LS6 Cam?

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Sep 5, 2010 | 09:08 PM

1BAV

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 470

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From: Round Rock Texas

Cruise-In IX Veteran

LS6 Cam?

What kind of gains would I see if I upgraded my stock LS1 with an LS6 cam? I am thinking of trying to beef up the stock engine. The reason I'm asking I've got a used cam located for a very good price and am debating if I should go ahead and buy it. If this would not be a good option I'm open for suggestions. Thanks

Sep 5, 2010 | 09:23 PM

Jnape

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 983

Likes: 36

From: Middle Of Kali CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BAV

The cost to R&R even if you do it yourself is much more of an expense than your stick of choice.

The stick is the bargin in the deal.....

The cam itself will not gain much as you should have better heads.

$400.00 buck idea becomes 15K when you keep at the power chase

Sep 5, 2010 | 09:30 PM

1BAV

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 470

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From: Round Rock Texas

Cruise-In IX Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnape

Thanks for the info. I'll save my money then and use it some where else. Should I start with the basics like a cold air intake, headers, x-pipe, etc., before I start going inside the motor? I'm wanting to try and get to 400 rwhp if possible on a budget.

Sep 5, 2010 | 09:34 PM

Bill Curlee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 1999

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From: Anthony TX

CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet

St. Jude Donor '08

GAIN vs WORK vs cost to get a little more power or a much aggressive cam for a lot more power / Tq and the correct valve-train necessary to support that cam is very little. Get the most bang for the buck and find the right aftermarket cam!

You will see a SMALL GAIN for a lot of work and you will KICK YOURSELF in the BUTT later for not getting the better cam. Save your cash for a proven power/Tq package and a tune and you will be a LOT happier!!

Sep 5, 2010 | 09:42 PM

1BAV

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 470

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From: Round Rock Texas

Cruise-In IX Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee

Thanks for the info.

Sep 6, 2010 | 04:31 AM

zeevette

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,060

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From: Pasco WA

Headers first, but really a good cam will really wake up your car. The LS6 cam is too small for all the work to install. I recommend a 224-228 @114 cam that'll drive almost like stock, but give great gains. Dont' forget to upgrade the valvesprings at the same time.

Sep 6, 2010 | 07:13 AM

AU N EGL

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 43,084

Likes: 33

From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC

Headers, High Flow cats, X-pipe and great free flowing mufflers. CAI and a dyno tune can pull quite a bit of a normally stock engine

Sep 6, 2010 | 09:22 AM

ipuig

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 1,722

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From: Florida

St. Jude Donor '09

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1BAV

Which model year LS6 cam, the 2001 or the 2002 - 2004 LS6 cam? The latter cam had .025" more lift at the valve. GM achieved this by reducing the base circle diameter of the lobes, to keep the same valve train geometry and lifter pre-load the valve stem lengths were increased by .6 mm in the 2002 - 2004 model years.
If it's a 2001 cam, all you should need are some LS6 valve springs, for the 2002 cam you should also consider either replacing the valves with to the 2002 model year valves (better valves, lighter) or going with longer push rods to maintain the desired lifter pre-load.
Either LS6 cam will give you an emission friendly, easy to tune very smooth idle with increased low end torque from your existing set-up. I say go for it, aftermarket cams do bring increased horsepower but also increased headaches and valve train maintenance issues. If you are not happy with the gains you can always remove it and replace it with an aftermarket cam, replacing the cam is not that difficult. Good luck.

Last edited by ipuig; Sep 6, 2010 at 09:24 AM.