Trade off: Extra power or ease of maintenance
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 627
Likes: 4
From: Miami, FL
Trade off: Extra power or ease of maintenance I see TSP has high lift and low lift versions of the same camshaft. For example the 216/220 is either .560/.560 or 600/.600.
How much power is being given up if using the same LSA/ICL vs. how many miles of spring life with the low lift compared to high lift.
I suppose the lesser lift model would be quieter and the higher lift version is a fast ramp which means more overall power.
Say an LS1 with 243 heads. With 241 heads.
How much power is being given up if using the same LSA/ICL vs. how many miles of spring life with the low lift compared to high lift.
I suppose the lesser lift model would be quieter and the higher lift version is a fast ramp which means more overall power.
Say an LS1 with 243 heads. With 241 heads.
Last edited by Felix C; Feb 15, 2018 at 12:57 PM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 436
From: St. Louis
My full weight bolt on stock converter LS1 a4 z28 was running 12.70s @ 109 with a good wideband tune. (Stock engine #241 heads, basically just a lid and headers)
I added the .552 lift btr stage 3 truck cam, LS6 spings and more good tuning.
It now goes 12.1@114.5 on the same stock converter and crappy 16" nittos with a 1.85 60ft. it also has perfect driveability and reliability. I've since added a nice 10" 3600 stall converter and I'm really looking forward to the track opening back up again!
IMO the gains seen from the higher lift, (especially with stock heads) is only going to be seen at the very top of the rev range. Unless you're willing to do a really loose converter and low gears the higher lift is not going to get you anything at the track and you definitely won't be able to feel a difference on the street.
I added the .552 lift btr stage 3 truck cam, LS6 spings and more good tuning.
It now goes 12.1@114.5 on the same stock converter and crappy 16" nittos with a 1.85 60ft. it also has perfect driveability and reliability. I've since added a nice 10" 3600 stall converter and I'm really looking forward to the track opening back up again!
IMO the gains seen from the higher lift, (especially with stock heads) is only going to be seen at the very top of the rev range. Unless you're willing to do a really loose converter and low gears the higher lift is not going to get you anything at the track and you definitely won't be able to feel a difference on the street.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 436
From: St. Louis
here's some more.
my wife's daily driver is a 2.73 geared A4 stock converter car that has a 4.8 LR4 swapped in. It's an unopened 02' engine with the 706's and just a cam and valve spring swap. The cam is the comp 212/218 .558/.563 115+0 shelf cam and the valve springs are of course the blue LS6 springs.
the reliability if this setup I would rate higher than the one I mentioned above simply because the valve train is noticeably quieter. It is extremely quiet without any sewing machine noise (53 lobe vs. 51-52)
It makes great power in a less than ideal setup as well and I take it to 7k in first gear with confidence whenever I get the chance. I know the valvetrain is stable because it's still pulling really good at the shift.
my wife's daily driver is a 2.73 geared A4 stock converter car that has a 4.8 LR4 swapped in. It's an unopened 02' engine with the 706's and just a cam and valve spring swap. The cam is the comp 212/218 .558/.563 115+0 shelf cam and the valve springs are of course the blue LS6 springs.
the reliability if this setup I would rate higher than the one I mentioned above simply because the valve train is noticeably quieter. It is extremely quiet without any sewing machine noise (53 lobe vs. 51-52)
It makes great power in a less than ideal setup as well and I take it to 7k in first gear with confidence whenever I get the chance. I know the valvetrain is stable because it's still pulling really good at the shift.
