Budget LQ4 Build
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Budget LQ4 Build Guys,
I'm replacing the high milage LS1 in my '00 C5. The car has an auto trans and 3.15 gears. A friend has set me up with a fresh rebuilt LQ4 with 317 heads. I'm on a very limited budget so I'm leaving the compression as is 9.6. My question is what cam would be decent for a daily driver but still make good power? This is primarily going to be my wife's summer car so I want a smooth idle and reliable engine characteristics but don't want it to be slower then the stock LS1. I've read articles that point me in the direction of the GM Hot cam but checking on other options.
Thanks in advance,
Tim
I'm replacing the high milage LS1 in my '00 C5. The car has an auto trans and 3.15 gears. A friend has set me up with a fresh rebuilt LQ4 with 317 heads. I'm on a very limited budget so I'm leaving the compression as is 9.6. My question is what cam would be decent for a daily driver but still make good power? This is primarily going to be my wife's summer car so I want a smooth idle and reliable engine characteristics but don't want it to be slower then the stock LS1. I've read articles that point me in the direction of the GM Hot cam but checking on other options.
Thanks in advance,
Tim
FormerVendor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 432
Likes: 7
We offer a camshaft that will not only retain nice drivability with your stock converter, but offer nice gains across the rpm range also. It does have slightly more aggressive idle than stock, but nothing crazy. I have posted a link to the camshaft on our website. Its a 221/226,.565/.560,114LSA, and uses mild lobes that are easy on the valvetrain.
http://sdparts.com/i-22100609-sdpc-s...5-560-114.html
http://sdparts.com/i-22100609-sdpc-s...5-560-114.html
On a really tight budget, an '02+ z06 cam would be right. If you have the funds for an aftermarket cam with the required valvetrain upgrades, this conversation takes a different turn.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 622
Likes: 2
From: Calgary Alberta
With any cam you choose you're going to need new pushrods, valve springs, and the cam as well as headers so it's not going to be super cheap. The reason I say headers is because I made the mistake of doing a cam without headers and was short 38 wheel horsepower ... it was basically pointless.
I've seen some good deals for LS6 cams, pushrods, and springs on ebay ( in fact I sold a set myself for almost nothing )... so that's a way to go.
But, if I was you I'd probably not touch the cam unless I had the money to buy everything needed. I'd probably just hold off and maybe spend the money on other mods like exhaust and intake.
I've seen some good deals for LS6 cams, pushrods, and springs on ebay ( in fact I sold a set myself for almost nothing )... so that's a way to go.
But, if I was you I'd probably not touch the cam unless I had the money to buy everything needed. I'd probably just hold off and maybe spend the money on other mods like exhaust and intake.
