Cam only = higher revs?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,605
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Stock rev limiter is 6200rpm. You won't want to adjust this much higher without a valve spring swap, regardless of cam or powerband. Then again, you wouldn't want to do a cam swap either without new valve springs, as even a mild LS6 cam will need something better than stock LS1 springs.
You're looking at a big cam if you want to spin to 7200rpm without revving well past peak HP. You'll want to do some head work as well, since there is a point of diminishing returns with stock heads and a cam that would need to be revved that high.
Not sure I would trust the bottom end (rod bolts, specifically) to 7200. Some have done OK with a rod bolt swap and rpms in this range though.
If you just want to rev higher and keeping making power at those higher rpms, while also increasing torque across the board, but without the hassles of a big cam, you might want to consider forced induction. Even if you keep the stock cam with FI, I would still strongly suggest a valve spring and pushrod upgrade for rpms beyond the stock limiter.
You're looking at a big cam if you want to spin to 7200rpm without revving well past peak HP. You'll want to do some head work as well, since there is a point of diminishing returns with stock heads and a cam that would need to be revved that high.
Not sure I would trust the bottom end (rod bolts, specifically) to 7200. Some have done OK with a rod bolt swap and rpms in this range though.
If you just want to rev higher and keeping making power at those higher rpms, while also increasing torque across the board, but without the hassles of a big cam, you might want to consider forced induction. Even if you keep the stock cam with FI, I would still strongly suggest a valve spring and pushrod upgrade for rpms beyond the stock limiter.
A cam will help with top end power, and if big enough, will move peak power past the stock limiter. Cams like the MS3, MS4, and other big cams like those love to spin fast. Doing just a cam and expecting a monster power curve isn't really realistic. Putting in a monster cam will now outflow your intake. Change the intake out and your heads are limiting flow. Plus you gotta have a good exhaust to vent all that air. Now you're getting into fuel system upgrades because the stock fbody (not sure what you're driving, so this is all from an fbody perspective) pump will start killing itself. Not to mention all of the supporting parts for the cam like valve springs, pushrods, timing chain and oil pump, lifters, clutch or torque converter, maybe a rear end or transmission.
Point is, putting in a max effort cam that makes power all the way to 7k isn't recommended on a stock motor. It's doable, and you can get by with minimal parts, but that cam won't be happy.
My limiter is set at 6,800rpm on a sbe LS1 with arp rod bolts. I don't plan on ever spinning it that fast, but it's there if I need it.
Before you dive in, step back, plan out your goals for the car, purpose, how streetable, etc and decide from there.
Point is, putting in a max effort cam that makes power all the way to 7k isn't recommended on a stock motor. It's doable, and you can get by with minimal parts, but that cam won't be happy.
My limiter is set at 6,800rpm on a sbe LS1 with arp rod bolts. I don't plan on ever spinning it that fast, but it's there if I need it.
Before you dive in, step back, plan out your goals for the car, purpose, how streetable, etc and decide from there.