RollinSScamaro

iTrader: (25)

That's very impressive for a 224 cam.. I'm real glad I'm getting to see all of this info before I do my build.. really stresses the importance of the heads and not needing the biggest cam to achieve my goals. Lots of good info on here!

pozesd99'

iTrader: (3)

Why not run a prc 225 as cast head? Not much more than the ai heads. I believe they are $1700-1800. Can mill as much as necessarily for desired compression and still run a good sized cam without any ptv clearance

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Heads have more to do with power than overcamming the motor.

I'd say stay under 10 degrees of overlap with faster lobes. I'm running LSL/XFI lobes and a wide split. 11.2:1 CR with a fairly early IVC for a light of dynamic compression... but the later exhaust closing carries power.

Here's the thing: with even a FAST 102 on a 346, you can't push past 7000 without running out of steam. You need a Hi-Ram or Victor or something. And if your IVC is over 45 degrees, you're basically trying to push past 7000. So a cam that makes 50-60HP more at 6800 but is down 40-50ft/lbs at 5500 isn't any faster unless you have a 5500 stall and 4.10+ gears and it never falls below 6200 on the shift. Even with my loose 4000 stall, I never fall below 5800 on a WOT run with a 6600 redline. On the street, the smaller cam is faster with the larger runner TEA heads.

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

That's odd my XFI 224/228 112 pulls like a train to 7k. I had to raise the limiter up to 7200 rpm to stay off of it on the 1-2 and 2-3. I believe its power range is 2-6800rpm and recommends a Fast intake which is what I have.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

If you're getting the heads from AI, go ahead and get the cam from them too. Phil will spec out a cam based on the flow characteristics of those heads and take into account your goals for the car. While you're at it, get the FAST intake from them too. Best to have one hand in the proverbial pie than multiple hands in it. Things tend to get messy when you've got too many hands in the pie.

RollinSScamaro

iTrader: (25)

I may check that option out. There are honestly quite a few good options out there I just need to find what's the best bang for the buck.. I'll do a little more research on those.

Jake fusion I like the run through you did with the rpm range and power output.. makes sense to match it properly.. being I'm on a stock bottom end I really would like max power between 65-6800 so I'm not killing the bottom end. With my SS4000 I want to say my shift extension drops to around 5-5500 so I'll want to make sure I'm making my best power around 6000 rpm right in the sweet spot.. is that kind of where you were going or did I miss it?

Rise of the Phoenix, this was kind of my theory also.. I'm checking with AI to see what he thinks matches the best with those heads and my goals.. I'm hoping to hear back from them soon..

Thanks for all of the good info from everyone.. I'm honestly learning quite a bit. Very useful info

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

This is very good advice. I agree you'll do better to stick with one vendor who gets a rather intimate knowledge of your build and understands the combination of parts - not just the list of parts - and what your end goals truly are.

Tony @ Mamo Motorsports

Rollin....

Make sure you hit me up before moving forward with anything.

I can help you design a combination that works extremely well together. After all, that was my main focus/job description at AFR for 15 years right (not just supporting the message boards although that was a full time job as well!)

Design a winning product....dyno test it (mostly engine dyno for development work) and figure out what supporting mods makes the best power to help showcase the heads. Nothings different now except the fact Im working for myself and promoting my own brand etc. Point is this is what I do and have been doing a long time.

The right combination is everything.....especially if you value crisp throttle response and good drivability in addition to making big power (which I will reference as the "fun factor")....most people do.....and some that say they don't do also.....LOL

Email or phone is best....

mamomotorsports@yahoo.com

(661)714-1317 Cell



Regards,
Tony

Martin Smallwood

iTrader: (2)

Did you send me a PM or an email?

I have not checked my PM's for quite some time and if you did send a PM I never saw it. My apologizes.

RollinSScamaro

iTrader: (25)

Yes, I sent a PM on Oct 1. Not a big deal, I just figured I'd get your opinion for a cam for my build.

I now have sold the sns 3 mild.. it was a tough decision but I think I'd be better off with more compression and a cam with less overlap to maintain street manners..if you'd like to look over my goals and provide a recommendation, feel free. I'd be interested to know what you think. I'm in a process of elimination now and trying to determine best bang for the buck.

I appreciate all of the valueable info everyone has added.. all of the cam specs are starting to make a lot more sense to me now, and I think I'll come to a decision shortly..

Martin Smallwood

iTrader: (2)

A 243 head on a LS1 bottom end achieves approximately 10.6:1 compression with a factory 64cc chamber.

I would mill to 63cc and run a .040" gasket. This will give you approximately 11.1:1 compression and roughly .035" quench which will also benefit power production on top of the additional compression.

As for the cam, here is what I recommend to achieve your goals:

230/236 .620/.603 112+2

This will give you the power under 4000rpm you are wanting without sacrificing too much top end due to the IVC and EVO combination paired with 11:1 compression. This cam will rev well to 6600-6800rpm with a good cylinder head and could come close to your 450rwhp goal with a LS6 intake. It has 9 degrees of overlap so with good tuning it will meet your driving manner requirements.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

I would trust what Martin is telling you OP. He's a good guy and has helped a lot of guys on here.

sxc Z28

Just to get my recommendations in. Everyone knows Mamo spec'd setups are gold. He will see the build through with you and always be a phone call away to help as everyone says. If you go with the Martin setup I would urge you to save a little more and get the ported FAST.

Martin Smallwood

iTrader: (2)

Oh, and my suggestion for heads along the lines of what the OP originally mentioned would be some touched up As Cast 220's or TEA Stage 2 243/799 heads.

If you were going to get a set of heads from Tony, I'd go with a little less overlap (from 9* to 6-7*), close the intake valve one degree later at 46* ABDC and open the exhaust valve at the same time (52* EVO BBDC). Specs would be 230/234 .620/.603 113+2.

All of the AFR headed engines I've cammed have run exceptionally well and even with a 45-46* IVC they make excellent bottom end torque and are still able to put up the big numbers up top.

RollinSScamaro

iTrader: (25)

Thanks for the input! I'll shoot you an email shortly.

RollinSScamaro

iTrader: (25)

Well after many long discussions and hours of researching cams.. I've finally made a decision and it's different from all of the options I originally listed.

I ended up with 230/236 .620/.603 112+2 specced by Martin on an 8620 cam motion core. I feel very confident in the cam spec and quality Kip has at cam motion. This cam should be a good happy medium with 9 degrees of overlap vs the sns 3 I had at 16 degrees of overlap. I do appreciate all of the help that's been offered along the way and appreciate the time people have provided out of their day to spec a cam for me.

I have also purchased Advanced induction 226cc 243 heads w/ .650 springs and titanium retainers and will run .040 cometic gaskets, as recommended to help me achieve 11 to 1. I am going to try to stretch a FAST 92/92 set up to help me achieve my 450 goal and shoot for mid to low 11's at the track.

Now that my heads and cam and are purchased it's time to start piecing together the rest of the valvetrain and odds and ends, then it will be time for the build this winter. Just need to perform a compression test and send in an oil analysis and hope those both pass on this 128k bottom end. If so, this set up should be on the road in the spring. If not I'll be saving for a short block lol.

Can't wait to see what this will put down for numbers and at the track for a somewhat budget friendly build. I'll keep everyone posted and if anyone has recommendations or thoughts feel free to share.

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

good choice

RollinSScamaro

iTrader: (25)

Thanks! I appreciate your input earlier in the thread.. made a lot of valid points that I didn't need such a large cam to make good power. I hope the bump in compression gives it an extra little snap low to midrange as it was mentioned earlier. Its still not a small cam but I think it's more realistic for my goals and desired driveability. I really liked Tonys set up and would love to run it but I honestly couldn't afford it after I sat down and did the math. I dont think I'll have any regrets with this set up though, can't wait to get it pieced together.

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

No prob! I also wanted to go with Tony's setup but his price was above what I wanted to spend. I think you will like that cam...with a competent tuner it will run great and drive well. I went smaller mainly because my tuning options are limited. I am basically doing remote tuning with LSxPT out of Texas. He is doing a pretty good job for me, but I am sure that it is still far easier when you can actually have the car in your hands. 230/236 is about max I would go in a car that is driven fairly often. That being said everyone's tolerance of what they consider "driveable" is different and gets smaller as you get older. 10-15yrs ago I probably would of thrown a 235/240 111 in the car and went to pound town. Lol

SoFla01SSLookinstok

I also think you made a good choice. You did the right thing in not just running a cam everyone else was running. My cam is from Martin & I think it came out perfect. We all know Tonys heads are a bit more money which, I think, is definitely money well spent. Cant wait to hear the results.