LS1 Cam Selection - with exhaust downgrade
#1
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey Guys,
I have an interesting situation with my LS1 power '78 Trans Am that I would like to run by the community to see what the consensus is.
Because of how low the car is, I cannot run with the set of headers I have on there currently. They are the BRP Stepped 1 3/4" to 1 7/8" to 3" collector version. Beautiful headers, badass sound but simply not enough ground clearance for my ride. I can't get a soda can under it. The car is down like 3.5" lower than standard ride height and NJ roads flat out SUCK.![Bang Head](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_banghead.gif)
![Bang Head](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_banghead.gif)
One of the guys at BRP is trying to see if we can work out a deal on a set of mid-lengths in trade for my old headers which is appreciated but I am not sure whether I will have a problem still or not. I am also getting rid of the X-pipe and just going to straight duals so I can really tuck it up against the body.
This leads me to the headers. I recently acquired a set of non-egr truck manifolds to use on my set-up. Yes I know this is really not the best solution but frankly I want to drive this car without worrying about it slamming into stuff. I am planning on getting them blasted then ceramic coated so at least they look nice. That being said, eventually I am going to pull the engine to do a heads/cam and converter swap and I am looking for a cam that will at least work with the "not as great" combo I now have.
Originally I was looking at a V3 Torquer, but taking into account my whole combo - 5.3L stage 2.5s and a 2800-3200 stall converter and the likely prospect of switching the stepped headers back to 6.0L Truck Manifolds, I am thinking the V3 may not be the right move for me. I am thinking the TSP233/239 on a 112 would probably make more sense since the exhaust side is now going to be worse.
I would pair the 233/239 with a new Ported LS6 pump, the LS7 lifters, PRs, LS6 intake, 85 mm TB, truck manifolds and the 3000 stall converter.
What are your thoughts? Would you recommend something else?
![](https://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs424.ash1/23504_647641968246_10507443_36988871_7972602_n.jpg)
Thanks,
Dave
I have an interesting situation with my LS1 power '78 Trans Am that I would like to run by the community to see what the consensus is.
Because of how low the car is, I cannot run with the set of headers I have on there currently. They are the BRP Stepped 1 3/4" to 1 7/8" to 3" collector version. Beautiful headers, badass sound but simply not enough ground clearance for my ride. I can't get a soda can under it. The car is down like 3.5" lower than standard ride height and NJ roads flat out SUCK.
![Bang Head](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_banghead.gif)
![Bang Head](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_banghead.gif)
![Bang Head](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_banghead.gif)
This leads me to the headers. I recently acquired a set of non-egr truck manifolds to use on my set-up. Yes I know this is really not the best solution but frankly I want to drive this car without worrying about it slamming into stuff. I am planning on getting them blasted then ceramic coated so at least they look nice. That being said, eventually I am going to pull the engine to do a heads/cam and converter swap and I am looking for a cam that will at least work with the "not as great" combo I now have.
Originally I was looking at a V3 Torquer, but taking into account my whole combo - 5.3L stage 2.5s and a 2800-3200 stall converter and the likely prospect of switching the stepped headers back to 6.0L Truck Manifolds, I am thinking the V3 may not be the right move for me. I am thinking the TSP233/239 on a 112 would probably make more sense since the exhaust side is now going to be worse.
I would pair the 233/239 with a new Ported LS6 pump, the LS7 lifters, PRs, LS6 intake, 85 mm TB, truck manifolds and the 3000 stall converter.
What are your thoughts? Would you recommend something else?
![](https://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs424.ash1/23504_647641968246_10507443_36988871_7972602_n.jpg)
Thanks,
Dave
#2
TECH Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Herndon, VA
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I like the cam, but not sure it'll perform at top end with stock-like exhaust. Should be OK for the bottom of the torque curve, which is probably what you use most...