trans665

just as the qustion states, im looking to upgrade the cam... what do u guys recommend on the lift on stock springs??

redtan

iTrader: (5)

1) what springs?

2) it's always recomended you upgrade springs to match the cam, unless you have say LS6 springs and you go with a cam that has lift under .550

trans665

its for a stock 01 ls1 camaro ss

mark21742

Even if I was just stepping up to a GM hot cam I would upgrade the valve springs to comp 918's or PAC1218's

Please don't try to push stock springs....they are already 11 years old an weaker than they were from the factory

trans665

thats true thanks i didnt see it that way

canada4g63

Under 550. My buddie was running a 580ish lift and dropped a valve rite on a piston. Better off upgrading your springs. With under a .550 lift is kinda a waste of a cam in my option.

PREDATOR-Z

Stock LS1 springs=stock LS1 cam

garygnu

check prices for springs at TSP.some after market springs would allow you to make 30 +hp with a mild cam swap.

2000NemeSS

iTrader: (2)

yeah man, for all the research ive done, the LS1 springs are maxed out with the LS1 cam, pretty much any cam you choose, you have to upgrade your springs. If your not lookin for anything major, the GM Hotcam is a kit for like 480 bucks, comes with cam and ls6 springs, decent cam, especially for your stock setup. Can even use a mail order tune on that cam comfortably

thepitstop2010

I am running a Lingenfelter GT1 cam (.563,.563, .219,.229 on a 113) with yellow springs which Lingenfelter actually recommends. Yellow springs can be picked up pretty cheap also.

PREDATOR-Z

The mistake you guys are doing is trying to decide which spring to use based on lift capabilities. You should choose springs based on open closed pressures required by cam.
The above LPE cam has soft lobes and LS6 yellow springs pressures fall within its range.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Agreed

MrBluGruv

Predator, I see that you are pretty well respected around here for your knowledge of camshaft science, and even with my very limited knowledge on the subject, I get the strong feeling that that high opinion is not invalid.

Do you know a source to read that can detail some of these different facets of cam specs and dynamics in at least a somewhat comprehensive way?

With my research on the forums, all I've managed to really understand is how to read a cam spec, and how duration and LSA come together to tell you the actual overlap of the particular cam (and, although a semi-trivial aspect of it, how it will idle and what kind of emissions footprint to expect in a simple context). I just don't feel, even through digging on the forums, there is enough information to really genuinely learn much about it.

Maybe I'm asking too much, but I don't want to have to work as an engine builder or study engineering to at least have a decent grasp on what kind of cam I should use for a given application, and beyond that what kind of cam I can install that would be friendly for a daily driver in the valvetrain longevity department, not just driver comfort.

Hell, is it just that a typical vendor doesn't post the REAL information you need in favor of only lift, duration and LSA? I have no clue, and I would love some insight.



Thanks, and good day to you.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Here's a piece written by David Vizard.

Be the Cam Expert

2000PewterT/A

Yup, anything over the ls1 cam I would upgrade the springs.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

Stock springs are barely adequate for the stock cam.
Not even the ls6 or ls9 are good enuff for the hotcam. It will work and run. But any real cam needs a strong spring

MrBluGruv

Thanks for the link.

It's kinda funny actually, I once had a book written by David Vizard that I lent to a friend because at the time I couldn't understand it much at all. Looks like I need to get that book back.....

superbean

Hell I'd probably put springs in even for a stock cam, can't hurt anything to have a better piece of mind when it blips 6k rpm plus time to time.

Even while in the car, springs aren't too bad to change.. I'm using a 35 $ basic compressor tool and a $20 compression tester kit with needle removed to air up cylinders to keep valve from falling, takes about 2 hours in the car taking your time.

mark21742

When I decided to do a cam the first time the first thing I did was valve springs, 2nd was stall and tranny cooler, then I did my cam swap

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Hope its not one of these, which should not be used on any performance spring.