RabidStreetRacer

iTrader: (1)

Hey all, I know the cam threads are a dime a dozen but I am having a ton of trouble pulling the trigger on a cam. Everyone and their mother has an LS3 cam out there and they all seem to claim around 460 to 500 RWHP. I know it depends on what you want, but I want to hear from some people on here who ACTUALLY have a cam'd LS3 to chime in and help me pick one. I will be purchasing the cam this month and having it installed and dyno tuned. The results will be posted in here.

Car:
2013 Camaro SS LS3 M6 24,000 miles
Texas Speed 1 7/8 Long tube headers
Corsa ZL1 catback exhaust
Cold Air Inductions CAI
Hurst short throw shifter

What I want and how the car is used:
I drive this car daily and put about 1,200 miles a month on it. Some days I drive on the highway for about 200 miles so it has to be reliable.
I do plan to go to the 1/4 mile track every few months with a goal of getting it into the 11's.
My builder recommended the new Texas Speed Stage 3 cam but I have seen some people relate that it is a bit tough to daily drive.
I want dependability, reliability and POWER like everyone else but I also have to be realistic and am willing to sacrifice power for a better driving car

Future mods:
Either none or potential procharger years into the future. Cam choice at the moment does not need to revolve around the possible procharger in the future. I do not plan to do heads or intake at the moment.

NAVYBLUE210

Cam Motion LS3 Stage 2.

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

Tick Stage one V2 is a nice one too

RabidStreetRacer

iTrader: (1)

I think i am leaning towards the stage 2 TSP cam 229/244 .629"/.615" instead of the stage 3 or a Pat G custom spec'd cam. Still not ready to hit the purchase button yet but will be doing it in a week or so

pantera_efi

iTrader: (1)

Hi Rapid, the "cam only" of 500 RWHP is a stretch.

My Spec : Crower Cams Camshaft 236*/244* .630"/.580" C/L of 116*

I could "model" all choices using EAP, another "dyno" guess.

Lance

RabidStreetRacer

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, i agree with the cam only 500hp being a stretch. Usually takes some head work along with full exhaust, CAI and tune to get there. I would be more than happy with way less as long as it performs well. I don't care about having the highest number on a dyno. I will look into that cam, thanks

Dyno Junkie

The previous LS3 in our 2001 Holden Monaro, which weighed 3,900lb, went 11.0 @ 123mph with a CompCam 231 239 .617" .624" 113.

This cam is very similar to what is going in the new 416.

pantera_efi

iTrader: (1)

Hi Rapid, thanks.

The members here are ALL straight with good tech.

YOUR "DD" is STATED !

YOUR answer :

A camshaft with a C/L of 112* will idle poor, poor millage, with better Mid Range Torque.
A camshaft with a C/L of 116* (same events) will IDLE better, better low end, less mid, MORE TOP END HP.

Your choice

Lance

KW Baraka

iTrader: (7)

On a 114* + 2* LSA...

KW

RabidStreetRacer

iTrader: (1)

I spoke with TSP yesterday about the stage 2 and 3 cam. Sounds like the stage 3 doesn't have much drivability issues when tuned properly. Still not 100% ready to purchase it, but i feel a bit more comfortable after talking with the rep who has experience with that cam.

G Atsma

Kinda sounds like the Stage II might get the job done, but you don't wanna leave too much on the table by not going Stage III. But what if the III ends up running too rough in spite of a good tune, where the II would avoid that? Unless you would be willing to put up with a little "unnecessary roughness", to use a football term lol.

RabidStreetRacer

iTrader: (1)

Thats pretty much the battle i am having. Gonna try to find a few more people who have the stage 2 and 3 TSP cam and see what they say.

G Atsma

I myself would lean towards the Stage II, only because I would like the added flexibility in the low- and mid-range, which makes for a nicer street cruiser. To me, a cam that lopes hard is screaming to all around, "hey, I'm badass, and will kick any of your butts into next week". Not my scene, but again, that's just me, and my opinion, for what it's worth.

Gray86hatch

iTrader: (83)

Flowtech Induction.

JimmyGTO

I have a similar cam in my LS2 with LS3 heads. It's a Cam Motion cam 230/238 .626 lift 113 + 3. Hoping to stroke it this winter to a 402 but planning to use the same AI ported LS3 heads and the same Cam Motion cam.

pantera_efi

iTrader: (1)

Hi Rabid, your camshaft choice is an EASY "model" with EAP PRO.

THIS WAS YOUR "post" request.

Provide your engine specifications, I will use EAP for that "guess".

The interest would be to compare the "dyno" to the "model".

Lance

RabidStreetRacer

iTrader: (1)

I have an LS3, 1 7/8 LT Headers, High flow cats, Corsa ZL1 Exhaust, CAI cold air intake.

So i am done bashing my head in the wall trying to figure out which cam to choose. It's worse than picking a woman for looks. Very hard to decide till you jump on it and give it a shot. Everyone's input has been great but seems that there is a win/lose for every cam ever made. Except for the pine tree air freshener, no downfalls to that! I am just gonna close my eyes, trust the shop who has recommended the new TSP stage 3 cam and just pull the trigger. I am sure no matter what cam I choose, I will be happy with the power and slightly annoyed about some driveability aspect. Either way it is a performance vehicle and anytime I get annoyed with a little surging, I can simply turn the traction control off, kick the car sideways and make myself smile till i park the car at home.

The cam specs are:
231/246 .640"/.615" 111 LSA

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

I would knock about six degrees @ .050" off each side unless going to the 1LE 3.91 gears....those cars aren't light
And from my experience; over .600" lift with the offset LS3 intake rocker arm really takes it's toll on the valve tips and swipe pads

RabidStreetRacer

iTrader: (1)

So you would suggest something like their stage 1 225/236 .629"/.615" 113 LSA? or a custom to get it under the .600" lift

What is the exact problems these have on the valve train other than the random broken rocker arm? I was gonna do the TSP trunion upgrade as well

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

I sure do think you would be happier with that stage one cam
The factory rocker arm has a swipe pad that seems to work great for up to .600" but then begins to bind/scrub and while lots of people will claim they have run more lift with no issues, I ask what does the rocker pad AND valve tip look like after 10,20, or 30 thousand miles ??? The offset shape of the LS3 intake adds to this dilemma IMO(based on what I've seen)