Hey guys, I have two cam choices in front of me and having a hard time which to choose. I would greatly appreciate your input on the differences between the two.

The first: SpinMonster 230/234 .613/.598 14+2

The Second: 230/238 .600/.615 113+3

These two cams are pretty close in spec so i'm wondering what the differences will be. Any input? The mods to go along with the cam are as follows:

1 7/8 Headers
ported FAST 102
AI 226cc full CNC 243 heads milled for 12.0cr
BTR .660 springs
stock rockers w/ trunion upgrade
SLP oil pump
lifters, pushrods, etc.

P.S. if you're reading this Spin, not trying to go over your head or challenge your knowledge, just wanting to get a comparison to this cam without further pestering you with PM's

 

Both are just above the "mild" range " IMHO

Is it a 6-speed or A4 ?
If your car is an A4 the 114 would be easier to tune if NOT stalled
I like the bigger one with both int and exh over .600
The other ones seems like a lot of duration for such low lift

 

The car is a 6 speed.

 

Old school way of picking a cam---Do all your research--phone calls etc----- choose a cam--THEN go one size LARGER !!!
In your case "I" would choose then the larger one of the 2

 

If running a 12.0 CR as you might be suggesting I'd opt for the bigger split. Just my .02

Numerous people swear by the Spin cam so feedback should get interesting.

 

If you want better idle and low throttle response I would think the Spinmonster will be better. The second may provide slightly better peak hp. Thats my guess.
4* vs 8* of overlap

 

they are two very similar cams. Pretty much spins cam with a slightly longer exhaust duration and a little bit tighter lsa.

The bigger split should extend the power band a bit and the peak numbers should be pretty close.

What affect will the 113* lsa have vs the 114?

 

Both have advanced timing so you are looking at a 110 vs 112 truly. I like the 110 in my car.

 

110 being the 230/238 correct?

I'm leaning towards that one I think. I'm planning on making the heads step 2 of the build and they will come later with flycutting at the same time. Id even like to go 234/238 but I don't think that I will have enough PTV clearance without flycutting the pistons with that one.

 

Correct.

 

OMG...
you nailed it lol

ok... perhaps i'm a biased solid lifter type of guy that subscribes to this type of thinking

 

I ordered and installed all of these cams:

230/242 114
230/236 114
230/230 115
230/234 114

They were all within 3hp of each other. Our engines have a HP peak forced at 6300 RPM because of the runner size of the intake manifold. As a result, the specs should place the peak there. My cam peaks at 6350 with 400rwtq at 3500rpm with the power running out to 6800. Narrower LSA's narrow down the power band as does advance. Bigger splits extend the top end RPM out for cams that peak too soon (mine doesnt). LS3 heads dont like big overlap cams.

A 230/234 114 is 4 degrees overlap and a 230/238 113 is 8 degrees overlap. Lower overlap drives better. They are both 230 cams and will make similar power. I saw a 480rwhp result on an LS3 with a 230/238. The highest my cam ever made was 504rwhp and the low was 478. One of the guys who made the 478 sent his cam to be cam doctored and the 230/234 114 turned out to be ground as a 234/234 113.

I dont sell cams. I just shared factual info on what I install and they arent guesses.

I would install a proven cam to get a result that was established with great driveability.

 

Tighter LSAs narrow the power band and increases overlap. LS3 heads dont like overlap which is why as you go bigger on cams with these heads you rarely see power much above 500rwhp.

The solution is to widen the LSA and increase compression to compensate for the later closing intake valve. That gets you better driveability, better fuel economy, less emissions, more TQ, and a wider power band (negating the need for a bigger split).

 

A 234 on a 114 is just about .080" and the limit of what fits with unmilled heads/stock gaskets.

 

My cam actually has a nasty idle but drives perfect. The revs are music. Top end hp on my cam pulls through 6800rpm. A 230 113+3 peaks earlier than a 230 114+2.

Not so good tune with a lower idle:



This car goes lumpy idle as it warms up. At 50 seconds into the video, its pretty typical of what I hear when the idle is higher around 900rpm.



Bigger, higher overlap cams hardly ever hit 500rwhp in the LS3. The only 230/238 cam result I know of was 482rwhp. Anyone see a better result with it? The G6X3 is about as big as it gets and its in the 490 to 501rwhp range with untouched heads too. Bigger isnt better on the LS3 head. Either cam the OP uses will be fine. 4 degrees overlap and average HP in the 490's works for me.

 

What do you think about these specs for the typical cam only ls3? 230/240 114

 

I probably should have specified that this will be going in an ls2, not ls3.

 

In my personal opinion the ls2 is more forgiving to cam specs. Your pick will depend on what are your goals.

 

One mis information above is the 113+* or 114+*. the LSA doesnt change to a 110 or a 112 is the intake center line the ICL. the LSA still is the 113 and the ICL with 2* of advance changes to a 110 ICL.

these cams are sure close to our STG 2 cam. we see 475-490 RWHP on Ls3 cars. great DD manners also with a cam like this. You will love either one for a DD

 

Good info. I was confused by that post. Thanks for the clarification!