LS1 cam swap

[foff667]

Originally Posted by Batman

You probably won't need tuning, but you will get alot more out of it with tuning.

there is definitly hp to be gained with a tune...im just saying there are alot of cams that are daily driveable right out of the box...thats not to say the a/f isnt going to be out of wack especially at wot.

[1FastWS6]

Originally Posted by oh one ls1 SS

okay.. Â*since i dont know anything about cam's and lift and duration or anything like that can you guy's recommend a good cam that will give me a good power increase but still be "civalized" for daily driving? Â*i was looking at one from thunderracing.com and the model number is Â*63-LS-216/220 Â* and what it says about it is Â* Â*"1300-6300 RPM Power Band. Computer Tuning Required with automatic transmission cars. One of our most popular cams...This has proven to be a very well balanced camshaft in that it makes good power across the entire RPM range. Works well with Crane 1.8 Roller Rockers." Â*is this good? Â*any suggestions? Â* also what do i have to upgrade or change Â*thanks

As somone posted, you can prob get away with a little bit of a wilder cam as long as you keep the LSA around 112-114. That should keep the streetablity and low end tourque while still adding some good top end power. The cam you quoted "216/220" is REALLY mild as far as duration goes. You can definetly go better than that. One of my friends runs the LS1 hotcam with headers and tuning. Car is DEFINETLY streetable, and he puts down around 390 rwhp on stock heads. I believe the specs on the Hotcam are 218/227, .525/.525, 112LSA.

[foff667]

hotcam isnt very popular because it idles like crap & doesnt make great power...there are far better cams out there that will idle just as good if not better...seems like the better #'s are put up with single profile cams ie 224/224, 228/228...they make a nicer tq curve the split duration cams, though maybe not the peak figure...but tq is where its at...personally I would go with a 228/228 ish cam on a 112 or 114 with an m6 unless your really wanted to make crazy power but loose some driveability.

[Batman]

I think I did pretty well with it, anybody who has seen me run will back that up. Cracked 11's with it and hit 116 MPH with an otherwise bolt on engine. In fact it still resides in my block with the new heads. When I had the 1.8 rockers on it made 411RWH and 419RWTQ with a partial tune. I've heard alot of trash talking about that cam but I wiped out many a 224/224 or 230/230 cammed car with it. Even beat some cars with cheaper heads/cam packages on them. Bottom line, don't underestimate it. It does idle rough though, but with tuning it isn't an issue. I may even get another one when my new block is done because it is a great nitrous cam to boot.

[foff667]

Originally Posted by Batman

I think I did pretty well with it, anybody who has seen me run will back that up. Cracked 11's with it and hit 116 MPH with an otherwise bolt on engine. In fact it still resides in my block with the new heads. When I had the 1.8 rockers on it made 411RWH and 419RWTQ with a partial tune. I've heard alot of trash talking about that cam but I wiped out many a 224/224 or 230/230 cammed car with it. Even beat some cars with cheaper heads/cam packages on them. Bottom line, don't underestimate it. It does idle rough though, but with tuning it isn't an issue. I may even get another one when my new block is done because it is a great nitrous cam to boot.

its all relative though, there are people that have hit 128mph with a cam only, otherwise bolt on engine. There are also people out there with tr224 cams in the 11's with no tuning and stock rockers so again its all relative & what your happy with. If your happy with it then thats great, im just letting him know I think there are better options out there...you are obviously stuck in your thinking in every aspect which is fine but dont bottleneck everyone else.

[oh one ls1 SS]

what is the differance between a hotcam and a hydraulic cam?

[foff667]

the hotcam is a hydraulic cam, so nothing.

[oh one ls1 SS]

ohh.. haha cuz on some sights they have hotcam and some are hydraulic cam any suggestions on a good sight to order one threw? the only ones ive really been looking at are T Byrne Motorsports and Thunder Racing but their cam pages confuse me because i know nothing about cams.

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by oh one ls1 SS

ohh.. Â*haha Â*cuz on some sights they have hotcam and some are hydraulic cam Â* Â*any suggestions on a good sight to order one threw? Â*the only ones ive really been looking at are T Byrne Motorsports and Thunder Racing but their cam pages confuse me because i know nothing about cams.

Hydraulic is just the type of cam....could be mechanical or hydraulic.

The Hotcam is one specific grind....

- Justin

[foff667]

Originally Posted by oh one ls1 SS

ohh.. Â*haha Â*cuz on some sights they have hotcam and some are hydraulic cam Â* Â*any suggestions on a good sight to order one threw? Â*the only ones ive really been looking at are T Byrne Motorsports and Thunder Racing but their cam pages confuse me because i know nothing about cams.

1. are you installing the cam yourself?
2. are you tuning for it yourself?

if you answered no to either of those questions get with the person who is planning on tuning it or tuning and installing it to see what cam to go with. They can generally help you decide what cam to go with depending on exactly what you want out of the cam.

[oh one ls1 SS]

i would love to install it myself but i deffinately dont trust myself to do. and for the tuning.. i dont even know where to begin. i try talking to my mechanic about it but all he tells me is "save your money.. your still going to get beat after you get the cam" ssooo he's not much help thats why i was looking on here for some assistance with this

[foff667]

Originally Posted by oh one ls1 SS

i would love to install it myself but i deffinately dont trust myself to do. and for the tuning.. i dont even know where to begin. Â*i try talking to my mechanic about it but all he tells me is "save your money.. your still going to get beat after you get the cam" Â*ssooo he's not much help Â*thats why i was looking on here for some assistance with this

first find a new mechanic...secondly if you do get it done at a shop it should run you between $400-$550 for the cam/spring swap, no more then that.