need advice on cam choice
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Montreal Quebec
need advice on cam choice
planning to install a cam on my ls2 vette, I want a few more ponies and that nice sound at idle. The car is only street driven and I want a cam that will work with the stock head components of the car and will not affect the reliability of the car. Also I have a billyboat bullet exhaust and stock manifolds ( not planning to get long tubes headers because the car is loud enough for me ) Any suggestions ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 2
From: Woodinville WA
planning to install a cam on my ls2 vette, I want a few more ponies and that nice sound at idle. The car is only street driven and I want a cam that will work with the stock head components of the car and will not affect the reliability of the car. Also I have a billyboat bullet exhaust and stock manifolds ( not planning to get long tubes headers because the car is loud enough for me ) Any suggestions ?
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
I just put Spin's 230/234 in my LS2 and love it. I bumped up the CR to 11.4 with Cometic gaskets and added all the accessories - timing chain, springs, pushrods, UD pulley and ported stock heads. Went from 386/392 to SAE corrected 474/442.
You should take a look at LG's website to compare before and after dyno results as well as searching the forum for cam specs with drivability impressions/complaints.
You should take a look at LG's website to compare before and after dyno results as well as searching the forum for cam specs with drivability impressions/complaints.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 21
From: Placitas New Mexico
I just put Spin's 230/234 in my LS2 and love it. I bumped up the CR to 11.4 with Cometic gaskets and added all the accessories - timing chain, springs, pushrods, UD pulley and ported stock heads. Went from 386/392 to SAE corrected 474/442.
You should take a look at LG's website to compare before and after dyno results as well as searching the forum for cam specs with drivability impressions/complaints.
You should take a look at LG's website to compare before and after dyno results as well as searching the forum for cam specs with drivability impressions/complaints.
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
I didn't flycut. If I remember correctly, I was 0.065 PTV intake and 0.095 exhaust. Advanced induction measured my entire rotating assembly together, which made me a bit more comfortable. I was pretty nervous the first time I took it up to 6500 RPM... Nothing touched then so Im pretty sure I will be ok unless I miss a shift.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
There are a lot of good choices between the 230°/234° and the stock cam. Really depends on what you are want to get and what you are willing to sacrifice. Everyone on this and other forums will say this or that cam is what you should get. You will end up going around in circles and end up back at the beginning. There are lots of threads here and on the LS1 tech that can help you with the expected gains on different cams.
If you plan to stay with the stock exhaust manifolds and stock intake, the power gain will be somewhat limited and perhaps even disappointing for the money spent. Realize that the stock LS2 intake manifold and heads will be a limiting factor so you may actually be better off getting a smaller cam even though the max HP number will be higher.
The magazines have many cam tests published for the LS engine. I like the facts so I can make my own decision rather than someone I never met telling me to their cam because its the best.
Just Google "LS Engine Cam Test". Here is one of many cam tests articles on-line: LS ENGINE CAM TEST
Good Luck.
If you plan to stay with the stock exhaust manifolds and stock intake, the power gain will be somewhat limited and perhaps even disappointing for the money spent. Realize that the stock LS2 intake manifold and heads will be a limiting factor so you may actually be better off getting a smaller cam even though the max HP number will be higher.
The magazines have many cam tests published for the LS engine. I like the facts so I can make my own decision rather than someone I never met telling me to their cam because its the best.
Just Google "LS Engine Cam Test". Here is one of many cam tests articles on-line: LS ENGINE CAM TEST
Good Luck.
Last edited by Mez; May 28, 2011 at 10:52 PM.
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Mez is right. Countless choices out there, it comes down to the results and drivability you are looking for. I got my intake and TB ported to help some of the restriction, but I'm sure a FAST would help even more. I just can't justify spending $1000 more for an additional 10-15 hp at this point.
Do some research. Talk to guys who have done different setups. Drive in their cars if possible. That will be the best tale of the tape.
Do some research. Talk to guys who have done different setups. Drive in their cars if possible. That will be the best tale of the tape.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southeast TX
[QUOTE=Mez;1577736014]There are a lot of good choices between the 230°/234° and the stock cam. Really depends on what you are want to get and what you are willing to sacrifice. Everyone on this and other forums will say this or that cam is what you should get.
And there are lots of good choices between the 230 cams and the LS9 cam. If you read enough here, you'd think that it's either one or the other. 220/224 114lsa would give you a nice bump in power (and a sweet idle) without losing stock type drivability. Comps XE lobes would even allow stock valve train if you weren't looking for a lot of high rpm usage.
And there are lots of good choices between the 230 cams and the LS9 cam. If you read enough here, you'd think that it's either one or the other. 220/224 114lsa would give you a nice bump in power (and a sweet idle) without losing stock type drivability. Comps XE lobes would even allow stock valve train if you weren't looking for a lot of high rpm usage.