LS2 cam upgrade suggestions

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Mar 11, 2022 | 05:03 PM

#21

grinder11

Race Director

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sstonebreaker

Modern converters lock up. I had a 3500 stall converter in my 96 impala. No heat issues. Car got the exact same highway mileage. City mileage went to ****. Gained over 2 seconds in the quarter on the modified converter alone. One of the best bang for the buck mods you can do for an automatic car.

I agree. I have a 3,200 stall Yank in my C5. I did install a B&M trans cooler, 70264?? Anyway, the only time the trans temp gets above 185-190° is at long Florida stoplights, and Florida stoplights are LONG!! If I'm in heavy stop and go, sometimes I shift to neutral, but that is rare. If you're going up a steep mountain grade with a lot of switchbacks, and can't get over 25-30mph, I saw 218° once. Matt Marshall should be good. Love the lockup converters!!

Mar 11, 2022 | 05:42 PM

#22

old motorhead

Le Mans Master

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From: Southeast TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Marshall

I am leaning toward the BTR Stage 1. Possibly a stage 2 but I doubt it. Has anyone used the stage 2 with the stock converter? If so, how did the car respond at idle in gear and stopping? Thanks

You can go bigger than the stage 1 without any big cam related issues. BTR doesn't recommend using the 2 with a stock converter. 4.5 degrees of overlap isn't huge, but more that I'd want to fool with on the streets. Been there, done that. I'd look for something in between those two. I'll be doing something very similar to Pat G's stage 1 LS3 cam on an LS2. PG LS3 STAGE 1 (patgtuning.com). It's big enough to provide some nice gains while retaining decent manners. I've had a couple of cams around that size and have been very pleased.

Mar 11, 2022 | 08:57 PM

#23

jamieo

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2010

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From: Tollesboro Kentucky

BTR can also set you up with a custom cam for your needs.Great company to work with.

Mar 11, 2022 | 09:13 PM

#24

Matt Marshall

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jamieo

BTR can also set you up with a custom cam for your needs.Great company to work with.

That’s definitely an option I am thinking about. There is a local tuner that I’m going to use that I have heard nothing but good about.
I don’t want to go crazy with this car but do want to squeeze just a little more out of her. I think with a stage 1 and LT headers added it will put it in the high 11’s or low 12 and still drive like factory.

Currently on street tires and semi fair traction it runs 12.7.

Mar 11, 2022 | 09:38 PM

#25

jamieo

Melting Slicks

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From: Tollesboro Kentucky

I've known Brian for several years.He and his staff have always been very helpful and honest with any questions or issues.Give them a call and tell them your goals and concerns.I am sure there are others that are good also,just relaying my personal experience.

Mar 17, 2022 | 06:04 PM

#26

jonjoy

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2018

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From: Auburn Al

Cathedral port heads, keep about 8 degree's more exhaust duration then intake like 222-230 cathedral ports like it! and if going LT headers 1 3/4 tubes

Mar 17, 2022 | 08:57 PM

#27

old motorhead

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From: Southeast TX

There's absolutely no "universal" split that works on all cathedral port heads or rec port heads for that matter. Also, if making power is your goal, and you're upgrading the cam, there's no reason to run 1.75" primary headers. Run the 1.875" primary headers. That's been proven time and time again.

Aug 6, 2022 | 06:24 PM

#28

Matt Marshall

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Well I finally made the decision. My tuner just ordered for me a BTR Stage 1, LT headers with x pipe and a trunnion upgrade. Now I just have to wait patiently for a spot to open so to get them installed and the car tuned.

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Dec 13, 2022 | 11:39 PM

#29

Matt Marshall

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After the stage 1 cam, headers and tune I gained 54 hp and 24 lb-ft on a conservative dyno. Pic shows the base pull and final pull.

Dec 14, 2022 | 10:26 AM

#30

old motorhead

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From: Southeast TX

My vision isn't the best and that shot of your dyno graph isn't either

. So, what did it make? Even bigger question is....how do you like it?

Dec 14, 2022 | 11:56 AM

#31

Matt Marshall

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Quote:

Originally Posted by old motorhead

My vision isn't the best and that shot of your dyno graph isn't either

. So, what did it make? Even bigger question is....how do you like it?

Base pull was 338 hp 330 lb-ft
Now it’s 392 hp 353 lb-ft.
Sounds really good and runs so much better than before. If you look at the graph, he’s running the smoothing filter at 6 out of 100 to show the true curves. When he turned the filter to 60 it was smooth as can be. I really like it.