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Why is picking a cam such a hassle for me... I'm struggling to really settle on one...
I'm trying to find one that's daily driveable w/ a good tune. (I can tolerate some buck/surge in low revs, but I don't want it to struggle through a parking lot... )
I've reached out to TSP, LG & BTR for comments and suggestions. I figured I'd post here too and see if anybody has experience with these cams and a LS2 Stroker. I'm especially interested if folks have Dynos. (Been googling as well... )
Current favorites in green. Missing Lobe Data which probably has a big impact on cam behavior...
2005 Corvette Z51 LS2 6Spd
Texas Speed & Performance 4.00" Stroke Forged Crankshaft, 4340 Steel, 6-Bolt Rear Flange
Wiseco Forged LS1 Piston Set: 4.005' Bore, 4.000' Stroke, -8cc Dish
Eagle H-Beam Connecting Rod Set, 6.125 Length
Texas Speed & Performance .660" Dual Valve Spring Kit Featuring PAC Valve Springs
Texas Speed & Performance 7.40 Chromoly Pushrod
GM/Delphi LS7 Style Lifters
Cometic MLS LS1 Cylinder Head Gaskets, 4.035 Bore, .040 Thickness
FAST 90, Ported Intake Manifold
Vararam cold air intake
Corsa sport quad tip exhaust
Kooks coated low restictive cats and cross pipe
Kooks 1.75 headers
160 degree thermostat
Cartek stage 4x heads including full porting of heads, intake, exhaust, and combustion chamber (243)
Custom stainless valves
Ported FAST 90mm intake to stage 2x
ASP under drive pulley with belts
I noticed you are going with Cartek ported heads. Have you considered contacting them to spec a cam matched to their heads? Just another option.
Also, I recommend ditching the ASP balancer. Although I don't believe there was ever a 100% confirmation, there have been several timing chain failures "associated" with the ASP balancer. During my rebuild my tuner found my timing chain was on the verge of failing. It was replaced with a stronger chain but I swapped out my ASP for an ATI. I can't contribute the chain condition to the ASP but there have been enough cases of ASP/timing chain failures to motivate me to spend the extra money for peace of mind. The last thing you want is to destroy your brand new $1x,xxx motor when a couple hundred dollars could have prevented it.
I look forward to seeing your results because stroker numbers are all over the place with no consistency.
I noticed you are going with Cartek ported heads. Have you considered contacting them to spec a cam matched to their heads? Just another option.
Also, I recommend ditching the ASP balancer. Although I don't believe there was ever a 100% confirmation, there have been several timing chain failures "associated" with the ASP balancer. During my rebuild my tuner found my timing chain was on the verge of failing. It was replaced with a stronger chain but I swapped out my ASP for an ATI. I can't contribute the chain condition to the ASP but there have been enough cases of ASP/timing chain failures to motivate me to spend the extra money for peace of mind. The last thing you want is to destroy your brand new $1x,xxx motor when a couple hundred dollars could have prevented it.
I look forward to seeing your results because stroker numbers are all over the place with no consistency.
I've actually reached out to Cartek twice, and haven't got a response. Are they still in business?
Hmm... I think my timing chain was okay - thanks for the tip, I'll definitely consider it.
I did have the specs on the Cam from Cartek to compare to, it's in the table above "Cartek Custom x2 230/234 .591/.598 116 LSA" . It had a nice lope, despite having 0* of overlap.
This video was from 6 years ago from the seller. I bought the car in 2010 after he posted this video and I actually had it Dyno'd. (made 447rwhp/396 tq on a Mustang Dyno)
I've found a few (though not loads) of Dyno charts from strokers, and you're right - the results are all over.
The camshaft I'm leaning towards is from TSP - since their rep Derek has been super helpful through this whole process. I'm looking hard at the Texas Speed 233/239 .600/.600 113 LSA
Last edited by LF97C5Vette; Jun 17, 2016 at 09:42 PM.
I've actually reached out to Cartek twice, and haven't got a response. Are they still in business?
Hmm... I think my timing chain was okay - thanks for the tip, I'll definitely consider it.
I did have the specs on the Cam from Cartek to compare to, it's in the table above "Cartek Custom x2 230/234 .591/.598 116 LSA" . It had a nice lope, despite having 0* of overlap.
I've found a few (though not loads) of Dyno charts from strokers, and you're right - the results are all over.
The camshaft I'm leaning towards is from TSP - since their rep Derek has been super helpful through this whole process. I'm looking hard at the Texas Speed 233/239 .600/.600 113 LSA
Cartek is still in business but unless you get someone on the phone, I'm not surprised you're not getting a response. It sounds as if TSP is working with you and getting things set up nicely so I'd stick with them if you're happy.
The one thing that always frustrated me about strokers is the range of power they make from one motor to the other on seemingly similar builds. I know it's hard to compare different cars, dynos, etc. But there really seems to be no comparable consistency between them so you never know what you're going to get.
You're timing chain may be fine and may never be an issue. But since you're already doing a build it's a small expense to swap out the ASP for an ATI since you'll only be paying for the pulley. Search ASP and timing chain failures. There's enough reading to make you sweat. I was actually so concerned I paid to have my ASP removed for an ATI a month after my build was complete. I had to pay for the install after I just got the car back together but it was worth it to me.
Regardless of what you decide, good luck and please post up your numbers.
Cartek is still in business but unless you get someone on the phone, I'm not surprised you're not getting a response. It sounds as if TSP is working with you and getting things set up nicely so I'd stick with them if you're happy.
The one thing that always frustrated me about strokers is the range of power they make from one motor to the other on seemingly similar builds. I know it's hard to compare different cars, dynos, etc. But there really seems to be no comparable consistency between them so you never know what you're going to get.
You're timing chain may be fine and may never be an issue. But since you're already doing a build it's a small expense to swap out the ASP for an ATI since you'll only be paying for the pulley. Search ASP and timing chain failures. There's enough reading to make you sweat. I was actually so concerned I paid to have my ASP removed for an ATI a month after my build was complete. I had to pay for the install after I just got the car back together but it was worth it to me.
Regardless of what you decide, good luck and please post up your numbers.
I'll definitely post my dyno results. Might take a month or so before I've got it all back together and running... I'm definitely checkout the pulley swap. No sense in trashing the motor right after I dump all this money into it...
Cartek is still in business but unless you get someone on the phone, I'm not surprised you're not getting a response. It sounds as if TSP is working with you and getting things set up nicely so I'd stick with them if you're happy.
The one thing that always frustrated me about strokers is the range of power they make from one motor to the other on seemingly similar builds. I know it's hard to compare different cars, dynos, etc. But there really seems to be no comparable consistency between them so you never know what you're going to get.
You're timing chain may be fine and may never be an issue. But since you're already doing a build it's a small expense to swap out the ASP for an ATI since you'll only be paying for the pulley. Search ASP and timing chain failures. There's enough reading to make you sweat. I was actually so concerned I paid to have my ASP removed for an ATI a month after my build was complete. I had to pay for the install after I just got the car back together but it was worth it to me.
Regardless of what you decide, good luck and please post up your numbers.
$400-450 for a balancer? Doesn't that seem a bit extreme?
$400-450 for a balancer? Doesn't that seem a bit extreme?
It is on the higher end but if you search it is one of if not the best quality and highly recommended by many tuners. However it isn't your only option. There are other choices out there as long as it isn't ASP haha. I was only recommending that because many consider ATI the "best" and you're really only looking at a $200 dollar difference when compared to other balancers. On a $1x,xxx motor that's almost nothing. Still I understand the need for cost savings. Check eBay, they occasionally have factory blemished (cosmetic only) pulleys for +/-50% off. Or see if your tuner/builder recommends another brand (not ASP)
Picking A Stroker Cam
I'm looking hard at the Texas Speed 233/239 .600/.600 113 LSA
