off with my old cam, although there was noticeable increase over stock, not like my friends gains with same cam. Took it out and upon removal, looked, to my relief is was on dot to dot. I am sure one tooth off would be too much for it to run, at least any way shape or form decently.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2003 | 09:13 AM
  #3  
SPANKY LS1's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 1
From: Seneca, SC
Default

Not to mention, depending on the size of the cam, you would probably have MASSIVE P to V problems.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2003 | 10:10 AM
  #4  
Jabroni's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Default

I had this happen to me. My car's dyno was down 40 RWHP and the torque came up a tad over stock. The dyno curve looked exactly like my stock one did...almost identical curves and the car sounded "flat". It sounded like it didn't want to go all the way to the top of the RPM's. It was off one tooth exactly.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2003 | 01:06 PM
  #5  
MYTURBOT/A's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: orlando, florida
Default

mine is making some power but not as much as i thought it would it`s also turbo charged so i think that would probaly mask some of the problem. The thing that gets me suspicious is the fact that the car always feels like it`s strugling and i can`t get it to rev past 6000 under WOT, The rpms just stop a little short of 6000 and then it starts to chug and break up realy bad. I double checked my rev limiters and it`s set to 6800. The shop that assembled the long block screwed some other stuff up so i`m wondering if they didn`t screw this up to.
BTW The cam is stock.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2003 | 01:07 PM
  #6  
TTPMatt's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 0
From: Wayne, NJ
Default

Yes it would definitely affect performance...

The CORRECT way to put a new camshaft in, which most shops will not take the time to do is this:

1) Take cam specs (Intake opening value, lsa and centerline)...

2) Degree the cam in using a degree wheel.

3) Recheck degreeing the cam in.

Most shops will not take the time to degree a cam in because it is a tedious process. All cams should be degree'd in to make sure it's perfect, even if the manufacturer says install it straight-up, we will degree the cam in still.

When it comes down to it, do things the right way the first time so you won't have problems down the line.

- Matt
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2003 | 01:19 PM
  #7  
MYTURBOT/A's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: orlando, florida
Default

I`m trying to find a good turbo cam when i find one i`ll do the install myself and degree it so i know it`s correct. Thanks.
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2003 | 04:45 PM
  #8  
mikemodano9c's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Default

we had my cam in a single tooth off...the car ran, but not very well...

it made 340/350 on the stock cam before the swap and with a tooth off it made 340/~300

it basically made no tq and had no top end...

we pulled it back apart and low and behold...one tooth off

afterwards it was like driving a different car...
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-4

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-8

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:34 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE