BTR LS3 Cam
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Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Carnation, WA
BTR LS3 Cam
Anyone have any experience with BTR stage III or stage IV cams? Will a 3200 stall converter work with the stage IV cam? Also, while re-camming my 101k mile LS3 I'll be replacing the lifters. Should I consider replacing the valve guides while the heads are off? Thanks.
Last edited by vairhead65; Mar 25, 2019 at 09:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southeast TX
If you're pulling the heads to change the lifters, why not take the opportunity to go completely through them. TxSpeed will CNC port them, do a valve job, set up your valve springs, and mill to your spec all for $750 + freight two ways. Have them check the valve guides and repair/replace if necessary.They claim a 25hp increase. I believe them as I've used their heads with very pleasing results. Look into a Gwatney ported and rod modded stock LS3 intake manifold. It's around $300 bucks if memory serves.
If you have access to 93 octane, you can mill the heads .010 and use a .040 MLS Cometic head gasket for another nice bump in power.
Do all of the above and you can make more power with BTR's stage II LS3 cam, than you would with their stage III or IV without the head work and upgraded intake manifold. Your Vette will drive much nicer too.
If you have access to 93 octane, you can mill the heads .010 and use a .040 MLS Cometic head gasket for another nice bump in power.
Do all of the above and you can make more power with BTR's stage II LS3 cam, than you would with their stage III or IV without the head work and upgraded intake manifold. Your Vette will drive much nicer too.
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 72
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From: Carnation, WA
Hey, Motorhead, thanks for the sage advice. I was in fact considering the stage II cam until yesterday when some kid in a Lexus got the jump on me and I immediately thought "More POWER"! What are your thoughts on adding 50-75 HP or more to a 100K mile bottom end? I can see a simple cam upgrade snowballing into a complete rebuild, which I'd prefer not to do. Maybe I should just stick to headers, CAI and a tune and let it go at that....?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southeast TX
If your LS3 was given good care and maintenance, you're good to go. There are guys that added blowers to high mileage LS3's successfully. I think the diff between the stage II and III cams is about 10 hp and that just comes in on the top end. You'll pick up way more than that with the ported heads, ported and rod modded intake manifold, and the bump in compression ratio. Just did all that to my LS3 and it made just over 500 at the wheels with a milder cam than BTR's stage II.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,684
From: Southeast TX
https://gwatneyperformance.com/product/ls3-intake-mod/ You might talk to BTR and get their thoughts on the compression bump with their cam. Here's the link to everything that's in my build. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...cam-build.html
