OK, i need setups that will pass the sniffer test as random smog tests are occuring on CA freeways in Sacramento. I am pretty sure that I want a TR 224/224 on a 114 Lsa, and I want a set of heads that would work with it to pass smog.

Let me know of any other combos that would pass Smog as well, and the expected power levels, Im not too worried about streetability, as the car will be a garage queen in a year or so.

 

The TR224 would be a great cam for what you are looking for. The heads won't make a difference as far as smog is concerned, so get what you want. AFR's are great and come with a CARB #. If you don't want to spend that much, the Patriots which are hard to beat for the price, and would work well with the TR224.

 

Check out the CTSV in my sig. Idles like a z06 cam and passes cali's sniffer. Oh, the 442 rwhp ain't bad.

 

so I can go with any set of heads and pass smog as long as the cam I choose can pass smog on my stock heads?

 

yeah I think so, its the overlap on a cam that will get you. But check around on which heads will work best. buying hogged out heads will give you worse gas mileage and bad throttle response. You'll need something that has good low/mid lift numbers since you can't go with a large cam. Advertised peak numbers don't really tell the whole story. If you've got the money then get the AFR-they are top notch. there should still be few threads going for different heads-worth reading. I am looking myself to get some heads and really want to spend as few dollars as possible, and there are a few companies out there sellling some pretty cheap heads. Patriot performance has some heads I was looking at that should do well for you LS6 243's that flow nice and cost about 900 bucks to your door with LS6 springs and new head bolts. The other company livernois has the same heads for around the same price and they have a good reputation.
From what I've read here the 224/224 114 LSA is the biggest you could go with and still pass. When I was out in california I called a few performance shops and two of them said they had their own cams that would pass both were slightly bigger than the one I mentioned. I was told getting 420 rwhp was possible on their packages without headers. Sorry I don't remember the names one was up north the other was in or around san diego. the packages were expensive for them to install parts and labor was as much as a supercharger 5000-6000 dollars. If your going to spend that kind of money might as well go that route. At least with a charger you can easily take it of and sell it. I would call a few shops and see what they say on which cam to go with, since they have lots of experience with getting cars to pass.

 

2c5s you wouldnt pass smog with kooks LT's , also your car is new and can get away with it. Anyways


Go with a cam no bigger than a 224 on either side and a lsa of 115 and a really good tune and you should be set. I am still waiting on the verdict of the rhoads lifters i will be running. car should be done fri or sat. Go with a Ls6 or hot cam to play it safe. For heads have your stockers gone thru to match cam , I cant justify spending 2K for heads. Now 600 for valves and valvetrain upgrades well worth it, cheap insurance.

 

Really? Then why is it both of my 1999 c5's pass every two years with Kooks and Dynatech long tubes? How is it your car passes?? It's just as illegal as mine with your logic.

 

I run jba shorties that have carb numbers and modified LS6 for Egr compatability, my cats wont move an inch i have factory 241 heads and my cam isnt big. Lt's move the cats out of the preferred heat temps emmissions requires..so you have a inside guy that helps ,why pay fee when you dont have too. this is exactly why you wanna stay in the legal area of smog. IMO its a royal pain to jump thru the hoops. i am not trying to be critical it just that there are more and more mobil testers running around that can pull you over and have you open the hood..i am sure your vettes are sweet

 

I don't pay anyone extra anything nor do I jump through hoops. My point is, by the letter of the law, your car is not legal, same as mine.

 

You don't have to go to a 115 LSA. My 99' passes (pretty easily actually) with a TR 224/224 114. I know alot of people will tell you to go more, but I normally here this is about the limit to be safe.

 

The rule of thumb is 114 lsa for smog, 112 is risky and would really depend on the tune. There have been guys on here with a 226 and 228 duration that say they passed but who knows for sure. LT's make the car illegal in Cali due to the cats. You cant move the location of the factory installed cats. LT's move them further back( which does effect their effectivness).
Saw one thing that irked me in this thread and that was someone telling this guy that hogged out heads cause poor throttle repsonse. That is an absolute bullshit statement. Porting and polishing your heads will not effect passing smog either.

 

As far as I know, anything that is not CARB certified in Cali is illegal.
So your heads "should " be CARB certified.
LTs/ Mid length are NoNos only CARB certified shorties.
As far as cam, 224, 114 will pass but that includes good functioning Cats and a good tune.
What passes at the station could foul up by the week after if you are borderline.
-6>-7 overlap cams are more of a sure bet.

 

You can't use LSA to decide which cams will pass and which won't. There's more to it than that. It's the overlap you are concerned with. You could pass on a 111 if your cam had -3 to -4 overlap ot .050. As a general rule, most need less than -3 overlap to pass.

 

Yea, but the rule of thumb for the off the shelf cams being sold around here is 114 lsa. Custom grinds are of course going to be different. He isnt talking about a custom grind. He is specificaly talking about a TR224 so he's not looking custom at all.

 

Thats not a good rule of thumb to go by. He said he's "pretty sure" he wants the TR224, which will pass on a 114, but if he decides to go with another cam he'll have to figure out the overlap. There are OTS cams that will not pass on a 114. You can buy the 228R on a 114 that won't won't pass, or you can buy the TSP 233/239 on a 114 and it definately won't pass. If you want to make sure to pass the sniffer, you will have to calculate overlap and not go by LSA.

 

Your right thats why most people say a tr224 114 lsa is the highest you can go and pass smog. But there have been threads where some one with a 226 or a 228 passed in Cali. SO.. the general rule of thumb for OTS cams is actualy correct. No bigger than a tr224 on a 114 lsa

 

I guess if he is going to order his cam from thunder racing then you are correct. I just didn't want ultraz to feel like he could order any cam he wanted as long as it was on a 114. That's how you made it sound, and I just wanted to clarify it for him.

 

Nope, we were only talking abut one cam in the thread so I figured he knew what I meant. Its cool.

 

what are some budget heads to buy? something maybe better than ls6 style

 

TSP PRC stage 2.5 (5.3) heads at $1250 will produce a strong running car for you. For a 346 cu in I dont see anything producing better power for the money.