Scoobie

iTrader: (8)

First the Disapointments.

Had the cam now for about a month in and wanted to let you guys know my thoughts on the cam. This is the 3rd LS1 cam i have had, first in this particular vehicle. Disapointment # 1: I immediatly had problems with the car cutting up on the top end ( losing power at around 5600 rpms ) after the cam install. I am running the cam with Comp 918 valve springs and titanium retainers.

I didnt think that it had anything to do with the cam or springs. I thought it was my clutch slipping so i replaced it with a RAM powergrip ( needed a new clutch anyway ) and a billet steel flywheel. That didnt fix it. I also did a plug change during the cam swap so i swapped plugs again thinking i may have had a bad one. That didnt fix the problem. So i put on Taylor wires, didnt fix it, put on MSD wires, didnt fix it. Had it tuned, car was getting ZERO KR now and feels stronger down low, but still at around 5500+ it cuts up and loses power. So i changed out to 30lb injectors because i was running my stockers up high, still cuts up, next i changed out the fuel filter...no go. In this process i also made sure i was not getting any unmetered air to my 90 FAST manifold, i changed the oil, i cleaned my filter, i did EVERYTHING..but pull the valve covers. So, i called Texas Speed and talked with them about my problem as well as had 2 highly knowledgeable LS1 guys drive it and log it ( HPtuners) and then spoke with another Long time tuner of LS1 cars and all of us are now in agreement that i am floating the valves at high RPMS with the 918's. I have a set of PRC platinum double springs coming my way and will have them on by mid week.
In conclusion, i do not YET know for a fact that the 918 springs are not up to the lift of the cheaTR, but i will be finding out VERY soon. My recomendation to you is to go with double springs if you intend to order this cam in the mean time.

Disapointment # 2: The cheater Cam was designed around a Stock exhaust system this i know, this you guys should know too. I have Longtubes ( dynatechs ) and a Magnaflow Catback. With the Off road pipes up, this thing lopes harder then my buddies TR224 cam. It definetly lopes harder then my old TR224 that was on a 112. Its a sweet sound though, but NOT STEALTH! So i added the magnaflow high flow cats, the sound is muffled now, but still a lope and chop. My Cam specs are 214.9/231.9 .599/.577 116.8 LSA. So, if you plan to run headers, count on the possibility of not being stealth.

Happiness # 1: From idle to the point where the car cuts up it revs great! you can tell there is a power increase, it really seems to come on just before things go to ****! The idle, although lopey, is smooth and there is very little bucking or surging with an undrilled TB. Drivablity is great and i didnt lose any low end TQ. I can lug it at 1400 RPMS at 70 mph in 6th gear with no problems.

Happiness # 2: My fuel economy is slightly improved and my wife doesnt mind riding in the car. She hated my old Cam's and Off Road Ypipes. With the magnaflow cats on and this cam, its a comfortable, stinky gas free ride.

I hope this helps some of you guys with your decission. Over all i think it is a great cam with a lot of potential. I just have yet to be able to take advantage of that. I will be dynoing on August 13th with stock heads and mods in sig if i get this top end problem fixed.

DrewSG

iTrader: (1)

Good review! This cam is definitely on my to-buy list, so I've been watching the threads by you and Patrick G closely Any chances of you taking it to the track for some times?

Scoobie

iTrader: (8)

Actually, i have already, but due to the above listed problems, my ET's and MPH are not good indications of the Cams performance. Main reason for track visits was logging and tuning. To answer your question on my track visit, so far my ET has increased .1 and my mph is down 3 mph because of the above problems.

FUN LS1

I was guessing you were right at the .600 lift limit for 918s, but I thought the CheaTR cam had a.610 IL. Custom grind? Why the lope at 117 LSA & relative low duration on the intake??? What's the overlap?

Brains

iTrader: (7)

Too much lifter preload possibly?

ss rally red

iTrader: (8)

I have one of these cams and a set of AFR205's going in an 02 SS on the 13/14th of this month, with all the supporting bolt ons of course. Getting a baseline this week,its stock down to the filter. Mike out at GMMG will be doing the tune on it. Will let everyone know.

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

Springs will probably help a lot. Keep in mind, the intake lobe has a faster ramp than XE-R lobes. My car has the dual springs that come with the AFR 205 heads. Jason 99T/A's car used Crane Dual 832 springs. The C5 with FLP headers that gained 42 rwhp also used the Crane 832s. Now the CheaTR cam uses the same lobe as the Thunder Racing Old Man Cam and that cam has been done successfully with 918s in the past. But the critical thing you have to do with any spring is shim them to within .100" of coil bind. If your 918s aren't shimmed, then you probably don't have enough spring pressure to handle the super fast ramps. All the cars tested so far (the exception being yours) have easily screamed to 6800 rpm. Hopefully, the PRC dual springs will solve your problem. Again, I'd encourage you to consider shimming them to .100" of coil bind. How much that is depends on many factors. You'll have to check the springs once you have them to know for sure.

Scoobie

iTrader: (8)

Patrick, you can betcha that this spring install will be meticulous. Ill post up how everything goes.

Nate_Taufer

iTrader: (1)

The lift isn't the problem for the 918's. They're a great spring, but the problem is the ramp rates of the cheater cam to take advantage of the stock heads and restrictive exhaust.

That being said the Cheat-r cam i was to understand is cut on an extremely agressive lobe and will need more seat pressure just as patrick stated. Coil bind on a 918 isn't until about .700 as measured by me and a friend so i think you'll be fine if you just shim your 918's, but if you want that peace of mind run duals.

Nate

Beast96Z

iTrader: (21)

What's the advertised on the intake and exaust?

black_ws6

Hmmm. I lost almost 3MPH going from a TR220 cam to a 231/237 cam + 918's and my ET is about the same. I am curious to see what happens when you throw in the duals.

CAT3

iTrader: (9)

I think your onto something Scott When are we swapping those springs out? If you dont mind I'd like to retest the pressures on them, would like to see if they are losing the juice or what. Let me know when you get them, it'll take a little over an hour, but surely can get it done in under two.

Scoobie

iTrader: (8)

well, TSP said they'd be here Wednesday. Gotta little time. Thanks for all the above info.

TT_Vert

iTrader: (12)

well my c5 experience has been different. THe thing was 100% stealthy at first. I had my previous tune for a stock car w/ a vararam and that was it. The thing idled perfect hot and cold and sounded almost stock but a bit deeper at idle. As of late, the idle has been getting a tad rougher when hot but still very smooth and almost undetectable but the exhuast note has changed a bit and you can tell something is going on in there which is unfortunate but still much quieter then any other cam i've heard.
I stil have my idle set at stock 715 rpms, zero bucking, surging or anything like that hot or cold. This is w/ a full stock c5 exhaust. I have dual springs and have had zero problems at all all the way up to 7k. I seemed to ET and MPH best at 6500 though. Best thing is, my Ltrims are still perfect oddly enough. Right around -1 to -3 average.

Dave

PREDATOR-Z

The change in exhaust note is due to the cats and/or the muffs burning out.

TT_Vert

iTrader: (12)

wouldnt they burn out only if its running rich? Im at 14.7 AFR during cruise.

Dave

ROJO99

Lurking to see what happens. I have a 99 Corvette with LT's & LS6 Intake and may be swapping Cam soon. Interested in the this cam just not enought info yet. Should this Cam be ignored if LT's are being used?

greatskiiiier

iTrader: (10)

let me get this straight, your gas mileage increased over the stock cam?

Scoobie

iTrader: (8)

El Correcto.

greatskiiiier

iTrader: (10)

so a 17.9* and 0.132" increase on the intake is giving you better gas mileage, THATS AWSOME!