Search has brought up conflicting info. I'm installing the newer LS6 Cam (5308) in a 06 LS2. Do I need to change the pushrods to longer pieces to allow for the change in base circle?

 

im about 99% those two camshafts have the same specs the only reason the part #'s will be different are because the ls2 camshafts do not have the reluctor on the back, they read off of the cam sprocket, if you want a cam that drives and sounds like stock, go with something like a 216/220 and get more power without any adverse driveability

 

The LS2 camshaft actually has the 2001 385hp Z06 cam. But it would still be the biggest waste of time ever to swap in a 2002+ Z06 cam. They are very close in specs.

You might gain 1-2rwhp..or that could just be dyno fluctuations..haha

 

Later LS6 cam made 405hp (vice the 385 with the earlier cam specs which are the same as an LS2) in a 5.7 makes sense that it'll push a 6.0 to at least 420hp and they can be had for peanuts lightly used. My engine is on a stand so swapping it in took 40mins. Pretty cheap 20hp in my book, it also is very strong down low where an offroad rig needs it and maintains a super stable idle. Just need to know about the pushrod length...

 

7.4 length

 

There may be more to it than just small differences in the cams. Intake, exhaust, compresstion all could be different. GM might have had a reason to rate the engines differently even if they were the same. The early vs late LS6 cams just don't look 20hp bigger looking at the specs.

 

Yep, that's the concensus, stock length is fine for this swap. Few inputs that 7.425 would be perfect, but not required. This motor will never be north of 5200rpms anyway so a little less preload shouldn't even be an issue.

 

Agreed. Regardless of whatever hp gains you will see, if you are going to do a swap, install a better cam. Even if you are not going to spin it to the moon, there are still much better cams that you can put in that will still keep the power band low. Just my $0.02.

 

this is 10 years old... did you ever do it? curious how it turned out.

 

The difference in specs is this-
Early LS6 cam- 204/211, .525/.525, 116 LSA
Late LS6 cam- 204/218, .555/.551, 117.5 LSA
The reason the late cam loses so much low end power when swapped into different engines is the comparatively wide 117.5 LSA

 

Whatever difference on power curve between the two cams would be due to changes in the EVO/EVC events, as the IVO/IVC are very close between them.

The late cam should make more midrange and high rpm horsepower because of the later EVC and thus added overlap. Earlier EVO should help exhaust gas expulsion at high rpm with the expense of a small loss at lower engine speeds because of early cylinder pressure release. Maybe a small loss in lower range torque, but not enough to be noticable.

I wonder if there is an audible difference between the idle on the early and late LS6 cams?

 

OK.....so you knowingly open up a dead 10 year-old thread, to ask a question to someone who hasn't been on the forum in 4 years.

Really?

KW

 

Seems to be a trend here lately.

 

might as well roll with it.

 

Falce. Black bear.

 

beahs. beeeeetz. battlastah ga....

...wut

 

Useless swap in my book.

 

Not necessarily. No, you’re NOT going to get 50HP from this cam. And given that the 2002+ LS6 also had a freer flowing exhaust (and possibly other upgrades), you’re not going to get 20HP. But 10-12HP might be realistic. This may not seem like much. But it is significant. And unlike bigger cams, it comes without compromises such as loss of stock drivability, valve springs becoming wear items, decreased gas mileage, and emissions issues. Emissions in particular can be a big problem, especially since California (and possibly other places) is starting to test for tuned ECUs. If you need to tune an ECU to make a bigger cam run clean, this could be an issue come inspection time since the car may fail at the tailpipe if you go back to a stock tune.

But here’s another way to look at things. If you are already building an engine and you either don’t want to go big on the cam or just want to replace a worn stock cam, you can get this cam for free or at least fairly cheap. Rock auto, for instance, sells it for $330 brand spanking new. This may seem like quite a bit for 10-12HP. But you don’t hear anyone complaining about $1000+ FAST intakes that only give you 20HP. No, it may not be worth the effort if you are looking to upgrade from stock on a running car and/or are OKAY with the compromises involved with using a bigger cam. But if your engine is on the stand, this changes the dynamics at least somewhat. The way I see things, if you are rebuilding a stock engine, the 2002+ LS6 cam is a GREAT choice for a basic, rebuilder-style cam if you want a little more out of your engine without much of a downside. In fact, if you are just doing a stock-type rebuild and are replacing a worn stock cam, I would consider the 2002+ LS6 cam the ‘go to’ cam.

 

The SDPC LS6 Power Max cam is a very good candidate too.
It has similar specs as the LS6 cam, a narrower LSA, can use LS6 springs, and is less than $300
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