Cam comparison
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,338
Likes: 5,115
From: Charles Town WV
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Probably wont have much luck here in the General Section, I'd try the Tech/Performance section. Really though it comes down to your goals and needs. I'd talk to your tuner and see what direction he would recomend. Just looking at the profiles the second one looks pretty small for an LS3, what manufacturer? The first one might not be a bad choice but again, depending on your goals I'd shop around with a few companies and see what they recommend. Texas Speed, BTR, Cam Motion, GPI... tons of good options out there not to hone in on one that will be perfect for what you hope to achieve. Also might help to list your current mods.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 833
Likes: 119
From: Raeford NC
Honestly, you're probably going to see a 20-30ish WHP plus or minus a few WHP between the two.
The 220/228 .581/.588 116 would be extremely mild on the ls3.
The stock ls3 cam is a 204/211 .551/.525 117.
What are your goals with the car? Just want a cam to have a cam? Race the car? If so how (drag racing, circuit, auto x), what kind of power band are you wanting from the car?
Is the car automatic or manual? The smaller one would be pretty friendly on the stock torque converter, for the larger one you're going to need a converter if it's auto.
The 220/228 .581/.588 116 would be extremely mild on the ls3.
The stock ls3 cam is a 204/211 .551/.525 117.
What are your goals with the car? Just want a cam to have a cam? Race the car? If so how (drag racing, circuit, auto x), what kind of power band are you wanting from the car?
Is the car automatic or manual? The smaller one would be pretty friendly on the stock torque converter, for the larger one you're going to need a converter if it's auto.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If the car is mostly a 'street' driven car, I would opt for the 220/228 cam ... also, it would be easier to tune than the bigger 230/238 cam
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,338
Likes: 5,115
From: Charles Town WV
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Honesty the 230/238 he mentioned isnt even that radical in LS3 terms... I run a BTR stage 2 225/238 .620/.605 113 and its pretty mild in all honesty (with a stock convertor I should add). 230/238 is a little bigger but not that much that I'd say it would be hard to tune or not street friendly. Again though it all depends on the OPs goals... for the amount of work involved in swapping cams on a C6 I would do it once do it right and wouldnt waste my time on a 220/228. Also OP: pro tip, spend the extra money/time and do new lifters... dont make the same mistake I did.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 833
Likes: 119
From: Raeford NC
The BTR Ls1/2 stage 3 is a 231/244 112.5+2.5 That's a pretty simple cam and fairly streetable on a 5.7 the larger 6.2 would have no issues with something in that size.
A 230/238 isn't big. Anyone who can tune would have no issue doing that on an LS3. If they can't dial in a 230/238 they shouldn't be touching any ls car.
I've tuned plenty of 23x/24x split cams on street-driven ls3 stuff.
Ls3 with larger cams are usually upper 230s with a 25x exhaust.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
Great info guys, I daily the car on occasion and 230 @ .050 would be the largest I'd put in it. The car is a manual 6 with a Monster LT1-S twin clutch, Trick Flow Gen X 255 heads, ported Katech throttle body and AFE Pfadt 1 7/8 Tri Y headers with 3" exhaust to 2.5" Flowmasters. Also considering the Spinmonster cam
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
The smaller cam you mentioned wouldn't be worth the time, trouble, and expense that a cam swap entails. The bigger one has more overlap than I'd want to fool with. Been there, done that, won't do it again. Cam Motion, BTR, and Tx Speed all have offerings in the range of 5 degrees of overlap or less. Spin's cam fits in there too.
When you set the cruise control at 65 mph in 6th gear and you can tell whether you're going into or with the wind by how much you car is bucking, your cam has too much overlap in my book. Not saying something like that is bad....just not for me. Some guys don't think twice about it and just shift down a gear.
The way you're set up, you don't need a bigger ill-mannered cam to make some really good power. I'm set up similar to you and touched 500 rwhp with a 0 overlap cam. On a level road, it will idle smoothy in 6th gear at 38mph. That may not matter to some. Matters to me.
When you set the cruise control at 65 mph in 6th gear and you can tell whether you're going into or with the wind by how much you car is bucking, your cam has too much overlap in my book. Not saying something like that is bad....just not for me. Some guys don't think twice about it and just shift down a gear.
The way you're set up, you don't need a bigger ill-mannered cam to make some really good power. I'm set up similar to you and touched 500 rwhp with a 0 overlap cam. On a level road, it will idle smoothy in 6th gear at 38mph. That may not matter to some. Matters to me.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Here is the Overlap calculator:
http://www.wallaceracing.com/overlap-calc.php
230/238°. .625"/.625". 113° LSA . = . + 8° Overlap
220/228°. .581"/.588". 116° LSA . = -.--8°- Overlap
Personally, for a street driven car, I would avoid a cam that is in the plus (+) overlap numbers ... such as the 230/238 cam
Just my opinion
Note .. You will notice that only duration and LSA effect the Overlap number of a cam .. Lift does not.
Overlap has a Big Big effect on the overall 'street and idle manners' (drivability) of the cam
... However, in a race car, nobody gives a **** about the 'drivability' of the cam .. is your C6 a race car ?
http://www.wallaceracing.com/overlap-calc.php
230/238°. .625"/.625". 113° LSA . = . + 8° Overlap
220/228°. .581"/.588". 116° LSA . = -.--8°- Overlap
Personally, for a street driven car, I would avoid a cam that is in the plus (+) overlap numbers ... such as the 230/238 cam
Just my opinion
Note .. You will notice that only duration and LSA effect the Overlap number of a cam .. Lift does not.
Overlap has a Big Big effect on the overall 'street and idle manners' (drivability) of the cam
... However, in a race car, nobody gives a **** about the 'drivability' of the cam .. is your C6 a race car ?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Here is a video and dyno sheet from Bigron's install of a 230/234. There is so much tuner hate out there spreading misinfo so I thought it would help you decide and weed out the BS.
Driveability which is the result of keeping overlap really low at 4 degrees
Dyno sheet showing the Tq curve and power up to 7000rpm. Rumors that it falls on its face after 6000 are false:
After ported intake and final tuning 499/459:
Anyone providing cam specs for their guess at a cam should certainly provide real actual results. I have numerous dyno sheets for installs but it would be biased.
I wouldn't call this cam max effort by any extent and it was designed to drive great. It does. Just sharing factual results from those who installed it.
Driveability which is the result of keeping overlap really low at 4 degrees
Dyno sheet showing the Tq curve and power up to 7000rpm. Rumors that it falls on its face after 6000 are false:
After ported intake and final tuning 499/459:
Anyone providing cam specs for their guess at a cam should certainly provide real actual results. I have numerous dyno sheets for installs but it would be biased.
I wouldn't call this cam max effort by any extent and it was designed to drive great. It does. Just sharing factual results from those who installed it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Someone called texas speed to have them grind the 230/234 and was told those specs make no sense. Experts abound.
You can't debate the number of people who actually installed it and got awesome results.
You can't debate the number of people who actually installed it and got awesome results.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,669
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
I would go with the smaller cam. It will be easier to tune, easier to drive, and much less stress on the valve train with the lower lift (although cam lobe shape has a big impact on longevity). The bigger cam will likely have a more radical idle/lope and will likely have more power in the upper rpm range. But I don't thing the gain is worth the trade off in driveability.
When in doubt, go with the smaller cam.
When in doubt, go with the smaller cam.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 314
Likes: 81
From: Virginia
Here is the Overlap calculator:
http://www.wallaceracing.com/overlap-calc.php
230/238°. .625"/.625". 113° LSA . = . + 8° Overlap
220/228°. .581"/.588". 116° LSA . = -.--8°- Overlap
Personally, for a street driven car, I would avoid a cam that is in the plus (+) overlap numbers ... such as the 230/238 cam
Just my opinion
Note .. You will notice that only duration and LSA effect the Overlap number of a cam .. Lift does not.
Overlap has a Big Big effect on the overall 'street and idle manners' (drivability) of the cam
... However, in a race car, nobody gives a **** about the 'drivability' of the cam .. is your C6 a race car ?
http://www.wallaceracing.com/overlap-calc.php
230/238°. .625"/.625". 113° LSA . = . + 8° Overlap
220/228°. .581"/.588". 116° LSA . = -.--8°- Overlap
Personally, for a street driven car, I would avoid a cam that is in the plus (+) overlap numbers ... such as the 230/238 cam
Just my opinion
Note .. You will notice that only duration and LSA effect the Overlap number of a cam .. Lift does not.
Overlap has a Big Big effect on the overall 'street and idle manners' (drivability) of the cam
... However, in a race car, nobody gives a **** about the 'drivability' of the cam .. is your C6 a race car ?
Here is another option for a street only car, exactly in the middle.
The cam motion Titan 2. https://cammotion.com/camshafts/tita...222-230-113-3/
222/230°. .585"/.587". 113° + 3LSA . = . 0° Overlap
I've got this in my car (LS2 short-block, LS3 top-end) - H/C/I/E. My heads, throttle body, and intake manifold were all ported. 1 7/8 headers.
Awsome mid-range, very, very streetable. But has "cam" sound for grin factor. Here are my dyno results:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-corvette-general-discussion/4647740-dyno-results.html
Last edited by Dave_in_VA; Jul 17, 2022 at 01:26 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 314
Likes: 81
From: Virginia
Great info guys, I daily the car on occasion and 230 @ .050 would be the largest I'd put in it. The car is a manual 6 with a Monster LT1-S twin clutch, Trick Flow Gen X 255 heads, ported Katech throttle body and AFE Pfadt 1 7/8 Tri Y headers with 3" exhaust to 2.5" Flowmasters. Also considering the Spinmonster cam
What cam is in the car now?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Here is another option for a street only car, exactly in the middle.
The cam motion Titan 2. https://cammotion.com/camshafts/tita...222-230-113-3/
222/230°. .585"/.587". 113° + 3LSA . = . 0° Overlap
I've got this in my car (LS2 short-block, LS3 top-end) - H/C/I/E. My heads, throttle body, and intake manifold were all ported. 1 7/8 headers.
Awsome mid-range, very, very streetable. But has "cam" sound for grin factor. Here are my dyno results:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...o-results.html
The cam motion Titan 2. https://cammotion.com/camshafts/tita...222-230-113-3/
222/230°. .585"/.587". 113° + 3LSA . = . 0° Overlap
I've got this in my car (LS2 short-block, LS3 top-end) - H/C/I/E. My heads, throttle body, and intake manifold were all ported. 1 7/8 headers.
Awsome mid-range, very, very streetable. But has "cam" sound for grin factor. Here are my dyno results:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...o-results.html
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 31
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio Texas
The smaller cam you mentioned wouldn't be worth the time, trouble, and expense that a cam swap entails. The bigger one has more overlap than I'd want to fool with. Been there, done that, won't do it again. Cam Motion, BTR, and Tx Speed all have offerings in the range of 5 degrees of overlap or less. Spin's cam fits in there too.
When you set the cruise control at 65 mph in 6th gear and you can tell whether you're going into or with the wind by how much you car is bucking, your cam has too much overlap in my book. Not saying something like that is bad....just not for me. Some guys don't think twice about it and just shift down a gear.
The way you're set up, you don't need a bigger ill-mannered cam to make some really good power. I'm set up similar to you and touched 500 rwhp with a 0 overlap cam. On a level road, it will idle smoothy in 6th gear at 38mph. That may not matter to some. Matters to me.
When you set the cruise control at 65 mph in 6th gear and you can tell whether you're going into or with the wind by how much you car is bucking, your cam has too much overlap in my book. Not saying something like that is bad....just not for me. Some guys don't think twice about it and just shift down a gear.
The way you're set up, you don't need a bigger ill-mannered cam to make some really good power. I'm set up similar to you and touched 500 rwhp with a 0 overlap cam. On a level road, it will idle smoothy in 6th gear at 38mph. That may not matter to some. Matters to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
You can make an expensive mistake by going too small on the cam too. It's not worth the time, trouble, and money to install an itty-bitty cam. If you're installing a cam to make more power, at least find one that is capable of helping make decent power. Or save that money and just stick to bolt ons.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Here is the Overlap calculator:
http://www.wallaceracing.com/overlap-calc.php
230/238°. .625"/.625". 113° LSA . = . + 8° Overlap
220/228°. .581"/.588". 116° LSA . = -.--8°- Overlap
Personally, for a street driven car, I would avoid a cam that is in the plus (+) overlap numbers ... such as the 230/238 cam
Just my opinion
Note .. You will notice that only duration and LSA effect the Overlap number of a cam .. Lift does not.
Overlap has a Big Big effect on the overall 'street and idle manners' (drivability) of the cam
... However, in a race car, nobody gives a **** about the 'drivability' of the cam .. is your C6 a race car ?
http://www.wallaceracing.com/overlap-calc.php
230/238°. .625"/.625". 113° LSA . = . + 8° Overlap
220/228°. .581"/.588". 116° LSA . = -.--8°- Overlap
Personally, for a street driven car, I would avoid a cam that is in the plus (+) overlap numbers ... such as the 230/238 cam
Just my opinion
Note .. You will notice that only duration and LSA effect the Overlap number of a cam .. Lift does not.
Overlap has a Big Big effect on the overall 'street and idle manners' (drivability) of the cam
... However, in a race car, nobody gives a **** about the 'drivability' of the cam .. is your C6 a race car ?
There seems to be a lot of discussion from people who have no experience with big cams. LS3 engines respond and drive very well with a large camshaft.