Looking for cam advice
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: el paso, tx
Looking for cam advice Hi guys, I just bought a trans am late last year, been looking to cam out the LS1 i have in my 2002 trans am. Looking to give my engine a sound that just sounds monstrous, while at the same time not destroying my engine with overly engine wearing parts. Also i take her to the track just about every Friday and do about 4 passes each time.
So far the parts i have bought are:
Stage 3 cnc heads
650 lift springs
7.4 hardened push rods
45lb injectors
From the talking I've done around people are suggesting a 224/228 cam shaft like this one . I just have no idea what type of sound i am going to get with that cam. (I literally know very basics of cars ,but ever since i bought this trans am i have wanted to get into learning this stuff, I've grown fond of it.)
Along with that cam, I'm being told that i will also need a torque convertor, and a friend is trying to convince me to get a 3500 stall. Also going to need a tuner once i do put these parts in, so what is a good tuner for this set up along with what i will do in the future.
All advice will be greatly appreciated for I am new in the game and wanting to learn all I can.
*edit* i also bought the car with borla exhaust from the rear axle back which i must say already gives the engine a nice sound
So far the parts i have bought are:
Stage 3 cnc heads
650 lift springs
7.4 hardened push rods
45lb injectors
From the talking I've done around people are suggesting a 224/228 cam shaft like this one . I just have no idea what type of sound i am going to get with that cam. (I literally know very basics of cars ,but ever since i bought this trans am i have wanted to get into learning this stuff, I've grown fond of it.)
Along with that cam, I'm being told that i will also need a torque convertor, and a friend is trying to convince me to get a 3500 stall. Also going to need a tuner once i do put these parts in, so what is a good tuner for this set up along with what i will do in the future.
All advice will be greatly appreciated for I am new in the game and wanting to learn all I can.
*edit* i also bought the car with borla exhaust from the rear axle back which i must say already gives the engine a nice sound
Last edited by B4tmbil; Feb 5, 2013 at 10:13 PM. Reason: forgot something
Sound is very easily achieved and can be had with tuning or creating overlap in the cam to give it that lopey sound everyone likes. Cams are just compromises and a means to reach a goal, so in order of importance i would make like a 3 or 4 want list of what you want out of a cam and then we could give you a better indicator of where would be a good direction or size of cam to start with.
What heads are those? Specs, Chamber size and valve sizes? You need to try to match your heads with the cam. They're plenty of cam specs out there, it depends if you like low end torque mid-range or high RPM's, Also being in Texas you can probably go to TSP or so to Dynotune your car. Martin @ Tick is a very knowledgeable person when it comes to Camshafts and they have the new technology out there, all you have to tell him is your goals and your set up. Good luck on your goals.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: el paso, tx
stock chamber size, not to sure on valve size atm, try and figure that out
what im looking for in a cam is to get a good bit of power out of it, but i also love the sound of a big lobe and when sitting still i want to have a lil bit of a rock in my car.
what im looking for in a cam is to get a good bit of power out of it, but i also love the sound of a big lobe and when sitting still i want to have a lil bit of a rock in my car.
What heads are those? Specs, Chamber size and valve sizes? You need to try to match your heads with the cam. They're plenty of cam specs out there, it depends if you like low end torque mid-range or high RPM's, Also being in Texas you can probably go to TSP or so to Dynotune your car. Martin @ Tick is a very knowledgeable person when it comes to Camshafts and they have the new technology out there, all you have to tell him is your goals and your set up. Good luck on your goals.
what he^ said. Martin @ Tick may pop in here to help you out, he will set a cam to match the heads and get you all the things you want (sound/power)
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Martin@Tick performance. He'll spend a good 15 min or so helping you out. Personally I think that 224/228 is just alittle to small. You'll want it on a 111lsa for that idle thump. Yes, you will definitely NEED a torque converter...3500 or better...no way around it. You can search for "best DD cam" meanwhile. That's what I did to get an idea, but it still came down to calling Martin.
Thank you for the compliments guys, I appreciate it a lot. Always good to have happy customers!
With what you've laid out for your requirements and wants, I know I have a cam that will fit the bill.
With the stock chamber size, you're options are really limitless when it comes to size. Now, the size of the valves you're using will also play a part in the P to V available along with the gasket thickness you end up using.
How many miles a year do you drive the car? How often? What can you tolerate as far as drivability?
With what you've laid out for your requirements and wants, I know I have a cam that will fit the bill.
With the stock chamber size, you're options are really limitless when it comes to size. Now, the size of the valves you're using will also play a part in the P to V available along with the gasket thickness you end up using.
How many miles a year do you drive the car? How often? What can you tolerate as far as drivability?
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: el paso, tx
Just got word back from who i bought the heads from, stock size valves and chamber. Also I'm planing on getting at a minimum a 3500 torque convertor, some local friends suggesting a 3600.
I don't do much driving out side of going to work and go see the ladies, but i do like to run my car at the track quite often. As far as drivability goes, i understand that a good cam, and not some cheap wimpy cam, is going to add more strain on the engine. Which how much power does a good cam actually add to the power of my engine? But as long as I'm not spending all my fun money to keep the car up and running all the time, and can continue to put more into her, ill be happy.
I don't do much driving out side of going to work and go see the ladies, but i do like to run my car at the track quite often. As far as drivability goes, i understand that a good cam, and not some cheap wimpy cam, is going to add more strain on the engine. Which how much power does a good cam actually add to the power of my engine? But as long as I'm not spending all my fun money to keep the car up and running all the time, and can continue to put more into her, ill be happy.
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Verdad Gallardo Just got word back from who i bought the heads from, stock size valves and chamber. Also I'm planing on getting at a minimum a 3500 torque convertor, some local friends suggesting a 3600.
I don't do much driving out side of going to work and go see the ladies, but i do like to run my car at the track quite often. As far as drivability goes, i understand that a good cam, and not some cheap wimpy cam, is going to add more strain on the engine. Which how much power does a good cam actually add to the power of my engine? But as long as I'm not spending all my fun money to keep the car up and running all the time, and can continue to put more into her, ill be happy.
I don't do much driving out side of going to work and go see the ladies, but i do like to run my car at the track quite often. As far as drivability goes, i understand that a good cam, and not some cheap wimpy cam, is going to add more strain on the engine. Which how much power does a good cam actually add to the power of my engine? But as long as I'm not spending all my fun money to keep the car up and running all the time, and can continue to put more into her, ill be happy.
The 227/235 110+3 is a very popular camshaft right now for us and has been pumping out some great results. It would be my choice for your vehicle.
Last edited by Sales@Tick; Feb 7, 2013 at 04:17 PM.
, and that works with the parts i have already bought? and using a 3500 torque convertor? 
Here is the torque max stage 2 idling with cut out open:
Now a different car with high flow cats and magnaflow exhaust:
Last edited by Sales@Tick; Feb 7, 2013 at 08:09 PM.
