Am I cammed?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
Am I cammed? I am preparing to start the LS1 in my swap application, I've been sorting out little details and was wondering, is there any way to tell if I have an aftermarket cam easily? The engine I got was from a low mileage 01 T/A, it has a polished TB and there are some marks on the crank pulley that make me think a puller made them. Can i pop off a valve cover and measure lift with a dial indicator? is there any other way to tell? I know i wont' be able to tell everything about the cam but i'd like to know if it being aftermarket is a possibility. What could i measure with the valve cover off and what kind of numbers would i be looking for?
not to jack your thread OP, but if you did run into something like this, is there a way you can have the cam checked out to get the exact specs (saying it's an aftermarket cam)?
Last edited by Funkster; Jun 28, 2008 at 10:25 AM.
You have to send it in to get it cam doctored.
I'd try the rear cover first if the motor isn't installed. Most places will have the info needed to get the specs marked on the end of the cam.
I'd try the rear cover first if the motor isn't installed. Most places will have the info needed to get the specs marked on the end of the cam.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lexington, KY
If it were me I would consider going ahead and getting the cam I wanted and putting new valve springs, pushrods, and possibly lifters in it before install since you have limited information on the history of the motor. It would be much easier to do if it's not in the car and then you know you have what you want and parts matched to work together.
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you can also just measure the base circle and the highest point and subtract the base from the peak and that will give you the cam lift times 1.7 is valve lift. That way if it is a stock spec no reason to cam docter it.
also all aftermarket cams will be marked on the end of them
also all aftermarket cams will be marked on the end of them
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
thanks for the info everyone, I'll try to pull the rear cover off when i take the engine/trans out soon to finish up my engine bay, I thought about just camming it while its out before i start it but i am running short on money, if i do find out it's aftermarket and i can't tell if it's right for me, then i'll probabaly just invest in a new cam, ect. I've had the valve covers off but didn't really look at the valve springs too closely, i'll try that too tommorrow, at least that will put me on the trail.
thanks for the advice, i'll keep you all updated on what i find
thanks for the advice, i'll keep you all updated on what i find
I have the thoughts in my mind with the WS6 I bought last September. It puts you in the seat at 2500rpm, then plants you noticably at 4000rpm. My 99 never has done that. I am thinking of getting it dynoed which would be the easy way to find out. I figure I should be able to tell that way. But even if that proves it, i can only guess what cam is in there, lol.