C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cam size vs. Smog

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 03:33 PM
  #1  
thesaad's Avatar
thesaad
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Default Cam size vs. Smog

Hey Guys, I am thinking of doing a cam soon and am not sure how big I should go.

I have a 2003 Z06 with kooks headers, hiflow cats, Borla stinger, blackwing intake, and a bbk throttle body that was on the car when I bought it (i think 80mm)

I am looking at several cams right now, but dont know how big I can go and still pass CA smog. I know that the headers will have to be swapped when I smog, but that is not as much work as a cam.

I am looking at G5X2, G5X3, and some thunder racing cams.

I want to have a strong solid idle, and not too much of lope (114, maybe 112 LSA). But I want to get as much hp as I can get from the 4300-6000 range.

What are your recommendations? I was going to wait until I can afford to do heads, but I have a sickness and cant stop shopping for parts. Plus a fiend with a pesky snake wants to play (2006 Viper Vert.). Can I hang with him, considering drivers have same capabilities?
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 03:53 PM
  #2  
merven's Avatar
merven
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: RSM CA
Default

Originally Posted by thesaad
Hey Guys, I am thinking of doing a cam soon and am not sure how big I should go.

I have a 2003 Z06 with kooks headers, hiflow cats, Borla stinger, blackwing intake, and a bbk throttle body that was on the car when I bought it (i think 80mm)

I am looking at several cams right now, but dont know how big I can go and still pass CA smog. I know that the headers will have to be swapped when I smog, but that is not as much work as a cam.

I am looking at G5X2, G5X3, and some thunder racing cams.

I want to have a strong solid idle, and not too much of lope (114, maybe 112 LSA). But I want to get as much hp as I can get from the 4300-6000 range.

What are your recommendations? I was going to wait until I can afford to do heads, but I have a sickness and cant stop shopping for parts. Plus a fiend with a pesky snake wants to play (2006 Viper Vert.). Can I hang with him, considering drivers have same capabilities?


The biggest thing with cams and smog is the overlap, between exhaust and intake, a lot of times you can get away with increasing lift which inturn increases volume but when you increase duration you tend to fall out of the smog arena I hope this makes sense to you.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 04:12 PM
  #3  
GKE's Avatar
GKE
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard Ca
Default

I am installing a Comp Cams 224/228 114 LSA and it will pass smog, it is within parameters so the shop tells me.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 04:25 PM
  #4  
RedRiderZR1's Avatar
RedRiderZR1
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
Default

Reading all these cam threads and smog it seems if you go below 114 LSA you're getting into the danger zone. I'm sure 112 LSA cams have passed too, but to be safe it seems to stay with 114 LSA cams. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this. Been reading these for awhile in hopes to put a cam in my 99 coupe as well. Cams and Cali smog can be a pain.

Greg
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 04:39 PM
  #5  
thesaad's Avatar
thesaad
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Default

How big of a difference does the LSA make for hp and tq gains?

So which of these cams would you say will give the best gains, while keeping drivability and smogability?

LG Cams

Thunder Racing Cams

Thanks
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 05:08 PM
  #6  
Rag-Top Rick's Avatar
Rag-Top Rick
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 13
From: N. County/San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by GKE
I am installing a Comp Cams 224/228 114 LSA and it will pass smog, it is within parameters so the shop tells me.
As a general rule, the above mentioned cam is considered the max in Calif and still pass smog!
I`m sure there are tuners that may be able to pass something"a little bigger" but that`s pushing it.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 05:21 PM
  #7  
thesaad's Avatar
thesaad
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
Default

Originally Posted by Rag-Top Rick
As a general rule, the above mentioned cam is considered the max in Calif and still pass smog!
I`m sure there are tuners that may be able to pass something"a little bigger" but that`s pushing it.
Ahhh, I was hoping to go a little bit bigger

Oh well. How much hp can I expect with a good tund and this cam?
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 05:40 PM
  #8  
Third Gear's Avatar
Third Gear
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Inland Empire CA
Default

The G5X2 or G5X3 might be a little hard to pass here in CA. Besides if you're looking to maximize your midrange power and not a lot of lope then those big cams aren't for you. Something like a TR 224 would give you a great midrange and pass smog no problem.

As for LSA properties: See this - http://www.compcams.com/Technical/FAQ/LSAproperties.asp

It wouldn't hurt to call a speed shop to tell them your goals.

GKE - you should pass if everything is spot on. I've "heard" of larger cams passing but.... I'd like to see the actual smog report......
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 07:07 PM
  #9  
bbob67's Avatar
bbob67
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Seaside Ca.
Default

I did research on this sometime ago as far as the biggest cams that can be installed and still pass Ca. smog. Look at my past threads/posts and you will find some info. There were a couple of Z06's that pulled about 450 rwhp running the LG-G5X1-E emissions cam and AFR heads.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2007 | 07:33 PM
  #10  
Showdown's Avatar
Showdown
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale CA
Default

I'm looking for more of a top end cam. Using a kenne bell when they get the smog cert. Would the LS7 cam be good?
LS2 block
Callies rods
Wiseco pistons (right around -28cc dish)
Callies crank
AFR 225 64cc heads (or something with a THICK deck)
8.9-9.0:1cr
clevite bearings
LS6 lifters
Comp 921 springs
Comp pushrods
Cometic .051 MLS gaskets
ECS 8" crank pulley
ARP main and rod studs
ARP head studs (Unless stock deck. Then ARP L19 studs)
Stock 1.7 rockers
Kenne Bell 2.8H 16-18psi
Originally Posted by Third Gear
The G5X2 or G5X3 might be a little hard to pass here in CA. Besides if you're looking to maximize your midrange power and not a lot of lope then those big cams aren't for you. Something like a TR 224 would give you a great midrange and pass smog no problem.

As for LSA properties: See this - http://www.compcams.com/Technical/FAQ/LSAproperties.asp

It wouldn't hurt to call a speed shop to tell them your goals.

GKE - you should pass if everything is spot on. I've "heard" of larger cams passing but.... I'd like to see the actual smog report......
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Cam size vs. Smog





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:29 PM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE