Help with ls3 cam choice
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral FL
Help with ls3 cam choice
Hello all, I have an 08 ls3 6 speed manual with american racing 1 7/8ths long tubes with matching off road x pipe with c6 z06 npp mufflers.
What cam should I be looking for? Off the shelf? Custom?
Also I'm going to need the the parts to go with it. What parts should I get?
If someone can give me a parts list that would be great or if a company offers an all together package for the cam install.
Thanks
What cam should I be looking for? Off the shelf? Custom?
Also I'm going to need the the parts to go with it. What parts should I get?
If someone can give me a parts list that would be great or if a company offers an all together package for the cam install.
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 4
From: Ontario
Straub Technologies
Give Chris Straub a call. He can do a cam for your specific combination. As I always say, "You want the right cam, not more cam." As often as not his cam selections are milder than what the person has now but the car works better. Well worth the call and a great guy to talk to.
http://www.straubtechnologies.com/
http://www.straubtechnologies.com/
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
Cam choice will depends on your goals, i.e. do you want a max effort cam or something more mild.
I like one of the Pat G cams 230/238 113+2 and the Spinmonster 230/234 114+2 is also popular. LG's G6X3 is a proven off the shelf grind. Pat will spec you a custom grind for $25
Parts that I change when doing cam swap:
Cam (3 bolt LS core)
3 bolt cam sprocket - GM (lingenfelter sells a kit with sprocket, bolts, damper)
Cam bolts - ARP of GM
LS2/7 Timing chain damper - GM
Hardened Pushrods - Comp
C5R timing chain - Katech
Valve spring kit - Brian Tooley Racing
Comp cams rocker trunion upgrade kit (optional)
Balancer bolt - ARP or GM
ATI Balancer - stock diameter if supercharging, ud pulley if staying N/A (optional but might as well while you have it off)
Gaskets - timing chain cover gasket, waterpump gaskets, timing cover seal
Pin the balancer
Antifreeze
New oil & filter
I like one of the Pat G cams 230/238 113+2 and the Spinmonster 230/234 114+2 is also popular. LG's G6X3 is a proven off the shelf grind. Pat will spec you a custom grind for $25
Parts that I change when doing cam swap:
Cam (3 bolt LS core)
3 bolt cam sprocket - GM (lingenfelter sells a kit with sprocket, bolts, damper)
Cam bolts - ARP of GM
LS2/7 Timing chain damper - GM
Hardened Pushrods - Comp
C5R timing chain - Katech
Valve spring kit - Brian Tooley Racing
Comp cams rocker trunion upgrade kit (optional)
Balancer bolt - ARP or GM
ATI Balancer - stock diameter if supercharging, ud pulley if staying N/A (optional but might as well while you have it off)
Gaskets - timing chain cover gasket, waterpump gaskets, timing cover seal
Pin the balancer
Antifreeze
New oil & filter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 407
Likes: 11
From: Mooresville North Carolina
Hello all, I have an 08 ls3 6 speed manual with american racing 1 7/8ths long tubes with matching off road x pipe with c6 z06 npp mufflers.
What cam should I be looking for? Off the shelf? Custom?
Also I'm going to need the the parts to go with it. What parts should I get?
If someone can give me a parts list that would be great or if a company offers an all together package for the cam install.
Thanks
What cam should I be looking for? Off the shelf? Custom?
Also I'm going to need the the parts to go with it. What parts should I get?
If someone can give me a parts list that would be great or if a company offers an all together package for the cam install.
Thanks
My questions would be,
1. How much RWHP are you trying to make
2. Do you plan on adding forced induction in the future
3. What kind of idle do you want (barely noticeable, or lopey)
From there we (or another shop) would select something that meets your goals. Most of us have cars in and out for cam installs all the time, so we've developed several great off-the-shelf cams that fit the bill. If someone has a special request or a strange set up, we'll grind something custom.
For supporting parts, we sell cam install kits that make it very easy. Our Brian Tooley Deluxe Install kits cover all the bases with quality parts. Brian Tooley Platinum double valvesprings, BT pushrods, all OEM GM Gaskets (valve covers, front cover, front cover seal, water pump, etc), timing chain, LS2 chain damper, new crank bolt, etc gives you all you need!
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See what's in our shop on Facebook! Customer Build Blogs!
www.pcmofnc.com
Performance Installs - Dyno Tuning - Mail Order Tuning & Sales
704-307-4227
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral FL
I would select a reputable shop, tell them what you're looking for, and let them handle it for you. There are literally thousands of cams out there...by shops, by COMP, spec'd by whoever. You can drive yourself crazy trying to sift through specs and dyno graphs and idle videos...or just call a sponsor and let them do the hard work for you.
My questions would be,
1. How much RWHP are you trying to make
2. Do you plan on adding forced induction in the future
3. What kind of idle do you want (barely noticeable, or lopey)
From there we (or another shop) would select something that meets your goals. Most of us have cars in and out for cam installs all the time, so we've developed several great off-the-shelf cams that fit the bill. If someone has a special request or a strange set up, we'll grind something custom.
For supporting parts, we sell cam install kits that make it very easy. Our Brian Tooley Deluxe Install kits cover all the bases with quality parts. Brian Tooley Platinum double valvesprings, BT pushrods, all OEM GM Gaskets (valve covers, front cover, front cover seal, water pump, etc), timing chain, LS2 chain damper, new crank bolt, etc gives you all you need!
My questions would be,
1. How much RWHP are you trying to make
2. Do you plan on adding forced induction in the future
3. What kind of idle do you want (barely noticeable, or lopey)
From there we (or another shop) would select something that meets your goals. Most of us have cars in and out for cam installs all the time, so we've developed several great off-the-shelf cams that fit the bill. If someone has a special request or a strange set up, we'll grind something custom.
For supporting parts, we sell cam install kits that make it very easy. Our Brian Tooley Deluxe Install kits cover all the bases with quality parts. Brian Tooley Platinum double valvesprings, BT pushrods, all OEM GM Gaskets (valve covers, front cover, front cover seal, water pump, etc), timing chain, LS2 chain damper, new crank bolt, etc gives you all you need!
I don't plan on boosting this car. Just want a fun all motor car.
I want it to be noticeable. I love the choppy sound. Sounds so good. I have the z06 npp mufflers so I can make it quiet when I want.
I know my setup isn't anything that hasn't been done before. I just want it to be an intake/full exhaust cam car. That's it. Don't want it to be all complicated. I have the full exhaust system so that's a big part out of the way. I was really impressed with how the car woke up from just the exhaust system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Just remember that that last 10 or 15 hp, that's only available over 5500 rpm, can turn your sweetheart (almost V'tines day guys
) into a rumbling stumbling ape of a vette. A stupid big cam is kinda like herpes.....a "gift" that keeps on giving
) into a rumbling stumbling ape of a vette. A stupid big cam is kinda like herpes.....a "gift" that keeps on giving
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Cruising
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
. Although. If you do a lot of street driving you dont want to go too gnarly. Most guys spend little time over 5500rpms. A mild grind will keep more punch in the car around street-ish rpms
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,388
Likes: 2,910
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Haha, well said...definitely need to talk to shop specifically about goals and not just chase a peak dyno number.