I'm getting ready to install a new cam, most likely a TR cam. Since I plan on keeping my stock rearend for a few more years, what cams work best with 3.42s? I definitely want the most aggressive cam that will work with 3.42s.

 

Not really relative but a cam that pulls till 6300 or so and peaks around 5900>6000 would be my choice.
TR220, Tr224 on a 112 or 114 lsa (Or similar)

Nice handle name BTW

 

Thanks man, but you stole my name.

Seriously, the TR224 sounds good. I'm undecided about 112 or 114LSA. Can I pass emissions with 112 on that 224?

Thanks.

 

Well it all depends on the test, if it is OBDII code recognition test or actual sniffter test.
With an M6 112 would be preferable performance wise but 224/114 would have a better chance to pass.
Just check with your DMV.
Also there is the MTI Stealth I 220/220, .581/.581 115 lsa which is in the same power range and more emission friendly (That one would pass for sure)
I have the Stealth II 224/221, .576/.581 116+4 lsa Even more friendly.

 

Thanks man!

My state is in the process of switching to OBDII code scanning.

I noticed that the 220/220 112 & 114 LSAs have a powerband of 1500-6500 rpms as opposed to the 224's 1700-6500. Would that 200 earlier rpm difference make a difference in reality? Also wondering where you would set your rev limiter with the 220 cams, for example?

Thanks for the great info!

 

Code scanning is easier. As long as you do not throw any codes you pass. We all know Ls1 edit can take care of that
Just tune it a little lean with higher timing and a dash more idle, they won't even know you have a cam, on a 112 that is.

As far as the powerband the 220's will give a little more trq under the curve down low vs a higher duration cam that tends to produce more on top.
In general a 224 is worth around 10rwhp over a 220

It all depends what you want to use that cam for.

if it was me i would go with the TR224 112 or the 224/.581/112 Comp (XE-R) lobes for a little more punch (Same range of power) 380>400rwhp with bolt ons and tune on an M6.

 

Thanks PREDATOR-Z! This is a great help to me.

You sold me on the TR224 112, but I haven't looked into the Comp 224 XE-R you mentioned. I'm going to visit the Comp Cams website and check it out.

If a cam has, for example, a 1700-6500 rpm powerband, would you set the rev limiter at 6600, or more or less?

Will I lose a ton of hp with my shorty headers? With the boltons I have, can I make 360 or 370 hp you think?

Thanks again!

 

If you buy shorty headers your wasting your money. Just buy the Mac mid-lengths with the cats if you want to stay emissions friendly. Yeah a couple of my friends ran the TR224 on a 112 and produced a good amount of power.

 

I already got the shorty headers installed. JBAs. I like 'em too. I think I can get the most out of them with a cam.

In this part of the country, there's not too much street performance competition. A more aggressive cam will be icing on the cake, even if I make a little less hp with shorties.

Heck my car is a blast to drive as is , everything else is a big bonus.

 

Do that it's a good cam too. Nice aggressive lobes. Of course with any cam you'll have to get the appropriate springs, hardened push rods, retainers, V seals (The valve train upgrades) Also a high volume oil pump and a new timing chain. I'm partial to J-wis but alot of poeple here do double roller (A bit overkill) a Rollmaster single roller is enough for these cams.

Myself i would set it a minimum 200 rpm over but 300 would be better. Remember this is a limiter not where you normally would shift.

Yeah 360 at least should be no problem. In the future LS6 intake, and pulley and you'll get closer to 380. (Don't forget a good tune.)

Good luck

 

Thanks for the help PZ!

I already got the LS6 intake, and LS1 Edit too.

I was gonna pass on the LS6 oil pump, timing chain, and pulley. Just the cam, springs and pushrods. My stock oil pump is working great, plus I only got 13k on the car.

I'm not really sold on swapping the pulley either. What effect does slowing things down have on the battery and assessories? I've never driven a car with an underdrive pulley.

Us "Predators" have to look out for each other.

 

I had an old ASP pulley on my y2k Z28 and had some KR issues but no charging or electrical output ones.
This time i'm going with a MARCH pulley due the fluid dampening capabilities it has. A lot of poeple look for extra power but forget about the safety issues. crank harmonics do not show immediate effects but at the long run the vibrations will have a sad effect on crank bearings.
BTW all 25% underdrive pulleys put out about the same gain ~10rwhp and .1 at the track.

 

Thanks again PZ!

I'm pretty much all set. I won't get my "Larry Tool" for a couple weeks, anyway.

Last question: do you know of anyone who was able to improvise a tool for holding up the lifters when swapping the cam, the one that goes into the holes in the block? I hate to shell out $120. for what looks like just a couple metal rods with handles.

Thanks!

 

Oh yeah. Just go to Home Depot and get 5/16 rods, cut them a quarter length longer than the cam. I got Alum so i could bend them little to be able to wiggle them in those holes.
If you are able to get solid rods, even better. You can grind them a little flat on one side to rotate them and hold the lifters in place.
Cost me 8.0 bucks.

 

PZ, that's an awesome idea to save $80.00. I might even put that money towards a new oil pump, afterall.

I'm psyched and ready for this install, just waiting on the parts and tools.

Anyway, you've been a GREAT help to me, and I greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks again!! And nice talking to you.

 

You are welcome!

Just to add this thread if you don't already know it for install info

http://ls1howto.com

 

Exactly!

Jmx's writeup gave me the courage to think it was something I could do myself. Great site!

It's taken me four years to reach this cam install decision (I finally recovered from the headers install).

 

dont worry about emissions in MA, its just a OBDII test, as long as you have no codes you will pass. only thing is to hope they dont see headers.

by the way you would be surprised what the street car scene has out here.

 

I heard they were implementing the OBDII code test sometime this month. Anyway, that's great news to me, plus the reason I'm going for the 112 LSA version of the TR224. The garage I take my car for inspections, the owner has an Electron Blue ZO6. That's why I went there in the first place. Last year, they just put the sticker on with no questions asked. Didn't inspect my car at all. These guys love my car.

I just meant that Massachusetts, compared to somewhere like Texas, is not as "into" performance. It seems that way, but I could be wrong.

 

Thinking ahead, I was wondering what effect on my tuning this 224 112 LSA cam will have. Will I have to adjust IFR? What about WOT fueling, will that change with the new cam?

I have an excellent tune right now with SVO 30s, but will I have to start from scratch with the fuel tuning, after installing the cam?