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Cam LS1 Under Powered

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Old 06-17-2013, 09:51 PM
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Default Cam LS1 Under Powered

I have a thread started on my 2001 Cammed Trans Am which had issues when I bought it from the previous seller were the car would buck and surge while driving I replaced both O2 sensors and the bucking and surging stopped. I have driven the car for a while but since I have 2 motorcycles I get my speed demon taken care of from them. I decided to take the car out to the track piedmont Drag strip here in nc somewhere. My friend had been talking $hit about running me with his bolt on m6 LT1 so I took his challenge I beat him but not by much I had notice when I go wot the car throws out smoke.

Now to my question I ran an 8.4 with a TSP 228R cam with bolt ons and well it feels really under powered for a cammed trans am. According to the seller he advertised 386 rwhp I don't think I am anywhere near it. What would be causing my power issue I know for sure there a cam just feels like a stock bird?
Old 06-18-2013, 08:54 PM
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well it sounds like problem one is maybe a bad valve seal? i had a buddy with a 5.0 and his car would only smoke at WOT and the valve seal was the issue. assuming you have stock 241s, LTs, lid, ls6 manifold and just the cam 386 sounds about right give or take. perhaps there is slack in your throttle cable?
Old 06-19-2013, 01:58 AM
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Hmm I ran 8.4 in my bone stock 01 Z28 M6 nearly 10 yrs ago...

Yours does seem odd assuming you had no tire spin?

You could always re dyno and see what's going on first hand..
Old 06-19-2013, 07:09 AM
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Sounds like you need to retune that bad boy. Doesn't seem like the previous tune is all that good.
Old 06-19-2013, 07:50 AM
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No slack in the throttle I already checked I know the valve seal were done last year I just hope thats it any quick ways of knowing and finding out. Burken my car an auto so cant stall it like u can lol so auto are slower
Old 06-19-2013, 10:10 AM
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My buddies 2000 a4 ss was running faster than me at the time... Not much but a little..

I would get a tune and not believe what the previous owner claimed to sell you...

It might not even have the cam you think it does, just sayin..

I bought a used shortblock online claiming to have this and that, well after I got an itch and tore it down it didn't have a number of things advertised..
Old 06-19-2013, 11:17 AM
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he must have had something in his car every m6 ive seen whoops any A4 unless you are going to higher power levels
Old 06-19-2013, 11:29 AM
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If you've checked your valves, and throttle linkage, and nothing was found, then whoever tuned the car before didn't do a good job, and it needs a new tune.
Old 06-19-2013, 11:34 AM
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Valve seals shouldn't only leak at wot. Smoke is oil in your intake most likely. What was you 60' and mph. Could have been an 8.4 at 94 mph for all we know.
Old 06-19-2013, 11:57 AM
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Well my mile per hour was 88.95 mph with a 2.1 60 ft
Old 06-20-2013, 11:01 AM
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I bought some lucas Stop oil see if it helps the valve seal problem so I can at least pinpoint where my problem is I hope its just the valve seals
Old 07-05-2013, 08:00 AM
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anyone any thoughts on the eta and 60
Old 07-05-2013, 08:14 AM
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Stock stall?
If so there is your main problem.
Old 07-05-2013, 08:29 AM
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That's why I don't buy modified used cars unless all the receipts are there. Who knows what the f you are buying. Half the time the seller is more clueless than you are... and he owns the car!
Old 07-05-2013, 08:46 AM
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It is a stock stall lol but he had all the paperwork and receipts for it about 9k in receipts for all the work as for as quality of work who knows but all there thats why I traded my lsx jeep
Old 07-05-2013, 11:05 AM
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That is why it is sluggish in lower rpms. Get a Yank SS3600 and don't look back.
Old 07-05-2013, 11:09 AM
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Stock stall? Horrible.

Don't fear stall.
Old 07-05-2013, 11:15 AM
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stock stall is crap...get a 3600 converter from a good brand and hope you have some decent tires..
Old 07-05-2013, 01:44 PM
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Damn is a 3600 a bit high I have a 228r cam my buddy told me with a tune it would work like it should it idles pretty low around 500 rpm and shuts off if try to move it when its cold have to wait till it warms up lol
Old 07-05-2013, 01:54 PM
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If you went with a PT4000 or 2E or something similar... an all-out NA converter, you'd drop .8-1 sec off your 1/4 time with no other changes. That's how much of a difference they make. Remember, something like 10HP is needed to drop .1. So to drop .8 you'd need to add roughly 80HP.


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