What is next for my LS2?
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Having been there and done this and knowing what it cost to have those heads touched up by mamo as well as the head cost alone I speak from experience when I say it's an inefficient use of money but to each to his own 
If all you wanted was 410 hp then you wouldn't be talking about FI? u The factory cam is only so efficient and it is meant to meet certain criteria. When you increase the efficiency of the heads and leave the cam your leaving a lot on the table but if that is what you want to do then its your ball game but why spend that money on heads to only use 1/2 their potential.. that part just doesn't make sense to me but again to each his own.. should perform well, that is not in question.
If all you wanted was 410 hp then you wouldn't be talking about FI? u The factory cam is only so efficient and it is meant to meet certain criteria. When you increase the efficiency of the heads and leave the cam your leaving a lot on the table but if that is what you want to do then its your ball game but why spend that money on heads to only use 1/2 their potential.. that part just doesn't make sense to me but again to each his own.. should perform well, that is not in question.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
From: Tampa (Cigar City) (The Big Sombrero)
If your thinking about doing head work on your stock heads...then consider selling them outright, or trading and buying after market. If I read correctly someone on this thread offered head work for $1,6xx.....I bought used ETP heads and traded my used LS2 heads on them and paid a difference of $1,800....definetly worth the extra $200 or so.
If you had to pay $2200 or so for TrickFlows...after trading or selling your stock heads...that only a $5xx difference......which I think would be worth it
If you had to pay $2200 or so for TrickFlows...after trading or selling your stock heads...that only a $5xx difference......which I think would be worth it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 52
From: Sicamous BC
Do you have supporting information, preferably before & after dyno runs? 
I'm not sure if I will be happy with this combination, this why I said hoping for around 410 on the same Mustang dyno. If that does not work for me then go the FI route. Why FI, cause I never have had one, I've had several different H/C & displacements combinations, my C5 currently has some haywire deal underway.
Cams generally have some kink somewhere, even the very small as you have suggested.
I think my combination will perform better overall than a cam only with the same bolt ons. The goal here is absolute stock manners.
Should the cam be changed latter, there won't be any serious overlap of work, as the heads will not have to come off.
Anyways this is really just to give the OP another idea what his next step maybe. A head change maybe something he is more comfortable doing rather than the cam change.
I should also add I would not do this with anything other than higher velocity small port cylinder head. A modified stock casting would not provide the low rpm response I'm looking, neither would the LS3 head.
I'm not sure if I will be happy with this combination, this why I said hoping for around 410 on the same Mustang dyno. If that does not work for me then go the FI route. Why FI, cause I never have had one, I've had several different H/C & displacements combinations, my C5 currently has some haywire deal underway.
Cams generally have some kink somewhere, even the very small as you have suggested.
I think my combination will perform better overall than a cam only with the same bolt ons. The goal here is absolute stock manners.
Should the cam be changed latter, there won't be any serious overlap of work, as the heads will not have to come off.
Anyways this is really just to give the OP another idea what his next step maybe. A head change maybe something he is more comfortable doing rather than the cam change.
I should also add I would not do this with anything other than higher velocity small port cylinder head. A modified stock casting would not provide the low rpm response I'm looking, neither would the LS3 head.
Having been there and done this and knowing what it cost to have those heads touched up by mamo as well as the head cost alone I speak from experience when I say it's an inefficient use of money but to each to his own
If all you wanted was 410 hp then you wouldn't be talking about FI? u The factory cam is only so efficient and it is meant to meet certain criteria. When you increase the efficiency of the heads and leave the cam your leaving a lot on the table but if that is what you want to do then its your ball game but why spend that money on heads to only use 1/2 their potential.. that part just doesn't make sense to me but again to each his own.. should perform well, that is not in question.
If all you wanted was 410 hp then you wouldn't be talking about FI? u The factory cam is only so efficient and it is meant to meet certain criteria. When you increase the efficiency of the heads and leave the cam your leaving a lot on the table but if that is what you want to do then its your ball game but why spend that money on heads to only use 1/2 their potential.. that part just doesn't make sense to me but again to each his own.. should perform well, that is not in question.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 413
From: Phoenix, AZ
I'll have to do some research over the winter to see what vendors sell a mild CAM/Heads and also a procedure on how to do this install. I also like the idea of having the OEM heads modified to keep the original look it's cost effective.
If you have tools and patience you can do it yourself. The cam swap is harder than the head swap but both are completely do-a-ble if your competent with a wrench. First timers have to start somewhere and there is plenty of help on this board to pull you through. Heck you can even get the tuning help you need here and the software to do it as well. Internal engine work I would leave to a pro but swapping parts (like this) is not rocket science, its a matter of tools and a hand that knows how to turn a wrench.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 889
From: Tampa Florida
Would you consider the 224/228? Because I have for $100 shipped to your address. That could save you $250. I upgraded to a 230/234. The 224/228 made 439/405.....lots of top end with this cam. This particular cam is probably close to that 224/230......just ask you mechanic. The cam had about 6000 miles. Just let me know.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
So did you swap from a ported 90 FAST or a ported stock LS2 intake to the FAST 102 and saw really good gains? Sorry, I'm not following what steps you made.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 413
From: Phoenix, AZ
Currently this is what I've installed in my 2005 Corvette LS2 6-Speed
- Vararam Intake
- Spinmaster Ported Intake/Throttle Body
- 180 Degree Thermostat
- LG Headers with High Flow Cats
- Full Corsa Exhaust
- Doug Rippie Dyno Tune
382 RWHP
I'm leaning towards installing my own CAM but I'm really uneducated on what all I need for parts and tools. I have downloaded a procedure which will help and it sounds like I need a CAM, Springs, Rods, and Chain. I would like a CAM that has good driveability, reliability, performance, and I want it to sound like a car that has a high performance CAM at idle.
Please let me know of the Brand/Specs of CAM's you guys have installed and where you bought them. I'd like to buy a package deal from one of our reps too!
- Vararam Intake
- Spinmaster Ported Intake/Throttle Body
- 180 Degree Thermostat
- LG Headers with High Flow Cats
- Full Corsa Exhaust
- Doug Rippie Dyno Tune
382 RWHP
I'm leaning towards installing my own CAM but I'm really uneducated on what all I need for parts and tools. I have downloaded a procedure which will help and it sounds like I need a CAM, Springs, Rods, and Chain. I would like a CAM that has good driveability, reliability, performance, and I want it to sound like a car that has a high performance CAM at idle.
Please let me know of the Brand/Specs of CAM's you guys have installed and where you bought them. I'd like to buy a package deal from one of our reps too!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
I've been in your shoes and what you have to do is read and read some more. Use the search function and read various threads to draw your own conclusion of what you read and what you're looking to achieve. There are a ton of great options out there and relying on us to point you in the best direction for you is not the best way. There are tons of threads with cam results, etc that will help you in figuring this out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 413
From: Phoenix, AZ
I looked at the LG Motorsports G5X2 CAM and Springs. The salesman said I had to buy new rods but some other people say use the stock ones. Also he said I needed to buy a new timing chain but my car only has 29k miles. I want to save money by installing it myself and I'm a bit conservative so I want to go with the best all around CAM package for price/performance/reliability.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
I looked at the LG Motorsports G5X2 CAM and Springs. The salesman said I had to buy new rods but some other people say use the stock ones. Also he said I needed to buy a new timing chain but my car only has 29k miles. I want to save money by installing it myself and I'm a bit conservative so I want to go with the best all around CAM package for price/performance/reliability.
I can tell you from personal experience do it right and upgrade the chain. I snapped my chain cruising @45mph under minimal throttle. Pushrods are like $100 IIRC so that's a no brainer to just go ahead and do and not worry about them down the road if you happen to over rev the motor by mistake. I totally understand being conservative and trying to save where you can but cam swaps require a few bucks up front to avoid more likely bigger bills down the road if a "budget/stock" part gives out.
I like LG products from what I've seen/read from those that have them on their car.
Last edited by LEAVINU; Mar 2, 2011 at 06:03 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 22
From: Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania
I looked at the LG Motorsports G5X2 CAM and Springs. The salesman said I had to buy new rods but some other people say use the stock ones. Also he said I needed to buy a new timing chain but my car only has 29k miles. I want to save money by installing it myself and I'm a bit conservative so I want to go with the best all around CAM package for price/performance/reliability.
