Performance upgrade help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
Performance upgrade help
I asked my tuner how to get Z06 HP out of my 2011 LS3 GS. His answer was Halltech CAI, 1 7/8 AR Headers, Comp Cam grind 232/234 .595"/.598". and 160 thermostat. He said I will definitely notice the lumpy sound and it will turn heads and the the drivability will be about the same as stock with near stock mileage.
I'm familiar with headers and CAI but not cams. Would this be considered a mild cam or a wild cam? Whats the opinions of his setup? I figured more than one opinion would be good to have especially since the brain trust on the forum is pretty good. Please don't say just buy a Z06, I like my GS convertible but the idea of having Z06 HP is appealing however I don't want to lose long range drivability. I like cruises to Wyoming, Montana and S. Dakota, but I also like to light them up on occasion. So..... what say you on the tuners upgrade and HP predictions. Thanks in advance.
ps: I have no idea what the grind numbers related to the cam mean.
I'm familiar with headers and CAI but not cams. Would this be considered a mild cam or a wild cam? Whats the opinions of his setup? I figured more than one opinion would be good to have especially since the brain trust on the forum is pretty good. Please don't say just buy a Z06, I like my GS convertible but the idea of having Z06 HP is appealing however I don't want to lose long range drivability. I like cruises to Wyoming, Montana and S. Dakota, but I also like to light them up on occasion. So..... what say you on the tuners upgrade and HP predictions. Thanks in advance.
ps: I have no idea what the grind numbers related to the cam mean.
Last edited by garye; Jun 6, 2013 at 03:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 16
From: Katy Tx
I think that is a pretty good setup your tuner has recommended and should be very streetable with a GOOD tune -- it is all in the tune. It should put you real close to Z06 top-end power .. but will not have the torque of the LS7 --- about the only way to get that is supercharging.
I'd call that a moderate cam-- a good compromise.
I'd call that a moderate cam-- a good compromise.
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
I'd say that is relatively mild. Lope and drive ability will depend on ICL a bit - smaller ICL, more overlap and worse drivability around town. If its on a 114 or something similar, I think drivability will be pretty accommodating.
As a point of reference, I had a 230/234 cam on a 114+2 ICL (.598/.612 lift) and it drove surprisingly well on the street on a previous LS2. With a FAST intake and all supporting mods I made 485/440. With an LS3, that same cam makes at or just over 500 rwhp, much more than a stock Z06. Torque will be at over 400 rwhp at between 3200-3400 RPM and peak around 450ish on an LS3 (again, more than a stock Z06).
The cam you chose will make similar numbers as the cam referenced above (within 10 Hp I think).
As a point of reference, I had a 230/234 cam on a 114+2 ICL (.598/.612 lift) and it drove surprisingly well on the street on a previous LS2. With a FAST intake and all supporting mods I made 485/440. With an LS3, that same cam makes at or just over 500 rwhp, much more than a stock Z06. Torque will be at over 400 rwhp at between 3200-3400 RPM and peak around 450ish on an LS3 (again, more than a stock Z06).
The cam you chose will make similar numbers as the cam referenced above (within 10 Hp I think).
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 298
Likes: 58
From: Apache Junction AZ
I think that is a pretty good setup your tuner has recommended and should be very streetable with a GOOD tune -- it is all in the tune. It should put you real close to Z06 top-end power .. but will not have the torque of the LS7 --- about the only way to get that is supercharging.
I'd call that a moderate cam-- a good compromise.
I'd call that a moderate cam-- a good compromise.
I have a very similar set up but did lose approx. 3-4 mpg city driving. No road trips yet.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 240
From: Houston TX
It's been my experience that you have to ask twice. Don't ask me why but on the second request the responses come rolling in. Funny how that sh@# works.
I think with what you doing you'll get close to Z horsepower but never see the torque like we have. your cam is a mild one I'm sure you'll like it.
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
That's considered a mild/mid-range cam, which a lot of LSX guys are a fan of. That set up will net you some nice gains and make the car more fun to drive. It will have a nice little chop at idle. FYI I would buy an 08+ Vette long before a Z06.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
I did consider a SC but I like the lope of a cam and the sound, besides I'd probably go to jail with a SC. I live in N.Dakota where there are many wide open roads with no cars in either direction for miles, buuuuut every once in awhile the old smokey bears are there and anything over 25 miles above the speed limit you go to jail and they get the car. SC are just to smooth and to easy to hit triple digits. I'll get in enough trouble with the set up I'm getting. ha ha
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
I did consider a SC but I like the lope of a cam and the sound, besides I'd probably go to jail with a SC. I live in N.Dakota where there are many wide open roads with no cars in either direction for miles, buuuuut every once in awhile the old smokey bears are there and anything over 25 miles above the speed limit you go to jail and they get the car. SC are just to smooth and to easy to hit triple digits. I'll get in enough trouble with the set up I'm getting. ha ha
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 487
Likes: 2
From: Henderson Co
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
stock mufflers with nap exhaust.
No emission control in ND and no auto checks for safety or anything of that nature, hell they drive tractors around town, there not worried about the cars,ha ha
No emission control in ND and no auto checks for safety or anything of that nature, hell they drive tractors around town, there not worried about the cars,ha ha
