Recommended cam for my setup
Appreciate the kind words 
Nothing at all wrong with the ghost cam, and it's not a bad choice for the combination proposed. You have enough stall already, and that will make it very docile. I do think you'll have some idle note, but it won't be thumping by any means.
What actually caused me to make the smaller cam suggestion was the statement "I have no plans to upgrade heads". I was thinking in terms of dynamic compression to help with throttle response and midrange. Even with no plans to upgrade heads, if you could be coaxed to go to a .041" head gasket, both cams would benefit.
For comparison purposes, the stock '02 LS6 cam has -28 degrees overlap. The ghost cam will have similar RPM powerband as the LS6 cam, but should make more torque. The cam motion cam I think will make more torque than both stock and ghost cam, but mainly due to cylinder pressure (dynamic compression). The cam motion cam will fall off faster up top, and the ghost cam will carry better, Around 6300 rpm, I think is where you'll see the ghost cam really pull away. So a lot depends on where you tend to or INtend to shift. If your plans are to stay below 6000 for the most part, I think you'll be happier with the smaller cam.
I don't think you will be unhappy with either choice. You will probably want to pick up some psi1511 springs, retainers, shims, and a pushrod length checker. Plan on ordering a set of 5/16 pushrods.
Nothing at all wrong with the ghost cam, and it's not a bad choice for the combination proposed. You have enough stall already, and that will make it very docile. I do think you'll have some idle note, but it won't be thumping by any means.
What actually caused me to make the smaller cam suggestion was the statement "I have no plans to upgrade heads". I was thinking in terms of dynamic compression to help with throttle response and midrange. Even with no plans to upgrade heads, if you could be coaxed to go to a .041" head gasket, both cams would benefit.
For comparison purposes, the stock '02 LS6 cam has -28 degrees overlap. The ghost cam will have similar RPM powerband as the LS6 cam, but should make more torque. The cam motion cam I think will make more torque than both stock and ghost cam, but mainly due to cylinder pressure (dynamic compression). The cam motion cam will fall off faster up top, and the ghost cam will carry better, Around 6300 rpm, I think is where you'll see the ghost cam really pull away. So a lot depends on where you tend to or INtend to shift. If your plans are to stay below 6000 for the most part, I think you'll be happier with the smaller cam.
I don't think you will be unhappy with either choice. You will probably want to pick up some psi1511 springs, retainers, shims, and a pushrod length checker. Plan on ordering a set of 5/16 pushrods.
Appreciate the kind words
Nothing at all wrong with the ghost cam, and it's not a bad choice for the combination proposed. You have enough stall already, and that will make it very docile. I do think you'll have some idle note, but it won't be thumping by any means.
What actually caused me to make the smaller cam suggestion was the statement "I have no plans to upgrade heads". I was thinking in terms of dynamic compression to help with throttle response and midrange. Even with no plans to upgrade heads, if you could be coaxed to go to a .041" head gasket, both cams would benefit.
For comparison purposes, the stock '02 LS6 cam has -28 degrees overlap. The ghost cam will have similar RPM powerband as the LS6 cam, but should make more torque. The cam motion cam I think will make more torque than both stock and ghost cam, but mainly due to cylinder pressure (dynamic compression). The cam motion cam will fall off faster up top, and the ghost cam will carry better, Around 6300 rpm, I think is where you'll see the ghost cam really pull away. So a lot depends on where you tend to or INtend to shift. If your plans are to stay below 6000 for the most part, I think you'll be happier with the smaller cam.
I don't think you will be unhappy with either choice. You will probably want to pick up some psi1511 springs, retainers, shims, and a pushrod length checker. Plan on ordering a set of 5/16 pushrods.
Nothing at all wrong with the ghost cam, and it's not a bad choice for the combination proposed. You have enough stall already, and that will make it very docile. I do think you'll have some idle note, but it won't be thumping by any means.
What actually caused me to make the smaller cam suggestion was the statement "I have no plans to upgrade heads". I was thinking in terms of dynamic compression to help with throttle response and midrange. Even with no plans to upgrade heads, if you could be coaxed to go to a .041" head gasket, both cams would benefit.
For comparison purposes, the stock '02 LS6 cam has -28 degrees overlap. The ghost cam will have similar RPM powerband as the LS6 cam, but should make more torque. The cam motion cam I think will make more torque than both stock and ghost cam, but mainly due to cylinder pressure (dynamic compression). The cam motion cam will fall off faster up top, and the ghost cam will carry better, Around 6300 rpm, I think is where you'll see the ghost cam really pull away. So a lot depends on where you tend to or INtend to shift. If your plans are to stay below 6000 for the most part, I think you'll be happier with the smaller cam.
I don't think you will be unhappy with either choice. You will probably want to pick up some psi1511 springs, retainers, shims, and a pushrod length checker. Plan on ordering a set of 5/16 pushrods.
See this is why we listen to darth lol.
I had mentioned thinner headgaskets earlier as well, partially cause I like the idea of replacing the lifters.. and doing a little upgrade on them and the head gaskets all in one deal, plus those lifters are likely to be original which puts them at around 20 years old. Steve Brule said he's seeing a lot of lifter issues and has run some tests recently on older OE lifters vs fresh basic aftermarkets and is seeing 10-15 hp pretty easily from just running a little better lifter. So what do you think about the basic morel lifter 6504?
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4816-m...e-as-5315.aspx
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 442
I had a 222/228 114 cam and with ac on it was pretty tame but had some chop with the ac off. Not sure by what you mean in regards to a sleeper cam. The rough idle is a symptom of overlap and overlap is what helps make power up top. You can look at high lift truck cams for a nice idle and good low end torque and response, they just wont pull as hard on the top end.
See this is why we listen to darth lol.
I had mentioned thinner headgaskets earlier as well, partially cause I like the idea of replacing the lifters.. and doing a little upgrade on them and the head gaskets all in one deal, plus those lifters are likely to be original which puts them at around 20 years old. Steve Brule said he's seeing a lot of lifter issues and has run some tests recently on older OE lifters vs fresh basic aftermarkets and is seeing 10-15 hp pretty easily from just running a little better lifter. So what do you think about the basic morel lifter 6504?
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4816-m...e-as-5315.aspx
I had mentioned thinner headgaskets earlier as well, partially cause I like the idea of replacing the lifters.. and doing a little upgrade on them and the head gaskets all in one deal, plus those lifters are likely to be original which puts them at around 20 years old. Steve Brule said he's seeing a lot of lifter issues and has run some tests recently on older OE lifters vs fresh basic aftermarkets and is seeing 10-15 hp pretty easily from just running a little better lifter. So what do you think about the basic morel lifter 6504?
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4816-m...e-as-5315.aspx
LS1Tech Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,233
Likes: 1,522
From: Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, Texas
Thanks for the suggestions on the Ghost cam guys. We think it would be a great fit for this combo. It's the SUM-8715 with specs of .600/.575, 222/233, 113+3 with -3* of overlap. This will have that stealthy idle you're looking for but pack a punch. Your mods with the addition of the LS6 intake will pair well with this cam.
Valve events @ .050"
IVO: -1* BTDC
IVC: 43* ABDC
EVO: 55* BBDC
EVC: -2* ATDC
You’ll need some better springs. All of our Pro LS cams are offered in combo kits. We offer them as cam and spring kits or cam, spring, and install kits. View the available kits here for the Ghost cam.
Different pushrods will be required. We would recommend a minimum of a 5/16" .080" wall. We typically find a 7.425" pushrod will work with the Ghost cam. This isn't always true as there are possible variances. This is why we always recommend measuring pushrod length before ordering pushrods. We offer the TFS-9501 pushrod length checker to do so. You will need a set of 9" dial calipers as well to measure the pushrod length checker.
Valve events @ .050"
IVO: -1* BTDC
IVC: 43* ABDC
EVO: 55* BBDC
EVC: -2* ATDC
You’ll need some better springs. All of our Pro LS cams are offered in combo kits. We offer them as cam and spring kits or cam, spring, and install kits. View the available kits here for the Ghost cam.
Different pushrods will be required. We would recommend a minimum of a 5/16" .080" wall. We typically find a 7.425" pushrod will work with the Ghost cam. This isn't always true as there are possible variances. This is why we always recommend measuring pushrod length before ordering pushrods. We offer the TFS-9501 pushrod length checker to do so. You will need a set of 9" dial calipers as well to measure the pushrod length checker.
Thanks for the suggestions on the Ghost cam guys. We think it would be a great fit for this combo. It's the SUM-8715 with specs of .600/.575, 222/233, 113+3 with -3* of overlap. This will have that stealthy idle you're looking for but pack a punch. Your mods with the addition of the LS6 intake will pair well with this cam.
Valve events @ .050"
IVO: -1* BTDC
IVC: 43* ABDC
EVO: 55* BBDC
EVC: -2* ATDC
You’ll need some better springs. All of our Pro LS cams are offered in combo kits. We offer them as cam and spring kits or cam, spring, and install kits. View the available kits here for the Ghost cam.
Different pushrods will be required. We would recommend a minimum of a 5/16" .080" wall. We typically find a 7.425" pushrod will work with the Ghost cam. This isn't always true as there are possible variances. This is why we always recommend measuring pushrod length before ordering pushrods. We offer the TFS-9501 pushrod length checker to do so. You will need a set of 9" dial calipers as well to measure the pushrod length checker.
Valve events @ .050"
IVO: -1* BTDC
IVC: 43* ABDC
EVO: 55* BBDC
EVC: -2* ATDC
You’ll need some better springs. All of our Pro LS cams are offered in combo kits. We offer them as cam and spring kits or cam, spring, and install kits. View the available kits here for the Ghost cam.
Different pushrods will be required. We would recommend a minimum of a 5/16" .080" wall. We typically find a 7.425" pushrod will work with the Ghost cam. This isn't always true as there are possible variances. This is why we always recommend measuring pushrod length before ordering pushrods. We offer the TFS-9501 pushrod length checker to do so. You will need a set of 9" dial calipers as well to measure the pushrod length checker.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo I'm going to throw a wrench into these plans a little bit and am looking for some insight. I am now willing/wanting to do an upgrade to the heads. I dont want to spend a fortune. If I ran the ghost cam, what would be a decent set of heads to combo it with? Or would you suggest something different entirely for a cam too? Again, I really don't want a big choppy idle.
I think your ideal heads would be a set used AFR205. The old ones. Something with a tiny port and crazy airspeed.
You are going to get a bunch of suggestions for ported stock heads. For what you are doing I would not go that direction personally.
You are going to get a bunch of suggestions for ported stock heads. For what you are doing I would not go that direction personally.
Mavn's 450+ whp Ghost Cam Build with TEA S2 5.3 ported heads might be an interesting read if you've not see it.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 442
Most aftermarket heads are very close in power production. If you have a set of ls6 heads on you, port them from Total Engine Airflow. If you dont, TSP makes 225 as casts for 1700 bucks that work very well and I made a lot of power with them. Then you got your AFR/Trick CNC heads which are at that 2200 price range and you dont gain much from the previous options. Then you got small bore mast heads which will make a ton of top end and loose a little bit down low and more for the 7000+ rpm peak guy.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,291
Likes: 3,616
From: Central Cal.
243's would be a nice cheap upgrade
Or send a stock set out for porting
TFS as cast 220's are some of the best for around $1700, and TSP as cast heads. The prices go up from there.
The ghost cam, the 243 heads, stall etc should make you an easy 11 second car and be a lot of fun.
Or send a stock set out for porting
TFS as cast 220's are some of the best for around $1700, and TSP as cast heads. The prices go up from there.
The ghost cam, the 243 heads, stall etc should make you an easy 11 second car and be a lot of fun.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 365
Likes: 133
From: California
Yes, a set of 243 heads or 799 heads, once they are ported will have your combo making some solid power numbers. I did a lot of research and 243 heads and 799 heads are the castings that consistently get praise for making power.