Hate to ask... Cam selection
TECH Regular
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 421
Likes: 71
From: Tasmania Australia
Thanks I already have a cam at 217/228 110 LSA .590 lift 2.7 deg overlap, I was thinking of selling it but after the last few days of reading your thread and others I'm more convinced than ever I will enjoy this more than a more aggressive cam. That overlay graph shows that there is no free lunch with a cam, it takes from one end to give to the other in direct proportion to what it takes.
I think I'll miss not having top end power but realistically that would be less than 1% of the time driving the other 99% of the time it will be the low to midrange that I be using. I love HP but I'm not chasing a number.
I think I'll miss not having top end power but realistically that would be less than 1% of the time driving the other 99% of the time it will be the low to midrange that I be using. I love HP but I'm not chasing a number.
Really depends on what your goals are. From the 217 cam you have to the Summit stage 1 cam might only be 5hp difference. Probably not worth the effort to swap. If starting from scratch, the Summit stage 1 is the smallest I'd go. I don't feel the gain is worth the cost on a small cam.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 325
Likes: 71
From: Sydney, Australia
Thanks I already have a cam at 217/228 110 LSA .590 lift 2.7 deg overlap, I was thinking of selling it but after the last few days of reading your thread and others I'm more convinced than ever I will enjoy this more than a more aggressive cam. That overlay graph shows that there is no free lunch with a cam, it takes from one end to give to the other in direct proportion to what it takes.
I think I'll miss not having top end power but realistically that would be less than 1% of the time driving the other 99% of the time it will be the low to midrange that I be using. I love HP but I'm not chasing a number.
I think I'll miss not having top end power but realistically that would be less than 1% of the time driving the other 99% of the time it will be the low to midrange that I be using. I love HP but I'm not chasing a number.
However, I think your cam will deliver with everything else matched in the right combo. Combination matters more than a bit of cam duration.
Thanks I already have a cam at 217/228 110 LSA .590 lift 2.7 deg overlap, I was thinking of selling it but after the last few days of reading your thread and others I'm more convinced than ever I will enjoy this more than a more aggressive cam. That overlay graph shows that there is no free lunch with a cam, it takes from one end to give to the other in direct proportion to what it takes.
I think I'll miss not having top end power but realistically that would be less than 1% of the time driving the other 99% of the time it will be the low to midrange that I be using. I love HP but I'm not chasing a number.
I think I'll miss not having top end power but realistically that would be less than 1% of the time driving the other 99% of the time it will be the low to midrange that I be using. I love HP but I'm not chasing a number.
I don’t remember you mentioned what exhaust is on your car.
Great thread!
TECH Regular
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 421
Likes: 71
From: Tasmania Australia
Thanks Cino, I suspected what you are saying might have been the case, but thanks your the first to mention it.
I did find a small restriction in exhaust which I've corrected.
My 3" cat pipes stepped suddenly down to 2.5" at 90 degree angle to rear exhaust pipes. I'm surprised the exhaust fitter would do this and not tell me, I've purchased a reducer that graduates down to 2.5" more slowly. I would go to twin 3" pipes at rear to make it all match but I've seen that with twin 3" you loose power especially at low rpm.
I did find a small restriction in exhaust which I've corrected.
My 3" cat pipes stepped suddenly down to 2.5" at 90 degree angle to rear exhaust pipes. I'm surprised the exhaust fitter would do this and not tell me, I've purchased a reducer that graduates down to 2.5" more slowly. I would go to twin 3" pipes at rear to make it all match but I've seen that with twin 3" you loose power especially at low rpm.
Last edited by TimsLS1; Feb 2, 2020 at 05:21 PM.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
I've been going crazy lately (and driving the GF crazy listening to the idle sounds of different cam shafts) trying to figure out what cam to go with.
Car is an 87 T/A with an LS1 and an upgraded T56 with LS7 clutch, and I have a 2001 4th gen rear with a girdle going in this spring.
LS6 intake, Speed Engineering long tubes, full 2.5 mandrel bent dual exhaust with an H-pipe and super 10s.
Will be sending my injectors to FIC to have them rebuilt to 42# since it's the same price as doing 36 and it leaves me room to do heads later.
Will be doing a dyno tune by a guy that has LS experience.
This car is driven once or twice a week, to car shows, or for an ice cream run. Just a fun summer car. I don't require live with it every day driving manners, however, I still would like to be able to cruise along at 75 in 6th gear.
I am not one to "scream" an engine, I shift it now at 6500 when I'm on it, and really wouldn't want to push it much higher than say 6800 if the valvetrain could handle it. That said, when I'm out in the car I am DRIVING the car and don't really baby it.
I do intend to autocross the car a bit, and hit the 1/4 once or twice a year for fun. More interested in pull all the way through the RPM range over needing to be at 5500+ to be in the meat of the power.
I'm looking at cams like:
Hawk's sinister 230/236 .591/.601 112 LSA
TSP 233/238 or the 228/232
Torquer V2 with 112 LSA
BTR Stage 3 is about the most radical I would go.
Just sort of looking for some guidance.
Car is an 87 T/A with an LS1 and an upgraded T56 with LS7 clutch, and I have a 2001 4th gen rear with a girdle going in this spring.
LS6 intake, Speed Engineering long tubes, full 2.5 mandrel bent dual exhaust with an H-pipe and super 10s.
Will be sending my injectors to FIC to have them rebuilt to 42# since it's the same price as doing 36 and it leaves me room to do heads later.
Will be doing a dyno tune by a guy that has LS experience.
This car is driven once or twice a week, to car shows, or for an ice cream run. Just a fun summer car. I don't require live with it every day driving manners, however, I still would like to be able to cruise along at 75 in 6th gear.
I am not one to "scream" an engine, I shift it now at 6500 when I'm on it, and really wouldn't want to push it much higher than say 6800 if the valvetrain could handle it. That said, when I'm out in the car I am DRIVING the car and don't really baby it.
I do intend to autocross the car a bit, and hit the 1/4 once or twice a year for fun. More interested in pull all the way through the RPM range over needing to be at 5500+ to be in the meat of the power.
I'm looking at cams like:
Hawk's sinister 230/236 .591/.601 112 LSA
TSP 233/238 or the 228/232
Torquer V2 with 112 LSA
BTR Stage 3 is about the most radical I would go.
Just sort of looking for some guidance.
Btr custom cam. Wont tell specs but it's just a hair bigger than the btr stage 4 with diffrent exhaust lobes. Lsl intake xer exhaust
John Gibson ported fast 102, fast 102 Tb
stock 241 heads
btr 660 springs
Btr 7.4 pushrods
Longtubes
Offroad y
6speed
Stock clutch
Stock rear with 3 42 gears
car made 444rwhp 411 tq on a honest dyno
car ran 11.4 at 126
In talking about radical cams and how there manors are on the street, it all depends on how good your tuner is. I can cruise 6th year at 1500 rpms with no bucking or jerking what so ever. 1st gear is a little wild but it's not that bad honestly. I would go btr stage 4. My cam pulls Like a freight train and its proven on the dyno. I couldnt be more pleased. And I'm speed density by the way