I finally got my dream car not too long ago. It was sweet while it lasted until the engine grenaded on me.

Went to start it one morning and just went clunk. When it finally fired up it knocked like hell. Shut it down then went to start again and started just broke.

Pulled head, found #6 piston had cracked in half and rod snapped. Which also sent some **** into my ASA cam and put a hole in the block. So that engine was trashed.

Luckily I had already picked up a spare longblock that had like 100k.

My original mods were.
LS2 timing chain
GM ASA Cam
Yellow springs
Long tubes
Cat less Y Pipe
Hooker cat back
TSP hardened pushrods
3600 TCI SSF converter
3.73s
Various suspension mods

Supposedly made 380rwhp and around 370rwtq..

Here's the damage..





This is why I need cam advice. I don't think mine is fixable.



I miss my car...




Anyways. I plan to bring it back before June.

I have torn down the extra 01 LS1 that had 100k. It was clean as a whistle on the inside. Insanely well maintained. I swear I could eat off the inside!

I got a set of 243 heads from a CTSV w/ 40k.

My plan for my engine is:
243 heads w/ the yellow springs (Do I need special head gasket?)
ls2 timing chain
TSP hardened pushrods
ls7 lifters
Melling 10295 oil pump
41-110 AC delco plugs
Any other suggestions?


Cam: ??? Fix my ASA, buy new ASA??

This car is not my daily driver but I want it reliable enough where it could be. I don't want a crazy cam. I want one that would be daily drivable. I don't want to loose any bottom end power or put all my power in top end. Then again I don't want to lose any potential power just by putting in a stock cam or ls6 cam. What do you all advise?

Trans:
I am swapping to a 2001 fbody T56. It had 170k so I am also trying to find a rebuild kit to order for it.
LS7 clutch
New GM slave
Speed bleeder
New GM pilot bearing
Pro 5.0

So camshaft advice or build advice? Also any input on what rebuild kit to order for the T56? It has 170k, it worked perfect but I plan to take it apart and replace most everything I can.

 

Anyone have any input toward my build?

 

I'd say get in touch with Martin Smallwood and talk with him about your goals. he can build you a great custom cam for a good price. Or if you want to stay with off the shelf cams, maybe look into the tick SNS stage 2. My friend had one in his formula and it felt great all the way through the powerband. Felt stronger than my 224r cammed car by quite a bit

 

I will look into it. Is Martin a vendor or something? Should I just google his info?

I don't want anything with high lift, I want to be able to still run my yellow springs.

That cam sounds like something I would be interested in. I just would hate to miss out on easy gains by using stock cam. Then again I don't want something that loses torque in the bottom end since that is mostly what I feel just driving around.

 

Yes he used to spec and build the cams for Tick performance. He now works on his own. If you search his name on this site you'll find tons of cam information. But honestly, he could answer any questions you have much better than I could.

EDIT: maybe look into my old cam. TSP 224r. It was fairly mild, didn't lose tq, and sounded great. Specs were 224/224, .581 lift, 112 LSA

 

Feel free to give us a call at 512-863-0900. We would be happy to go over your combination and goals and help you select a cam that would be best for you. Whether it's an off the shelf grind or a custom grind cam we spec and grind our cams in house.

Lonnie

 

don't think you could go wrong getting one from Martin.

 

^this

 

I have heard quite a bit about the TSP 224r, the lift sounds a little high though for my yellow springs right?

 

Btr(Brian Tooley Racing) has some nice cams that will work with your springs.

 

We can build the 224R cam on a low lift version (.550) and different base circle so that it will work with your LS6 springs and stock pushrods. Give us a call.

Lonnie

 

Nice! I do plan to call yall. Do you have an extension or anything I need to get too? I plan to call on my way home from work.

 

Just ask for me when you call and they will send you right over.

Lonnie

 

I would not buy a cam based on your yellow springs and stock push rods...sounds like another failure in the making. sell the springs, buy some PAC or PSI springs, hardened push rods, and get the appropriate cam. The LS7 clutch is also a terrible choice...very heavy.

 

King LT1 is absolutely right if you're looking for best performance value. If you don't care about track times or things like that, and just want your car to go a little faster and sound a lot better, then your choices will be fine. It really depends on your goals.

 

That's the first time I've heard someone bash the ls7 clutch. What do you suggest? My build is also dependent upon my finds which aren't great. I definitely wasn't planning to be building an engine for the car this soon.

I don't need an extreme cam, I just want to go ahead and get an aftermarket to squeeze out what I can while I'm assembling it. I have other play toys to make big power. I won't this thing to feel strong on the street but also be 100% reliable. I'd love for it to get decent economy with the 6speed as well as last a 100k miles or better.

 

The ls7 clutch is a very heavy clutch assembly. It's widely accepted that it adds to rotational mass. That being said, it's not a bad clutch at all. If this car isn't your "go fast" car, then it should be fine. The spec mini twin is a very good and light clutch, same with most anything by quartermaster. I was going to use a McLeod RST in my 6speed car before I switched to auto, that's another good option.

 

Is there another oem clutch that is better? I found the ls7 clutch kit for like $370 on Amazon. It comes with new flywheel and all.

 

The LS7 is fine reliability wise, just heavy.... Nick pointed out some good options.

 

I'm a little late to the party, but if you still need help or advise feel free to give me a ring. 336-719-0599