Best cam for 243 heads
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Best cam for 243 heads
I want as much as i can get out of my setup NA, i don't want to run cometic head gaskets though. I currently have a TSP 228R cam on my LS2 6M c6 corvette. I want to run a larger cam but I'm not sure what's too large. I know around 230 degrees of intake duration you may begin to run in to PTV clearance issues but I've seen some cams as big as 238 degrees on the intake side. I don't want one that large. Biggest I was thinking was the GPI SS3 cam. 233/253 .646/.637 113 LSA. My heads are ported but I'm considering milling them to get to 11.0:1+ compression. My other concern was if I run into PTV clearance problems what options do I have if I want to stay with the cam i selected. TSP 228R cam specs are 228/228 .600/.600 114 LSA.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Why no Cometic head gaskets? Lots of folks, including me, run them successfully. You have a 0 overlap cam now. The SS3 has 17 degrees of overlap. Do you know what you're getting into running that much overlap? Any semblance of manners, drivability, and fuel eco is going out the window. That's going to get old quickly.
As far as your static compression ratio goes...I think a stock LS2 is only slightly under 11:1 (10.9:1?). A clean up mill on your heads will get you to 11:1.
The folks that grind whatever cam you swap to can tell you whether their cam will "fit" without PTV issues. That's assuming no milling and no thinner head gaskets. Once you do that, you need to measure.
As far as your static compression ratio goes...I think a stock LS2 is only slightly under 11:1 (10.9:1?). A clean up mill on your heads will get you to 11:1.
The folks that grind whatever cam you swap to can tell you whether their cam will "fit" without PTV issues. That's assuming no milling and no thinner head gaskets. Once you do that, you need to measure.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Yea I know driveability will be worse as well as fuel economy but that's okay with me as this is not a car I have to drive every single day. Would you recommend less duration on the exhaust side? Something closer to 246 and who could I go to for a custom grind cam? My heads are already milled at the moment but with the thicker LS9 head gaskets I don't think I've gained any compression. As far as intake duration 233 is probably around the max id want to go since my heads will be milled slightly further once I resurface them again before putting them on. What would the difference in running the same duration on the intake but less duration on the exhaust?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
The huge splits are what the LS3/7 guys crave. I personally don't believe you need a huge split with LS2 heads. The big splits will make a little more up top but at the expense of low and mid range power. Plus, each two degrees increase of exhaust duration equals 1 degree increase in overlap. A 232/238 114+3 or 4 would make a well rounded cam without too many big cam issues. It would sure benefit from a bump in static CR up to about 11.5:1. An increase in static CR makes more power, will be more efficient, and will help in the manners department. Not much downside to it as long as you can fit it PTV wise and have access to decent high octane fuel.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
How high up top will that power be made? Also assuming compression ratio was the same how much of a power increase do you think something like a 232/238 would gain over my 228/228. I'm just currently a little underwhelmed by the performance of the 228R. Also in terms of lift do you have a recommendation for how high I should go? Also should I look for a cam with more lift on the intake side or should I get one that has more lift on the exhaust side? Based on what I've read lift does not matter as much as duration but I'm sure it still plays a factor.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 226
From: Coast of San Mateo CA
Cam Motion LS1/2 Titan 5 232*/238* 113*+4* .621"/.604" with 11.2-11.5 would be as large as
I would consider and require an excellent tune.
Intake lift should be greater in "Almost" all situations because the valve size is almost always larger,
it has to do with curtain area.
A Tony Mamo Ported Fast 102 intake would add 25+ over the OE LS2 if you haven't changed the intake yet.
Just my .02
I would consider and require an excellent tune.
Intake lift should be greater in "Almost" all situations because the valve size is almost always larger,
it has to do with curtain area.
A Tony Mamo Ported Fast 102 intake would add 25+ over the OE LS2 if you haven't changed the intake yet.
Just my .02
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
I have a ported fast lsxr 102 on the car already. Noticeable difference indeed from the LS2 intake manifold. I forget about cam motion from time to time. You think I'd be able to get to the 11.2+ compression ratio on just milled heads? I know the LS2 is pretty close to that compression stock(10.9:1) but I'm not sure what's the max the heads can be milled. What combustion chamber size would be needed if you happen to know off rip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
You need to throw a Cometic MLS .040 head gasket into the mix. That will tighten up the quench area as well as bump static CR up. Tighter quench area will stave off detonation and possibly allow more ignition advance. Also, it will bump your static up about three tenths of a point. Win/win.
Milling .01 will reduce chamber volume by about 1.5 cc. That will up static CR about 2 tenths of a point. That's exactly what I did on my LS3. Mill .010 and use a .040 Cometic head gasket. With ported heads and 0 overlap cam, it runs strong with perfect manners.
Milling .01 will reduce chamber volume by about 1.5 cc. That will up static CR about 2 tenths of a point. That's exactly what I did on my LS3. Mill .010 and use a .040 Cometic head gasket. With ported heads and 0 overlap cam, it runs strong with perfect manners.
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
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
The cometic head gaskets are just as strong as the OEM ones? I just get a bit nervous about them as I don't want to run into head gasket issues. I have ARP head studs as well on the engine. If they're just as reliable I'll probably go with the Cometics then. Thank you guys for the responses I appreciate you sharing your knowledge on the platform.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
I haven't heard anything bad about the Cometic head gaskets. I've used a couple of sets without issue. I haven't heard everything there is to hear though. Do your due diligence. If you find a smoking gun, please report back.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 168
Likes: 61
From: Albuquerque, NM
The cam wizards will steer you right. I have a 232/234 cam that would be kind of a "medium cam" in that it makes power everywhere and isn't hard to tune. I think at some point people hit diminishing returns trying to go too big with their cam. Unless you have a max effort NA build its a lot of tradeoffs for little gain.
Nothing wrong with cometic gaskets, I almost went with the .040 too. Most people just use GM MLS gaskets because they are reliable and easy to find.
Nothing wrong with cometic gaskets, I almost went with the .040 too. Most people just use GM MLS gaskets because they are reliable and easy to find.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
What else do you have along with that cam? I almost went with the tsp torquer V2 but I couldn't find a cam kit for it and at the time wasn't as familiar with everything I needed so I got the 228R. What's the power difference you think between the torquer V2 and 228R?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 168
Likes: 61
From: Albuquerque, NM
I don't think there is much difference between a 228r and a torquer V2, the GTO guys use both of them and they are directly comparable. Probably not as big of a gain as you would be looking for. I have nothing but rave review on the torquer, it sounds great and pulls hard.
I did vararam intake, msd atomic intake manifold and trick flow heads all at once. I already had the cam and a 3000 stall. I checked ptv with clay and had to get custom pushrods to fit the new heads and roller rockers. I went with the ls9 gaskets. I have LG headers and xpipe and NPP exhaust. I feel like it's a great setup for a street car, the motor has less restriction on the intake and the exhaust and it sounds great when I open it up.
I did vararam intake, msd atomic intake manifold and trick flow heads all at once. I already had the cam and a 3000 stall. I checked ptv with clay and had to get custom pushrods to fit the new heads and roller rockers. I went with the ls9 gaskets. I have LG headers and xpipe and NPP exhaust. I feel like it's a great setup for a street car, the motor has less restriction on the intake and the exhaust and it sounds great when I open it up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
FLYCUTMONSTER: making big cams fit with optimum compression - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Last edited by old motorhead; Feb 16, 2025 at 05:45 PM.