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Cam for LS2 with TEA Stage 2 heads

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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 08:38 PM
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Default Cam for LS2 with TEA Stage 2 heads

I'm looking for some advice on a cam to put in my stock bottom end LS2. I am sending the 243 heads for a TEA stage 2 porting. I currently have a FAST 102 with 92mm TB.
The motor will be in a 72 Cutlass with 6spd and 3.70 gears. The car will be used for cruising, autocross and maybe a little road course.
I'm hoping for mid 450rwhp with a broad torque curve. I was looking at the BTR Stage 3, but open to suggestions.

Also, is an adjustable timing set recommended or just the 3bolt conversion with chain and guide?

Thanks
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 09:47 PM
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Stage 3 BTR and TEA 2 is quite a combo. Tooley originally started TEA
Pro Gear from Avon products is a nice single timing set. Have one in my LS2
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by A.R. Shale Targa
Stage 3 BTR and TEA 2 is quite a combo. Tooley originally started TEA
Pro Gear from Avon products is a nice single timing set. Have one in my LS2
I did read that he started TEA, so I figured one of his cams would be good choice. I'm also wanting the car to have good street manners, so not sure if the Stage 2 or 3 would be the best?
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 10:34 PM
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Good street manners can be had with that cam with the proper tuning. I have a very similar cam with a 6.0 and T56 and the street manners are very good
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Old Feb 6, 2018 | 10:42 PM
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I went 226/232 in my 368” M6 w/3.90 gears but I’m ultra conservative
If you are like me; go stag.1 TEA & stage II Tooley
Little more rump; stage 2 TEA & stage III CAM
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Old Feb 7, 2018 | 09:16 PM
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I'm definitely doing the stage 2 porting, I was just on the fence regarding the Stage II or III cam. Talked to BTR and they are suggesting the III... I guess I can't go wrong with a Tooley/TEA combo....
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by csouth
I'm definitely doing the stage 2 porting, I was just on the fence regarding the Stage II or III cam. Talked to BTR and they are suggesting the III... I guess I can't go wrong with a Tooley/TEA combo....
From what most on here have said; the cost from the stage II porting doesn't create the return in CFM or power over the stage I
The larger valves are only a few CFM and I'm thinking it's mostly in the higher above .500" lift points
I used to have the stage I's and they flowed like 312 on the inlet side past the factory valves
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 01:31 PM
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OP, have you considered Livernois for porting those heads? They just posted on here about that. Their prices are really good and they are local
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by A.R. Shale Targa
From what most on here have said; the cost from the stage II porting doesn't create the return in CFM or power over the stage I
The larger valves are only a few CFM and I'm thinking it's mostly in the higher above .500" lift points
I used to have the stage I's and they flowed like 312 on the inlet side past the factory valves
My thought with the stage 2 was that if I ever did something to the bottom end, I've read where some guys have run them on 402's. I guess if that ever became a thought you have to decide if its just easier to go LS3?
Originally Posted by HCI2000SS
OP, have you considered Livernois for porting those heads? They just posted on here about that. Their prices are really good and they are local
Yeah, Livernois is probably 30min from me. I guess the thing with them is although I haven't heard anything bad regarding LS performance, I have not heard their name come up as often as AI or TEA when it comes to CNC 243 porting. I know you didn't mention it, but I can't justify spending the money for aftermarket castings so an AFR or TFS are not even in the picture.

I guess its like when ls1tech vets tell noobs like me to use the search feature, when I look at what people are doing with porting factory castings AI and TEA show up the most with documented results.

I just want to spend my money once and have confidence I'll be satisfied.
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by csouth
My thought with the stage 2 was that if I ever did something to the bottom end, I've read where some guys have run them on 402's. I guess if that ever became a thought you have to decide if its just easier to go LS3?


Yeah, Livernois is probably 30min from me. I guess the thing with them is although I haven't heard anything bad regarding LS performance, I have not heard their name come up as often as AI or TEA when it comes to CNC 243 porting. I know you didn't mention it, but I can't justify spending the money for aftermarket castings so an AFR or TFS are not even in the picture.

I guess its like when ls1tech vets tell noobs like me to use the search feature, when I look at what people are doing with porting factory castings AI and TEA show up the most with documented results.

I just want to spend my money once and have confidence I'll be satisfied.
Yep I totally hear what you're saying, but it wouldn't hurt to give them a call. The prices they are listing are extremely good, so even if they flowed a tad less, the difference in price may be worth it, not to mention it's local.
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by HCI2000SS
Yep I totally hear what you're saying, but it wouldn't hurt to give them a call. The prices they are listing are extremely good, so even if they flowed a tad less, the difference in price may be worth it, not to mention it's local.
You are right, it won't hurt to give them a call.
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 03:05 PM
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If you don't mind my asking, where are you located? I'm in the Fenton area myself, about 15 minutes south of Flint
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 03:36 PM
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I'm down near Detroit Metro airport.
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 03:38 PM
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Gotcha. Reply close to Milan Dragway then
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 03:52 PM
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Yeah, I'm about 40 min from Milan.
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 06:22 PM
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Katech is close to you as well.....just did a build thread with Katech ported 853s and a little handy work myself....lotsa pictures and flow numbers too
By the time TEA or AI are done (top shelf for sure) you easily get in that 12-1400 dollar range and then Texas Speed or Trick Flow as cast stuff starts to look better as even more power can be had for just a few more bucks....snowball effect if you will and aftermarket castings will allow a larger short-block down the road if the stroker is something you're contemplating
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by A.R. Shale Targa
Katech is close to you as well.....just did a build thread with Katech ported 853s and a little handy work myself....lotsa pictures and flow numbers too
By the time TEA or AI are done (top shelf for sure) you easily get in that 12-1400 dollar range and then Texas Speed or Trick Flow as cast stuff starts to look better as even more power can be had for just a few more bucks....snowball effect if you will and aftermarket castings will allow a larger short-block down the road if the stroker is something you're contemplating
I reached out to TEA, it would be a little under 1200 because I have the springs, lock, retainers and seals already. Cheaper even if I go stage 1. Looking at the number on the PRC as cast compared to the TEA Stg 2, the TEA seem stronger in the middle.

Am I correct with the biggest difference in the aftermarket casting vs OEM is the valve angle with allows greater PTV clearance for a wider range of cams?
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Old Feb 10, 2018 | 09:40 AM
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My friend has the same combo with TEA heads. He's running an EPS cam 226/234 114 and made 440 rwhp through an auto. Very stout combo and drives great!
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Old Aug 10, 2019 | 12:39 PM
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Csouth,

Did you end up doing a LS2 with the TEA S2 heads?

Here there any PTV clearance issues?

Dave
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Old Aug 10, 2019 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Novistar
My friend has the same combo with TEA heads. He's running an EPS cam 226/234 114 and made 440 rwhp through an auto. Very stout combo and drives great!
You better erase that post

I've preached YEARS how badass those TEA CNC ported heads are and people dont listen till they be back on the trailer going home sad and depressed.

Ive seen a set of TEA 243 heads on a 408 n/a run 9.9X in the quarter in a F body.

Anyway those are great results with such a small camshaft that would be daily drivable with ease.
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