GMPP hot cam
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
If I remember correctly, it was the 02Z that had problems with springs braking. The later springs didn't seem to have that issue. When I had my engine apart I did some research on this and recall seeing a lot of threads on this topic. With all of the other stuff I have done to the car this topic is not fresh on my mind. I did end up ordering a LS6 cam, heads and springs with confidence. I wouldn't sweat the cam lift if it is within the recommended range of the newer springs if that is your concern.
I am a fan of the LS6 cam. I like that it retains low end torque while producing a nice top end. It idles smooth probably due to it's wide lobe separation. Some people want their car to run rough at idle for some reason. I guess they want it to sound like a drag car. That kind of loping is a trade off of low end performance for Hp at high revs. If I were to change it again I would probably go with one with only slightly more lift and duration but nothing too radical.
There are some minor mods that can give Hp across the entire rpm range.
I am a fan of the LS6 cam. I like that it retains low end torque while producing a nice top end. It idles smooth probably due to it's wide lobe separation. Some people want their car to run rough at idle for some reason. I guess they want it to sound like a drag car. That kind of loping is a trade off of low end performance for Hp at high revs. If I were to change it again I would probably go with one with only slightly more lift and duration but nothing too radical.
There are some minor mods that can give Hp across the entire rpm range.
Last edited by Rob 02; Apr 12, 2017 at 12:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 7
If I remember correctly, it was the 02Z that had problems with springs braking. The later springs didn't seem to have that issue. When I had my engine apart I did some research on this and recall seeing a lot of threads on this topic. With all of the other stuff I have done to the car this topic is not fresh on my mind. I did end up ordering a LS6 cam, heads and springs with confidence. I wouldn't sweat the cam lift if it is within the recommended range of the newer springs if that is your concern.
I am a fan of the LS6 cam. I like that it retains low end torque while producing a nice top end. It idles smooth probably due to it's wide lobe separation. Some people want their car to run rough at idle for some reason. I guess they want it to sound like a drag car. That kind of loping is a trade off of low end performance for Hp at high revs. If I were to change it again I would probably go with one with only slightly more lift and duration but nothing too radical.
There are some minor mods that can give Hp across the entire rpm range.
I am a fan of the LS6 cam. I like that it retains low end torque while producing a nice top end. It idles smooth probably due to it's wide lobe separation. Some people want their car to run rough at idle for some reason. I guess they want it to sound like a drag car. That kind of loping is a trade off of low end performance for Hp at high revs. If I were to change it again I would probably go with one with only slightly more lift and duration but nothing too radical.
There are some minor mods that can give Hp across the entire rpm range.
Thanks for all of the advice!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
I just finished changing my springs. I used the blue GM springs. I'd like the best cam I can get for my purpose. Although I agree, the one it came with performs well already. More low and mid range torque would be preferable if I ever upgrade. I don't want too rough an idle, some of those cams make the car sound broken to me...
Thanks for all of the advice!
Thanks for all of the advice!
And LSA (Lobe Separation Angle) is what causes the coppy idle, and the wider (rougher sounding) it is, the more torque it makes.
I honestly don't think a cam is going to do what you're looking for. A supercharger might, but that poses new heat issues on road courses, especially in Tucson.
What you really want is an LS2 or LS3 swap.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 7
You're not going to get more low to mid range from a cam. If anything, you'll just get more top end. Unfortunately, more low/mid can really only come from displacement.
And LSA (Lobe Separation Angle) is what causes the coppy idle, and the wider (rougher sounding) it is, the more torque it makes.
I honestly don't think a cam is going to do what you're looking for. A supercharger might, but that poses new heat issues on road courses, especially in Tucson.
What you really want is an LS2 or LS3 swap.
And LSA (Lobe Separation Angle) is what causes the coppy idle, and the wider (rougher sounding) it is, the more torque it makes.
I honestly don't think a cam is going to do what you're looking for. A supercharger might, but that poses new heat issues on road courses, especially in Tucson.
What you really want is an LS2 or LS3 swap.
I've been dreaming about an LS7 actually. Or a variant of one. Simply because, being a yellow vette, I want to have my own little version of the C5.R. It ran a 427 motor. Working on installing front lights in the license plate area now! I bought the same ones that the C5.R used.
Considering the cost of any swap, I'll have to run the LS6 into the ground first, while I save.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
Thanks for the info.
I've been dreaming about an LS7 actually. Or a variant of one. Simply because, being a yellow vette, I want to have my own little version of the C5.R. It ran a 427 motor. Working on installing front lights in the license plate area now! I bought the same ones that the C5.R used.
Considering the cost of any swap, I'll have to run the LS6 into the ground first, while I save.
I've been dreaming about an LS7 actually. Or a variant of one. Simply because, being a yellow vette, I want to have my own little version of the C5.R. It ran a 427 motor. Working on installing front lights in the license plate area now! I bought the same ones that the C5.R used.
Considering the cost of any swap, I'll have to run the LS6 into the ground first, while I save.
Man, a C5.R recreation would be fantastic.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 208
Likes: 7
Working on it, actually here is the link to my light thread. I've had a few set backs in designing the mount but am working on it as time allows. Coming soon! https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-install.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
Thanks!
Working on it, actually here is the link to my light thread. I've had a few set backs in designing the mount but am working on it as time allows. Coming soon! https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-install.html
Working on it, actually here is the link to my light thread. I've had a few set backs in designing the mount but am working on it as time allows. Coming soon! https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-install.html
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
To increase low end power you'd basically want to use a cam with the same duration but more lift. This means the ramps have to be quicker to get the valves opened and closed again in the shorter duration. Kind of the opposite of what you first requested talking about wanting a cam that is easy on the valvetrain. But, there are a few such cams that might meet this requirement. A custom ground cam could do it too.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
The wide LSA is what makes the LS6 idle smoothy (less overlap). A wider LSA will have have a flatter torque curve and a more narrow one will have more of a peak. The timing of these events plays a big roll. Advancing the cam in relation to the crank will give you more low end torque and retarding the cam will increase the power curve.
