BTR vs Howards Cams
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
BTR vs Howards Cams New to the forum and new to roller cam setups. Looking for thoughts/opinions:
I have an '02 Trans Am w/ the LS1 Automatic with about 67k miles that I purchased a couple of months ago. The engine is completely stock currently and I'm looking to add a little bit more power. I'm looking at doing a cam, valve springs, headers swap and an ECM retune once installed. From what I've read on various forums, BTR (Brian Tooley Racing) is what a lot of guys go with using their stage 2 or 3 cam. Although recently when I looked the stage 2 cam up it has been discontinued and BTR is using their Red Hot cam as a replacement but it doesn't give specs. I've had good experience with Howard's Cams in the past with flat tappets so I gave them a call today to see what they have and the contact that I spoke with recommended their LS1 cam #190385-12. Howards' recommendation seems to be a middle ground between the others.
I would be using this car for a daily driver, so I'm looking for good street manners. What do you guys think or what alternatives have you used?
Link to the Howard's Cam (190385-12): https://www.howardscams.com/hydrauli...cams-190385-12
Link to BTR stage 2 (now discontinued): https://briantooleyracing.com/btr-ca...-32734133.html
Link to the BTR Red Hot (stage 2 replacement): https://briantooleyracing.com/btr-red-hot-camshaft.html
Link to BTR Stage 3: https://briantooleyracing.com/btr-ca...-33142123.html
I have an '02 Trans Am w/ the LS1 Automatic with about 67k miles that I purchased a couple of months ago. The engine is completely stock currently and I'm looking to add a little bit more power. I'm looking at doing a cam, valve springs, headers swap and an ECM retune once installed. From what I've read on various forums, BTR (Brian Tooley Racing) is what a lot of guys go with using their stage 2 or 3 cam. Although recently when I looked the stage 2 cam up it has been discontinued and BTR is using their Red Hot cam as a replacement but it doesn't give specs. I've had good experience with Howard's Cams in the past with flat tappets so I gave them a call today to see what they have and the contact that I spoke with recommended their LS1 cam #190385-12. Howards' recommendation seems to be a middle ground between the others.
I would be using this car for a daily driver, so I'm looking for good street manners. What do you guys think or what alternatives have you used?
Link to the Howard's Cam (190385-12): https://www.howardscams.com/hydrauli...cams-190385-12
Link to BTR stage 2 (now discontinued): https://briantooleyracing.com/btr-ca...-32734133.html
Link to the BTR Red Hot (stage 2 replacement): https://briantooleyracing.com/btr-red-hot-camshaft.html
Link to BTR Stage 3: https://briantooleyracing.com/btr-ca...-33142123.html
Last edited by BAN02WS6; Apr 17, 2023 at 03:22 PM.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 643
Likes: 300
From: Michigan
I would go with the BTR stage 3 personally. A good tuner should be able to make it very driveable.
It's very strange to me that they have discontinued their stage 2 LS1 cam and are telling people to go with their Red Hot cam though. If you're worried about the driveability of the stage 3 cam, then consider the Cam Motion Titan 4 cam.
It's very strange to me that they have discontinued their stage 2 LS1 cam and are telling people to go with their Red Hot cam though. If you're worried about the driveability of the stage 3 cam, then consider the Cam Motion Titan 4 cam.
I would go with Cammotion. BTR certainly doesn't grind their own cams, at least not yet. Cammotion is a great cam grinder, and there's a good chance that they grind Tooleys, too. Other companies are also worthy. Like Lingenfelter, Futral Motorsports, and some OP listed. Don't sell Futral Motorsports short. Allan Futral had the first 346 LS powered 6 speed in the 9s, so he definitely knows his stuff.....
I would go with Cammotion. BTR certainly doesn't grind their own cams, at least not yet. Cammotion is a great cam grinder, and there's a good chance that they grind Tooleys, too. Other companies are also worthy. Like Lingenfelter, Futral Motorsports, and some OP listed. Don't sell Futral Motorsports short. Allan Futral had the first 346 LS powered 6 speed in the 9s, so he definitely knows his stuff.....
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Based on the specs from the ones that have now been mentioned, Cam Motion Titan 4, the BTR stage 3, and the Howards cam is there anything that really stands out powerband wise?
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 643
Likes: 300
From: Michigan
I would go with Cammotion. BTR certainly doesn't grind their own cams, at least not yet. Cammotion is a great cam grinder, and there's a good chance that they grind Tooleys, too. Other companies are also worthy. Like Lingenfelter, Futral Motorsports, and some OP listed. Don't sell Futral Motorsports short. Allan Futral had the first 346 LS powered 6 speed in the 9s, so he definitely knows his stuff.....
The BTR stage 3 will have the strongest midrange-top end, partially because it has the most overlap (12.5*). I would rev that cam to 7000 RPM or so. However it won't drive as smoothly as the Titan 4 cam which only has 4.5* of overlap.
It's great that BTR has purchased a cam grinder. I didn't know that. Good for him. I like Brian, he's a good guy to deal with. I remember him from his TEA days. Had an unfortunate fire burn his C5 many years back, in his early TEA days. Nice to see a good business growing!!
