Texas Speed Heads Question on Compression
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 36
From: Eaton, Colorado
Some of you guys suggested reaching out to Smallwood development. I did Martin suggested ( 234/242 .620/.603 111+2 ) seems like a lot of duration, and maybe not a lot of driveability. What are your guys thoughts? I am not questioning that he is a smart guy and great cam builder, I am just wondering how that would drive?
Some of you guys suggested reaching out to Smallwood development. I did Martin suggested ( 234/242 .620/.603 111+2 ) seems like a lot of duration, and maybe not a lot of driveability. What are your guys thoughts? I am not questioning that he is a smart guy and great cam builder, I am just wondering how that would drive?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 36
From: Eaton, Colorado
That's my concern, seems like more of a max effort camshaft, maybe I am wrong?
Hot Rod Power tour is one Giant Traffic Jam 
, Last thing I want is a car less drivable. I am sure that I can make great power with that camshaft, but the cars purpose is to drive hot rod power tour and make good power and be drivable.
, Last thing I want is a car less drivable. I am sure that I can make great power with that camshaft, but the cars purpose is to drive hot rod power tour and make good power and be drivable. 
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
That's my concern, seems like more of a max effort camshaft, maybe I am wrong?
Hot Rod Power tour is one Giant Traffic Jam, Last thing I want is a car less drivable. I am sure that I can make great power with that camshaft, but the cars purpose is to drive hot rod power tour and make good power and be drivable.
Hot Rod Power tour is one Giant Traffic Jam
, Last thing I want is a car less drivable. I am sure that I can make great power with that camshaft, but the cars purpose is to drive hot rod power tour and make good power and be drivable. Some of you guys suggested reaching out to Smallwood development. I did Martin suggested ( 234/242 .620/.603 111+2 ) seems like a lot of duration, and maybe not a lot of driveability. What are your guys thoughts? I am not questioning that he is a smart guy and great cam builder, I am just wondering how that would drive?
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 36
From: Eaton, Colorado
So update, I talked with Donald yesterday at Total Engine Airflow (TEA), I sent the 243 Heads in to have TEA stage 2 LS6 CNC port program done on them, along with milling them down to 62-63cc. According to Donald once received its about a 3 week turnaround time (I'm in no rush). Also, If you haven't shipped anything in the 52lb range lately its got quite expensive. Actually took the time to drive to Fedex ($114), UPS ($125) and USPS ($97) which I ended up using.
I called Martin Smallwood later that evening and went over the combination that I will be running again along with the cylinder heads and milling, he said the original cam spec'ed would have PTV clearance issues and would not work ( 234/242 .620/.603 111+2 ). So he sent over a revised size later in the night with lower duration and lift ( 230/236 .612/.595 112+2 ). Wanted to get some thoughts on it. Split looks good, I was hoping to have a little more lift but wanted to get some opinions.
I called Martin Smallwood later that evening and went over the combination that I will be running again along with the cylinder heads and milling, he said the original cam spec'ed would have PTV clearance issues and would not work ( 234/242 .620/.603 111+2 ). So he sent over a revised size later in the night with lower duration and lift ( 230/236 .612/.595 112+2 ). Wanted to get some thoughts on it. Split looks good, I was hoping to have a little more lift but wanted to get some opinions.
So update, I talked with Donald yesterday at Total Engine Airflow (TEA), I sent the 243 Heads in to have TEA stage 2 LS6 CNC port program done on them, along with milling them down to 62-63cc. According to Donald once received its about a 3 week turnaround time (I'm in no rush). Also, If you haven't shipped anything in the 52lb range lately its got quite expensive. Actually took the time to drive to Fedex ($114), UPS ($125) and USPS ($97) which I ended up using.
I called Martin Smallwood later that evening and went over the combination that I will be running again along with the cylinder heads and milling, he said the original cam spec'ed would have PTV clearance issues and would not work ( 234/242 .620/.603 111+2 ). So he sent over a revised size later in the night with lower duration and lift ( 230/236 .612/.595 112+2 ). Wanted to get some thoughts on it. Split looks good, I was hoping to have a little more lift but wanted to get some opinions.
I called Martin Smallwood later that evening and went over the combination that I will be running again along with the cylinder heads and milling, he said the original cam spec'ed would have PTV clearance issues and would not work ( 234/242 .620/.603 111+2 ). So he sent over a revised size later in the night with lower duration and lift ( 230/236 .612/.595 112+2 ). Wanted to get some thoughts on it. Split looks good, I was hoping to have a little more lift but wanted to get some opinions.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 36
From: Eaton, Colorado
I was thinking of doing the same yet again in a 427 block but realistically I don't have the time or really the want anymore. A nice 6.L that you make majority of your power down low is in my opinion the best bang for the buck. Good luck with your new build and enjoy. 🤘🏽
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 36
From: Eaton, Colorado
Update, Just got off the phone with Mike at WS6 Store, we have been emailing and talking on the phone back and forth the past few days. What a good guy, and proud to support our LS1Tech sponsors! Very easy to talk with, professional, and even called vendors to find out specific information on my exhaust setup and how piping would work.
Ordered from Mike @ WS6 Store
ARH 1 7/8's headers
OR-Y pipe
Melling 10295 oil pump
RPM Timing Set
2 x RPM speed head bolts
Also, Got off the Phone with Martin Smallwood @ Smallwood Racing Development and order the camshaft ( 230/236 .612/.595 112+2 )
I appreciate everyone's input, feedback, and great discussions on camshafts, drivability, and valve train happiness. Exactly what I love about this forum, true enthusiast that are car guys through and through.
Will keep everyone updated with progress, where is everyone uploading their photos to these days to be able to share them, photobucket use to be the thing, but now they are wanting to charge money didn't know if there was another site or not?
Ordered from Mike @ WS6 Store
ARH 1 7/8's headers
OR-Y pipe
Melling 10295 oil pump
RPM Timing Set
2 x RPM speed head bolts
Also, Got off the Phone with Martin Smallwood @ Smallwood Racing Development and order the camshaft ( 230/236 .612/.595 112+2 )
I appreciate everyone's input, feedback, and great discussions on camshafts, drivability, and valve train happiness. Exactly what I love about this forum, true enthusiast that are car guys through and through.
Will keep everyone updated with progress, where is everyone uploading their photos to these days to be able to share them, photobucket use to be the thing, but now they are wanting to charge money didn't know if there was another site or not?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 36
From: Eaton, Colorado
Do they make a x pipe setup that works off of the ARH headers, or are they all kind of generic ? What x pipe would you recommend, and how is the fitting going through the trans crossmember area, my car sits low and just want to make sure it tucks up as well as it can?
Last edited by 99Ls1fever; Oct 7, 2021 at 02:23 PM.
Id sell those expensive over priced ARH and get a set of Speed E headers and true duals for less than just those headers lol 😆
You have to get a crossmember for the duals. They're like $180 from umi.
You have to get a crossmember for the duals. They're like $180 from umi.