Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

daily driven trex or similar cam...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 06:01 PM
  #1  
stevensLS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
Question daily driven trex or similar cam...

ok looking into another ls1 car. im thinking the trex cam for my daily driver. my only concern is finding the right spring so that i dont have to tighten them up every so many miles. so what springs are you running and what else should i replace? ive seen people change oil pumps, timing chains? could i get away with just the cam swap and valvetrain? thanks for the advice.

basically what i want is a nice strong daily driven cam+bolt car with a shot of nitrous in the future.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 06:29 PM
  #2  
Patrick G's Avatar
LS1 Tech Administrator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 34
From: Victoria, TX
Default

Unless you are prepared to run badass valve springs and do comprehensive driveability tuning, you will not enjoy the T-Rex in a daily driver. This is an extreme cam and requires a lot of attention to detail. It's not a drop in deal. Tuning is critical with this cam. Comp 921s are some of the best springs to run. Next would be the PP/PRC/Manley duals. You'll need to shim them to within .050" of coil bind for maximum life. Again, attention to details.
__________________

2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.

Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 08:25 PM
  #3  
stevensLS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
Default

Originally Posted by Patrick G
Unless you are prepared to run badass valve springs and do comprehensive driveability tuning, you will not enjoy the T-Rex in a daily driver. This is an extreme cam and requires a lot of attention to detail. It's not a drop in deal. Tuning is critical with this cam. Comp 921s are some of the best springs to run. Next would be the PP/PRC/Manley duals. You'll need to shim them to within .050" of coil bind for maximum life. Again, attention to details.
thanks patrick thats the information i need to not get this cam. i believe i will use the hpe "s" cam. i just really want a strong cam only plus bolt on car for now then the nitrous later.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 08:29 PM
  #4  
xttc2000's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Default

If you dont mind changing/checking the springs often, a big cam really isnt that bad for daily driving.

my g5x4 (110lsa)on a great tune was actually more driveable than my 224 cam on a 112 with a mediocre tune.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 08:35 PM
  #5  
DocEwww's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 900
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by xttc2000
my g5x4 (110lsa)on a great tune was actually more driveable than my 224 cam on a 112 with a mediocre tune.
Thats insane.

Checkout the TSP MS3 and the S Cam...both great cams.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 09:48 PM
  #6  
Bird-Of-Prey's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, OH
Default

leaving the ls1 community and going back ford oh well the ford is paid for.
What's up with this?
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2006 | 10:04 PM
  #7  
stevensLS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
Default

Originally Posted by Bird-Of-Prey
What's up with this?
that was a long time ago man. never updated the sig. ive got the rustang now. its too slow,its automatic and i miss the t-tops. i want a 6spd car next.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 03:47 AM
  #8  
TheBlurLS1's Avatar
That's what she said...
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 2
From: Nederland Texas
Default

You will want to replace the LS1 timing chain, when you pull it out, you will see why

The LS2 timing chain is plenty strong and only 30 bux, plus it works with stock sprockets

SDPC ----->

I think it's crazy to to a cam swap w/out a ported pump myself. Thats like buying a bently and putting hubcaps on it.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 04:08 AM
  #9  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by TheBlurLS1
You will want to replace the LS1 timing chain, when you pull it out, you will see why

The LS2 timing chain is plenty strong and only 30 bux, plus it works with stock sprockets

SDPC ----->

I think it's crazy to to a cam swap w/out a ported pump myself. Thats like buying a bently and putting hubcaps on it.
Yeah he pretty much has the right idea here.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 08:29 AM
  #10  
Zeus's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Home
Default

Originally Posted by stevensLS1
ok looking into another ls1 car. im thinking the trex cam for my daily driver. my only concern is finding the right spring so that i dont have to tighten them up every so many miles. so what springs are you running and what else should i replace? ive seen people change oil pumps, timing chains? could i get away with just the cam swap and valvetrain? thanks for the advice.

basically what i want is a nice strong daily driven cam+bolt car with a shot of nitrous in the future.
what's this all about? Are you under the mistaken impression that we have solid lifters in our cars and need to check lash every so often, or do the aggressive lobes/lifts of the Trex actually back the rocker arm nut out over time?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 09:56 AM
  #11  
TheBlurLS1's Avatar
That's what she said...
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 2
From: Nederland Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Zeus
what's this all about? Are you under the mistaken impression that we have solid lifters in our cars and need to check lash every so often, or do the aggressive lobes/lifts of the Trex actually back the rocker arm nut out over time?
I think he's referring to the springs wearing out and having to shim them to get back his lost seat pressure.

If you can say your cam backed out the rocker arm bolts, you've got one badass cam
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 10:05 AM
  #12  
Zeus's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Home
Default

Originally Posted by TheBlurLS1
I think he's referring to the springs wearing out and having to shim them to get back his lost seat pressure.

If you can say your cam backed out the rocker arm bolts, you've got one badass cam
no kidding, I could barely get the rocker arm bolt backed out with a big wrench. I just couldn't see how else the springs could loosen due to a cam unless the spring started tunneling through the head.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 10:39 AM
  #13  
stevensLS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
Default

Originally Posted by Zeus
what's this all about? Are you under the mistaken impression that we have solid lifters in our cars and need to check lash every so often, or do the aggressive lobes/lifts of the Trex actually back the rocker arm nut out over time?
ive just heard that you have to adjust the springs due to the big lift on these cams. i just want a cam that i can throw in and not worry about the springs until they need to be replaced.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2006 | 02:35 PM
  #14  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by stevensLS1
i just want a cam that i can throw in and not worry about the springs until they need to be replaced.
you might have a hard time with doing so on the T-Rex. But who knows. People carry those cams of that caliber into 2X,XXX miles on the same springs.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE