I think its time for a cam
I think its time for a cam I think I'm ready to start cam hunting. I know I don't have ALL of the ideal mods but I really want to keep things as simple and effective as possible. Heres what I have: 98 Camaro SS, LTs, 3" dual exhaust, SLP Lid, 3.23s, 3600Vig, and sometimes a 100ish shot 
. What I am missing is a cam, intake, and 3.73s. Its my DD car so I don't want to go too crazy with it but I am hoping for some low 12s / high 11s on the motor. Last time at the track it went 12.85 @ 106 n/a.
So first question: if all I ever plan on doing to this car (that I haven't already done) is cam, intake, and 3.73s, do you think its a bad idea to get the cam before the other two mods?
I know the proper cam selection depends greatly upon my stall speed and head flow. Well as far as I am concerned this car will always have stock heads and I love this converter so I don't plan on changing it either. So am I good to select a cam based on that or will it be the "wrong" cam once / if I get the intake and gears?
Next question: I have searched and searched and there is almost TOO much info, I have read the stickies and I think I have a good idea of roughly what I am looking for: something around 220-230 duration and .580-.600 lift, 112-114* LSA. Does that sounds about right or am I reading things wrong?
Next question: I won't ask "What cam should I buy" but I will ask what cam should I not buy? Are there brands or grinds that I should avoid for any reason. eBay knock offs? Used?
Last question: What about stock cams out of other cars? LS2, LS6, LS7? I apologize because I didn't look that up much but will they work, are they worth much of anything performance wise?
Thanks!
. What I am missing is a cam, intake, and 3.73s. Its my DD car so I don't want to go too crazy with it but I am hoping for some low 12s / high 11s on the motor. Last time at the track it went 12.85 @ 106 n/a.So first question: if all I ever plan on doing to this car (that I haven't already done) is cam, intake, and 3.73s, do you think its a bad idea to get the cam before the other two mods?
I know the proper cam selection depends greatly upon my stall speed and head flow. Well as far as I am concerned this car will always have stock heads and I love this converter so I don't plan on changing it either. So am I good to select a cam based on that or will it be the "wrong" cam once / if I get the intake and gears?
Next question: I have searched and searched and there is almost TOO much info, I have read the stickies and I think I have a good idea of roughly what I am looking for: something around 220-230 duration and .580-.600 lift, 112-114* LSA. Does that sounds about right or am I reading things wrong?
Next question: I won't ask "What cam should I buy" but I will ask what cam should I not buy? Are there brands or grinds that I should avoid for any reason. eBay knock offs? Used?
Last question: What about stock cams out of other cars? LS2, LS6, LS7? I apologize because I didn't look that up much but will they work, are they worth much of anything performance wise?
Thanks!
don't bother with the "copy cams"....as far as i'm concerned...you get what you pay for.
i don't think any of the ls2/ls7 cams work...and honestly aren't worth it anyway.
but for what you are looking to get....it would be hard to beat the 224 or 228 cam from TSP.
both are GREAT performers in street applications and are very reliable and make great power across the board.
i don't think any of the ls2/ls7 cams work...and honestly aren't worth it anyway.
but for what you are looking to get....it would be hard to beat the 224 or 228 cam from TSP.
both are GREAT performers in street applications and are very reliable and make great power across the board.
I have a 233/239 for my DD. Its a little rough for a DD but i got it on a 112 LSA on purpose. Keeping a higher LSA will leave less exaust and intake overlap and make the idle smoother. You should look at texas speeds camshaft packages / desighns. Youll regret going with something too small if you do. Somthing along the lines of a Torquer v.2 camshaft is something i would look into for you. Its a 232/234 duration .595/.598 lift, and you can decide your own LSA. You should be able to do that before you get 3.73's or an intake no problem.
You can run a cam on an ls1 intake.. i did and i went 11.50 cam only. Save up your money and get a 92/92 setup. Unless that is you really dont think youll ever get heads, then maybe its worth the money to only do an LS6 intake.
its tough to beat a 224/224 cam. yeah its a very small cam compared to these big cams but they are proven cams. bigger isnt better.
im running an MTI X1 230/227. the reverse splits work well with stock head setups. they seem to love spray as well and even do better with good heads.
im running an MTI X1 230/227. the reverse splits work well with stock head setups. they seem to love spray as well and even do better with good heads.
friend of mine has a setup similar to you and hes running the torquer 2 and loves it. perfect for a DD with stock heads, hes just needs an intake
heres a rip from TSPs website and the link if youd like to buy it.
http://texas-speed.com/shop/item.asp...d=168&catid=44
heres a rip from TSPs website and the link if youd like to buy it.
The Texas Speed Torquer 2 232/234 .595/.598 Camshaft With Your Choice of Lobe Seperation.
This camshaft features Comp Cams XER lobes! The XER lobes have been proven to make big horsepower & torque thanks to their aggressive ramp rates & healthy lift.
1800-6400 RPM Power Band; This is an excellent performance camshaft with a smooth idle! Custom tuning for automatic cars required
This camshaft typically gains approximately 45-50rwhp!
This camshaft features Comp Cams XER lobes! The XER lobes have been proven to make big horsepower & torque thanks to their aggressive ramp rates & healthy lift.
1800-6400 RPM Power Band; This is an excellent performance camshaft with a smooth idle! Custom tuning for automatic cars required
This camshaft typically gains approximately 45-50rwhp!
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Thats what I did to make me lean towards the Torquer 3, but honestly, I like to get the best price on the best parts out there which usually means buying used parts. I've had great success with that on here so far. I'm guessing that a used Torquer 2 is going to be easier to get a hold of so I might go that route. Looks like the 918 springs are right for that cam?
Ls6 would be fine either way, They dont loose value, and is a great inexpesive upgrade before the cam. So when he is ready to do heads he can sell it basically for what he bought it, and put towards 92 fast
Soo many decisions... now I am thinking lower LSA because I love the idle and definitely willing and wanting to sacrifice the low end power for top end. I came from a 12 second fwd car, I am just now seeing what traction and top end is all about and I love it. Texas-speed seems to really have their isht together so thats what I am leaning towards, now its just a matter of deciding between a Torquer series or Magic Stick. I almost want a Magic Stick just so I can say that phrase all the time!
I had a Magic Stick 3, It was good but a lil much for a DD. I went with a smaller TFS 228/230 .585/.585 and its almost Perfect. If you like the lopey Idle then I would go with the 112 Lobe Sep, for a lil smoother spread it out to 114. Dont forget you will have to upgrade your valve springs, I wouldnt trust the stock ones to hold up to that amount of lift for very long (better safe than sorry)
