cam upgrade
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2008
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cam upgrade Doing an ls4 swap to a fiero. I wanted to upgrade the cam for more torque and top end power so i called compitition cams to get thier input on which one would work best. Was told by one of thier cam engineers that you cannot put any larger cam in the ls4. HE SAID THE PISTON TO VALVE CLEARANCE IS TOO CLOSE. Has anyone actually done a cam swap in a ls4 or know for SURE that a larger cam can be installed?
Doing an ls4 swap to a fiero. I wanted to upgrade the cam for more torque and top end power so i called compitition cams to get thier input on which one would work best. Was told by one of thier cam engineers that you cannot put any larger cam in the ls4. HE SAID THE PISTON TO VALVE CLEARANCE IS TOO CLOSE. Has anyone actually done a cam swap in a ls4 or know for SURE that a larger cam can be installed?
Read the cam swap post below...i know he is going to attempt it...but not sure if anyone has done it.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2005
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Doing an ls4 swap to a fiero. I wanted to upgrade the cam for more torque and top end power so i called compitition cams to get thier input on which one would work best. Was told by one of thier cam engineers that you cannot put any larger cam in the ls4. HE SAID THE PISTON TO VALVE CLEARANCE IS TOO CLOSE. Has anyone actually done a cam swap in a ls4 or know for SURE that a larger cam can be installed?
Sounds like a canned statment to me... I've ran low 240's duration cams in my camaro with stock pistons w/o incident and i wrang it to 7K religously.
Keeping the DOD with a snotty cam might be the only stumbling block thus far.
Keeping the DOD with a snotty cam might be the only stumbling block thus far.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Michigan
Nighthand has done this. https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-performance/844079-finally-got-some-pics-swap.html
don't know if he's up and running yet though.
don't know if he's up and running yet though.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2008
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Maybe the aggresive lobe design of the aftermarket cams (ramp-speed) would cause the problem. That may be the reason that the 1.8 rockers will work with the stock cam. I'm just not sure at this point. Will have to do more research. Thanks for the info, Guys
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The cam in our car is fine. I would either do 1.8 roller rocker arms or look into the package that Vinci did on their Impala SS. Its a quick lift design, that makes the cam act like its bigger then it is. IE the rocker arms will come up just above the 1.8 mark, but not too much where they will be hitting.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: LITH, IL.
The cam in our car is fine. I would either do 1.8 roller rocker arms or look into the package that Vinci did on their Impala SS. Its a quick lift design, that makes the cam act like its bigger then it is. IE the rocker arms will come up just above the 1.8 mark, but not too much where they will be hitting.
I noticed a small sotp difference in the mid-range with them, but it pulls to redline much better than with the stock rockers.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Not to add confusion to the issue but, i also just talked to a tech guy at crane cam and he said the 1.8s would add about 30 lbs of torque across the whole rpm band. That would be a vary nice improvement. He also recommended there # 144HR00042 cam for the ls4. He said it should work with no issues but to be sure to check the piston clearance on both intake and exhaust to make sure.The #s on that cam are: .502/.502, int. 200* exh. 208*, 115 lsa. Best range 1500-5000rpm, if interested. Back to the 1.8s. Does anyone have a recommended brand? Aluminum or steel? Will they for sure fit under the stock valve covers? Any issues at high rpm? Thanks guys.
