Need help picking out a cam for my application!

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Jan 4, 2007 | 02:12 PM

JKDZ28

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From: Cookeville, TN

Need help picking out a cam for my application!

Okay guys, I've done alot of research. However, search isn't working for me right now.

First I'll start with my current setup...

Its an 1998 Camaro SS

***T56 with stock 10bolt 3.42 gears...17f/18r wheels***

SLP Lid (flowpac)
LS6 Intake Manifold
Ported TB
Pacesetter LTs (no egr/air/cats)
TSP ORY
Borla
Pro 5.0 w/ LSS
Ram Powergrip HD w/ drillmod, 01+ slave
UMI LCA relo brackets

I'm looking for a cam that will work with my *STOCK 98* heads. I'm looking for at least 400rwhp on these factory heads.

I need this cam to be pretty streetable. However, it is not my daily driver. 50-150miles per week. I just need something that can work with the 3.42 gears untill I can get a 9" in the future.

I'm open to all advice and suggestions, on how I can reach my goals.

I understand the 98 heads arent as good, rod bolts are weak, and oil doesnt flow as well at extreamly high RPMS. So I'm going to take this into consideration also.

What would be safe to rev to on the stock 98 LS1 (including rodbolts)

If someone could suggest me a cam (MS3, MS4,, Trak, Trex, G5x3, F13, custom, etc.) Doesnt matter which one.

If someone could point me in the right direction, I would be very greatful!

Thanks in advance!

Jan 4, 2007 | 02:20 PM

jlashley2001ss

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From: graham nc

look into a 232/236 range with a 112+2 or maybe +4 LSA Im sure the cam gurus will chime in...just my .02

Jan 4, 2007 | 02:25 PM

JKDZ28

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From: Cookeville, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlashley2001ss

look into a 232/236 range with a 112+2 or maybe +4 LSA Im sure the cam gurus will chime in...just my .02

Hmmm, something like TSP 333/339 perhaps?

Keep them coming.

Thanks for the quick reply!

Jan 4, 2007 | 02:31 PM

kgkern01

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I've got a friend with a 99 looking for the same thing, would like to see some replies as well.

Jan 4, 2007 | 02:32 PM

nexvctm2001ss

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From: Oxford GA

TSP 333/339 perhaps? WHAT??????

Jan 4, 2007 | 02:46 PM

jlashley2001ss

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From: graham nc

yeah i think he meant 233/239

Jan 4, 2007 | 02:47 PM

98Z28MASS

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JKDZ28

Your going to need a huge cam. The cam in my sig (232/238 .640/.610 lift on a 112 lsa) only made 370 rwhp with my 98 heads and thats with mac mids/ory/ls6 intake/ported TB/25% underdrive pulley. The 98 heads have pathetic flow numbers. Also, the stock 98 rod bolts are pretty weak from the factory so I wouldnt spin it above 6500 rpms on a constant basis. You would be better off getting say a g5x3 and then get heads in the future rather than getting a monster cam just to hit 400 rwhp.

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Jan 4, 2007 | 03:07 PM

JKDZ28

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From: Cookeville, TN

Oops. Sorry guys I mean 233/239 not 333 lol.

I've seen several people here with 98 cars that have large cams that makes 400rwhp.

Would an MS3 get me there? how would it perform with stock gears?

Thanks for all the replies!

Jan 4, 2007 | 03:08 PM

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Ericbigmac83

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 98Z28MASS

I agree, to make 400hp on the stock heads youre gonna need a serious cam and you probably wont have the streetability you want, just get a good sized cam and do all the bolt ons. Then get some heads down the road to get you over that 400hp mark. I'd look at the TSP 233/239 also. Stay away from that 333/339 though, that things a bit too big, lol.
And any big cam like that will respond better with lower gears like 3.73's or 4.10's, Plenty of people run them on a 10 bolt, its the sticky tires that are gonna break the rear, not the gearing. Unless youre unlucky

Last edited by Ericbigmac83; Jan 4, 2007 at 03:14 PM.

Jan 4, 2007 | 03:09 PM

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GregWS6&z28

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was thinking G5X3 also, or MS3 possibly.

Jan 4, 2007 | 03:23 PM

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JKDZ28

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From: Cookeville, TN

Ok thanks guys...

How does the MS3 drive with stock gearing?

Jan 4, 2007 | 03:26 PM

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GregWS6&z28

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"it's all in the tune"

Jan 4, 2007 | 03:42 PM

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98Z28MASS

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From: Massachusetts

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKDZ28

Ok thanks guys...

How does the MS3 drive with stock gearing?

Local guy has an ms3 in a c5 vette and it has a nice choppy idle but Don at dez racing did the tune and it rides pretty damn well. However, if your looking at the MS3 I would go with the g5x3 from LGM instead as it makes better overall power than the MS3. The stock 3.42's would be good with either cam but you could go with a 3.73+ gear. The guys who are hitting 400 rwhp on stock 98 heads either are on a generous dyno or have a huge cam (trex sized). Again on a dyno jet my 232/238 only put down 370 rwhp, and that was due to the heads as they werent able to breath enough with the cam in the upper rpms.

Jan 4, 2007 | 04:09 PM

#15

KurtRardin

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228/232 .588/.595 110+4 XER lobe. Predator Z recommended this very cam to me, i just havent gotten around to it. Im in the EXACT same situation as you. TSP can grind it up for $389 The +4 will lower the power range to where we want it (shift at 62 or 6300). Will have a hell of an idle, but with a tune should be very street friendly, while shoving close to 400hp

Jan 4, 2007 | 04:09 PM

#16

jlashley2001ss

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From: graham nc

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWS6&z28

"it's all in the tune"

i noticed you had 3.42 gears with ur stall. Did you see a big improvement with those gears?

Jan 4, 2007 | 04:17 PM

#17

GregWS6&z28

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i did gears before cam so i cant honestly say that. I personally saw minimal results switching from 2.73 to 3.42 rear with a big stall.

Jan 4, 2007 | 04:45 PM

#18

jlashley2001ss

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From: graham nc

Quote:

Originally Posted by KurtRardin

Exactly!! Except i would go a touch bigger like stated in my post earlier 232/236 with a 110+4 LSA or 112+4 Having the advance 4* def. lowers the power range.