Evening everyone,
I've got an L33 I'm freshening up to put in my 68 cutlass. 100% cruiser; no plans to race or boost. I just want a fun driver that idles nice. Will be in front of a 5spd or 6sd manual trans (when did those get so friggin expensive) and 3.08 gears out back.
I have a leftover stock LQ9 cam from a build a few years back and have seen a carcraft article that it adds 40hp up top with no/minimal loss in low end torque.
Do anyone actually have a dyno that backs this up or experience putting an LQ9 cam into an L33?
Engine is on a stand right now so it's not hard to swap in and out; i just can't find any data that actually backs up the LQ9 claim

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jim

 

That LQ9 cam is also the original LS1 cam. It will do very well in your L33.

 

Just by the specs, that article makes sense. Throw it in, will perform pretty well with minimal loss down low.

However, if going through the trouble of a cam swap, probably get your labor's worth and throw in a better cam. If you want to stay small, go with the new btr v3 truck cams. Stage 1 is 201, 21x, 111 i believe and stage 2 is 208, 21x, 108.5. Stage 2 beats the truck norris down low and almost matches it up too while driving better and having a like 6 or 7 degree less overlap.

 

Yes, putting an LQ9 cam into your L33 will work and is a slight improvement over the stock L33 cam. However, whether it's the best option for your goal of a "fun driver that idles nice" depends on your expectations.

 

I would agree that for the effort an aftermarket cam would be more worthwhile.

I would also take a look at the Summit 8719R1 cam. Its similar to the BTR Stage 2, but will idle a little better for your cruiser, and can be used with simple LS6/2 beehive springs.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet

 

The LQ9 cam will probably work fine. But, I'm with these guys also about a better cam.

It's gonna' be a small investment compared to the rest of the swap in the long run.

Also maybe save up for some lower rear gears if you're really going to use a six speed. 3.08's and a double over drive wont be as much fun as something lower...

(This is experience speaking, not just keyboard cowboying...)

 

Good point about the stage 2 especially since its a 5.3 and he wants it to idle well (and I think quietly?).

BTR stage 1 or something similar. 201/21x, 111lsa and can use ls6 springs. Will be better than the stock cam down low and better than that late ls1/lq4 cam up top.

BTR GEN III & IV LS TRUCK CAM - STAGE 1 - V3 - BTR-LSTRUCKSTG1-V3

 

get a real cam, never understood why people get so horned up about swapping stock camshafts around to make 4hp more

 

Thanks guys.
I was going to keep it stock, but then got into replacing all the gaskets, then the timing chain and oil pump, so now i have the front cover off and easy access.
I've been going back and forth between stock and BTR or Low buck truck holdener cam, but I just read the LQ9 cam helps up top with no low end loss. And I have one in my basement. And it's free!

The LQ9 I have in my 02 trans am has an Elgin SS2 cam which is awesome (400/400wheel), but it's really loud above 1500rpm through a stock exhaust. I was able to tune it to keep a very smooth idle, so not worried about that and I love the chop, but it's a little too loud.
For the cutlass, I really want something a little quieter and tamer.
I've watched holdener's videos on cams I don't know how many times so I know about most of the cams he tested out. But I spend 95% of my time driving around town under 2500rpm, and really don't care about big gains above 5k rpm where I hit for 3 seconds (although those few seconds are fun).
Hence why i was asking about a stock cam that I have for free.

Really appreciate all the responses

 

Sounds like you already made your mind up before evn asking the question lol.

I agree with others though, if I'm going through the trouble to do a swap, Im gonna spend a few hundred more dollars and put something nice in it. The Richard Holdner LBT cam would be perfect, and CHEAP...

 

Here is the article you are referring to: Factory LS Camshaft Comparison

It compares the LM7 cam to the LQ9 (and later ls1) cam in addition to all of the others listed. Your L33 cam is actually slightly bigger than the LM7 and you can see the power differences in that comparison as well where the L33 loses 4 lbs down low and gains 14 hp up top. You can basically subtract these numbers from the LQ9 gains and losses and you would wind up with a comparison between the L33 and LQ9 where it loses about 4lbs at 2500 and gains about 25hp up top. Changes are minimal but they are there.

You are essentially going from:
193/193, .479, .479, 116
to
196/207, .467, .479, 116

When you go aftermarket, you can get more aggressive but safe lobes to improve power everywhere. That is why we have recommended that, but if you want to save some cash and just do this swap, that's fine too. Enjoy the engine!

 

Haven't completely decided yet; engine will be on the stand for at least a while. But I had the LQ9 cam in my basement and read it helps up top w/o hurting down low, so wanted to ask the question.
I've been going back and forth on camming for at least a couple months and actually ordered a BTR TN cam (and then cancelled it).
Sounds like everything thinks I should go aftermarket one way or the other and bite the bullet.

 

yeah. The new v3 cams are better than the TN in some respects. Stage 2 has a lot less overlap while making more power down low and just slightly less up top. Stage 3 has slightly less overlap and matches the TN down low and has more power up top but you need stronger than ls6 springs. Pac1218 equivalent.

And Stage 1 would be better than l33 cam everywhere whereas the others mentioned might lose a bit at the very bottom in exchange for big gains in the midrange and top.

 

Holdener has some nice low buck cams to look at also and one only requires the factory upgrade springs. The cam timing as these smaller cams will be the largest bump, going to a tighter LSA/ICL will really bring in the torque earlier.

 

OK BTR V3 Stage 1 it is!