Cam experienced, your opinions?
Cam experienced, your opinions? Thinking about doing a cam along with headers here this winter or spring. I'm thinking about the Hammer cam or ver 2 of it. What I want is the ability to have close to maybe 375hp at the wheels with the cam and prob Hooker long tubes. I am up for other options for cams. I want something with lope so people know it's there and I don't want anything hard on springs. I don't want to be changing them every 10K miles. Any opinions on springs, cam, retainers ect. for stock heads? Thanks.
JasonG
JasonG
Is your car an auto or 6-speed? If you have a 6 speed I would hope you put down more than 375 with cam and lt's. If you get a decent sized cam you wil always want more in the future. I would suggest a lg g5x2. Makes crazy power and steetable
Sorry about that. It's a 6-speed with Lou's short stick. The main reason for a milder cam is there are no good speed shops close to me in WV. Closest I can think of off hand is 4-5 hours away in OH or KY. Of course I'd hope for close to 400 but I'm no where near an all bolt on car. Thanks.
JasonG
JasonG
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,954
Likes: 1
From: Kent WA
I have the TSP 231/237 (231/237 .598/.598, 112 LSA) with all other mods in my sig, and it drives great... I don't have a tuner around here locally, so I went with a Predator custom tune by James at runningwiththedevil.com. Works great, no surging, very very driveable. This cam also is easy on the valvetrain because the lobes are not very aggressive. Ran the times in my sig with no weight reduction, and the factory clutch, which needs to be replaced so I can launch at a high enough rpm to get into the 11s.
It is very lopey, can really tell a cam is in there... I get lots of looks, and attract a lot of attention both at the track and at car shows. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
So far, I love this cam!
It is very lopey, can really tell a cam is in there... I get lots of looks, and attract a lot of attention both at the track and at car shows. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
So far, I love this cam! I have a and MTI T1 (221/221 .558/.558 112) cam and making 398/392 at the wheels through a 6 speed. I need a retune, but its not bad at all. Im sorta dissapointed in the lack of top end that this cam has because im shifting at 6200 and anything after that is worthless. Its good on spings and I know I can get a good 30k miles out of them because I dont have to spin the motor out high to get power and its low lift. It is leaving me wanting more though. I would go with a cam change but ive just been looking at rear ends and bigger motors latley.
Everyone has thrown in a good helpful reply for JasonG, but lets not forget he will be running the stock 3.42s and probably doesn't want a cam that will necessitate lower gearing.....3.73's or 4.10s. I would not go anything over 228 degrees using the stock 3.42s. My TR224 is on the fine edge of needing lower gearing.
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Lots of things to look at here. Thanks. Yeah I am prob keeping the 3.42's. Of all the reading I've done on the subject the largest cam I think I'd go with would be a 224/.581. Spring wise I was thinking some of the drop in double springs and keep the lift under .600(prefer under .581) so as to extend the life of them. Ryan02SS thanks for the offer, I'm sure it sounds pretty mean. I've listened to so many vids and so forth that that is prob what's helped me know I want a cam that lopes. Again thanks for all the help guys.
JasonG
Also can anyone tell me some of the little things I might need to buy take goes along with a cam swap and header install? I've allready added in the price of a double roller timing chain. Anything else I should think about?
JasonG
Also can anyone tell me some of the little things I might need to buy take goes along with a cam swap and header install? I've allready added in the price of a double roller timing chain. Anything else I should think about?
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I would recommend the 224/224/581/581 112lsa custom grind from LS1Speed.com. It's very streetable. It's great with stock 3.42 gears and 400 rwhp is possible with stock heads. You'll know there is a cam in there. It sounds awesome. You can use the Comp 918 springs with this cam. It's up to you if you decide to go with a new oil pump. I would also recommend a pulley. Check out LS1Speed.com and they have explanations on what to expect with certain cams. You will not need a tune with this cam but I would recommend it.
Originally Posted by SLP CARS '98
I would recommend the 224/224/581/581 112lsa...You will not need a tune with this cam but I would recommend it.
Things Needed for Cam Swap...............
Cam of your choice
Hardened Pushrods
Upgraded Valvesprings
Titanium Retainers - Not Needed but save weight and weight is the enemy of any valvetrain.
Upgraded Oil Pump - This is up to you but it's a PIA to install and being that your car is a 02 it is not needed IMO. I didn't install one with my setup.
Dbl Roller Timing Chain - Again this is your call. I did not install one at my HC swap time but will later on once the miles start to rack up.
All Associated Cam Swap tools......http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23
From the info you have given us you want a cam that lopes BUT will not be hard on springs........My advice would be to go with a 220 .561 112LSA or 224 .561 112LSA from Comp on an XE lobe. The XE lobes are easier and will not fatigue the valvetrain as much as an XE-R lobe that the .581 lift cams have. You also might want to consider the GM Hotcam..... 218/229 .525 112LSA, lopes like a SOB and will easily meet your power goals, very easy on valvetrain and very cheap. All of the above cams will need tuning as with any aftermarket cam so be ready to save some $$ for a tune as it is a word of difference compared to being untuned. I @ others will recommend good LS1 tuners when the time comes. JasonG, Keep in touch with me via PM on this and I will volunteer my help with the swap for no charge! Well maybe a couple beers!!
Cam of your choice
Hardened Pushrods
Upgraded Valvesprings
Titanium Retainers - Not Needed but save weight and weight is the enemy of any valvetrain.
Upgraded Oil Pump - This is up to you but it's a PIA to install and being that your car is a 02 it is not needed IMO. I didn't install one with my setup.
Dbl Roller Timing Chain - Again this is your call. I did not install one at my HC swap time but will later on once the miles start to rack up.
All Associated Cam Swap tools......http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23
From the info you have given us you want a cam that lopes BUT will not be hard on springs........My advice would be to go with a 220 .561 112LSA or 224 .561 112LSA from Comp on an XE lobe. The XE lobes are easier and will not fatigue the valvetrain as much as an XE-R lobe that the .581 lift cams have. You also might want to consider the GM Hotcam..... 218/229 .525 112LSA, lopes like a SOB and will easily meet your power goals, very easy on valvetrain and very cheap. All of the above cams will need tuning as with any aftermarket cam so be ready to save some $$ for a tune as it is a word of difference compared to being untuned. I @ others will recommend good LS1 tuners when the time comes. JasonG, Keep in touch with me via PM on this and I will volunteer my help with the swap for no charge! Well maybe a couple beers!!
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville, Tn
Just by reading the HOW TOO instructions, I think I could do this on my own or with the help of a friend. Now I think I believe what type of cam I want...TR224i/224e but I am not sure what brand....I have heard alot of people talk about the Trex and a few others.....I cannot remember what they are, do to I am a newbie and all....LMAO Any suggestions?
!LS1 11 Second Club
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,133
Likes: 2
From: Miami
JasonG, for what your wants are, the C1 Hammer cam is the cam for you. A C1 and some good dual springs- you're set for many, many, many miles. Comp 918 singles would be fine too.
I had a C1 before the TSP 231/237. I really liked the cam, but as stated by the T1 user above, the smaller cams leave more to be desired on up top.
I had a C1 before the TSP 231/237. I really liked the cam, but as stated by the T1 user above, the smaller cams leave more to be desired on up top.
Last edited by SouthFL.02.SS; Sep 19, 2004 at 08:39 PM.
Lots of good info here guys. Thanks again. Anyone make suggestions on a shop close to WV that does installs and dyno tunes? Mostly wanting the dyno tune to make sure I have some good numbers.
JasonG
JasonG
Are you getting a tune or not? If you are not getting a tune a TR 220 cam is where you should go. If you will get tuned, and want something easier on the springs, stay with comp XE lobes as mentioned. For given duration at .05 you'll have more overlap at .006 so you lose a bit of idle quality compared to XER ramps. A 222/222 111 111 on XE ramps will give you a strong midrange for your 3.42 gears. A 224/224 110 110 would give you wicked power and not require a high shift point.
If You're close to Baltimore, I can give you a great shop to use. They're not a sponsor so PM me for info.
If You're close to Baltimore, I can give you a great shop to use. They're not a sponsor so PM me for info.
I got two words for you on your need of installation @ tuning. Rapid Motorsports in Birdsboro, PA. Mikey does awsome work and will take very good care of you and your LS1. From Fairmont it's only a 5 1/2hr drive one way.
i have the comp cam 228/228 .588 on a 112 .it makes great power with the stock gearing and sounds great.i had tea in bowling green tune mine but i don't think they do installs like that.peak power is between 6400-6500.
Been thinking that maybe what I need is just a custom grind from comp. From the ls1howto.com site that I was reading and more and more posts here... I'm thinking possibly 226/226 .575 .575 112 might produce some decent numbers. It would still have low enough lift to not worry about spring issues and overall give a good boost in power on line with the TR224, don't you think? Anyone have that desktop dyno able to plug those cam numbers in and give me some approx. hp ratings and the powerband?
JasonG
JasonG
