ls1 cam / intake only... maybe a catback
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 106
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From: Northern VA
ls1 cam / intake only... maybe a catback Hey everyone,
I have a stock 98 T/A M6. I want to do a cam and ls6 intake (probably with a 80-85 mm tb) and a catback at most. Other than that I wanna leave it stock. (looking to pick up 50ish hp and some torque).
I have read 100's of posts and recommendations but found few for the weekend warrior who wants to avoid a total top end rebuild. After reading the posts I called comp cams who recommended at the most a 54-416 which is 220/224 112 LSA and 530/534.
BUT....
EVERYTHING I read suggests duration in the mid 220's and lift in the mid 550's at a minimum. I don't want to overcam the car, and I don't want to COMPLETELY destroy the fuel mileage but I don't want to do the work for minimal results.
I am more interested in low end torque then high end torque and I would like the car to remain "streetable" (relative term really). I would probably go with a custom grind with 114 LSA if I went with the above cam BTW. Having never worked on an LSX engine (done plenty of 5.0's) I have no idea what is too much cam for an LS1 that is mostly stock. Any suggestions or anyone who has done a cam + minor mods only?
OH, and I will be changing the valve springs, I know you have to, probably going with the comp beehive variety.
THANKS!
I have a stock 98 T/A M6. I want to do a cam and ls6 intake (probably with a 80-85 mm tb) and a catback at most. Other than that I wanna leave it stock. (looking to pick up 50ish hp and some torque).
I have read 100's of posts and recommendations but found few for the weekend warrior who wants to avoid a total top end rebuild. After reading the posts I called comp cams who recommended at the most a 54-416 which is 220/224 112 LSA and 530/534.
BUT....
EVERYTHING I read suggests duration in the mid 220's and lift in the mid 550's at a minimum. I don't want to overcam the car, and I don't want to COMPLETELY destroy the fuel mileage but I don't want to do the work for minimal results.
I am more interested in low end torque then high end torque and I would like the car to remain "streetable" (relative term really). I would probably go with a custom grind with 114 LSA if I went with the above cam BTW. Having never worked on an LSX engine (done plenty of 5.0's) I have no idea what is too much cam for an LS1 that is mostly stock. Any suggestions or anyone who has done a cam + minor mods only?
OH, and I will be changing the valve springs, I know you have to, probably going with the comp beehive variety.
THANKS!
Sounds to me like a good ol' 224/224 .581/.581 114 cam is just right for you. Thats what I run & daily drive. Believe me this cam is definetly far from too big. Still has stock like street manners but gets it when you want it to. This little cam grind has been proven over the years.
I'm still getting 18mpg & I have not even got mine tuned yet. Been driving it around for about 3yrs & 50k miles without a single issue. I'm sure my power & mpg will pick up some after it has a solid tune put on it.
For your springs I'd suggest the Patriot Gold dual kit. Its very cost friendly & will live above this cam for a long time without being too much spring for it.
I'm still getting 18mpg & I have not even got mine tuned yet. Been driving it around for about 3yrs & 50k miles without a single issue. I'm sure my power & mpg will pick up some after it has a solid tune put on it.
For your springs I'd suggest the Patriot Gold dual kit. Its very cost friendly & will live above this cam for a long time without being too much spring for it.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 106
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From: Northern VA
thanks for the reply, I read quite a bit about the 224. Sounds to be tried and true. Do you notice terrible surging at low rpm (like when you're stuck in traffic?). Also, do you get a good lope with the 114 LSA? Stock is like 119 I think but 112 sounds on the low end to me for a street application. Last, what kind of hp (or seat of your pants) gain did you notice?
Thanks!
Thanks!
The only time I get some cam surge or buckin is if I let the rpm's get too low driving in a parking lot. But again with a proper tune I'm sure this would disappear. Seat of the pants was definetly noticeable. I do have Pacesetter LT's though, but at the same time I still have the crap *** stock intake. You can definetly hear it loping a little but its not super noticeable like the larger cams.
I have never strapped it on the dyno. So I have no official numbers on it yet. But right after the install I bumped into a bone stock C6 non-Z06 & waxed his *** on the highway from 65-130. Keep in mind though I have heads that have been worked over & LT's, which you wont have just doin a cam & intake only.
Overall I'd say the 224 cam is a great little cam for someone lookin for a cam that wont kill the valve train but will give them the non-stock performance they are after without being too dramatic.
I have never strapped it on the dyno. So I have no official numbers on it yet. But right after the install I bumped into a bone stock C6 non-Z06 & waxed his *** on the highway from 65-130. Keep in mind though I have heads that have been worked over & LT's, which you wont have just doin a cam & intake only.
Overall I'd say the 224 cam is a great little cam for someone lookin for a cam that wont kill the valve train but will give them the non-stock performance they are after without being too dramatic.
save money and just port your stock tb... then contact geoff at eps for a custom 226. Best descision youll make on a cam that drives like stock but makes a boatload of tq and hp across the curve. Look in the dyno section, a guy had that cam installed in a stock ls6 motor and it put down 430whp(a4 too)!!! He said his wife drove it for 3 days and could not tell it was cammed!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Great, sounds like exactly what I'm looking for, the recommended comp cam sounded wrong to me but I'm no expert. I really appreciate the input and suggestions, if anyone out there has anymore let me know. And...Excuse my ignorance but who are these people of whom you speak and how might I contact them?
Thanks
Thanks
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Verdad Gallardo here ya go, i had to do a search cause it wasnt on the first few pages
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...-224-cams.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...-224-cams.html
With your plan of just a cam, and intake/catback, just go with a custom grind, good springs and get a good dyno tune from a proven tuner. It will be a night and day difference!
Im personally running a TSP 224R with stock manifolds/cats, and some minor bolt ons. Through my auto, im making 350RWHP/352RWTq. Only have VERY minor surging. Only time i notice it is when im just above idle going up my driveway, into the garage.
Im personally running a TSP 224R with stock manifolds/cats, and some minor bolt ons. Through my auto, im making 350RWHP/352RWTq. Only have VERY minor surging. Only time i notice it is when im just above idle going up my driveway, into the garage.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
thanks for the input guys, do the stock exaust manifolds flow so badly that you need increased duration for them? I was looking at the 224/224 with 581/581 and 224/224 with 563/563 both 114 lsa.
My car has the LS6 intake manifold (factory), longtubes, and a Patriot 225/229 .580/.590 114. It is FAR from too big of a cam, and still has near perfect stock manners. With it being under .600 lift, you can pick up PAC1218 springs under $150. That's all my valvetrain has done to it. I know it'd be a great cam for you too
Not to put an expiration date on the Patriot cam, but it is a bit dated. Newer profiles out there have proven to be more robust and easier on the valvetrain. However, that cam is an upgrade from a stock setup. No doubt about it.