Is a small cam worth it?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
Is a small cam worth it?
Planning on buying a 2009 C6 Coupe with manual and Z51 option. Mod are planned with Haltech LS3 CAI and Beehive shroud, lower temp thermostat, Kooks 1 3/4" long tube headers, catted X-pipe, Borla Touring axle back exhaust, lowered on stock bolts and a tune & dyno pull or two. Will be moving back to Henderson, NV. prior to buying the 09 C6.
Would a small aftermarket cam and new springs be worth it, since I'm not doing any mods to the intake system?
Would a small aftermarket cam and new springs be worth it, since I'm not doing any mods to the intake system?
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 18
From: Winchester CA
Planning on buying a 2009 C6 Coupe with manual and Z51 option. Mod are planned with Haltech LS3 CAI and Beehive shroud, lower temp thermostat, Kooks 1 3/4" long tube headers, catted X-pipe, Borla Touring axle back exhaust, lowered on stock bolts and a tune & dyno pull or two. Will be moving back to Henderson, NV. prior to buying the 09 C6.
Would a small aftermarket cam and new springs be worth it, since I'm not doing any mods to the intake system?
Would a small aftermarket cam and new springs be worth it, since I'm not doing any mods to the intake system?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
RyneZ06, something around 224/230 duration.
Homer3D, yours is a little more intake lift & a little less exhaust lift than what I'm planning. Sure would like a little idle rattle though with this cam change. 50+ rwhp/50+ rwtq sounds great.
Homer3D, yours is a little more intake lift & a little less exhaust lift than what I'm planning. Sure would like a little idle rattle though with this cam change. 50+ rwhp/50+ rwtq sounds great.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,442
Likes: 18
From: Winchester CA
A 224-230 is worth about 35-45rwhp on a ls3 with proper tuning... It will have a slight idle depending on the lsa .. We have some nice custom grinds for ls3's, feel free to pm me for info...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
On the LS3 it will make around 465 to 470 to the wheels. Something being worth it, is clearly individual. 50hp for 2500 bucks is about $50 per hp and within reason.
A 228/232 has made as much as 493rwhp (LG motorsports) as posted by Lou Jr on LS1tech. Its likely to average 475-480rwhp though.
Since a 228/232 drives nearly perfect and passed the sniffer for me in NY, I'd say its a better move with no downside that I can think of. I also had the XER273HR from comp cams which is a 224/230 114+1 and that passed the sniffer too.
Good luck with your mods and enjoy the new car.
A 228/232 has made as much as 493rwhp (LG motorsports) as posted by Lou Jr on LS1tech. Its likely to average 475-480rwhp though.
Since a 228/232 drives nearly perfect and passed the sniffer for me in NY, I'd say its a better move with no downside that I can think of. I also had the XER273HR from comp cams which is a 224/230 114+1 and that passed the sniffer too.
Good luck with your mods and enjoy the new car.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
C5FRCPewter, I think the gains are cam & springs. I went from 364 rwhp to 397 rwhp with Z06 intake & Filter, 160 t-stat, Kooks 1 7/8" headers, Kooks catted X-pipe, Borla Touring axle back exhaust, and a tune. If this cam/spring change is good for >50 rwhp, I'm in. But, there's always a but, a cam change is $2,000 with parts and labor(cam, pushrods, valve springs, gaskets, oil, coolant). Hey, ya only live once, right? 
Eh, need an oil change anyway. 
Eh, need an oil change anyway.
That ls3 will be a beast even with a small cam. And you will love the added power trust me. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
i moved out in 08 and did inspections (license still valid
)anyway.. thought the sniffer went away in NY and it's now plug in to scan the ODBII's
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 283
From: West Dundee IL
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Look into the LPE GT-11 cam. It idles very tame and has a good amount of lift and duration. It doesn't even require a higher stall converter with an auto. My car made great power and pulls hard.