Hey everyone. I'm new here, and fairly new at working on engines. I bought an ls1 out of a 02 trans am for my 2000 SS. The guy I got it from put an LS2 cam, cam sensor, Ls7 lifters, comp pushrods and comp springs in it. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with a similar setup. I have no idea what kind of numbers to expect or what kind of sound I'm going to get. The closest videos I could find were the 5.3l with that cam but mine is a 5.7l I assume it might sound similar, but no dyno numbers anywhere! The heads are stock 241s, but I have a lot of bolt ons on my current engine that'll get put on when I swap it out. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

 

The LS2 cam which is the same as the 2001 LS6 cam is very mild. Specs are 204/211 .525 116.5lsa. You're not going to hear that cam at idle if that's what you're referring to. It's a better cam vs. the stock LS1 one from a top-end power perspective but it's not by any means a night and day difference. I don't know specifically the gains of that cam vs stock but I couldn't imagine more than 10-15hp or so.

 

That's what I figured. It's a different set up though isn't it? Like a 4 bolt gear and different cam sensor? So To swap out to something a little more aggressive would I have to buy another timing gear and go back to an ls1 sensor?

 

Yeah if I remember correctly there's a couple of things that need to be done to allow an LS2 cam to be used in an LS1. I wonder why the PO went through the trouble when he or she could have just slapped an LS6 cam in there and called it a day. To answer the second part of your question I want to say no unless I am missing something. The LS1 and LS2 guys often run the same aftermarket cams so I don't see how that would be an issue. I would verify that before taking my word on it tho.

 

Maybe it has to do with the cam retainer plate? He said he got the cam from GM or summit, I can't remember.It's new though, not one that was taken out of another motor. Maybe a GMPP LS2 Hotcam? I guess I should call him hahaha! He did tell me it will idle smooth, but I'm not sure what his definition of "smooth" is. I think now would be the time to switch it out though, before I put the water pump and stuff back on and drop it in the car and decide it's not really what I want in there. Problem is, I don't know what cam to get. I don't want it to be so aggressive that it's hard to drive on the street, but want something that you know is there. Kind of an old school SBC sound if that makes any sense? Any cam you'd recommend? Thanks for all your input too, btw!