need help with cam
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 211
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From: Asheboro NC
need help with cam
hey guys, i have a '99 and am wanting to install a cam. I have heard great things about them and bad things. has anybody had any problems with springs breaking and dropping valves or any other serious problems? I dont know what kind i should get if i get one, the car has lg longtube, corsa pace car, hurricane intake, and a good tune. looking for something with a nice lope at idle but no drivability issues.
thanks for the help,
Tyler
thanks for the help,
Tyler
Le Mans Master
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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Even though you're not sprayed or blown, I'd suggest you post this in the F/I section. Your best bet would be www.LS1tech.com though. There are real cam gurus there.
FWIW- I went with Patriot Dual Golds when I built my engine. Their price, reputation, and quality are the best bang for your buck if they are right for whatever cam you pick. PLEASE don't ever buy used springs.
FWIW- I went with Patriot Dual Golds when I built my engine. Their price, reputation, and quality are the best bang for your buck if they are right for whatever cam you pick. PLEASE don't ever buy used springs.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
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From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
hey guys, i have a '99 and am wanting to install a cam. I have heard great things about them and bad things. has anybody had any problems with springs breaking and dropping valves or any other serious problems? I dont know what kind i should get if i get one, the car has lg longtube, corsa pace car, hurricane intake, and a good tune. looking for something with a nice lope at idle but no drivability issues.
thanks for the help,
Tyler
thanks for the help,
Tyler
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-f...cam-specs.html
Read post 39 in particular.
When you do the cam, make sure you do some upgrades to your heads such as springs so they last. Even better would be to try and get some nice used performance budget heads like Patriot 243s so you can take advantage of the cam.
Usually, when people do cams, they put in a new timing chain, harmonic balancer, and ported oil pump.
Hope that helps.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
When you do the cam, make sure you do some upgrades to your heads such as springs so they last. Even better would be to try and get some nice used performance budget heads like Patriot 243s so you can take advantage of the cam.
Usually, when people do cams, they put in a new timing chain, harmonic balancer, and ported oil pump.
Hope that helps.
Usually, when people do cams, they put in a new timing chain, harmonic balancer, and ported oil pump.
Hope that helps.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114
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From: Chicago IL
I just did a cam only swap to my car two weeks ago. I went with a 233/238 .595 .600 on 112+2 lsa cam so with that size it is a need to get new springs (patriot dual gold or comparable), new timing chain, push rods and oil pump. If you went with a smaller lift you could possibly keep the stock springs but it is not really worth taking the risk. The car has a great lope to it and has no drivablitly issues but this is a rather large cam for most people. Something in the 220s duration would net you great gains, give you a nice lope all while maintaining close to stock drivability.
As for potential problems, can't give you much advice as I haven't had it very long but as long as you upgrade the valvetrain at the sametime durablitly should not be a problem. Just pick a well known and reliable shop to do the work and you will be fine. Fill out your profile of your location and you can get some great advice of where to take it
As for potential problems, can't give you much advice as I haven't had it very long but as long as you upgrade the valvetrain at the sametime durablitly should not be a problem. Just pick a well known and reliable shop to do the work and you will be fine. Fill out your profile of your location and you can get some great advice of where to take it
Le Mans Master
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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Depending on what kind of emissions testing you have, you might want to see what cams other guys run that pass the test.
Le Mans Master
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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Here's a VERY useful link for you guys.:
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=1
Tom
edit- I agree wit Stiritup. You really need to do hardened pushrods too. As you can see from my link, there just is way too much involved in a C5 cam swap to cut any corners. I've done it once with the engine out, and once with it in and both times were a PIA. Hopefully I'm done, but just in case, the last time I put in a two piece timing chain cover from Arun at Canadian Performance. No more pulling the steering rack, harmonic damper, and other little stuff down low.
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=1
Tom
edit- I agree wit Stiritup. You really need to do hardened pushrods too. As you can see from my link, there just is way too much involved in a C5 cam swap to cut any corners. I've done it once with the engine out, and once with it in and both times were a PIA. Hopefully I'm done, but just in case, the last time I put in a two piece timing chain cover from Arun at Canadian Performance. No more pulling the steering rack, harmonic damper, and other little stuff down low.
Last edited by madeouttaglass; Mar 23, 2009 at 04:05 PM. Reason: poor spelling (again)
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From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
Le Mans Master
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
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As I posted earlier, there are a few cam experts at LS1tech that have tons of experience with many different cams. C5 general is not really the place for cam debates.
