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

Once more about Cams

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 4, 2003 | 05:36 PM
  #1  
ArcticSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Default Once more about Cams

i bet you guys get tired of answering all of these questions, but i just wanted to know what all is involved in swapping cams. i would like to do this because i have heard of significant gains. but i dont know what all there is to it. i am guessing that while i have the pushrods out, then some stronger ones would be in order. but what else? am i going to have to change the springs or the rockers? do i have to tune it afterwards? i am also planning on getting some headers in the fututre if that makes a difference. sorry this is so long, but im kinda new to the whole "internal engine" thing. any help would be greatly appreciated. by the way, my car is almost all stock, except for a few mods (see sig). thanks again <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> josh <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2003 | 06:28 PM
  #2  
James1's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, TX
Default Re: Once more about Cams

I would suggest doing headers first. You will see more gains from "just headers" than "just a cam". Now, assuming you have headers, I would buy a cam that is around 220-224 duration (intake and exhaust) for your car (stock heads). Anything with .550-.565 would yield great power and be safer than the higher .57-.59 lifts. Since you have a six speed, I would get the 112lsa instead of the 114lsa. Tuning is not necessary, but you will pick up more power w/ tuning. For the most part, I think the 112lsa will sound a lot better...it has a more distinctive lope cadence instead of a choppy idle. Besides the cam I would buy stock length (7.40'') hardened pushrods. In addition, buying a cam swap gasket kit (comes w/ several gaskets and a pulley bolt ~40 bucks) that helps to simplify the cam install. With the specs I listed above for the cam, I would go with the Comp Cams 26918 Valve Springs (make sure they are blue striped).
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2003 | 09:15 PM
  #3  
mike c.'s Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,031
Likes: 2
From: mi
Default Re: Once more about Cams

i totally agree.i would also add a better timing chain while your in the moter.i did the cam before headers and did not gain alot.but when i added headers to the cam WOW gained another 3.5 tenths. SO like he said, do headers first. goodluck to ya.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2003 | 05:33 PM
  #4  
ArcticSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Default Re: Once more about Cams

thanks for the replies guys. where should i go to look for the cam? i am guessing that some of the sponsors have them. and also what kinda of headers would ya'll recommend. i dont want to have to take out another loan for them, but id like something that is quality. thanks again for the help. much appreciated <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> josh
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2003 | 10:47 PM
  #5  
James1's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, TX
Default Re: Once more about Cams

Check out www.thunderracing.com . The have a nice selection of cams to choose from and their service is great. I would look at their 220/220 .553/.553 112lsa or 224/224 .561/.561 112lsa cams. These idle well in M6 cars and put out great numbers. They also sell pushrods, springs, cam swap gasket kits and much,much more.

Header wise...I went with Mac Midlength headers. They put out very nice numbers and are pretty cheap. Stay away from shorties...you won't gain much from them. Longtubes will put out good numbers (might need tuning) but not that high above Macs if you are stock. With the cam, they will breathe a little better. You will probably be happy w/ longtubes or Macs IMHO.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2003 | 11:00 PM
  #6  
ArcticSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Default Re: Once more about Cams

thanks.....my ss is lowered, so i guess midlength would be good for clearance reasons.....i have a hard enough time getting out of my drive-way without scaping my y pipe where i live, damn country living.....thanks again i appreciate the help <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> josh
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2003 | 11:08 PM
  #7  
ArcticSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Default Re: Once more about Cams

oh and one more thing.....when i bought the car, it already had the y-pipe and exhaust on it....im not sure if the cats were changed or are still stock.....if i got some mid length headers, are they going to fit right up to the cats and y-pipe? or am i going to have to buy a whole set up?....i would rather just get the headers by themselves...i am going to install them myself and i have a friend that welds if necessary....thanks <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> josh
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2003 | 11:15 PM
  #8  
DONAIMIAN's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 0
From: NW Houston, TX
Default Re: Once more about Cams

Even with the lowering springs, the qtp headers are really good for clearence.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 6, 2003 | 11:28 PM
  #9  
ArcticSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Default Re: Once more about Cams

really?.....even if it does scrape its not like its going to be that bad is it? i would like to get longtubes because of the gains, but ive heard about how they scrape if the car is lowered. but i guess if i dont do anything stupid, then the only problems i should have would be getting out of the driveway....thanks <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> josh
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:57 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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