Cam for 408
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Cam for 408 I might be replacing my ls2 with a stroker motor and I'm not sure my cam (228/232 .612/.600 110 lsa) would be too good in such a big motor. Power is good through 6500, but I don't know that a stroker should rev to 6800.
Keeping the stock ls2 heads, what are some general cam guidelines for a stroker. I'm not looking to rev this engine too high-
I did some google searching and could not find much discussion on it, and most stroker hits were for fords.
Also is there any recommended valvetrain? I have pac 1518 beehive springs, but I'll likely have to upgrade to dual springs.
Keeping the stock ls2 heads, what are some general cam guidelines for a stroker. I'm not looking to rev this engine too high-
I did some google searching and could not find much discussion on it, and most stroker hits were for fords.
Also is there any recommended valvetrain? I have pac 1518 beehive springs, but I'll likely have to upgrade to dual springs.
Last edited by v8newb; Jan 7, 2010 at 12:49 AM.
yes your gonna need dual springs 90% of 408's use cams with lift in the 620ish range but why spend 3+k on a 408 shortblock and keep your 500$ heads? most stock headed 408's dont perform well and after all that work for 450ish rwhp??? you need to buy a nice set of heads and intake to let it breathe along with 1 7/8 headers and i would go with a custom spec'd cam for your set up GL with the build
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Heads will come later- my engine needs replaced, so the stroker would go in just because I have the opportunity- already have a good set of stepped headers up to 1 7/8, I just want to get the right cam in there before I put the engine in. I have considered doing heads at the same time, but I'd rather save to get a really nice set later than buy what I could afford right now and be disappointed when I have to buy better heads-
then just contact pat g or tsp or speedinc or vengence there are tons of sponcers that can spec you a good cam but its gonna be hard to spec a cam for a motor that is gonna gets heads later on espically if you havent decided on a set of heads yet id suggest a set of tf 235-245's or etp 255's, stay away from prc's my buddy has had a hell of a bad time with them and they even know there is a flaw in them
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
That cam would be extremely torquey in a 408 and would peak ~500rpm lower in a 408 vs. 346. Being that you don't want to rev it high and you pick a cam to match the heads, which you don't have yet, sounds like I'd stick with what you have for now.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
I had considered having to get a cam customized for my application, and it does seem like sound advice to use the SS-HT cam in the meanwhile. I just hope it gives me enough for the time being.
1 more stroker motor question-
Is it okay to use an underdrive pulley? Should I stick with the stock balancer instead. Have an SLP but don't want to use it if it is a risky thing to do. I may be mistaken, but I have heard in the past that smaller balancers have a more difficult time doing their job.
1 more stroker motor question-
Is it okay to use an underdrive pulley? Should I stick with the stock balancer instead. Have an SLP but don't want to use it if it is a risky thing to do. I may be mistaken, but I have heard in the past that smaller balancers have a more difficult time doing their job.
SLP balancer will be ok! As for the heads go for a good set take it from me your better off in the long run and will sure save yourself some money. Cam; I would get Patrick G to spec you something.
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I might be replacing my ls2 with a stroker motor and I'm not sure my cam (228/232 .612/.600 110 lsa) would be too good in such a big motor. Power is good through 6500, but I don't know that a stroker should rev to 6800.
Keeping the stock ls2 heads, what are some general cam guidelines for a stroker. I'm not looking to rev this engine too high-
I did some google searching and could not find much discussion on it, and most stroker hits were for fords.
Also is there any recommended valvetrain? I have pac 1521 beehive springs, but I'll likely have to upgrade to dual springs.
Keeping the stock ls2 heads, what are some general cam guidelines for a stroker. I'm not looking to rev this engine too high-
I did some google searching and could not find much discussion on it, and most stroker hits were for fords.
Also is there any recommended valvetrain? I have pac 1521 beehive springs, but I'll likely have to upgrade to dual springs.
I have pac 1521 beehive springs, but I'll likely have to upgrade to dual springsBeehive springs provide better valve control, people use double and triples for certain aopplication but making a general statement that double springs are needed is false. We run almost .700 lift in my car with a big PAC beehive. Comes down to application and cam profile.
You cam the car according to how you drive it and application. Low and mid range or top end drag car, it all comes down to your personal preference.
We've put in anywhere from a 234 to a 252 duration into a 408 for customers so it really really comes down to application.
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So much for the expert advise you're receiving here. Let's start with the fact that you said you have PAC 1521 beehive springs. PAC 1521 are a dual spring. PAC 1518 are the nitrited beehive. First off, you need to find out what springs you have.
I can't believe a vendor posted here didn't pick that up.
I can't believe a vendor posted here didn't pick that up.
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: Working in the shop 24/7
So much for the expert advise you're receiving here. Let's start with the fact that you said you have PAC 1521 beehive springs. PAC 1521 are a dual spring. PAC 1518 are the nitrited beehive. First off, you need to find out what springs you have.
I can't believe a vendor posted here didn't pick that up.
I can't believe a vendor posted here didn't pick that up.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Gladstone, Queensland, Australia
Nice find, although i think he was just pointing out that beehives deliver the goods. You can run a 1518 beehive. I use them in most stuff they last a long time I have found and zero issues with valve float. A guy down south uses them with titanium retainers and revs his 408 7000rpm plus with a 250s cam, they tested this setup with a spintron and the springs worked better then some of the duals tested.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
checking back in- corrected my original post-
Ed, the man from whom I got the cam and valvespring set up..... how can I tell if I got the 1218 or 1518?
Plans are back up in the air for the car---- no 408 for now, at least not until I get some quotes for my ls2 block rebuild.
I've gotten 1 recommendation for a local shop that seems to be much less expensive than the shop I have used. I don't know the specifics of the work that would be done, but it would have to be significant to cause a $1000 price discrepancy for an equal stroker build.
If there are some local to Chicago shops that could chime in on their pricing it would make this thread awesome.
Ed, the man from whom I got the cam and valvespring set up..... how can I tell if I got the 1218 or 1518?
Plans are back up in the air for the car---- no 408 for now, at least not until I get some quotes for my ls2 block rebuild.
I've gotten 1 recommendation for a local shop that seems to be much less expensive than the shop I have used. I don't know the specifics of the work that would be done, but it would have to be significant to cause a $1000 price discrepancy for an equal stroker build.
If there are some local to Chicago shops that could chime in on their pricing it would make this thread awesome.
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: Working in the shop 24/7
Plans are back up in the air for the car---- no 408 for now, at least not until I get some quotes for my ls2 block rebuild.
I've gotten 1 recommendation for a local shop that seems to be much less expensive than the shop I have used. I don't know the specifics of the work that would be done, but it would have to be significant to cause a $1000 price discrepancy for an equal stroker build.
If there are some local to Chicago shops that could chime in on their pricing it would make this thread awesome.
I've gotten 1 recommendation for a local shop that seems to be much less expensive than the shop I have used. I don't know the specifics of the work that would be done, but it would have to be significant to cause a $1000 price discrepancy for an equal stroker build.
If there are some local to Chicago shops that could chime in on their pricing it would make this thread awesome.
