The 1999 model f bodies have a larger cam than other years? If so do they repsond better or give you more output with bolt ons compared to the other years?

 

This is copied directly from the cam guide sticky. It appears they did have a slightly bigger cam, but the LSA is tighter on the 01-02(they also got a LS6 intake stock from GM for 01-02). Some 01-02 models also got stock LS6 heads. Hence the reason most 01-02 models make more power bone stock than a 98-00.

- Your starting point:

Stock 98-00 trans am cam

Duration@.050 198.86 intake 209.25 exhaust
Lift .498 intake .497 exhausts
LSA 119.45

Stock 01-02 trans am cam

Duration@.050 196.37 intake 208.72 exhaust
Lift .464 intake .479 exhausts
LSA 115.92

 

If they both have the same intake, would the 99 respond better or make more power with the avergae bolt ons...lt, ptb, etc? I am a virgin when it comes to cams, what do you mean by tighter lsa?

 

LSA stands for lobe separation angle. A tighter LSA would mean that the lobes are not too far from each other in regards to degrees. Will one of you cam guys chime in, please...

 

Are you sure some '01-02 car's got LS6 heads, or was it the LS6 block?

 

i heard alot got the ls6 heads, the 243 castings or something like that. only the real lucky guys got the ls6 block, which actually doesnt help at all...

i've seen several 01-02 automatics run 12s bone stock, so i would guess the heads are more common...

 

Yea, I'm sure of it. Just like stated above some even got the block. I would almost even venture to say most all of the 01-02 models got the heads & intake at least.

 

Correct, LS6 heads are 243 castings.

 

You mean LS6 blocks but 01/02 have 241 casting head, same compression as older models

 

So which is it. 243's are LS6 heads right? '01-02 LS1's got 241 heads or 243 heads or both? My original question piggybacks on this....I knew some of the later LS1's got LS6 blocks, but LS6 heads was news to me.

Sorry for the hijak...just trying to learn more.

 

all 01-02 got the ls6 intake

some got the ls6 block

NONE got ls6 heads!!!


as for the original question....the small difference in the cams is not enough to make one car respond better to mods. there is too much variation from engine to engine to ever be able to see changes like that in a cam.

although having the lobe angles smaller on the later cams could change the sound of the engine at idle, as well as maybe pull the power band down a little. but again....so small it would be nearly impossible to notice

 

NO fbody got ls6 heads period end of discussion. SOME 01/02 cars got the LS6 block which gives ZERO hp over an ls1 block. ALL 01/02 F-bodies got the LS6 intake to help make up for the smaller cam. the lower the ls1 generally the earlier the cam makes peak power but not always, theres many other factors.

so all in all no year will react better to mods than the others.