Indecisive, need help
Indecisive, need help hey guys,
I have been reading everyone's posts for a long time and i finally decided to post one myself.
I have been reading alot about different cams to educate myself on them a little more, yet the more i read the more indecisive i get. So i decided to ask you guys what i should do, b/c experience (along with technical knowledge) is key in my opinion.
I am currently thinking about the tsp 231/237, yet i keep reading posts that smaller cams are better for the 346's.
So what cam do you think will be the best for me (I am open for suggestions). Also, I am planning on upgrading the heads in the future. But, a cam and a few minor suspension adjustments will be fine, for now anyways.
Sorry for such a long post and i appreciate your time and input.
I have been reading everyone's posts for a long time and i finally decided to post one myself.
I have been reading alot about different cams to educate myself on them a little more, yet the more i read the more indecisive i get. So i decided to ask you guys what i should do, b/c experience (along with technical knowledge) is key in my opinion.
I am currently thinking about the tsp 231/237, yet i keep reading posts that smaller cams are better for the 346's.
So what cam do you think will be the best for me (I am open for suggestions). Also, I am planning on upgrading the heads in the future. But, a cam and a few minor suspension adjustments will be fine, for now anyways.
Sorry for such a long post and i appreciate your time and input.
Originally Posted by DenzSS
First question is what do you want to do with your car? What gears are you running? What do you expect out of it? Is it a daily driver?
To tell you the truth i dont really race my car on a normal basis (actually rarely), but back to the point. I just like to know i have a fast car. I have the factory 3.42 gears and it is a daily driver (I put no more than 30 miles a week on it, yet my fiance just got a new car, so i drive her old car more now and keep mine in the garage). As for what i expect, I really want around 390 - 400 RWHP. I know that it is possible that i will not reach that goal with just a cam though.
I am also planning on getting my car re-tuned with whatever cam i purchase.
Also, do you think my numbers sound right for my mods
Thanks again for your help
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
You caught me just as I was heading off to bed. Best advice I can give for someone in your situation. A TR224 (Thunder Racing 224 duration cam) will do very well and be a lot of fun to drive. They create great torque throughout the range, are easy to tune, and will work well with your mods. You'll have no loss in your drivability, but you'll have a great deal of fun. You should be able to put down around 380rwhp on a Dynojet dyno with a good tune.
"Small" cams are a lot of fun and a very good match to someone looking for what you've described. The TR224 is just a good, proven, fun camshaft that I've used in several cars and is widely available.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 0
From: Foley, Alabama-southern Alabama
Hey Lucian, DenzSS is right on ,with an auto trans you have to go with less cam generally,Comp Cams makes a cam similar to the tr224 224 refers to duration at.050 lobe lift , I think they make one with 224 and about .580 lift on 112 lda. Would make a nice cam and have a little rumble to the idle too! I just got a SUPER ROD magizine and with that cam a FAST intake ,Hooker longtubes, TEA stage1.5 or 2 heads made 533 hp on engine dyno and I'm not sure if it had a true tune!! I would also consider a stall converter in my plans if I were you. ls1 's don't need big cams to run fast,really! 
TR224 is THUNDER RACING IN BATON ROUGE , LA.check sponsers on right side. FASTONE!
TR224 is THUNDER RACING IN BATON ROUGE , LA.check sponsers on right side. FASTONE! Trending Topics
thanks for all the replies
np about the tranny
If i was wanting to do some 6.0 heads in the future like the PP S2 LQ9, would i still want to go with a 224 duration or would a larger cam be better then.
Also, what about a split duration cam?
How would you all rate the TR224 vs the 231/237 (or is that too big)?
What is the deal about the new tsp 225, b/c i cant find any other specs about it on their website.
I would like to be able to beat most cars that pull up next to me around here (even though i dont race that much, i still like know). I am also going for a good sounding car (even though i may end up putting a bullet in the place of the resonator if needed and then adding a cutout)
Once again, i appreciate your input and time.
np about the tranny
If i was wanting to do some 6.0 heads in the future like the PP S2 LQ9, would i still want to go with a 224 duration or would a larger cam be better then.
Also, what about a split duration cam?
How would you all rate the TR224 vs the 231/237 (or is that too big)?
What is the deal about the new tsp 225, b/c i cant find any other specs about it on their website.
I would like to be able to beat most cars that pull up next to me around here (even though i dont race that much, i still like know). I am also going for a good sounding car (even though i may end up putting a bullet in the place of the resonator if needed and then adding a cutout)
Once again, i appreciate your input and time.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 0
From: Foley, Alabama-southern Alabama
I think you could beat most cars with the set-up we talked about,traction might be a problem... good heads can make more hp with smaller cam than stock heads, most guys get ported 5.3 heads to raise compression ported ls1 heads would work great too! try to reject the BIG CAM idea!! I've seen cars on here running low 11's with 224 cams,I could't beleive it!!! 
I don't know my car has a "mid sized" cam in it and it drives almost stock. I wanna go bigger. My suggestion would be for a cam only car I'd do something like a 230/228 590 lift on a 112.... If you are going to pull the heads I'd even go bigger. With tuning it is pretty amazing how nice these cars run with cams. Only thing is your going to want 4:10 gears.
JMHO
JMHO
The reason i am wanting to put on some 6L heads later (like a year or two) is b/c i I thinking about going with a turbo setup (prob will be like 3-5 years down the road).
With all that said, what size cam is better for a turbo setup? Or would it be best to just get a new cam then, b/c i am planning pulling the engine to check for weaknesses before the turbo anyway.
I went to thunder racing's website and it seems that the the dyno graphs for the cars is a little excessive. For example the dyno graph for the 224/224 w/ 112 lsa gained ~ 80 RWHP and ~ 50 RWTQ. I have not read anyone in the forums saying that they have gains like this.
Last thing. I am also wanting a noticeable cam, I love the valvetrain and lope sound (but i dont want it to be so loud i cant think -- and if i have to i will change out the resonator for a bullet or maybe an XR-1)
Thanks again
With all that said, what size cam is better for a turbo setup? Or would it be best to just get a new cam then, b/c i am planning pulling the engine to check for weaknesses before the turbo anyway.
I went to thunder racing's website and it seems that the the dyno graphs for the cars is a little excessive. For example the dyno graph for the 224/224 w/ 112 lsa gained ~ 80 RWHP and ~ 50 RWTQ. I have not read anyone in the forums saying that they have gains like this.
Last thing. I am also wanting a noticeable cam, I love the valvetrain and lope sound (but i dont want it to be so loud i cant think -- and if i have to i will change out the resonator for a bullet or maybe an XR-1)
Thanks again
i think i figured it out about the dyno's
I think the following was also added between dyno's as well, "FLP Long Tube headers, Whisper Lid, LS6 intake manifold, ported throttle body, ASP Pulley Aluminum Flywheel, and Carbon Fiber Driveshaft"
Do any of you have a preference of cam brands, such as MTi, tsp, TR. The reason i ask is that i live close to tsp and i will be having them tune my car after i get the cam and i have enjoyed my dealings with them in the past.
thanks again
I think the following was also added between dyno's as well, "FLP Long Tube headers, Whisper Lid, LS6 intake manifold, ported throttle body, ASP Pulley Aluminum Flywheel, and Carbon Fiber Driveshaft"
Do any of you have a preference of cam brands, such as MTi, tsp, TR. The reason i ask is that i live close to tsp and i will be having them tune my car after i get the cam and i have enjoyed my dealings with them in the past.
thanks again