[Z06] LS6 Cam stock heads
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 28
From: ontario Ontario
LS6 Cam stock heads
I need some opinions from the experts. I have had a number of ideas of what I would like to do to the car but with the economy going to a S**t I can't justify the big $$ investment into my car. That being said i still have the need to do a little mod to the car. I want to do a cam but keep the stock heads. I'll replace the springs as well. I just want to get over the 400 rwhp and I"m at 380 right now. I don't mind some lope at all but but don't want extreme lope and lose my driveability. Any suggestions? Is it even worth doing if I'm not doing the heads?
Engine Mods to the car:
headers/full exhaust
Tune
Vara ram
160 stat
I'd like to especially hear from guys that have done cam only and their thoughts on it? Thanks.
Engine Mods to the car:
headers/full exhaust
Tune
Vara ram
160 stat
I'd like to especially hear from guys that have done cam only and their thoughts on it? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 2
From: Woodinville WA
Keep it in the 228-232 range duration wise with a slight forward split if any at all.
Texas Speed sells a 228R cam that is popular and would meet your goals and they are usually cheaper than other vendors on cams.
Texas Speed sells a 228R cam that is popular and would meet your goals and they are usually cheaper than other vendors on cams.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
^^^ What he said for cam only. I know you said you don't want to do heads but I think you could get well over 400 with some ported heads, especially assuming you have an 02' or later Z. The Texas Speed PRC 2.5s come to mind. If you still wanted more with a cam, the heads would already be done so you wouldn't have to do a spring swap. If you were happy after the head swap, you could sell your LS6 heads and get alot of your money back. The head swap would be easier than a cam by far also.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 28
From: ontario Ontario
Thanks guys. I have an 03 with 6800 miles on it. The reason for holding back on heads is that if I buy the AFR 205 heads now and I decide to go with a blower in a years time I can just as easily go with the 225's then without having to get another set of expensive heads. I was thinking of going with a cam in the 234-236 range. I get a bit of a lumpy idle with decent power and still keep streetability and that should probably put me at the 400 rwhp assuming the cam could give me 20 rwhp?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Mooresville NC
400+?
I'm at 370 rwhp now on my '02 Z06 and want to get to 400 also. I've done similar mods as you for around $1600 total. My local performance shop says a mild cam ($400 plus $200 dyno tune) can get me between 410-420 without head work. I'd be interested to see what gets you the most bang for the buck.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 28
From: ontario Ontario
I was just on another site and found some average cars of same mods with cam only no heads at 410-418 range which sounds very impressive. too impressive so far for cam only.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 57
From: Mt Pleasant, TN
When I had a stock motor I had a fairly large cam (238/244 114) and it made 435rwhp with stock heads. This cam does hit a little higher than others, a good all around cam would be something around 228/232 and should make over 400 easily.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
If you're planning on supercharging down the road, make sure you get a cam that's optimized for that. You'll still get great gains, and not have to change the cam again. Ask a FI expert for cam advice, like Andy @ A&A, or ECS.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 28
From: ontario Ontario
Will probably end up going with one of LG's custom grind cams around the 234 range. I don't mind a choppy idle and like the way it sounds and with a 234 I am not giving up street manners. I have been looking for video clips to see how some Vette's sound and feel good about it and will also hopefully pick up some mph at the track.
