Best cam for the LS2 heads
02-04-2011, 08:27 AM
#81
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
The Harland Sharp or Yella Terras rockers are about $400 to $550 and aren't a bad upgrade at all - the stock rockers have been known to dump their needle bearings from time to time. Plus the aftermarkets are better than the stock from a wear perspective, some reports have been made of wearing the valve guides with high lift cams and stock rockers on stock heads (though I've not had any trouble in 30,000 miles with a G5x3 and stock rockers and stock heads).
You need springs to match the cam you choose. Stock springs won't handle any cam so you are replacing springs anytime you put in a cam.
I run Patriot Extreme Gold's and they've been great for 420 drag strip runs and 30,000 miles so far. I zing them up to 6800 rpm all the time including for extended periods of time when I did the top speed runs. I did replace them at 22,000 miles and one of the keepers was broken (but still holding) - so you need to plan to replace springs at 20,000 miles or less with every cam. It's a necessary wear item when you go for the cam. I ran the Patriot Golds on my LS1 build too with no problems. They are the cheapest setup at $250 or so with titanium retainers.
You need springs to match the cam you choose. Stock springs won't handle any cam so you are replacing springs anytime you put in a cam.
I run Patriot Extreme Gold's and they've been great for 420 drag strip runs and 30,000 miles so far. I zing them up to 6800 rpm all the time including for extended periods of time when I did the top speed runs. I did replace them at 22,000 miles and one of the keepers was broken (but still holding) - so you need to plan to replace springs at 20,000 miles or less with every cam. It's a necessary wear item when you go for the cam. I ran the Patriot Golds on my LS1 build too with no problems. They are the cheapest setup at $250 or so with titanium retainers.
is certainly good but keep in mind your Pushtods must be .100 longer
putting them at 7.5 and the Springs are already installed in the TFS.
You may also order TF's cut to chamber size CC to arrive at the Compression in combination with a thinner gasket. Those who want to run a real big CAM should also think about Compression. All for about $3,000 for the complete TF setup. The OP says all I need is 450 - 500 RW. Well reaching 450 is one thing and has been done uncountable times with Mid size Cams & 243's but 500RW is quite a task and if you want the Car to also have Manners is what Spinmonster emphasies.
The op may want to consider just shjooting for 450 -460 save maney and be happy with that.
02-07-2011, 12:43 PM
#82
since good drivibility is probobly your main concern. I would go with the spinmonster 230/234 cam. A version of this cam is used big time over on the gto boards with huge success. Its a 230/232 but other than slightly smaller exhaust duration its a spinmonster cam. Its called the nssp cam and several of the m6 gtos with a fast have hit 460 rwhp with great drivibility and have trapped 118 which is high for a heavy gto, the cam in a c6 would most likely go over 120mph in the quarter. Here are some great threads about it.
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398480
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398480
02-08-2011, 10:50 AM
#83
Racer
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since good drivibility is probobly your main concern. I would go with the spinmonster 230/234 cam. A version of this cam is used big time over on the gto boards with huge success. Its a 230/232 but other than slightly smaller exhaust duration its a spinmonster cam. Its called the nssp cam and several of the m6 gtos with a fast have hit 460 rwhp with great drivibility and have trapped 118 which is high for a heavy gto, the cam in a c6 would most likely go over 120mph in the quarter. Here are some great threads about it.
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398480
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398480
07-14-2011, 11:29 AM
#84
Drifting
since good drivibility is probobly your main concern. I would go with the spinmonster 230/234 cam. A version of this cam is used big time over on the gto boards with huge success. Its a 230/232 but other than slightly smaller exhaust duration its a spinmonster cam. Its called the nssp cam and several of the m6 gtos with a fast have hit 460 rwhp with great drivibility and have trapped 118 which is high for a heavy gto, the cam in a c6 would most likely go over 120mph in the quarter. Here are some great threads about it.
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398480
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398480
07-14-2011, 01:38 PM
#86
Track Junky
since good drivibility is probobly your main concern. I would go with the spinmonster 230/234 cam. A version of this cam is used big time over on the gto boards with huge success. Its a 230/232 but other than slightly smaller exhaust duration its a spinmonster cam. Its called the nssp cam and several of the m6 gtos with a fast have hit 460 rwhp with great drivibility and have trapped 118 which is high for a heavy gto, the cam in a c6 would most likely go over 120mph in the quarter. Here are some great threads about it.
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398480
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398480
07-14-2011, 01:49 PM
#87
Tech Contributor
I'm a bit skeptical about that 30 mpg..are you driving 55 mph?
How did you calculate that? You can't go by the DIC if you're tuned, particularly if your injectors have been scaled.
I would like to see what your mileage would be over a few fillups. Here's why.
I've tracked every tank since new. I'm getting 21 sometimes 22 in my daily driver as outfitted with 4.10 gears. My daily drive has changed to 95% highway and I'm wondering how my mileage would improve with 3.42's. I only lost 1 mph when I put in 4.10's, but my daily drive at that time was 80% city where the gears don't matter as much for MPG.
Care to track a few tanks for me?
07-14-2011, 02:13 PM
#88
Go Canes!
So far, according to my display, my average (after-cam) MPG went down from 18 to 12!!! Holy $hizzzzzz!! 
Granted, that was after 4-5 dyno pulls and slightly spirited driving since I got it back, but still that's a huge difference. I had driven spiritedly before the cam also!!
Granted, that was after 4-5 dyno pulls and slightly spirited driving since I got it back, but still that's a huge difference. I had driven spiritedly before the cam also!!
07-14-2011, 02:17 PM
#89
Track Junky
Joe, I will track it as best I can but I don't spend much time on the highway. I also don't have much patience to burn through an entire tank of gas without playing a bit.
After my last tune, the 70 mile drive home gave me 30.3 mpg (highway time was tracked only) on the DIC and about 28 using pencil and paper. I figure with some stop and go traffic on both ends, the DIC was probably close. Before any tune it was showing me 27-28 mpg onthe DIC.
As time goes on, I will update to see how closethe DIC actually is. For what it's worth, I only get 16-18 mpg babying it around town.
After my last tune, the 70 mile drive home gave me 30.3 mpg (highway time was tracked only) on the DIC and about 28 using pencil and paper. I figure with some stop and go traffic on both ends, the DIC was probably close. Before any tune it was showing me 27-28 mpg onthe DIC.
As time goes on, I will update to see how closethe DIC actually is. For what it's worth, I only get 16-18 mpg babying it around town.
07-14-2011, 02:38 PM
#90
Team Owner
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Great read thanks Spin and others.
Some interesting cams on the TF site as well.
the TF 215 head
and the 238/242, .595/.595, 112
3000-7000 rpms
Seams to be all saying Good midrange, stong top end.
Last edited by AU N EGL; 07-14-2011 at 03:29 PM.
07-14-2011, 05:41 PM
#91
Tech Contributor
So far, according to my display, my average (after-cam) MPG went down from 18 to 12!!! Holy $hizzzzzz!!
Granted, that was after 4-5 dyno pulls and slightly spirited driving since I got it back, but still that's a huge difference. I had driven spiritedly before the cam also!!
Granted, that was after 4-5 dyno pulls and slightly spirited driving since I got it back, but still that's a huge difference. I had driven spiritedly before the cam also!!
I just checked my spreadsheet....my car, bone stock, got 21.59 on the way to Sebring....and 8.37 for the tank I burned up at Sebring! I recall the dic being accurate at that point, because I filled up before the event right by the track and burned through a whole tank before the day was up.
But this is interesting to me....my car, BONE STOCK, got 21.59 mpg on the trips to Moroso and Sebring (within 2 weeks of buying it by the way...
)and I'm still getting 21-22 now on the highway every day...and I've turned it from a 12.99 machine to a 10.99 machine (I may have learned to drive it a little better too).
05-24-2014, 12:44 PM
#93
Pro
I Have 243 heads enhanced by Performance Induction to LMR's stage 3R spec's, comp cams 54-459-11 (LSR) camshaft, Fast 90 unported intake with LG 1.75" headers, 6 speed tranny. Car layed down 487 rwhp & 440 rwtq thru 3.90 gears in the middle of the Texas summer. Very streetable, this cam isn't designed for max HP. Factory heads can perform for less money. If FI was in the cars future I believe aftermarket heads are better because of a thicker deck. I have no regrets. Just my .02 cents.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXfkePZR5bA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXfkePZR5bA
06-13-2014, 10:23 AM
#94
Pro
My cam is the Comp Cams 281LR HR13 (231/239 & .617/.624), Stage 3R LS6 heads (2.10 int/ 1.575 ex with 240 cc runners) milled for static CR of 11.2:1 done by Performance Induction. Comp pushrods & lifters. Stock rockers.UD pulley. 160 deg stat. Ron Davis radiator. Unported Fast 90. RPS twin disc carbon clutch. LG Pro longtube headers. Varam CAI. DTE stage 3 differential w/ 3.90's. Toyo R888 rear tires (stick like glue on the street).
Car sounds awesome at idle with some body shake, no driveabilty issues at all concerning the cam, and runs like a bat outta he!!.The RPS clutch is like a light switch. On or off. That took some getting used to, nothing to do with the cam. Again, I have no regrets and can only share with you the results of my build which I'm very pleased with. Good luck and hope this helps. PS- Best advise I can give you is seek professional advice, use internet forums for info only.
Car sounds awesome at idle with some body shake, no driveabilty issues at all concerning the cam, and runs like a bat outta he!!.The RPS clutch is like a light switch. On or off. That took some getting used to, nothing to do with the cam. Again, I have no regrets and can only share with you the results of my build which I'm very pleased with. Good luck and hope this helps. PS- Best advise I can give you is seek professional advice, use internet forums for info only.
06-13-2014, 11:00 AM
#95
Supporting Vendor
Disclaimer: i did not read every post in this thread
Last Ls2 car we did made a little over 460rwhp cam only. What alot of "The best cam" is about is what you are using it for. There is a lot of numbers in here in alot of different set ups with alot of different people. Whats best for one person may not be the best for the next person.
The car im talking about that made over 460 cam only has a cam in it thats alot smaller than most posted in this thread and drives like stock. It also has a torque graph like a table top.
Just a few things to consider.
-Reid
Last Ls2 car we did made a little over 460rwhp cam only. What alot of "The best cam" is about is what you are using it for. There is a lot of numbers in here in alot of different set ups with alot of different people. Whats best for one person may not be the best for the next person.
The car im talking about that made over 460 cam only has a cam in it thats alot smaller than most posted in this thread and drives like stock. It also has a torque graph like a table top.
Just a few things to consider.
-Reid
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04-18-2017, 02:10 PM
#96
My cam is the Comp Cams 281LR HR13 (231/239 & .617/.624), Stage 3R LS6 heads (2.10 int/ 1.575 ex with 240 cc runners) milled for static CR of 11.2:1 done by Performance Induction. Comp pushrods & lifters. Stock rockers.UD pulley. 160 deg stat. Ron Davis radiator. Unported Fast 90. RPS twin disc carbon clutch. LG Pro longtube headers. Varam CAI. DTE stage 3 differential w/ 3.90's. Toyo R888 rear tires (stick like glue on the street).
Car sounds awesome at idle with some body shake, no driveabilty issues at all concerning the cam, and runs like a bat outta he!!.The RPS clutch is like a light switch. On or off. That took some getting used to, nothing to do with the cam. Again, I have no regrets and can only share with you the results of my build which I'm very pleased with. Good luck and hope this helps. PS- Best advise I can give you is seek professional advice, use internet forums for info only.
Car sounds awesome at idle with some body shake, no driveabilty issues at all concerning the cam, and runs like a bat outta he!!.The RPS clutch is like a light switch. On or off. That took some getting used to, nothing to do with the cam. Again, I have no regrets and can only share with you the results of my build which I'm very pleased with. Good luck and hope this helps. PS- Best advise I can give you is seek professional advice, use internet forums for info only.
05-05-2017, 03:45 PM
#97
2nd Gear
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Disclaimer: i did not read every post in this thread
Last Ls2 car we did made a little over 460rwhp cam only. What alot of "The best cam" is about is what you are using it for. There is a lot of numbers in here in alot of different set ups with alot of different people. Whats best for one person may not be the best for the next person.
The car im talking about that made over 460 cam only has a cam in it thats alot smaller than most posted in this thread and drives like stock. It also has a torque graph like a table top.
Just a few things to consider.
LMR Slayer Package picks up over 125rwhp on ls2 corvette!!! - YouTube
-Reid
Last Ls2 car we did made a little over 460rwhp cam only. What alot of "The best cam" is about is what you are using it for. There is a lot of numbers in here in alot of different set ups with alot of different people. Whats best for one person may not be the best for the next person.
The car im talking about that made over 460 cam only has a cam in it thats alot smaller than most posted in this thread and drives like stock. It also has a torque graph like a table top.
Just a few things to consider.
LMR Slayer Package picks up over 125rwhp on ls2 corvette!!! - YouTube
-Reid
how big/small cam were you using ? i have a ls2 gto manual and as it is a heavy car i want a fairly mild cam and you seems to get it right with this corvette ls2
