Looking for anyone who has installed an LS7 cam in an LS2. What were your results?

 

 

Not really worth the trouble. Get a bigger cam.

 

If you are going to go through the trouble of putting a cam in you might as well put a cam in that is going to match what you are looking for. There are a lot of cams out there that would be a better choice. If you need help picking out a cam feel free to give us a call we would be more than happy to spec something out for you.

 

Sometime when people ask these questions, they want an answer so they themselves can determine if it is worth it to them...

Maybe the OP can get the LS7 cam dirt cheap or free...and they already know a different cam would yield better results... but how much better would they be...hence the question...

IJS

 

I assume the OP is looking for a cam to get some HP improvements yet retain stock like manors. The GT-11 from LPE, or Thunder Racing CheatR cam V.2 both have similar "final" specs to the Z06 cam yet will produce better results on an LS2. Don't forget the Z06 cam is used with 1.8 rockers not 1.7s like the LS2.

You could get a shop to custom grind you a cam to meet your needs as well but you need to figure out first what you want the cam to do for you and what you're willing to tolerate.

 

I think there was somebody in the past few months who did this. If I remember correctly, he picked up 20ish rwhp. Run a search to see if the thread pops up.

 

Thanks for the post. What I was trying to determine, for a friend who has a similar car to mine is, is it necessary to replace the springs and push rods, and if so, can you use LS7 springs. The car is in California, so, there is some concern about passing the smog test. A 214/230 ZO6 cam shouldn't be a problem. I agree that there are an abundant supply of cams to choose from, what my friend is looking for is taking one came out and putting another one in without changing anything else.

Thanks

 

Cams, as a general guide, are DIRT CHEAP compared to the ancillary costs of springs, pushrods, seals, lube, timing chain, maybe upgraded rocker arms, etc (and/or the labor cost) which so often accompany the switch. Paying a shop to do it is what, around $2K or more? Doing it yourself will still cost twice what a new cam runs with all the extras included (fluids, seals, timing chain, springs, oil changes, etc), and that's not counting rocker arm upgrades or push rods which most usually change out while they're there - and don't forget the retune either.

To throw in a used cam, much less a "free" used cam that is at best a compromise and won't maximize the power for your goals really just seems like a waste of time, money and effort with buyer's remorse just written all over it (that still would cost the OP several hundreds of dollars). I mean if you're that one guy out of fifty that swaps out cams every few months reusing all the old parts (and tune) then sure, I can see experimenting for the hell of it - but it's still ultimately gambling away the costs of the install+time, I don't get that vibe from the OP and that style probably won't maximize the gains anyway, and it all becomes futile after a while.

So in my mind if you're going through the trouble of tearing into a modern engine for a cam swap, if that $300 difference between a used compromise cam and the "perfect" new cam is such a deal-breaker... then maybe you shouldn't do the swap! But if you have specific goals in mind, and want to maximize the gains for that goal - then the multitude of "there's dozens of better choices" replies ought to be the answer right there.

Just my opinion, naturally.