I’ve asked this question in LS1 Tech, but figured I’d see what you guys had to say!

I have an ‘81 that I’m putting an LS1/T56 from a 2004 Pontiac GTO into. Rear gears are 3.73.

I want to put a cam in the engine before it goes back in, but I’m really struggling to pick one. Honestly, this is almost as difficult as when I picked a paint color! So I want a smooth idle and stock-like drivability. I generally dislike the thump/lope/chop of cams, so I’m trying to keep that minimal. Also, I want to try to limit any low to mid range torque loss, as I see myself very rarely ever pushing it to 6k+. Lastly, I’m hoping to be around 400 hp (it’s okay if that’s at 6k+).

I was considering Summit Ghost Cam (SUM-8715), TSP 220R, and TSP 224R. I like the gains of the 224R, seems to be goo through the midrange and adds 45-50hp on the top end. But I’m worried it’ll thump too much and won’t be smooth. The 220R has less thump, but I have no idea what the torque curve looks like and it only adds about 30-35 hp. The Ghost Cam sounds good also, but I’m worried about losing too much midrange torque, and also I have no idea what gains to expect from it.

What would you recommend of these three? Also open to other recommendations if you have!

 

The ghost cam sounds like the best option for what you’re looking for with its 115+3 LSA. The 220 and 224 both have a 112 LSA, so in theory they would both “chop” the same.

With 400hp and the modern design of the LS engines I wouldn’t be too concerned about loosing mid range torque. The car is light enough that it shouldn’t make a discernible difference.

If you’re adding headers and a good tune up an LS6 cam would get you 400 horsepower too, and give you factory like driveability.

 

Happy with the cam in my LS3/376

• Camshaft Type (P/N 88958770): Hydraulic roller
• Valve Lift (in.): .525 intake / .525 exhaust
• Camshaft Duration (@.050 in.): 226° intake / 236° exhaust

Here's an autoX run.
Here's idle before and after I added a crossover.
And one more, start up and accelerate up the street
You can also find lots of LS motor videos on BaT - here's roughly the same motor as mine https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...vette-coupe-48


BTW what color did you pick? Hope it wasn't that godawful gray!

 

Oh damn, that sounds really good. Might have to look into that cam.

And hahaha! Crazy how divisive Nardo Grey was. No, I ended up going with a more traditional metallic grey - BMW Individual Gunmetal II.