What do you think of this cam choice
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What do you think of this cam choice OK first post
I have been reading for a few months now to try and work out what I need to get to where I want to be
so about my starting point
99 ls1 camaro auto 4 160k miles runs very well was dyno'd just before I bought it and it was making 286 rwhp which I believe is spot on
the only mods so far are smooth intake pipe and air box mods Inc a lid
the dyno was before this
Where I want to be
A fast fun street car I will only do 2-3k miles a year and maybe make it to the track once or twice it won't be a daily driver but I want decent street manners I am UK based and ls parts are harder come by and I have import duty and vat to pay on any imported parts and international shipping is getting more expensive
I have but not yet installed an ls6 intake and some speed engineering long tube headers
I plan on diy porting my stock heads and maybe get them milled 20 thou to up compression and I was all set for a tsp224 cam and supporting bits with pac behives but I have come across some Howard's cams one a 224 224 .612 with 13 degree lsa and then a 226 226 .525 with 13 degree lsa
I am thinking of going 3200 or 3600 stall when I do my mods
So what are people's thoughts on the Howard cams any good? They are quite a bit cheaper and can be bought as a kit that is very competative Or should I go tried and tested tsp and spend a bit more
I have been reading for a few months now to try and work out what I need to get to where I want to be
so about my starting point
99 ls1 camaro auto 4 160k miles runs very well was dyno'd just before I bought it and it was making 286 rwhp which I believe is spot on
the only mods so far are smooth intake pipe and air box mods Inc a lid
the dyno was before this
Where I want to be
A fast fun street car I will only do 2-3k miles a year and maybe make it to the track once or twice it won't be a daily driver but I want decent street manners I am UK based and ls parts are harder come by and I have import duty and vat to pay on any imported parts and international shipping is getting more expensive
I have but not yet installed an ls6 intake and some speed engineering long tube headers
I plan on diy porting my stock heads and maybe get them milled 20 thou to up compression and I was all set for a tsp224 cam and supporting bits with pac behives but I have come across some Howard's cams one a 224 224 .612 with 13 degree lsa and then a 226 226 .525 with 13 degree lsa
I am thinking of going 3200 or 3600 stall when I do my mods
So what are people's thoughts on the Howard cams any good? They are quite a bit cheaper and can be bought as a kit that is very competative Or should I go tried and tested tsp and spend a bit more
Howard's is less than 30minutes from my house, would love for them to develop some good stuff. That said a brief glance says these are just cheap, you don't see a lot of single pattern cams for small block Chevys of any generation unless it is something odd or cost conscious.
There are cases where a single pattern cam might be good but a normal NA setup isn't that case.
There are cases where a single pattern cam might be good but a normal NA setup isn't that case.
Those Howards cam you're looking at have aggressive cam lobe ramp rates which they'll be harder on your valvetrain, the same with the TSP 224r cam. IMO. a good option is a Comp Cams 54-418-11 (224/228 112lsa+2, lift .534"/.537") it's a older grind that uses relatively mild Comp Cam Xtreme RPM lobes which will offer longer valvetrain life at the sacrifice a little bit of power compared to aggressive cam lobes, and the price is also very good to!
Further more a set of inexpensive PAC1218 valve springs would work great with that cam. If you don't mind the more aggressive lobe then there's nothing wrong with getting a Howards cam, like the 190375-12 or one of the few they offer with fairly mild lobes like the 190325-12, or 190325-15 that Howards offers.
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...e-rpm-224-228/
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...valve-springs/
Further more a set of inexpensive PAC1218 valve springs would work great with that cam. If you don't mind the more aggressive lobe then there's nothing wrong with getting a Howards cam, like the 190375-12 or one of the few they offer with fairly mild lobes like the 190325-12, or 190325-15 that Howards offers.
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...e-rpm-224-228/
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...valve-springs/
Last edited by 99Bluz28; Nov 9, 2014 at 09:07 PM.
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I don't mind aggressive lobes as I won't drive it much and springs should last fine and as pointed out not expensive if they need changing in a few years
What are the benefits of the split duration cams I read so much in favour of tr224 tsp224 and 228 a friend has the 228 and loves it
What are the benefits of the split duration cams I read so much in favour of tr224 tsp224 and 228 a friend has the 228 and loves it
Yeah I just want to make sure you're aware of the Pro's an Con's of running aggressive cam lobes. As far as the benefit's when a tradition split duration cam used on a NA engine that has very little exhaust restriction is that the power after it hits peak falls of at a more gradual rate compared to a single pattern cam an it also moves the tq peak up a little. You can basically extend the useable power band on the top end. So if you're more concerned about power before peak then, IMO a single pattern or mild split pattern cam is probably more inline with what you want. There's nothing wrong with running a single pattern or mild split pattern cam you just need to be sure it's right for you. 
Last edited by 99Bluz28; Nov 10, 2014 at 10:50 AM.
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Thanks for that I have been reading on the forum for a long time and there are post after post about what cam to pick and just when you think you know as much as you need to make an informed choice I learn something new that's potentially very important
I don't want to spin the 160k miles bottom end up to 7000 so if it drops off early that will be no bad thing
And yes I am aiming for power under the curve as such it's not a weekend race car and I need to enjoy driving it when I am not getting on it as well
I will have to make a choice and hope I have made the right 1
I don't want to spin the 160k miles bottom end up to 7000 so if it drops off early that will be no bad thing
And yes I am aiming for power under the curve as such it's not a weekend race car and I need to enjoy driving it when I am not getting on it as well
I will have to make a choice and hope I have made the right 1
Imo, in that case a TSP 224r on either a 111 or 112lsa should work good for you, and they're only $360 right now . Further more a 3200 TC stall should be plenty for it. As far as beehive valve spring I'd suggest either some PAC1211x or for about $50 more the 1219x.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1146-te...-camshaft.aspx
http://www.briantooleyracing.com/chevrolet.html
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1146-te...-camshaft.aspx
http://www.briantooleyracing.com/chevrolet.html
Last edited by 99Bluz28; Nov 10, 2014 at 05:17 PM.
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The TSP 228R camshaft would be an excellent fit for what you're doing. It makes great power under the curve, and is still very streetable.
Thanks
Dominic
Thanks
Dominic
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Largest Stocking Distributor of LS-x Engines / CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!
COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
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I agree that tsp 228r would suit your needs.I run the tr224 on my a4 a well proven setup.too bad they went out of business.Trex on my m6 both weekend warriors on the streets.
I've had good luck with Howards, but you absolutely have to degree it to confirm specs. I had one WAY off spec. I'm running a Howards 226/232, 578/.587 (.629/.638 with 1.85s) on a 115 LSA and SLP 1.85s in my daily driver 6.0L. I shift it close to 7,000rpm. Oh and it idles like a rock at 750rpm.