Cam questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 771
Likes: 399
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cam questions
About to pull the trigger on a cam and was wondering if anyone can shed some light on these specs???
220/232 116+5
2011 A6 Base LS3
STOCK EXHAUST Bi mode NPP (reason for staying stock is NO exhaust smell wanted)
STOCK CONVERTER
Retune of course
I know the power numbers will be half of what it would be with full exhaust, but not really worried about that........
220/232 116+5
2011 A6 Base LS3
STOCK EXHAUST Bi mode NPP (reason for staying stock is NO exhaust smell wanted)
STOCK CONVERTER
Retune of course
I know the power numbers will be half of what it would be with full exhaust, but not really worried about that........
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 771
Likes: 399
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I want to be sure there is no smell with this cam swap.
I also have read (and it makes sense) that even if you have a catted I pipe, the cats are too far away and do not heat up fast enough on initial start up...Causing the smell for a time.
Maybe down the road for the headers, but I miss the lope of my Z28
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 190
From: Austin TX
Cant speak for the LS3, but my 05 has a little bit of an obnoxious exhaust smell with long tubes and hi flow cats. If it was a daily driver, it would be a little too much for me. If you are worried about the smell, look for a good set of LS7 exhaust manifolds.
As for the cam, the intake\exhaust is pretty mild. 116 LSA may be better off with a SC car. It will also be shifting at a higher RPM even with the tune. Others may step in who know more on the auto side but you may want to upgrade the convertor as well.
As for the cam, the intake\exhaust is pretty mild. 116 LSA may be better off with a SC car. It will also be shifting at a higher RPM even with the tune. Others may step in who know more on the auto side but you may want to upgrade the convertor as well.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 56
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
I have read mixed reviews..... Coming from a 2000 z28 with all the mods, I know the smell was there and the wife hated it.
I want to be sure there is no smell with this cam swap.
I also have read (and it makes sense) that even if you have a catted I pipe, the cats are too far away and do not heat up fast enough on initial start up...Causing the smell for a time.
Maybe down the road for the headers, but I miss the lope of my Z28
I want to be sure there is no smell with this cam swap.
I also have read (and it makes sense) that even if you have a catted I pipe, the cats are too far away and do not heat up fast enough on initial start up...Causing the smell for a time.
Maybe down the road for the headers, but I miss the lope of my Z28
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I think the increased exhaust smell has just as much to do with a 'bigger' cam as it does with having headers with cats.
My LS3 had very little exhaust smell after I installed a set of headers with cats and a tune (and this slight exhaust smell was only evident when the engine was still cold) ... but, after installing a cam, I noticed more exhaust smell.
I believe, the more overlap the cam has, the more exhaust smell you will notice during idle.
My LS3 had very little exhaust smell after I installed a set of headers with cats and a tune (and this slight exhaust smell was only evident when the engine was still cold) ... but, after installing a cam, I noticed more exhaust smell.
I believe, the more overlap the cam has, the more exhaust smell you will notice during idle.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 1,133
From: North Myrtle Beach SC
I have read mixed reviews..... Coming from a 2000 z28 with all the mods, I know the smell was there and the wife hated it.
I want to be sure there is no smell with this cam swap.
I also have read (and it makes sense) that even if you have a catted I pipe, the cats are too far away and do not heat up fast enough on initial start up...Causing the smell for a time.
Maybe down the road for the headers, but I miss the lope of my Z28
I want to be sure there is no smell with this cam swap.
I also have read (and it makes sense) that even if you have a catted I pipe, the cats are too far away and do not heat up fast enough on initial start up...Causing the smell for a time.
Maybe down the road for the headers, but I miss the lope of my Z28
wont be much lope with that cam, obviously.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 11
From: Chicago
That cam sucks. So much advance ground into it. 100% would not do that cam. Plus 116 LSA is whimpy for n/a. It’s whimpy even for boost…
I would do a 218/228 114+2 .595”/.595” to keep dynamic compression up. It’s gonna feel like a turd with more intake duration. This spec will keep you at negative 5 overlap and will idle stable at 650rpms with good tuner. Slight lope at idle. This cam will make more power everywhere. You won’t beat the **** out of your valvetrain. Run a Trunnion upgrade and since lift is under .600” you can run some .625 beehive springs from pac. This cam is not too big where it needs exhaust upgrades to scavenge.
I have arh headers with cats and still stinks. I would also do a converter down the road.
I would do a 218/228 114+2 .595”/.595” to keep dynamic compression up. It’s gonna feel like a turd with more intake duration. This spec will keep you at negative 5 overlap and will idle stable at 650rpms with good tuner. Slight lope at idle. This cam will make more power everywhere. You won’t beat the **** out of your valvetrain. Run a Trunnion upgrade and since lift is under .600” you can run some .625 beehive springs from pac. This cam is not too big where it needs exhaust upgrades to scavenge.
I have arh headers with cats and still stinks. I would also do a converter down the road.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 11
From: Chicago
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 140
Likes: 11
From: Chicago
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,337
Likes: 5,115
From: Charles Town WV
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Stock convertor I would either go with BTR stage 1 or 2 or the TSP stage 1... all great options. I have the BTR stage 2 and love it, had the TSP stage 1 before and also a great option (had a lifter failure knock it out). BTR stage 2 seems to have a much broader powerband than the TSP 1. Cam motion and GPI both offer stock convertor solutions as well. I've heard the GPI is more on the radical end but cant confirm or deny.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 771
Likes: 399
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Got my parts coming in....I am in GREAT hands with Futral down here in Louisiana. He has done a good amount of work for me and never misses. I told him what I wanted (drivability with stock items) and I have no worries with his tuning and experience.
Will post cam specs, numbers etc when I get em.
Also thanks to silver08z51 for his input and vid clips.....
Stoked and ready for the chop
Will post cam specs, numbers etc when I get em.
Also thanks to silver08z51 for his input and vid clips.....
Stoked and ready for the chop