LS2 CAM Options..........
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
LS2 CAM Options..........
I know I am about to get murdered for asking this question. But I did do plenty of searches, but there is sooo much information to go through. What everyone wants for their car is different, so I was hoping you guys can just help me out, straight to the point. Make my life easier than wading through thread after thread.
Local Houston guy, 2005 C6 LS2, auto trans. I want to know what cam to get. It’s not my daily driver, but I do want to not affect drivability and reliability. I want it have a nice aggressive sound. I don’t take it on the track (have once) but don’t see myself doing that more than once or twice a year. I just want a street car that sounds good and has some more power, and has no problem cranking up and going down the street for some groceries. Also need to stay within in budget. I have axel back corsa sports, and I am planning to order the TSP Headers 1 7/8 this weekend and wanted to do the cam/tune at the same time. What else should I take in consideration? What are my options? Also, I am not well versed in this area so dont hit me hard with the tech lingo.. Thanks in advance.
Local Houston guy, 2005 C6 LS2, auto trans. I want to know what cam to get. It’s not my daily driver, but I do want to not affect drivability and reliability. I want it have a nice aggressive sound. I don’t take it on the track (have once) but don’t see myself doing that more than once or twice a year. I just want a street car that sounds good and has some more power, and has no problem cranking up and going down the street for some groceries. Also need to stay within in budget. I have axel back corsa sports, and I am planning to order the TSP Headers 1 7/8 this weekend and wanted to do the cam/tune at the same time. What else should I take in consideration? What are my options? Also, I am not well versed in this area so dont hit me hard with the tech lingo.. Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
Check out the LG Motorsport G5X1E. I had one with the same specs in my 2005. Great cam. Awesome power gain yet still very stock-like idle and drivability. I even passed smog with that cam here in California.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
The averages on an LS2 after a bunch of installs:
428rwhp with stock heads/intake manifold + UD pulley/headers
456rwhp with a FAST 102--ported by spin
495rwhp with trick flow 225's....set compression at 11.7:1
505rwhp with meth injection added
428rwhp with stock heads/intake manifold + UD pulley/headers
456rwhp with a FAST 102--ported by spin
495rwhp with trick flow 225's....set compression at 11.7:1
505rwhp with meth injection added
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
thanks for all the info! Keep it coming. With a Cam install, do I need to upgrade and add a bunch of new parts as well?
Such as:
Front Cover Gasket, GM Front Cover seal,GM Crank Bolt, High volume, high flow oil pump,160 degree thermostat,16 x Dual valve springs with titanium retainers,16 x chromemoly hardened pushrods,underdrive crank pulley, New serpentine belt
Such as:
Front Cover Gasket, GM Front Cover seal,GM Crank Bolt, High volume, high flow oil pump,160 degree thermostat,16 x Dual valve springs with titanium retainers,16 x chromemoly hardened pushrods,underdrive crank pulley, New serpentine belt
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 325
From: Houston TX
I would assume these numbers quoted are with the majority of the subjects being manual transmission cars correct?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Alabama
+1 C5R timing chain is an absolute necessity.
Btw, get pfadt tri-y headers.
Here is the list of supporting mods id do with a cam:
BTR 0.660 platinum valve springs
Manley 3/8 hardened pushrods
LS7 lifters
COMP rocker trunion upgrade
SLP high volume oil pump
160* thermostat
C5R timing chain
Cosmetic 0.04 head gaskets
ARP head bolts
ARP camshaft retainer bolts
BER cam swap gasket kit
Optional:
Power bond 24% under drive pulley
ARP balancer bolt
Under drive accessory belt
Under drive a/c belt
1 7/8 headers
Ported FAST 102
Btw, get pfadt tri-y headers.
Here is the list of supporting mods id do with a cam:
BTR 0.660 platinum valve springs
Manley 3/8 hardened pushrods
LS7 lifters
COMP rocker trunion upgrade
SLP high volume oil pump
160* thermostat
C5R timing chain
Cosmetic 0.04 head gaskets
ARP head bolts
ARP camshaft retainer bolts
BER cam swap gasket kit
Optional:
Power bond 24% under drive pulley
ARP balancer bolt
Under drive accessory belt
Under drive a/c belt
1 7/8 headers
Ported FAST 102
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
+1 C5R timing chain is an absolute necessity.
Btw, get pfadt tri-y headers.
Here is the list of supporting mods id do with a cam:
BTR 0.660 platinum valve springs
Manley 3/8 hardened pushrods
LS7 lifters
COMP rocker trunion upgrade
SLP high volume oil pump
160* thermostat
C5R timing chain
Cosmetic 0.04 head gaskets
ARP head bolts
ARP camshaft retainer bolts
BER cam swap gasket kit
Optional:
Power bond 24% under drive pulley
ARP balancer bolt
Under drive accessory belt
Under drive a/c belt
1 7/8 headers
Ported FAST 102
Btw, get pfadt tri-y headers.
Here is the list of supporting mods id do with a cam:
BTR 0.660 platinum valve springs
Manley 3/8 hardened pushrods
LS7 lifters
COMP rocker trunion upgrade
SLP high volume oil pump
160* thermostat
C5R timing chain
Cosmetic 0.04 head gaskets
ARP head bolts
ARP camshaft retainer bolts
BER cam swap gasket kit
Optional:
Power bond 24% under drive pulley
ARP balancer bolt
Under drive accessory belt
Under drive a/c belt
1 7/8 headers
Ported FAST 102
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
As of now, I dont want to get a new stall converter. With a smaller cam, is it still going to be an somewhat loud? (I hope so) 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: TX
Not wanting to get a stall will limit you in your cam choice. I originally had a "small" 228/236 cam in my car the first time I cammed it. Shop said this was the biggest I could go without a stall. Sounded great, ran hard but at stoplights I found myself putting it in neutral because it kept wanting to push through the brakes.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Warfordsburg PA
Well how loud it is depends on the exhaust. I used to have a 224/224 112 lsa cam in a camaro with really loud exhaust and it had a very noticeable lope but not crazy. Its gonna be hard to get the best of both worlds. You can go with a little bigger cam and widen the lsa for less overlap but there goes that awesome sound again. There is plenty of power to be gained with smaller cams though.
Last edited by badassracing; Mar 8, 2013 at 04:18 PM.
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
OP: Check out the FAST 102 for your LS2, I have been very happy with mine http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...st-intake.html Also since everything is a part I would replace the OEM pulley with an ATI unit.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Alabama
you know you could just get headers, intake, and FAST 102 and call it a day.
otherwise I think it's a waste to do all that for a small cam and no stall. imo either get a stall and do it right or just wait on the cam.
otherwise I think it's a waste to do all that for a small cam and no stall. imo either get a stall and do it right or just wait on the cam.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
that is lots of work for a "small cam" a good speed shop can sell you a matched kit to suit your needs. look around in your area for a club where you can ask to hear on hopefully ride with someone so you can get a feeling of what you are in for.