Tuning for an unknown cam
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 866
Likes: 22
From: Savannah GA
Tuning for an unknown cam
I bought a nice low mile 02 QS Z06 last week and quickly realized it had more go fast parts installed on it than originally thought. Long story short, It has a full exhaust, ported TB, CAI, H/C and probably more I havent found yet, but since I dont know who the last owner was, I dont have anyone to ask for a parts list.
The cam wasnt too noticable at first but it was obviously there. Probably because I was dealing with a rev hang issue I traced back to a 1/4 hole in the TB (that I have since tigged shut). Now that the engine doesnt struggle to idle as much... the cams size is more obvious... runs better but needs off idle tuning. Id say the cam is in the 230 degree duration range. I have no idea what it is.
Car has a stock LS6 intake. I need to have it tuned better anyway so that is a given...car drives well otherwise but the cam is a tad large for what Im looking to do with the car. A H/C car with a cam this size could probably benefit from more intake as well. I also plan on having the radiator out for an upgrade.
I guess what Im getting at is, would it just make more sense to swap the cam at this time rather than have to have to 'guess' while trying to clean up the tune?
Car also has cnc LWA 243 heads on it. Havent found much as far as specs or flow numbers online.
The cam wasnt too noticable at first but it was obviously there. Probably because I was dealing with a rev hang issue I traced back to a 1/4 hole in the TB (that I have since tigged shut). Now that the engine doesnt struggle to idle as much... the cams size is more obvious... runs better but needs off idle tuning. Id say the cam is in the 230 degree duration range. I have no idea what it is.
Car has a stock LS6 intake. I need to have it tuned better anyway so that is a given...car drives well otherwise but the cam is a tad large for what Im looking to do with the car. A H/C car with a cam this size could probably benefit from more intake as well. I also plan on having the radiator out for an upgrade.
I guess what Im getting at is, would it just make more sense to swap the cam at this time rather than have to have to 'guess' while trying to clean up the tune?
Car also has cnc LWA 243 heads on it. Havent found much as far as specs or flow numbers online.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
I bought a nice low mile 02 QS Z06 last week and quickly realized it had more go fast parts installed on it than originally thought. Long story short, It has a full exhaust, ported TB, CAI, H/C and probably more I havent found yet, but since I dont know who the last owner was, I dont have anyone to ask for a parts list.
The cam wasnt too noticable at first but it was obviously there. Probably because I was dealing with a rev hang issue I traced back to a 1/4 hole in the TB (that I have since tigged shut). Now that the engine doesnt struggle to idle as much... the cams size is more obvious... runs better but needs off idle tuning. Id say the cam is in the 230 degree duration range. I have no idea what it is.
Car has a stock LS6 intake. I need to have it tuned better anyway so that is a given...car drives well otherwise but the cam is a tad large for what Im looking to do with the car. A H/C car with a cam this size could probably benefit from more intake as well. I also plan on having the radiator out for an upgrade.
I guess what Im getting at is, would it just make more sense to swap the cam at this time rather than have to have to 'guess' while trying to clean up the tune?
Car also has cnc LWA 243 heads on it. Havent found much as far as specs or flow numbers online.
The cam wasnt too noticable at first but it was obviously there. Probably because I was dealing with a rev hang issue I traced back to a 1/4 hole in the TB (that I have since tigged shut). Now that the engine doesnt struggle to idle as much... the cams size is more obvious... runs better but needs off idle tuning. Id say the cam is in the 230 degree duration range. I have no idea what it is.
Car has a stock LS6 intake. I need to have it tuned better anyway so that is a given...car drives well otherwise but the cam is a tad large for what Im looking to do with the car. A H/C car with a cam this size could probably benefit from more intake as well. I also plan on having the radiator out for an upgrade.
I guess what Im getting at is, would it just make more sense to swap the cam at this time rather than have to have to 'guess' while trying to clean up the tune?
Car also has cnc LWA 243 heads on it. Havent found much as far as specs or flow numbers online.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 866
Likes: 22
From: Savannah GA
Heads were done by a company in Doraville GA called LWA engines, per the marks at the front of the head. They said I need the name of the PO for specifics...
I have no info on the PO...I exhausted all my leads so I have nobody to ask.
I figured if I was going to the extent of pulling the timing cover, then yes, Id do an oil pump, chain and just swap to a more suitable, 'known' cam. It does make sense since Ill be doing a radiator as well as a fast 92 before it gets retuned.
I have no info on the PO...I exhausted all my leads so I have nobody to ask.
I figured if I was going to the extent of pulling the timing cover, then yes, Id do an oil pump, chain and just swap to a more suitable, 'known' cam. It does make sense since Ill be doing a radiator as well as a fast 92 before it gets retuned.
Last edited by dhirocz; Aug 31, 2021 at 09:06 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Texas
I am literally in your shoes right now. I have bought my 02 already modded out but well taken care of. The cam on my car is unknown but as I opened up the valve cover to replace the springs I noticed dual valve springs and integrated valve seals made by TSP. I also pulled out a pushrod and they are hardened pushrods by TSP. So I thought to myself that I must have a TSP in my car. Did more research and went through a lot of videos listening to different cams and I figured out that I have a MS3 or MS4 TSP camshaft.
At first I did think my cam was too big for my taste, being that it was a hassle to drive. But I have gotten used to that power with the cam and I knew the tune it had was not the best.
I was at a cross road, should I replace the cam with a stock cam or smaller cam, or should I take the risk and get it tuned by a professional with a dyno to hopefully refine the tune and make it comfortable to drive. In the end I decided to get it tuned by a very well known tuner who has a dyno.
What I suggest is that you open up the valve train and inspect the parts. Maybe you will get clues on what brand the camshaft is. If you really want to know what cam it is, you are gonna have to take off that timing cover to find out.
Best of luck
At first I did think my cam was too big for my taste, being that it was a hassle to drive. But I have gotten used to that power with the cam and I knew the tune it had was not the best.
I was at a cross road, should I replace the cam with a stock cam or smaller cam, or should I take the risk and get it tuned by a professional with a dyno to hopefully refine the tune and make it comfortable to drive. In the end I decided to get it tuned by a very well known tuner who has a dyno.
What I suggest is that you open up the valve train and inspect the parts. Maybe you will get clues on what brand the camshaft is. If you really want to know what cam it is, you are gonna have to take off that timing cover to find out.
Best of luck
Last edited by robert3elizondo; Sep 3, 2021 at 11:39 PM.
