I am contemplating a cam for my '07. Nothing too big or lopey. I'm just curious as to what a cam might do to the reliable longevity of the engine. Assuming all necessary internal hardware is upgraded, ie; pushrods, springs, etc. Will the engine's life span be shortened? Will it's reliability be lessened? Just looking for some info from knowledgeable, experienced people.

Thanks

 

As long as you don't cut corners you will have nothing to worry about.

 

I don't plan on cutting corners. Whichever shop I decide to have do the install will most likely do things right. My main concern is if I'm going to have to worry about something breaking or going wrong everytime I go for a drive. Been there before and it's not fun. It was the sole reason I sold my previous vehicle. It's logical to think that as soon as you change the internals of a stock engine that it's reliability is now jeopardized.

 

It's not only logical, it's factual. Up to a point. Make any changes and things can go wrong, even hanging a new muffler can create noises, scrapes, booming, etc., as you well know. So, in a sense, you take a chance and plan it out as well as possible so that one strong component doesn't overwhelm others. Which means, one change may beget many other changes by necessity.

 

Oh believe me I'm well aware of that. However the LSx motors are extremely durable and adding equally durable components shouldn't alter it's reliability much, if any. At least that's what I'm hoping. I'd still like to hear more opinions though.

 

You can actually improve things in the process too - like adding roller rockers, better springs and titanium keepers.

 

About a year ago I added heads/cam to my C6, then about 7 months ago I added the Procharger D1SC. Not a problem so far, this is not a challenge to the car G-ds! As a matter of fact, just got back from the track after making at least 10 passes, the best being 11.19@123.71.

I guess if you build it correctly, it is durable and stable. However, you have to build it with the ultimate end in mind.

Go ahead, add the cam. You will love the way it wakes up your exhaust and the lope is just plain fun.

 

I guess waht the original poster would like to hear (and me too) is, assuming you include hardened pushrods, Ti retainers, and say dual gold Patriot springs in your cam install, much stress would a 224/230 .600/.600 cam add to an engine?

Do you have to check springs more often, change oil more often, etc etc. Can things let go in the bottom end? Especially if you tend to wind the engine out a lot.

Apart from the need to let the oil get up to temp (120+) of course.

 

Exactly. Will the car require more or frequent service? I'm not one to "wind the engine out" that much nor do I stomp on it before it's somewhat warmed up. But will the car now have new operations procedure before I can actually enjoy it?

 

When I added the cam/heads, nothing out of the usual maintenance was needed. I didn't drive the car any differently. It is my daily ride and has over 31,000 miles on it. The last 10,000 with a supercharger. The only maintenance I have with the Procharger is I change the SC oil every 3000 when I do my regular oil change.

 

Get the cam!!
I just got mine and can't wait to have it installed!!

 

and since you're not going radical, not even beginning to stress engine...

 

Thanks for all the help guys. Now I just have to get some funds together.

 

I would get it now. You won't regret it. And think about it, after you install yours, you will at the very least have double springs, which are much safer than the stock springs, so more reliable.

 

Don't go too radical and use top-quality parts... and make sure it's all installed by someone who knows what the heck they're doing... that's a good start!

In the old days though, it was hit or miss... even some of the top brand aftermarket parts would sometimes fail prematurely... and they didn't offer much support... you're on your own at that point. If something fails it could leave you stranded at the very least and could cause serious engine damage at worst.

If you want max reliability and a full uncompromised warrantee, leave the car stock. If you want to mod, roll the dice and have fun... but if you approach it intelligently and aren't afraid to spend some bucks for top of the line parts and service, I'd think you'd be ok.

I had a car years ago with a top notch aftermarket cam, springs, etc, etc, etc... everything was installed, fully blueprinted and broken in beyond perfectly. Best of the best. At about 15k miles two valve springs broke for no reason, car was never raced, never even hit redline once, never overheated, etc, etc... manufacturer accused me of over-revving and then reluctantly sent me two new free springs as a boobie prize... that's it.

Been there, done that! I'm leaving my C6 stock! 400 horses is plenty enough to get in big trouble as it is! Don't need any more trouble than that!

 

I wouldn't even bother changing the rockers, they could actually cost you power in some cases. The stock ones are fine until you go way up in power or certain forced induction applications but yes the better springs and retainers etc can actually increase reliability/longevity especially with the not so radical cams.

 

I put a 224/.581/112 LSA cam in my 01 Z28 LS1. I ran the Patriot Gold Springs and Patriot told me that I would have to change out the springs every 30,000 miles.

 

Depending on the size/specs of the cam it is possible that the valve springs might need to be replaced over time but what few people also realize is that even the factory stock springs with the stock cam (in LS1s, LS6s, LS2s etc.) go bad over time as well (especially with hard driving/high rpm use) and technically should be also be changed for maximum performance (ie: to avoid valve float).

 

What duration/lift/lsa is the stock cam in the C6?

 

Here's a thought, you can do far more damage faster with a moderately bad tune than with a moderately agressive cam (and top end).