Cam and valve train?
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Teching In
Joined: Sep 2014
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Cam and valve train? I have a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT, I am looking into options for camshaft and valvetrain. Car will be driven often not every day but def every weekend as I drive work cars few days during the week. I was looking at LS3 valves, LS7 lifters, not sure about springs, pushrods and cam specs. Would it be worth having any head work done? 
Well I have some experience in ths... lol.
I'd give kip a call at Cam motions, he will spec you out a cam for your needs. I'd go with Johnson linkbar lifters and BTR valvetrain. I would run hollow stem intake valves and if you can afford it, i'd get the heads ported on the intake side or atleast mill them for alittle more compression, should be a good start for you.
I'd give kip a call at Cam motions, he will spec you out a cam for your needs. I'd go with Johnson linkbar lifters and BTR valvetrain. I would run hollow stem intake valves and if you can afford it, i'd get the heads ported on the intake side or atleast mill them for alittle more compression, should be a good start for you.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Thank you for the info. I am in no rush to get this done so if parts costs more then I will just save a little longer lol, I do not have to worry about labor so that helps.
I was thinking if I can stick with factory parts I can really save money as I get OEM parts for a steal from work, LS9 cam, LS3 valves, LS7 lifters.... But if going aftermarket would yield me a better more built proof option then that would be fine as well.
I was thinking if I can stick with factory parts I can really save money as I get OEM parts for a steal from work, LS9 cam, LS3 valves, LS7 lifters.... But if going aftermarket would yield me a better more built proof option then that would be fine as well.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
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You need to define your goals before proper recommendations can be made. How much power are you looking to make? What will be the intended application? Street/strip? Weekend cruising? Daily driver?
Your G8 already has excellent heads and intake from the factory so unless you are going for max power, I don't think you need any head work (but a CNC porting on the heads is an excellent upgrade).
A set of long tube headers is another great upgrade that will have excellent power gains and will go very nicely with any cam.
Also with any bigger cam you will need hardened push rods and stiffer springs to have a stable valvetrain.
Also, are you going to change out your torque converter? If you stay stock, that will limit you on choice of cams.
If you go with a bigger cam most people recommend going to a higher stall converter.
And how many miles are on the car? If low miles, you probably can skip changing out lifters and oil pump.
Higher mileage you should change lifters, oil pump which will require head removal so you will also need head gaskets and bolts.
And I just remembered your car has DOD so if you do go with a cam you will need a DOD delete kit.
Your G8 already has excellent heads and intake from the factory so unless you are going for max power, I don't think you need any head work (but a CNC porting on the heads is an excellent upgrade).
A set of long tube headers is another great upgrade that will have excellent power gains and will go very nicely with any cam.
Also with any bigger cam you will need hardened push rods and stiffer springs to have a stable valvetrain.
Also, are you going to change out your torque converter? If you stay stock, that will limit you on choice of cams.
If you go with a bigger cam most people recommend going to a higher stall converter.
And how many miles are on the car? If low miles, you probably can skip changing out lifters and oil pump.
Higher mileage you should change lifters, oil pump which will require head removal so you will also need head gaskets and bolts.
And I just remembered your car has DOD so if you do go with a cam you will need a DOD delete kit.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 35
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You need to define your goals before proper recommendations can be made. How much power are you looking to make? What will be the intended application? Street/strip? Weekend cruising? Daily driver?
Power wise I am not looking to set records, not looking to be a dyno queen either. Street driven, reliable, I drive cars from work most days so drive the G8 1-2 days a week and on weekends
Your G8 already has excellent heads and intake from the factory so unless you are going for max power, I don't think you need any head work (but a CNC porting on the heads is an excellent upgrade).
Sounds great I will look into the CNC porting here in Charlotte NC
A set of long tube headers is another great upgrade that will have excellent power gains and will go very nicely with any cam.
Was thinking long tubes or Mid length with green cats
Also with any bigger cam you will need hardened push rods and stiffer springs to have a stable valvetrain.
OEM make them or purely aftermarket? I also different pushrod lengths?
Also, are you going to change out your torque converter? If you stay stock, that will limit you on choice of cams.
I would not mind changing the converter
If you go with a bigger cam most people recommend going to a higher stall converter.
Could I use one from a CTSV or a ZL1?
And how many miles are on the car? If low miles, you probably can skip changing out lifters and oil pump.
69k at the moment but by the time I do the CAM prob closer to 80k
Higher mileage you should change lifters, oil pump which will require head removal so you will also need head gaskets and bolts.
Would def like to change all that for precaustionary measure
And I just remembered your car has DOD so if you do go with a cam you will need a DOD delete kit
Yes def want to delete DOD
Power wise I am not looking to set records, not looking to be a dyno queen either. Street driven, reliable, I drive cars from work most days so drive the G8 1-2 days a week and on weekends
Your G8 already has excellent heads and intake from the factory so unless you are going for max power, I don't think you need any head work (but a CNC porting on the heads is an excellent upgrade).
Sounds great I will look into the CNC porting here in Charlotte NC
A set of long tube headers is another great upgrade that will have excellent power gains and will go very nicely with any cam.
Was thinking long tubes or Mid length with green cats
Also with any bigger cam you will need hardened push rods and stiffer springs to have a stable valvetrain.
OEM make them or purely aftermarket? I also different pushrod lengths?
Also, are you going to change out your torque converter? If you stay stock, that will limit you on choice of cams.
I would not mind changing the converter
If you go with a bigger cam most people recommend going to a higher stall converter.
Could I use one from a CTSV or a ZL1?
And how many miles are on the car? If low miles, you probably can skip changing out lifters and oil pump.
69k at the moment but by the time I do the CAM prob closer to 80k
Higher mileage you should change lifters, oil pump which will require head removal so you will also need head gaskets and bolts.
Would def like to change all that for precaustionary measure
And I just remembered your car has DOD so if you do go with a cam you will need a DOD delete kit
Yes def want to delete DOD
