ls2 cam and compression
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 20
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From: Pennsylvania
The LS2 cam is small and will run fine in a 9.4:1 motor. What are you putting it in, a truck? If it is a 5.3 or 6.0 engine, it will work fine and you should get noticeably more power. It will improve the small V8 (4.8?) too, but you may have to spin pretty high.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 191
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Yes a truck. I have a lq4 in there now in there stock with long tube headers. Truck is a blast with a 5 speed and 3.42 gears. With a computer tune as well.
The lq4 seems to start falling off around 4700.
The motor in this truck is strong around 2000 to 3000 rpms. I tow a chevelle with truck to the track.
I would like to improve the top a little bit and not lose the bottom.
The lq4 seems to start falling off around 4700.
The motor in this truck is strong around 2000 to 3000 rpms. I tow a chevelle with truck to the track.
I would like to improve the top a little bit and not lose the bottom.
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
The LS2 cam specs out at 204/211 116 LSA, -2 (2 deg retarded). Compared to your stock cam, you will take a slight hit in low end, have similar midrange, and improved top end to at least 6000 RPM.
I'm running a 210/218 112 +2 (2 deg advanced) in my LQ4. It has a noticeable idle, took a slight hit in low end (below (~1700 RPM) majorly increased midrange, and pulls hard to 6000 RPM. I was formerly running the 2002 LS6 cam (204/218 117.5 LSA -2.5). When I changed to the 210/218 112, wow did midrange torque wake up, and peak HP was just as good or better than the LS6 cam.
I personally wouldn't mess with the LS2 cam in a truck, especially being that it is 2 deg retarded, which will bias the TQ toward top end. With that being said, it will work and will give you a noticeable improvement in overall power. The 210/218 cam I am running was designed for maximum overall torque in a 5.7-6.0 L engine size. I am very pleased with it.
I'm running a 210/218 112 +2 (2 deg advanced) in my LQ4. It has a noticeable idle, took a slight hit in low end (below (~1700 RPM) majorly increased midrange, and pulls hard to 6000 RPM. I was formerly running the 2002 LS6 cam (204/218 117.5 LSA -2.5). When I changed to the 210/218 112, wow did midrange torque wake up, and peak HP was just as good or better than the LS6 cam.
I personally wouldn't mess with the LS2 cam in a truck, especially being that it is 2 deg retarded, which will bias the TQ toward top end. With that being said, it will work and will give you a noticeable improvement in overall power. The 210/218 cam I am running was designed for maximum overall torque in a 5.7-6.0 L engine size. I am very pleased with it.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
The LS2 cam specs out at 204/211 116 LSA, -2 (2 deg retarded). Compared to your stock cam, you will take a slight hit in low end, have similar midrange, and improved top end to at least 6000 RPM.
I'm running a 210/218 112 +2 (2 deg advanced) in my LQ4. It has a noticeable idle, took a slight hit in low end (below (~1700 RPM) majorly increased midrange, and pulls hard to 6000 RPM. I was formerly running the 2002 LS6 cam (204/218 117.5 LSA -2.5). When I changed to the 210/218 112, wow did midrange torque wake up, and peak HP was just as good or better than the LS6 cam.
I personally wouldn't mess with the LS2 cam in a truck, especially being that it is 2 deg retarded, which will bias the TQ toward top end. With that being said, it will work and will give you a noticeable improvement in overall power. The 210/218 cam I am running was designed for maximum overall torque in a 5.7-6.0 L engine size. I am very pleased with it.
I'm running a 210/218 112 +2 (2 deg advanced) in my LQ4. It has a noticeable idle, took a slight hit in low end (below (~1700 RPM) majorly increased midrange, and pulls hard to 6000 RPM. I was formerly running the 2002 LS6 cam (204/218 117.5 LSA -2.5). When I changed to the 210/218 112, wow did midrange torque wake up, and peak HP was just as good or better than the LS6 cam.
I personally wouldn't mess with the LS2 cam in a truck, especially being that it is 2 deg retarded, which will bias the TQ toward top end. With that being said, it will work and will give you a noticeable improvement in overall power. The 210/218 cam I am running was designed for maximum overall torque in a 5.7-6.0 L engine size. I am very pleased with it.
Who designed and makes your cam? Are you running stock valve springs? Will the LQ4 springs work with the LS2 cam? I already have the LS2 cam, I got it free.
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I worked with Crane to spec out this cam. I wanted Crane's less aggressive ramp rates as this is a DD that must reliably get me to work and needs to last. It is very tame and can lug to ~1100 RPM w/o surging or other issues. I think Crane rates this cam at 1000-6000 RPM.
I am running Comp's 26918 valve springs. It is risky to run stock springs with anything but a stock cam. I would not run LQ4 springs with the LS2 cam, as you have the extra stress of higher lift as well as higher RPM capability. LS2/LS6 springs are cheap (not sure, but I'm thinking around $100 for a set of 16). If you upgrade to an aftermarket cam, you should run Comp's 26918's (~$200/set). It is really not too hard to change the valve springs. Crane has an awesome tool that makes it easy.
I am running Comp's 26918 valve springs. It is risky to run stock springs with anything but a stock cam. I would not run LQ4 springs with the LS2 cam, as you have the extra stress of higher lift as well as higher RPM capability. LS2/LS6 springs are cheap (not sure, but I'm thinking around $100 for a set of 16). If you upgrade to an aftermarket cam, you should run Comp's 26918's (~$200/set). It is really not too hard to change the valve springs. Crane has an awesome tool that makes it easy.
