Tuning after cam install
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 7
Tuning after cam install
Hello, I have recently decided to install an off-the-shelf cam instead of going with a custom grind with some of the shops around me. Vengeance Racing put together a kit for me of everything I need, including lifters and gaskets. etc. My question is, how would I get the car tuned after I install it? Sadly, most of the shops around me only do tunes on cars they have done work on, and it's hard to find a reputable tuner that will tune my car. For reference, I am in the Dallas area, 21st Century, LG, AMP (AMP wouldn't even touch my car for such a mild build lol), and a few other shops I know that probably would not tune it. Is it better to just pay for the labor so they can get it tuned, or can anyone recommend a solution?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,337
Likes: 5,108
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
That's kinda crazy that none of them will tune it just because they didn't do the work. I'm not to familiar with the Dallas area, lots of options in Houston (LMR, HHP). I see these guys listed as not far from you. May be worth checking out: LSX Motorsports -Performance Tuning and Engine Upgrades
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 291
Likes: 42
From: CT
i had the same issue in CT. no local tuner would tune the car as i put the cam in myself. i used the spinmonster spec'd cam and i hated the drivability cruising at 2k rpm. had three remote tuners tune the car. ripped the cam out and it's on the shelf. put the stocker back in with a maggie on top.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,811
Likes: 106
From: God's Country, ID
Busy shops probably not wanting to take smaller jobs if it sets other projects back.
My LS Performance shop is a min four to six weeks just to get your car in right now.
More work available than there are highly skilled mechanics and auto electrical troubleshoot guys up here. YMMV.
My LS Performance shop is a min four to six weeks just to get your car in right now.
More work available than there are highly skilled mechanics and auto electrical troubleshoot guys up here. YMMV.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 1,680
From: Southeast TX
There's always Pat G. Long haul for you, but you won't be disappointed with the quality of his work. Several in Houston too. Might have to look in Austin or San Antonio if you can't find someone local. With as big as the Dallas/Ft Worth metro area is, there ought to be a local option.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 291
Likes: 42
From: CT
i liked every aspect of it aside from the steady cruising at 2k rpm was not smooth at all felt like the car was missing and would buck going down hill. had good power, nice idle sound. i put one in my buddies base and he loves it but drives his car differently. it's on the shelf. perhaps i should sell it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I have had Spin's cam in my 08 LS3 M6 corvette for just over 5k miles and while it is put away for the year it is the best cam IMO for the LS3. Makes great power and drives 98% like stock. Atleast mine does...
Here are some videos for you guys. I have uploaded tons of videos on my YouTube channel as people were reaching out to me inquiring for more details.
https://youtu.be/jh-G6TKCPYY
and it moves out well...
https://youtu.be/m0_fsH3cf5o
Thanks again Spin! I hope everyone chooses this cam! I am adding boost to mine hopefully next year. Should make 700-800whp on E with the ECS Novi 1500 blower kit.
Here are some videos for you guys. I have uploaded tons of videos on my YouTube channel as people were reaching out to me inquiring for more details.
https://youtu.be/jh-G6TKCPYY
and it moves out well...
https://youtu.be/m0_fsH3cf5o
Thanks again Spin! I hope everyone chooses this cam! I am adding boost to mine hopefully next year. Should make 700-800whp on E with the ECS Novi 1500 blower kit.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,337
Likes: 5,108
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
I've always said any cam is only as good as the guy behind the laptop. I've known guys with max effort cams who's cars drove like stock and guys with baby cams who could barely keep their car running at a stop light.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Drivability is a function of overlap. The lower the overlap, the easier it is to get a great manners result. The 230/234 cam is only 4 degrees overlap. Huge split cams with huge overlap will only work on automatic cars running a big stall. Given the same tuner, the cam with less overlap will drive better.
Some instances of poor driveability are due to running e10 fuel but not accounting for it in the tune. The stoic value for e10 is 14.1:1, not 14.7:1. Running it richer with more timing and increasing airflow at the culprit rpm fixes many problems.
Some instances of poor driveability are due to running e10 fuel but not accounting for it in the tune. The stoic value for e10 is 14.1:1, not 14.7:1. Running it richer with more timing and increasing airflow at the culprit rpm fixes many problems.
Last edited by SpinMonster; Mar 11, 2025 at 11:02 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 291
Likes: 42
From: CT
spin, i didn't want to mention tuner names but i've used PAT G, PCM of NC and Greg Huggins. i will tell you that PCM of NC had the car running the best out of those three.
they've tried more/less airflow, and richened it up, MAF only or 2 bar Speed density, same crap at 2k rpm light cruising. now i'm sure with hours at a great tuner in person they probably could have gotten it to work. i don't have time for that. thus the reason why i pulled it out. i'm not knocking the cam. just my experience with it and remote tuning.
they've tried more/less airflow, and richened it up, MAF only or 2 bar Speed density, same crap at 2k rpm light cruising. now i'm sure with hours at a great tuner in person they probably could have gotten it to work. i don't have time for that. thus the reason why i pulled it out. i'm not knocking the cam. just my experience with it and remote tuning.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 185
From: Austin TX
There's always Pat G. Long haul for you, but you won't be disappointed with the quality of his work. Several in Houston too. Might have to look in Austin or San Antonio if you can't find someone local. With as big as the Dallas/Ft Worth metro area is, there ought to be a local option.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Perhaps if you paid them to do other mods such as a FAST intake or headers with paying for the tune then?
I can understand a tuner being reluctant since they own it if the install has an issue and the tune gets blamed.
If you were here in Colorado, I would get you out of the jam.
In my younger days, I would have traveled to you, but health and age aren't on my side for that.
I can understand a tuner being reluctant since they own it if the install has an issue and the tune gets blamed.
If you were here in Colorado, I would get you out of the jam.
In my younger days, I would have traveled to you, but health and age aren't on my side for that.