LS 3 Cam and Valve Springs advice
02-14-2018, 08:09 PM
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LS 3 Cam and Valve Springs advice I have a 2007 LQ4 with 2011 Corvette o83 heads going into a street rod pickup. I am not going to drag race but want more cam then stock. My machine shop tells me that I need better then stock valve springs. I was given a new set of Chevrolet Performance springs that are blue. Guy I bought the motor from was going to run the Chevrolet Performance Cam 12480033. Is there something better? Do I need new rocker arms with that cam? I have the Corvette intake and headers already.
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02-14-2018, 08:27 PM
#2
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That is the Hot Cam, which only has .525" lift. Those springs will be fine for that cam. If you want the same cam but with .600" lift, call WS6store, a vendor/sponsor of this site, who developed the cam. It's a better-running cam than the GM piece, with smooth ramps for gentle valve action. You will, however need springs that will handle the lift.
02-14-2018, 08:57 PM
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I ran a hot cam for quite a few years in my LS3 480 crate, as that cam comes "stock" in that motor. It is the only difference between a stock LS3 (430 bhp) and the 480 bhp version. With longtube headers and exhaust, TB and tune it made 420 rwhp through a 3600 stall on a built 4L60e and otherwise completely stock drivetrain.
Like G Atsma said, it requires no upgrades at all. The specs, iirc are 219/228 .525/.525 112 LSA. It has 7* of overlap @ .050, so it sounds pretty good. You will definitely need a tune though.
I sold mine to a friend from work, and helped him install it in his 2014 LS3 Camaro SS, and did the tune. It was a huge improvement for that engine, and required zero upgrades. You can really feel it in the old butt dyno.
Obviously, there are other cams out there. And the basic rule with LS motors, so long as you are not closing in on that .600" valve lift, you usually do not need to change the springs. For a little added safety, consider upgraded springs up past about .580 and you'll be fine. The stock LS3 beehives are pretty good. The stock cam actually has .551" valve lift, with the stock yellow beehives.
That machine shop apparently doesn't know squat about Gen IV LS motor valvetrains.
Duration and lobe ramps can also have an effect on whether you need new springs or not. The hot cam isn't in that category, at all. Even GM doesn't put the blue ones in when they use that cam. Ask me how I know? lol.
Like G Atsma said, it requires no upgrades at all. The specs, iirc are 219/228 .525/.525 112 LSA. It has 7* of overlap @ .050, so it sounds pretty good. You will definitely need a tune though.
I sold mine to a friend from work, and helped him install it in his 2014 LS3 Camaro SS, and did the tune. It was a huge improvement for that engine, and required zero upgrades. You can really feel it in the old butt dyno.
Obviously, there are other cams out there. And the basic rule with LS motors, so long as you are not closing in on that .600" valve lift, you usually do not need to change the springs. For a little added safety, consider upgraded springs up past about .580 and you'll be fine. The stock LS3 beehives are pretty good. The stock cam actually has .551" valve lift, with the stock yellow beehives.
That machine shop apparently doesn't know squat about Gen IV LS motor valvetrains.
Duration and lobe ramps can also have an effect on whether you need new springs or not. The hot cam isn't in that category, at all. Even GM doesn't put the blue ones in when they use that cam. Ask me how I know? lol.
02-15-2018, 06:21 AM
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Personally I would get the ws6store version and PSI1511 springs with Titanium keepers, retainers. That will take over a pound out of your valvetrain and make far better stability