1) Can I buy a camshaft and have it installed at a local shop, without needing to replace anything else? I dont want to be putting down unreliable power, I want it to be power I can use and abuse non-stop.

2) What is the 'best' cam shaft to use? I'm looking to get down the 1/4 faster, put down as much more power as I possibly can, and perhaps even increase my red-line...

What are my options?

 

Incase you want to know, 2002 Camaro SS, LS1 engine (duh) , M6 tranny. Lid, and muffler. Nothing else. Yet.

 

One more update, this is a daily driver.

 

Im getting ready to do H/C on mine and I have been told that the
224/228 .581/.583 comp cam is a great choice and works fine with factory tuning and manifolds.

This is what Im going to install in mine , but not sure if this cam would work with stock heads or not.

Somebody chime in here and help us out.


ps... go to www.ls1.com at the top of the forum page is a sticky not on cam selections. This helped me out.

Later
Mike

 

No matter which cam you do, you will be changing sorings at a bare minumum. Hopefully some other stuff as well.

GM Hotcam
TR 220
TR 224
MTI Hammer Cam
etc

Also search the internal section on www.ls1tech.com

 

depending on what type of cam you put in your car will depend on what else needs to be changed. depending on the size, if you go up big enough you might need to rework some the valve train and even get it tuned.

it would be smart (depending on the size of the new cam) to go ahead and get things like valve springs, retainers, stronger pushrods etc..

i have been looking at Thunder Racing's Custom "Reverse Split" Camshaft - 230/224 .575/.563 111 LSA. i think i might want sompthan a little bigger but im not sure yet. still looking around for personal experience

and about the install; any decent shop thats worth its wieght SHOULD be able to do the install (you'd think?) just make sure you talk to previous customers before you let them do something like install a cam for ya

and last you might want a new pair of heads to accompany that new cam i dont have the URL at this comp but Patriot makes some really nice heads and are the cheapest

/tek.

 

With any aftermarket cam, you are going to want to change springs. You could go with a TSP228 single pattern. It will give about 7-8HP more than the 224 but it will still be plenty streetable for the setup you are looking for. In the next couple of weeks we are going to have a Crane dual spring package that includes the springs, retainers and seats for around $300. If you did not want to do that, you could always go with the Comp 918s.
You also need to look into some LT headers. You won't see the full potential out of the cam if the car can't breathe.

Brian

 

Isn't there a whole package he could buy?And by he i mean me. I'm talkin about a heads/cam package with everything needed to be installed.

 

www.forcefedhighperformance.com

Asl for Scott and tell him Mike Martin sent you, he may cut you a deal.

Mike

 

Jaegermeister2k- We have heads/cam packages available. I would recommend the Patriot heads. They offer stage II 5.3 heads and stage II LS6 heads with your choice of combustion chamber size. The package would include the heads, your choice of camshaft, pushrods and single roller timing chain. The 5.3 stage II head package would run $1869.99. The Patriot stage II LS6 heads/cam package is $2,299 and also includes everything from above. The heads come fully assembled from Patriot with Crane dual springs.
The only thing that is not included in the package that you would need would be a head bolt/gasket kit, which would include head bolts, head gaskets, water pump gaskets, front seal, timing cover gasket & crank bolt for $150(all GM parts).

Brian

 

big z on average how much would the install cost. I know it will varry but on average?

 

jboo70- The price for a heads/cam install is $1,250.

Brian

 

jboo70- The price for a heads/cam install at our shop is $1,250.

Brian

 

Alright...


Recommend a Heads/Cam package that will get me over 400+ horses & torque to the wheels. Thats what I want.

It's a street car, can you predict any kind of mileage I'll be getting with my gas? How long will the power last, and where will redline roughly be? Street car and the track once a week.

I want to smash my friend's supercharged Mustang GT who puts out 380 horses/torque, and thats without any other mods besides the supercharger.

 

I would go with the Patriot/TSP LS6 stage II heads/cam package. I would go with our 231/237. That cam combined with the Patriot LS6 heads should easily get you 400+ RW, assuming you have all the bolt-ons(headers, pulley, etc.).
The Patriot 5.3 heads and that cam has been putting down some nice numbers(440+ RWHP). There is a guy in Georgia that has the the 231/237 and the Patr. LS6 heads and he put down 451RW with all the bolt-ons(minus electric WP). The 231/237 will need some gear if you are a M6 and converter if it's an A4.
If you are going to the track once a week, I would look into getting a 12-bolt if you don't have one. If you go out on sticky tires with that combo, your stock 10-bolt won't last long!

Brian