Cam choice for a stock LQ9
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Cam choice for a stock LQ9 Working on piecing together some parts for a rebuild of an LQ9 for my Father in-law. He wants to change the stock cam out since the motor is apart and wants something hotter, but still retains torque and gains more HP. There will be no custom head work aside from just cleaning it up (mild shave to get some of the old grime off).
He was thinking of the GM hot cam kit, but I haven't heard much about that cam on an LQ9.
Any recommendations for a cam if not the hot cam kit from GM?
He was thinking of the GM hot cam kit, but I haven't heard much about that cam on an LQ9.
Any recommendations for a cam if not the hot cam kit from GM?
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On The Tree
Joined: May 2014
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Aside from the 224R from TS, what other cam brands are good options? We would like to avoid any changes to pushrods, but are open to spring upgrades, like the PAC 1218 or 1518.
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The Texas Speed STG2 low lift truck cam is what id recommend. Runs $389 for cam AND springs. Uses stock pushrods. Great pickup in tq. Anything above that would really not be what you want.
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1158-ts...e-springs.aspx
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1158-ts...e-springs.aspx
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Verdad Gallardo If you are going through the effort of getting a new cam and springs, why not install a set of chromoly pushrods while you are at it?
That TSP Cam is a darn good one. Specially considering such a heavy vehicle and no mention of other mods (headers,stall converter, etc). Another classic cam that is compatible with new blue LS3 springs and stock push rods is the Lingenfelter GT2-3. The wide 118.5 lobe separation will pass the Cali smoggers
My sons 5.3 with a GM Hot cam passed state inspections here in Texas. Your state (I did not look to see where you are at) might be more stringent though. His truck has quite a bit of lope with that cam. So much so that it's quite obvious it has had a cam swap. No passing it off as stock, even with stock exhaust you can see the truck shaking, and hear the cam 'rollin.
I built an LQ9 recently and wanted a little larger cam, but nothing too wild as this is a daily driver ONLY.. Meaning NEVER will it be raced. NEVER will it be beat on. The cam I got has the LS9 specs for the LSA engine-same lift & duration, but on a 115 lobe separation angle as opposed to the factory LS9 cam sep angle of 122. It has ZERO lope. It does produce quite a bit of torque down low and this combination is much faster than my sons 5.3/Hot Cam setup. Keep in mind it will idle like stock, drive like stock-just make a bit more power. If you truly want that choppy idle sound-the cam I have is NOT for you.
Please post back and let us know what cam you end up getting and how you like it.
I built an LQ9 recently and wanted a little larger cam, but nothing too wild as this is a daily driver ONLY.. Meaning NEVER will it be raced. NEVER will it be beat on. The cam I got has the LS9 specs for the LSA engine-same lift & duration, but on a 115 lobe separation angle as opposed to the factory LS9 cam sep angle of 122. It has ZERO lope. It does produce quite a bit of torque down low and this combination is much faster than my sons 5.3/Hot Cam setup. Keep in mind it will idle like stock, drive like stock-just make a bit more power. If you truly want that choppy idle sound-the cam I have is NOT for you.
Please post back and let us know what cam you end up getting and how you like it.
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On The Tree
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My Father in law elected the hot cam. Thank you for all the recommendations. I'm gathering research to swap a 944 and make it a track car later on, using an LR4, unless I can find a cheap LQ9 but I am YEARS out from this fun project.
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Need some help here. We are looking at a cheap set of 243 heads as a WYAI upgrade since the motor's apart. Recent searches say only to deck the heads to true up the surface, but NOT to mill them.
Will 243 heads and the GM hot cam be compatible together? Valve clearance ok? I assume I need to change the push rods out too now.
Will 243 heads and the GM hot cam be compatible together? Valve clearance ok? I assume I need to change the push rods out too now.
Yes they are compatible and it will make for a good upgrade in compression. I would get a set of springs and come chromoly pushrods. You'll have to check for the exact pushrod length with an adjustable push rod once you get the heads all bolted up.
Need some help here. We are looking at a cheap set of 243 heads as a WYAI upgrade since the motor's apart. Recent searches say only to deck the heads to true up the surface, but NOT to mill them.
Will 243 heads and the GM hot cam be compatible together? Valve clearance ok? I assume I need to change the push rods out too now.
Will 243 heads and the GM hot cam be compatible together? Valve clearance ok? I assume I need to change the push rods out too now.
I would just surface the heads at .005-.006 and be done.