mikedamageinc

iTrader: (49)

So I'm putting together a Frankenstein LS build to swap into my Toyota SUV which will weigh around 5500#. My goals are the following:

Tow a camper or car hauler, both weigh around 6000#
Simple build, "cheap", no custom cam/head work, full factory reliability, no need to swap cam springs every 5k miles, etc.
Low end torque, don't care as much about upper rpm horsepower
87 octane

My plan:

LS1 block, stock rotating assembly
LS2 cam (same as 2001 LS6)
799 heads
truck intake/injectors
full bolt ons

I have most of the parts already so I don't want to change too much but if I'd be much happier with a different cam or intake now is the time to decide. Also what size head gaskets to keep compression low enough to use 87 octane but still keep decent compression?

G Atsma

That cam and intake will do a great job for you. Just make sure the valve springs will handle .525 lift.
Though you DO know you will need a custom tune to make it all work together

tech@WS6store

iTrader: (2)

Ls2 cam wont work in ls1block without ls2 front cover cam sensor extension and 1x gear.
Youre leaving alot on the table with that cam anyway.

G Atsma

True, but he was wanting to use a factory cam. Forgot about the Gen III/IV differences! DOH! The early LS6 cam is the same, but might be hard to find. I agree that there are FAR better cams out there.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

Wrong cam for towing. Ask how I know.

You would do better with a cam motion stage 1 or 2 drop in truck cam. Much better. Designed for factory valve train so you would not need to worry about that stuff.

mikedamageinc

iTrader: (49)

I am aware of the front cover and sensor situation, just thinking about the major components and how they work together. If an aftermarket cam works for towing and allows ls6 valve springs I might go for it. Cost is a factor but if it is night and day difference for towing, and again major concern being 100,000 mile valve springs must be used.

After looking at cam motion, the truck cams are almost the same specs as the ls2 and ls6. Did you tow with both?

Bspeck82

Would conpression not be too high for 87? 91-93 would be more feasible.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

Gotcha. Cam motion drop in is still my recommendation. Will work with factory ls6 springs and will not stress the factory stuff at all. But will make a good bit more low end grunt vs the LS2 cam

http://www.cammotion.com/camshafts/t...206-210-115-5/

tech@WS6store

iTrader: (2)

The tsp stg1 cam and stg2 low lift will work with ls6 springs and work exactly for your purpose, but id recommend pac1218s. Ask me how i know.

On a separate note....has anyone wondered why they put such a large chamber head specifically and only on the 6.0l in heavy duty trucks?

mikedamageinc

iTrader: (49)

I know premium would make more power but even in a standard ls1, 91 is recommended but not required, and I thought that the 799 was less compression than 243 but after another seach they are exactly the same. Either way a nice thick head gasket should drop the compression to a safe level just not sure how much.


plan on the newer blue ls6 springs good for .550 (maybe slightly higher) and Frost is my tuner, never let me down!



no, why did they?

G Atsma

To keep the compression down so 87 gas can be used under high-stress situations.

Phil coppney

I will jump on the wrong cam bandwagon. Need something with a powerband lower in the rpm range.

Floader

iTrader: (32)

The same reason the eventually put Inco exhaust valves in them with the L96, so you can flat foot it for hours at 3500rpm and not kill it?

StealthFormula

iTrader: (35)

I agree. For towing like in this case, I would either run a stock cam or a grind made specifically to enhance the low-end torque which I assume some of the truck grinds mentioned earlier may do. The LS6 and LS2 cams make pretty large gains when stuffed into 5.3 and 6.0 truck motors but at the expense of low-end torque. There’s a hotrod mag test (link below) where they tested various cams in a 5.3. The LS2 cam in the 5.3 gained crazy power up top but lost almost 20 ft lbs of torque under 2,500rpm. I know we are talking about a 6.0 here but it appears to me that an LS6 or LS2 cam would be a very poor choice for a tow rig. I think the smartest thing may be to just run the stock cam and gear accordingly. After all, you’re looking for torque and you plan to tow 6000# with it, it’s not like you’re looking for dyno numbers or track times.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.hotro...omparison/amp/

pantera_efi

iTrader: (1)

Hi Mike, I would find (my help if asked) a Salvage Title Escalade 2008 +.

I have bid/bought this type of car from a Salvage Yard.
I look for a "rollover" crash donor.
I would install the COMPLETE engine package.
I have bought this type of "crashed car" for $2155.00, the lowest won bid once.

I even sold other items from the Escalade recovering some cost.

I would like to get the ECU business for your needs as MY ECU-882C would work great in your case.

THUS, my judgement, save your cash !

Lance

tech@WS6store

iTrader: (2)

Gm started using a stellite coated valve (or a similar type of coating) in the gen4 engines quite a bit. As for some of the 6.0s and 6.2s they were treated to different valves and seats some times because of their commercial applications or if they were being used with cng or on hybrids.
Gm never used the lq9 in heavy duty trucks either. Curious right, as they were obviously rated for more power and could be considered the same price to manufacture.
Just some food for thought i guess
Both of those cams i mentioned will get you what you want AND are on sale for $349. So even better on the budget...but still id use the pac1218 spring.

CAMMOTION PERF

That build will work great if you advance that camshaft 4-6 degrees. Otherwise that camshaft will give up a good bit of torque under 4000 RPM compared to a stock 6 liter truck camshaft. It was designed for a light weight car with emphasis on a higher RPM range than you have planned for your truck. So, if you want to use that cam due to budget constraints, advance it 4-6 degrees and that will help a ton.

For valve springs, you can either run the GM performance valve springs or this excellent low cost beehive spring that we sell:
http://www.cammotion.com/valve-train...ve-spring-set/

If you are not comfortable using an adjustable timing set to advance the camshaft, you can use this camshaft:
http://www.cammotion.com/camshafts/t...204-212-116-4/

mikedamageinc

iTrader: (49)

Thanks for the info. What would be my results if I went with the high vs low lift stage 1 truck cam?

Rasputin713

Wow! Sounds like one heck of a project. Good Luck

AnotherWs6

iTrader: (17)

I'd also jump on the wrong cam bandwagaon but I actually have an LS6 motor, stock except for head work, for my giant *** truck. Cost was right. It's not in yet, so we have yet to see how much I love or hate it.

I wouldn't worry about trying to use 87 though man, your giving away free power and torque right there. Compression is something that doesn't need rpm to increase power. My two cents. I had my 243's milled for my truck build.