LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Personal thoughts on upgrading cam

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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 08:40 AM
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Default Personal thoughts on upgrading cam

As of right now I have a LE spec'd turbo cam (226/226 565/565 114LSA) I myself and others (reputable vendors) tend to think cam is small. I am wanting to go all out on my setup, so do you guys think I should upgrade my cam while the car is down for winter and part of spring? Or should I just run what I have?

I dont want to leave any power on the table. Im running E85 and between 15-20lbs of boost.....
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 09:03 AM
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I run that cam, and like it.

Personally, run it and learn the car, then decide to spend more money on it.
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 09:27 AM
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Im still on the fence about. Thats how I feel personally. There are a few other things I actually need before spending the money on the cam. I guess I can see what trap speed I end up with and will decide from there.

Im just wanting it to be more strip friendly than street
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 09:32 AM
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What gear do you have and how high did you wanna spin the motor?
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 10:09 AM
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3.42s right now. But going S60 so eventually 3.54s. And 65-6800ish. Current cam is 64-6600ish
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 10:28 AM
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Are you and the car setup to trap 155 area?

Even peaking at 6200 gets you 146, whats the fastest you have been previously?
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 10:46 AM
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Its never been to the track. Car should be around 3250 with me in it. And I am trying to set my car up to trap a minimum of 145 so of course that'd be perfect to hit anything 150s . The cam is what that has me worried about hitting those trap speeds.
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 10:49 AM
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Lol 150ish trap is a 8 sec pass. technically. I may just ship my pants

Are you saying its possible for me to trap 150s?
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 11:47 AM
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Perhaps its my cynical side, but if you expect to jump in car and run 9s@155 you prob may be disappointing. Thats why I would say just leave it, run it for a season and get some seat time.

If you have the money to burn, get the new cam now, just make sure valve springs are setup for that.
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 11:54 AM
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Yea seat time will be the focus
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 02:17 PM
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Run the current cam
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by RealQuick
Run the current cam
Thanks. I will....
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 04:06 PM
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Just remember a big cam + boost will require alot of attention to the valve train. May end up not just being a "streetability" sacrifice but may require valve springs more accustomed to the additional pressure which may in turn have a shorter life span and require more periodic checks to ensure everything is good.

Me personally, I'm not a fan of adding more routine maintenance to a car to squeeze every last ounce out but then again I'm lazy.
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Old Feb 23, 2016 | 08:16 PM
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why do u want to change cams when u do t even know what ur running now?
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Old Feb 24, 2016 | 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by moehorsepower
why do u want to change cams when u do t even know what ur running now?
The main reason why, is I do not feel that the cam will take me far as I want to go. Im trying my hardest to break 9.99 but my original goal was anything sub 10.50s. I am more so focused on ET than WHP, but if I hit a good WHP that can give me some type idea where I should be ET wise.

After talking to various tuners and cam specialist and MOST agreed that cam was on the small side for my goals. After doing tons of research and asking a lot of questions, I considered swapping the cam. I have been shaving weight in order to hit the goal and to make up for the "smallish" cam.....
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Old Feb 24, 2016 | 09:05 AM
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2 step or Tbrake it to a ~1.3 sixty and you will run 9.60s

Don't over think it
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Old Feb 24, 2016 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by SwampWS6
The main reason why, is I do not feel that the cam will take me far as I want to go. Im trying my hardest to break 9.99 but my original goal was anything sub 10.50s. I am more so focused on ET than WHP, but if I hit a good WHP that can give me some type idea where I should be ET wise.

After talking to various tuners and cam specialist and MOST agreed that cam was on the small side for my goals. After doing tons of research and asking a lot of questions, I considered swapping the cam. I have been shaving weight in order to hit the goal and to make up for the "smallish" cam.....
gotya, yup I know what u mean.
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Old Feb 24, 2016 | 09:35 AM
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Yea I have full adjustable suspension and a brake, Im hoping to cut low 1.4 60ft and work my way into the high 1.3s. And yes I am over thinking it.

3 years of battles with this car, I just want to see it perform well!
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 01:33 PM
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STL crew checking in!

I presume this isn't a daily driver and just a weekend toy. If street ability isn't a concern, you could certainly step up your cam, but double check and make sure the rest of the combo you're running will work well. You don't want to suddenly have your torque converter not be matched up well. You certainly could go up into the 230's and pick up some et.

Is time a factor? Are you hoping to have it running by spring or summer? Swapping cams could add to the project time. You could be better off running your current cam for the season, shaking out the car and then swapping the cam next winter if you want a few extra tenths.

The decision is up to you!
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Old Feb 25, 2016 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 4K+Converter
STL crew checking in!

I presume this isn't a daily driver and just a weekend toy. If street ability isn't a concern, you could certainly step up your cam, but double check and make sure the rest of the combo you're running will work well. You don't want to suddenly have your torque converter not be matched up well. You certainly could go up into the 230's and pick up some et.

Is time a factor? Are you hoping to have it running by spring or summer? Swapping cams could add to the project time. You could be better off running your current cam for the season, shaking out the car and then swapping the cam next winter if you want a few extra tenths.

The decision is up to you!
Thanks for the input!

Im really battling this issue. One is because the car is already in pieces and now would be the perfect time to make the change. Streetablity is not a huge issue. I work about 20 miles from home and random car shows/meets are really the only driving I'd be doing. I like the idea of having it tuned once rather than getting tuned now then swapping cams then getting it tuned again.

Time is kind of a factor as I'd like to actually drive it this summer. The cam swap would only take me a weekend from dis assembly to re assembly. My springs would put me at a safe limit of about .590 lift which is pretty decent. I also get the 1st restall for free and $50 per additional restall.

My main focus is making a single digit pass and if its possible that my current cam could hinder that, I'd like to change now and not even worry about it until solid roller time.....
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