[Z06] cam recommendation
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 8
From: Florence South Carolina
cam recommendation
I have an 02 Z06 that completely stock w/ 26k miles. I'm installing LG street series long tube headers and vararam rb2 cai. Thinking about adding cam at same time. Any suggestions, particular cams to stay away from ?
Also, if I decide to go the supercharger route later on, will the upgraded cam cause issues ?
Thanks,
Jerry
Also, if I decide to go the supercharger route later on, will the upgraded cam cause issues ?
Thanks,
Jerry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
You need to use the search and read some threads about this then you can ask more detailed questions. Part of the fun of all of this is the vetting the complete process. There is so much infomation about this here and on the web. Spend a couple of weeks reading and then you will have a better understanding.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 14
From: Honolulu, HI
Either research here and LS1tech (seriously I knew nothing about cam's before but spent a couple of months reading all the threads. Now I know enough to be an internet expert!
)OR
Just take your vehicle to a shop and tell them your
1, budget
2. reliability and drivability desires
3. HP goals
Cam's and superchargers..
Yes some camshaft profiles can make your supercharger less efficient.
Read up on camshaft overlap. The Ls6 camshaft isn't bad for a supercharging btw.
I'd wait and have supercharger done sooner than put in a camshaft now.
If you want stuff to do, change out the valve springs and get a new clutch because you're going to need it.
Last edited by dagon138; Mar 19, 2016 at 10:52 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Figure out what you want to do with the car and what your end goal will be. That is often more difficult than it sounds. Once you have your goal, move backwards. Trust me, it is much easier and cost effective this way...
NCM Lifetime Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 4,286
From: Cunningham, TN
2021 Corvette of the Year - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Winner- Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '26
Sounds like in the end you are planing to have a highly modified engine. That being the case, you are going to be limiting it by having the street headers instead of the Super Pro's. If you are going to stay NA the 1 3/4 Super Pro's are all you need, but if you are going SC, I'd recommend going with the 1 7/8 Super Pro's. One other thing to consider is do you want them ceramic coated? It's much easier and cost effective to do this from the beginning.As stated previously, you will save yourself alot of time and money to do the research and planning and come up with your final goal before you start throwing money at it. I'd recommend that you call Anthony at LG and discuss your goals with him and seek his advise on the right direction, or any reputable performance shop of your choosing. I'm running the LG G5X3 cam and I love it. That being said, my car is not a daily driver. If it was, I would probably prefer the G5X2 or G5X1. A reputable shop like LG or Vengeance will steer you in the right direction based on your preferences and desires.
Good luck with your build
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 8
From: Florence South Carolina
After further consideration, I don't think a superchager is wise no matter the short term fun it would provide. I don't have an unlimited budget for repairs that would probably create. This is not for the most part a daily driver, but I want to increase the HP somewhat, but also keep the car reliable for years to come. From what I've read it seems if I get over 500 RRWP I'll be pushing the stock bottom end too hard. So I'm will to compromise the crazy HP for a more tame reliable alternative.
Maybe cai, headers, cam , 50-75 wet shot.I'm figuring that should put me right around the threshold. Am I wrong? Nitrous is not something that I would use often, and I would want to take the necessary precautions to ensure vehicle and personal safety.
Thoughts ?
Maybe cai, headers, cam , 50-75 wet shot.I'm figuring that should put me right around the threshold. Am I wrong? Nitrous is not something that I would use often, and I would want to take the necessary precautions to ensure vehicle and personal safety.
Thoughts ?
Last edited by appliance guy; Mar 20, 2016 at 04:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
There are quite a few Corvettes running around a little over 500rw on low boost with the stock bottom end and haven't had issues. Plenty of guys gone the A&A route. I almost considered that myself. That would be the easiest way to do it if that really is your goal. 500rw on motor alone for a 346ci DOES NOT COME EASY OR CHEAP, and wouldn't be pleasant to drive daily even if you made the power. There is an old saying used quite frequently around here. Fast, Reliable, Cheap. Your only gona have 2 of those options.
Last edited by ZZ06; Mar 20, 2016 at 08:56 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
I wouldn't say 500rwhp is some kind of threshold for breakage. My old combo made 650rwhp for years on a stock bottom. Cylinder pressure and RPM are where issues develop. The ring-lands and pushrods are weak from the factory.
A little shot of spray on a cam-only car sounds like a winner if you have easy access to nitrous.
A little shot of spray on a cam-only car sounds like a winner if you have easy access to nitrous.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 8
From: Florence South Carolina
Think I'll stray away from the cam, at least for now....think I'll stick with cai, headers / exhaust, tune and nitrous. To me at least, the cost of a cam job is too great compared to HP gained. If I'm not happy, I'll probably go the supercharger route. I appreciate all the input !
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
Think I'll stray away from the cam, at least for now....think I'll stick with cai, headers / exhaust, tune and nitrous. To me at least, the cost of a cam job is too great compared to HP gained. If I'm not happy, I'll probably go the supercharger route. I appreciate all the input !
, but you got to be kidding me with that statement. That only happens to those who don't research what they want and just throw any ole bump stick under the hood. Cam is where its at in the LS world
My first cam I netted 50rw in my cam swap. There have been PLENTY others that have gained more.
Last edited by ZZ06; Mar 22, 2016 at 05:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
If you change your mind.... And want to make jam with cam + forced induction. Arun from the forums Jam Cam... Awesome guy and proven cam. Do a search for the "Jam Cam". I was taken aback by the labor costs for anything to do with my Corvette. So I just went for it and installed headers and exhaust then I got the Jam Cam, trunnions, springs, high pressure oil pump etc all through Arun and did my first engine work... Car hasn't blown up so I guess I did okay. It's like Bret Bradbury once told me.... No shop is going to take the time and care you will with your car to make sure you do things right. It's also an opportunity to really learn the inner workings of your car too."
Here is a video of some extreme work by the Jam Cam... Milan's stock bottom end with big boost!
Then here is my car with no forced induction but it still put down almost. 420 with just the cam on the dyno.
He can also make a custom cam to fit your wants and needs.. He has different stage cams ready to go as well
Here is a video of some extreme work by the Jam Cam... Milan's stock bottom end with big boost!
Then here is my car with no forced induction but it still put down almost. 420 with just the cam on the dyno.
He can also make a custom cam to fit your wants and needs.. He has different stage cams ready to go as well
Last edited by tbrent; Mar 22, 2016 at 08:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 8
From: Florence South Carolina
After talking with some people I may reconsider the cam. However, I will probable do all the work myself.
I contacted a local corvette performance shop for a quote which was labor only for the following.
Header/X pipe
Thermostat
Cai
Cam and springs
Nitrous plate kit
Tune
$4,322.50
Yikes !
I contacted a local corvette performance shop for a quote which was labor only for the following.
Header/X pipe
Thermostat
Cai
Cam and springs
Nitrous plate kit
Tune
$4,322.50
Yikes !
Last edited by appliance guy; Mar 24, 2016 at 09:13 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,360
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
After talking with some people I may reconsider the cam. However, I will probable do all the work myself.
I contacted a local corvette performance shop for a quote which was labor only for the following.
Header/X pipe
Thermostat
Cai
Cam and springs
Nitrous plate kit
Tune
$4,322.50
Yikes !
I contacted a local corvette performance shop for a quote which was labor only for the following.
Header/X pipe
Thermostat
Cai
Cam and springs
Nitrous plate kit
Tune
$4,322.50
Yikes !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
Making power with a LS motor NO PROP. rear traction BIG PROP. .Just installed a cam ported heads ETC. in my 04 Z need any help just PM .. Cam ported headers bolts ons 100 WHHP street driving no big deal drives stock .. Not really that hard to do just time and have to pay attention to details and a retune for sure ,I have with parts and retune $2000.00 +- a little .. B. Tooley is the man to get parts from and help..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 8
From: Florence South Carolina
Making power with a LS motor NO PROP. rear traction BIG PROP. .Just installed a cam ported heads ETC. in my 04 Z need any help just PM .. Cam ported headers bolts ons 100 WHHP street driving no big deal drives stock .. Not really that hard to do just time and have to pay attention to details and a retune for sure ,I have with parts and retune $2000.00 +- a little .. B. Tooley is the man to get parts from and help..
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,360
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
I ported my 04 Z heads myself but and a big but been porting heads for 30 + years unless you know what your doing or do a lot of research on the porting deal I would not do my own heads if not done right can lose power and might trash a set of heads ,to get the max out of a cam deal a set of ported heads or new HP set will make a BIG power gain or just a good clean up helps also .. I wasn't going for big power just wanted to out power the C-7s Sting Rays and did and still drive OK on the street does and yes the C-7s Sting Rays on the track about 10 car lengths behind me that's why I cleaned up my backside of my 04 so they will have something nice to look at and being I think around 200-250 LBS lighter helps also .. 505 FWHP Tuned LMR Houston TX. Need details on my install just PM..