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Is this cam worth installing?

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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 05:36 PM
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Default Is this cam worth installing?

I picked up a set of used 243 heads and cam package deal but the problem is this is a ls2 cam so I'd have to do some modifications to get it to work in my ls1. Seems from the specs (Speed Inc cam, 231/236 .617/.609 112+4) to be pretty nasty cam for what I'm running, 3.23 gear/3200 stall 1-7/8 headers. Would it be worth the trouble converting over to use it or should I sell it and get a milder ls1 cam? I lost my job of 34 years so I am on a pretty tight budget and trying to do it as cheap as possible. (heads/cam/pushrods) were 500 bucks) Thanks for any input!
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 05:47 PM
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That isn't all that big for an LS1. If it's worth it or not is an opinion.
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 06:03 PM
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I would run it.
What are you looking for, just more power? Quarter mile times ect.

I would run that cam ( I'm no cam expert) but that converter would not be ideal imo
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 06:05 PM
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The specs on that cam are fairly healthy. I'd give it a shot
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 06:13 PM
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I wonder who actually ground the cam. Never heard of Speed Inc......
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 06:39 PM
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I was worried about ptv clearance but the guy I got it from said the ls2 it was in had stock reliefs with no problems so I will get the parts and convert it over to use it and see what happens. Just tired of having a baiscally stock motor for 18 years and wanted a bit more power.
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by G Atsma
I wonder who actually ground the cam. Never heard of Speed Inc......
https://www.speedinc.com/
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Dano 00TA
Thank you! They do "everything", meaning if it's not a name brand, it's likely private-labelled merchandise. I bet Comp grinds their cams.
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 07:16 PM
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I didn't even think of that? Hopefully it's a decent cam.
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Old Jul 7, 2018 | 07:25 PM
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I am assuming something like this is what I need for the switchover, correct? https://www.ebay.com/itm/LS9-LS7-LS2...-/131984918639
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 12:36 PM
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It's plenty big enough, and for a mild setup it's actually a hair on the bigger side. So yeah, run it.
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Dano 00TA
I am assuming something like this is what I need for the switchover, correct? https://www.ebay.com/itm/LS9-LS7-LS2...-/131984918639
The Speed inc cam should be a standard 3 bolt cam and not need any other parts to make it work. It should have the gear on back of the cam for the cam sensor already. And like everyone else is saying, run it. The only prob I see is you might be betting near the stock injector limits. There's gtp 42 pounders in the classifieds for under $100 all the time.
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by tug686spd


The Speed inc cam should be a standard 3 bolt cam and not need any other parts to make it work. It should have the gear on back of the cam for the cam sensor already. And like everyone else is saying, run it. The only prob I see is you might be betting near the stock injector limits. There's gtp 42 pounders in the classifieds for under $100 all the time.
If it's for an LS2 it shouldn't have the reluctor/tone wheel on the back of the cam for the cam sensor. He will likely need a 1x cam gear and front timing cover from a gen 4 with the cam sensor up front.
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 05:45 PM
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Not saying it isn't possible but I've never seen a aftermarket cam without it Ls1-2's.
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by tug686spd
Not saying it isn't possible but I've never seen a aftermarket cam without it Ls1-2's.
I think for the most part you are right. It's easier to put the sensor reluctors on all LS cams than worry whether it's going on a Gen IV or not
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by tug686spd
Not saying it isn't possible but I've never seen a aftermarket cam without it Ls1-2's.
If the cam is a 3 bolt it would make sense for them to cut the cams on the same cores as a gen 3/rear sensor cam.

But since some LS2's are 3 bolt and some are 1 bolt I didn't know what the aftermarket cam core/setup would be. Which also means I need to change what I said in that last post, I typed it assuming it was a single bolt later model LS2 cam, but I was also picturing the stock LS2 cam which obviously has nothing to do with the cam he mentioned lol

Last edited by 00pooterSS; Jul 9, 2018 at 06:32 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2018 | 10:38 PM
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Guess this is a moot point now since I got everything but the cam has some pitting on a couple lobes. Everything else looks great though. Guy at Speed Inc said if you can feel it with your fingernail it will have to be machined.

It's the earlier ls2 3-bolt cam. So if I did have this cam "machined" it would be a direct swap with no ls2 cover/sensor required?
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Old Jul 10, 2018 | 12:25 AM
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yes thats a true gen 3 cam. cam sensor at the back.

I had the step down from that cam, TU1.5 i think? from speed inc it was a good cam in a 5.3 with a gt45.

I'm pretty sure it was a comp with XER lobes IIRC
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Old Jul 10, 2018 | 09:55 AM
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Emailed speed inc about it and yes, the cams are ground by comp cams and he said I can send it to them and they weld and re-machine it for any pits, like 100-150 bucks to do it.
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Old Jul 10, 2018 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Dano 00TA
Guess this is a moot point now since I got everything but the cam has some pitting on a couple lobes. Everything else looks great though. Guy at Speed Inc said if you can feel it with your fingernail it will have to be machined.

It's the earlier ls2 3-bolt cam. So if I did have this cam "machined" it would be a direct swap with no ls2 cover/sensor required?
Yes it would be direct swap since the cam sensor would read off the rear of that cam, no need for the front cover and sensor.

Originally Posted by Dano 00TA
Emailed speed inc about it and yes, the cams are ground by comp cams and he said I can send it to them and they weld and re-machine it for any pits, like 100-150 bucks to do it.
100-150 isn't a bad price for a good cam. If they put it through the original hardening process it would essentially come out as a new cam when they're done.
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