I'm upgrading a '98 WS6 LS1 from stock to not, my question is cam selection.

Here are my specs as they stand right now:

-'98 WS6 LS1 engine w/converted fuel rails for return line system
-TH400 Trans w/2000 stall
-S&P shorty headers w/true 2.5 duals (2 O2's)
-9" w/3.55's
-Custom air intake (More flow than the stock MAF flows!)
-Ported and Polished stock TB
-Custom tune by Street & Performance w/all smog removed (EGR Sys.)

This combo resides in '65 Olds 442 that weighs in the 3500lbs range.

What I have for the conversion as of now or planning:

-LS6 heads w/sock valves, springs, retainers. (planning on some mild porting)
-FAST LSX intake-90mm w/matching TB
-Granatelli MAF
-CAM???

My goal is 410-430 RWHP - What cam would get me there without sacrificing all of my streetability? This car is a weekend driver - more for fun than necessity. Thanks.

 

Since you're using Shorties, go with the Thunder CheaTR cam -----> Thunder Racing

 

Anyone else have a opinion?

 

Well, I love my setup and Lunati cam, you sig. is close to mine, I would recommend the one I'm running,makes great power, Idle is good, and my engine does not sound like a sewing machine.

 

^ Seems like the ol' MTI T1 grind. Nice small cam.

With shorties however, a longer duration on the exhaust is a good idea.

 

Why do shorties matter? Is it because long tubes scavange better?

 

A traditional split (i.e. longer exhaust duration) cam will help overcome any exhaust limitation. Thunder's CheaTR cam is very biased, so is the GMPP Hotcam and ASA cam, because all were designed for stock manifolds.
Shorties don't flow much better than stock manifolds (they are better, of course), but don't flow as well as long tubes.
Since you have shorties, a cam with a longer duration on the exhaust will benefit you.

 

Where can I get that cam?

 

CheaTR: Thunder Racing--------->
GMPP Hotcam and ASA cam: SDPC-------->

CheaTR will outperform the other 2.

 

[QUOTE=GENIIIDude]I'm upgrading a '98 WS6 LS1 from stock to not, my question is cam selection.

Here are my specs as they stand right now:

-'98 WS6 LS1 engine w/converted fuel rails for return line system
***********Stock lines are fine.

-TH400 Trans w/2000 stall
**************Most folks here will tell ya that's way too weak.

-S&P shorty headers w/true 2.5 duals (2 O2's)
**********Absolutely worthless. A total waste of time if you want serious power. Longtubes.

-9" w/3.55's
***********Unless yer doing 750+hp, go 3.73's or even tighter, even in an A4. Tuning can overcome a lot.

-Custom air intake (More flow than the stock MAF flows!)
*********Intake and MAF are 2 different things. The electronics on the stock MAF units are unbeatable. There are !serious! quality issues with other-than-stock MAFs. If yer talking airbox, then certainly swap that. Inexpensive mod.

-Ported and Polished stock TB
***********Whose? They're not all the same.

-Custom tune by Street & Performance w/all smog removed (EGR Sys.)
******Using whose software? And they are how far from you. Tuning ONLY works hands-on. Mail order tuning is like a mail order bride: Everybody can look good in a picture.

This combo resides in '65 Olds 442 that weighs in the 3500lbs range.

What I have for the conversion as of now or planning:

-LS6 heads w/sock valves, springs, retainers. (planning on some mild porting)
************You'll need more than mild porting for any kind of power. It's not just quantity, it's quality: VELOCITY as well as mixture and presentation.

-FAST LSX intake-90mm w/matching TB
***********Be prepared for quality issues w/ their TB. I had to overcome mine.
-Granatelli MAF
**********See above. Save yer $$$
-CAM???
*******You need to sit down and refigure yer rear gears, yer exhaust, and certainly that TC. Nothing wrong w/ a .560-.580 lift mid 220's duration on a 112-113 LSA for a stock cubed LS1. IT'S ALL IN THE TUNING.

My goal is 410-430 RWHP *********not with shorties!******** - What cam would get me there without sacrificing all of my streetability? This car is a weekend driver - more for fun than necessity. Thanks. [/QUOTE

 

Can't help the shorties right now, no one makes LTube headers for my application and I don't have the know-how or the time to build them. So what you're saying, SSinful, is give up? I'm dealt this hand, can you help me achieve my goal or not?

I know I'll need to upgrade the TC and put some shorter gears (that's why I spent the money on a Currie 9", so I could change the gears).

Tuning is another issue. I'm in the Salt Lake City area and as far as I know there is no one close that does tunes on these motors. Does anyone know of any tuners in Northern Utah or Las Vegas? Thanks for the help.

 

You can send Thunder Racing your engine's PCM and they'll tune it for you and send it back, for your setup (what we call a "Mail Order Tune").

The nice thing about the Thunder Racing CheaTR cam is that it works well with shorties AND Longtubes (if for whatever reason, you upgrade in the future).

 

[QUOTE=GENIIIDude]Can't help the shorties right now, no one makes LTube headers for my application and I don't have the know-how or the time to build them. So what you're saying, SSinful, is give up? I'm dealt this hand, can you help me achieve my goal or not?

If shorties are all that anybody can fit in that 442 then I guess that's it (would figured there'd be a boatload of room under that hood).

But there has to be a tuner in Lost Wages w/ HP_Tuners or ??? for a LS1...

It's been my experience w/ mail order tuning that INVARIABLY they put out such a lean tune that it's dangerous for the motor.

 

[QUOTE=SSINFUL]Are you saying that Texas Speed, Thunder, Futral, MTI, etc. go around sending out lean tunes? I've always read of customers quite surprised as to how well their mail order tunes worked out. True, wide band is the way to go, but mail order has proven to be an effective way to get by.

 

[QUOTE=SouthFL.02.SS]I've had mail order tunes from at least 2 of the sponsors here, including one you list. They were all so lean that Jimmy Stewart coulda hid behind 'em.

And, I absolutely wouldn't use somebody who locks the PCM. That's called theft of MY property!

 

Thanks guys, I found a tuner in Las Vegas from the PCM forum. I'm going to take the car to them after I get everything together, and see if they can custom make some LTubes for my car. As for a cam, I think I'll try the CheaTR cam. Comp cams makes one that is very close to the same specs and a little cheaper.