Dyno Pull Gone Bad....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
NO !! I went to an LS3 thats a few more cubes, but if I want to go bigger it will cost me BIG $$ as the motor will have to be torn down...
The motor I'm getting only has 3100 miles on it, (almost new) and I'm no spring chicken in other words I'm an "old bastid" and I'm sure I wont be going to the track every week as I used to.. (its 100 miles each way for me to race at E Town)
I'll prob just port the stock intake, and use the Kooks Headers I have now and whatever it runs , it runs.. I can be going nuts and spending my savings to run .5 faster... if I was 20 yrs younger YES I'd go for a 427 motor... but in my situation I'll have to settle for an LS3..
The motor I'm getting only has 3100 miles on it, (almost new) and I'm no spring chicken in other words I'm an "old bastid" and I'm sure I wont be going to the track every week as I used to.. (its 100 miles each way for me to race at E Town)
I'll prob just port the stock intake, and use the Kooks Headers I have now and whatever it runs , it runs.. I can be going nuts and spending my savings to run .5 faster... if I was 20 yrs younger YES I'd go for a 427 motor... but in my situation I'll have to settle for an LS3..
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
correct me if I'm wrong...Cam = about $300
New Springs = About $350 +
New push rods = about $125
Now I'm at almost $700 + just for a cam "DONE RIGHT"
Agreed the shop is giving me a "killer Good Price" on labor as the motor is already out of the car...
But I've spent $5500 for the motor, and I need a new reluctor the 05 & 2012 are not compatible, so there is another 3-4 hrs labor is my guess..
Of course I'd like a better cam, but I'm on a "Fixed" pension, and have to keep the price in reason.... I already have Kooks, and a 2800 converter, and Cartek will port a stock LS3 intake manifold...
I'll have to see bottom line how much more it will cost me for a cam "DONE RIGHT" !
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
Its "NOT" the labor cost, its the parts correct me if I'm wrong...
Cam = about $300
New Springs = About $350 +
New push rods = about $125
Now I'm at almost $700 + just for a cam "DONE RIGHT"
Agreed the shop is giving me a "killer Good Price" on labor as the motor is already out of the car...
But I've spent $5500 for the motor, and I need a new reluctor the 05 & 2012 are not compatible, so there is another 3-4 hrs labor is my guess..
Of course I'd like a better cam, but I'm on a "Fixed" pension, and have to keep the price in reason.... I already have Kooks, and a 2800 converter, and Cartek will port a stock LS3 intake manifold...
I'll have to see bottom line how much more it will cost me for a cam "DONE RIGHT" !
correct me if I'm wrong...Cam = about $300
New Springs = About $350 +
New push rods = about $125
Now I'm at almost $700 + just for a cam "DONE RIGHT"
Agreed the shop is giving me a "killer Good Price" on labor as the motor is already out of the car...
But I've spent $5500 for the motor, and I need a new reluctor the 05 & 2012 are not compatible, so there is another 3-4 hrs labor is my guess..
Of course I'd like a better cam, but I'm on a "Fixed" pension, and have to keep the price in reason.... I already have Kooks, and a 2800 converter, and Cartek will port a stock LS3 intake manifold...
I'll have to see bottom line how much more it will cost me for a cam "DONE RIGHT" !
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
If you are ever going to do a cam, now is indeed the time.
Patriot extreme gold springs are cheaper than that...I think...a cam you can get used from someone who's upgrading to a bigger one (they last now, unlike the old days when the lifters took a set and they were junk if you took them out and tried to use new lifters). You can reuse a cam.
Since you have the balancer off anyway for the reluctor it is zero add'l labor.
You should ask Cartek if they have any cams laying around. You might be able to score a freebie...
Heck given your hard luck story you might get a "pay it forward" from someone on the forum. Lots of guys have old cams laying around.
Patriot extreme gold springs are cheaper than that...I think...a cam you can get used from someone who's upgrading to a bigger one (they last now, unlike the old days when the lifters took a set and they were junk if you took them out and tried to use new lifters). You can reuse a cam.
Since you have the balancer off anyway for the reluctor it is zero add'l labor.
You should ask Cartek if they have any cams laying around. You might be able to score a freebie...
Heck given your hard luck story you might get a "pay it forward" from someone on the forum. Lots of guys have old cams laying around.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
If you want a small cheap cam put in a ZR1, or Z06 cam. You should be able to use the same springs in the LS3, but need a new upper gear. I was happy with it in our 10GS with the blower, and it still ran strong when I pulled the blower off. Idles close to stock too. I may throw one in our 13GS because I don't want a huge chugger, just a little extra.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
jpee, I've gone 10's in AZ (el 1480')with stock internals and mostly the same externals, so at the 69' el at Englishtown it shouldn't be a problem. I'm still well under 11.50 at 3500' DA, which would require a 90* day with 90%Hum. and a low 29.2 BP for you.
Bottom line is you don't need an aftermarket cam to run the 11.50 class.
BTW, ph# was in PM to you.
Bottom line is you don't need an aftermarket cam to run the 11.50 class.
BTW, ph# was in PM to you.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
But DO keep in mind that jpee does NOT use skinnies nor remove the passenger seat of his well optioned C6 like many of us have done, heavy Optima battery and sometimes a nearly full tank of gas too (I've yelled at him for that part already LOL
).But even still, he can run 11.50s with a stock internals/bolt ons LS3 at E-town even at his raceweight. If not during June/July/August then at least during the rest of the year.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
jpee, I've gone 10's in AZ (el 1480')with stock internals and mostly the same externals, so at the 69' el at Englishtown it shouldn't be a problem. I'm still well under 11.50 at 3500' DA, which would require a 90* day with 90%Hum. and a low 29.2 BP for you.
Bottom line is you don't need an aftermarket cam to run the 11.50 class.
BTW, ph# was in PM to you.
Bottom line is you don't need an aftermarket cam to run the 11.50 class.
BTW, ph# was in PM to you.
In my observations and reviews of many dyno sheets, a stock ls3 w/tune has the same power as a ls2 with headers & tune, and an ls3 w/headers has the same power as a ls2 with a decent sized cam.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
Its "NOT" the labor cost, its the parts correct me if I'm wrong...
Cam = about $300
New Springs = About $350 +
New push rods = about $125
Now I'm at almost $700 + just for a cam "DONE RIGHT"
Agreed the shop is giving me a "killer Good Price" on labor as the motor is already out of the car...
But I've spent $5500 for the motor, and I need a new reluctor the 05 & 2012 are not compatible, so there is another 3-4 hrs labor is my guess..
Of course I'd like a better cam, but I'm on a "Fixed" pension, and have to keep the price in reason.... I already have Kooks, and a 2800 converter, and Cartek will port a stock LS3 intake manifold...
I'll have to see bottom line how much more it will cost me for a cam "DONE RIGHT" !
correct me if I'm wrong...Cam = about $300
New Springs = About $350 +
New push rods = about $125
Now I'm at almost $700 + just for a cam "DONE RIGHT"
Agreed the shop is giving me a "killer Good Price" on labor as the motor is already out of the car...
But I've spent $5500 for the motor, and I need a new reluctor the 05 & 2012 are not compatible, so there is another 3-4 hrs labor is my guess..
Of course I'd like a better cam, but I'm on a "Fixed" pension, and have to keep the price in reason.... I already have Kooks, and a 2800 converter, and Cartek will port a stock LS3 intake manifold...
I'll have to see bottom line how much more it will cost me for a cam "DONE RIGHT" !
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Bad part about that cam is, and I'm guessing, it'll only add 10/10 rwhp/rwtq. Perhaps Cartek would have further input on that.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Is it worth the $$ the price for the cam is right.. gotta check on the install but it should be reasonable because the motor is out of the car..
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
That sounds great.. BUT.... do you think I will see "ANY" improvement over the stock came that is in the LS3 (its out of a 2012 Camaro)
Is it worth the $$ the price for the cam is right.. gotta check on the install but it should be reasonable because the motor is out of the car..
Is it worth the $$ the price for the cam is right.. gotta check on the install but it should be reasonable because the motor is out of the car..
Install on the cam should be free or close - they will have the engine apart putting in a new reluctor. Will only take moments to swap the cam and springs are easy to swap too.
If you put in a decent sized cam the LS3 produces 500 RWHP all day long on manual cars.
Your issue about resale with a cammed car is valid, dealers don't want them. You will have to sell it privately to someone who wants a cammed car. Those folks are out there, my friend just sold his built up z06 to a guy who wanted the mods and realized, he was getting them for 25c on the dollar by buying my buddy's car for slightly above what a stock car will go for. But it takes time to find that person.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
That sounds great.. BUT.... do you think I will see "ANY" improvement over the stock came that is in the LS3 (its out of a 2012 Camaro)
Is it worth the $$ the price for the cam is right.. gotta check on the install but it should be reasonable because the motor is out of the car..
Is it worth the $$ the price for the cam is right.. gotta check on the install but it should be reasonable because the motor is out of the car..
Last edited by irok; Aug 14, 2013 at 02:04 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
jpee you may also consider the 525hp ls3 cam from GM.this crate engine makes 20hp and 20tq more than the Z06 427.its specs are 525 lift intake and exhaust with duration 226/236 110lsa.works with your springs and push rods.dont know price on that cam. GM rates this as making 95hp more than stock LS3.I have the dyno sheet here on it but do not know how to post.525hp at 6,300 and 489 torque at 4,400
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
On the pragmatic side, any cams worth its salt will need timely spring change out for the sake of valve train longevity, which can if not done, in worst case - destroying motor.
For anyone doesn't do their own work, it will be an long term expense.
For anyone doesn't do their own work, it will be an long term expense.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I agree, but to put it in perspective, if you use Patriot Golds it's around $500 every 20,000 miles to have someone do it. It's not a hard job.