doing a cam....
11-17-2012, 02:56 PM
#1
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doing a cam....
i want to do a cam but i dont wanna lose driveablity in first gear! i really want the sound of the cam and a little horsepower 
lol what cam do u guys recomend? my cars a ls3 and i dont want to do heads as i was told the heads on the ls3 are pretty good from the factory! all input is much appreciated!!! thanks guys....
lol what cam do u guys recomend? my cars a ls3 and i dont want to do heads as i was told the heads on the ls3 are pretty good from the factory! all input is much appreciated!!! thanks guys....
11-17-2012, 04:31 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
^this questions should be posted in another Forum heading, likely Tech/Performance. Your question is a complex one and I get the sense that you might not even know the right questions to ask. There is no one cam that is the right one. Streetability is the key for you if I am catching your drift. 1st gear driveability is not an issue unless you have an Auto in which case you might need a stall convertor. Yes, LS3 heads are great from the factory and many feel to P&P the same yields inadequate power given the money invested to do so, pull heads, etc. You need someone to tune the vehicle as well and you will also need all the support mods. You need to find out what your "goals" are and go from there. Good Luck.
Last edited by raspyc6; 11-17-2012 at 04:33 PM.
11-17-2012, 09:20 PM
#5
Drifting
Cam
You might consider the GM "Hot Cam'. It is listed in the GM Performance Parts Catalog. They advertise it to add 50 hp/torque. I had one in my 2008 LS3 and was very happy with it. You will need a 3 bolt cam gear,Z06 is 3 bolt. Had it installed by a top GM Tech at the Chev. dealership.
11-18-2012, 11:23 AM
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^this questions should be posted in another Forum heading, likely Tech/Performance. Your question is a complex one and I get the sense that you might not even know the right questions to ask. There is no one cam that is the right one. Streetability is the key for you if I am catching your drift. 1st gear driveability is not an issue unless you have an Auto in which case you might need a stall convertor. Yes, LS3 heads are great from the factory and many feel to P&P the same yields inadequate power given the money invested to do so, pull heads, etc. You need someone to tune the vehicle as well and you will also need all the support mods. You need to find out what your "goals" are and go from there. Good Luck.
11-18-2012, 01:26 PM
#9
Retired & lovin' it!
No disrespect intended, but seems to me you've got two opposite objectives working here. You want the lumpy, nasty sound of a cam, but you don't want to sacrifice driveablility. That sound comes from a cam with high lift & lots of overlap.....both will make driveability suffer. Have you thought about headers, an agressive exhaust system & a good tune? That will give you much of the sound you're looking for plus a bit of a HP pickup, without affecting driveability. Just my 2 cents....
11-18-2012, 04:05 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
^Dave S makes tremendous sense. At this point, the focus is on getting the bolt-ons that one MUST HAVE and tune afterward. Then you gotta be able to put that down to the ground. Look, I have thought out a fully spec'd cam that is a gem for the LS3 motor. I have every last detail mapped out but I said "screw it" to the idea because to be honest I cannot launch from a dead hook perspective with what I have now to the wheels (421/418.) My sense is you would likely be good if you just did that. Don't get me started on talking about Drag Radials either...you'll want them, too. I know...it is like getting a tatoo, right?
11-19-2012, 12:29 AM
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^Dave S makes tremendous sense. At this point, the focus is on getting the bolt-ons that one MUST HAVE and tune afterward. Then you gotta be able to put that down to the ground. Look, I have thought out a fully spec'd cam that is a gem for the LS3 motor. I have every last detail mapped out but I said "screw it" to the idea because to be honest I cannot launch from a dead hook perspective with what I have now to the wheels (421/418.) My sense is you would likely be good if you just did that. Don't get me started on talking about Drag Radials either...you'll want them, too. I know...it is like getting a tatoo, right?
11-19-2012, 12:31 AM
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No disrespect intended, but seems to me you've got two opposite objectives working here. You want the lumpy, nasty sound of a cam, but you don't want to sacrifice driveablility. That sound comes from a cam with high lift & lots of overlap.....both will make driveability suffer. Have you thought about headers, an agressive exhaust system & a good tune? That will give you much of the sound you're looking for plus a bit of a HP pickup, without affecting driveability. Just my 2 cents....
11-19-2012, 08:25 AM
#13
Retired & lovin' it!
I'm running AR headers with their hi-flow cats & X-pipe and Corsa Sport mufflers.....tune was done by Doug Ring at ECS here in NJ. Intake is stock but I've heard good words about the Varam. I suggest you take the mod steps in stages to judge the results & decide what you like. Once you've gone the "bolt-on" route, you can then decide if you want to go further with a cam & other internals.
11-19-2012, 09:23 AM
#14
Le Mans Master
i have done all my mods in stages over past 2 years.
callaway honker cai (as good as lingenfelter)
ported ls2 tb (formatto)
ported fast 102 (spinmonster)
160' stat
kooks 1 3/4 LT ceramic coated headers (jet hot)
no cats
bassani cat back
mail order tune (ECS) "highly recomended"
I have been contemplating a h/c pkg as well......but I can not hook the power i have now in 1+2 gears...even with phadt featherlight coilovers and running 305/30/19 ps2's on back (bit worn though)
bought everything slightly used and made great performance gains...while saving a TON of $$$. I would suggest going this route and then see if you feel you still want a cam. *but...this mod bug is a virus w/ no cure...beware*
callaway honker cai (as good as lingenfelter)
ported ls2 tb (formatto)
ported fast 102 (spinmonster)
160' stat
kooks 1 3/4 LT ceramic coated headers (jet hot)
no cats
bassani cat back
mail order tune (ECS) "highly recomended"
I have been contemplating a h/c pkg as well......but I can not hook the power i have now in 1+2 gears...even with phadt featherlight coilovers and running 305/30/19 ps2's on back (bit worn though)
bought everything slightly used and made great performance gains...while saving a TON of $$$. I would suggest going this route and then see if you feel you still want a cam. *but...this mod bug is a virus w/ no cure...beware*
11-19-2012, 09:27 AM
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I'm running AR headers with their hi-flow cats & X-pipe and Corsa Sport mufflers.....tune was done by Doug Ring at ECS here in NJ. Intake is stock but I've heard good words about the Varam. I suggest you take the mod steps in stages to judge the results & decide what you like. Once you've gone the "bolt-on" route, you can then decide if you want to go further with a cam & other internals.
11-19-2012, 09:32 AM
#16
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i have done all my mods in stages over past 2 years.
callaway honker cai (as good as lingenfelter)
ported ls2 tb (formatto)
ported fast 102 (spinmonster)
160' stat
kooks 1 3/4 LT ceramic coated headers (jet hot)
no cats
bassani cat back
mail order tune (ECS) "highly recomended"
I have been contemplating a h/c pkg as well......but I can not hook the power i have now in 1+2 gears...even with phadt featherlight coilovers and running 305/30/19 ps2's on back (bit worn though)
bought everything slightly used and made great performance gains...while saving a TON of $$$. I would suggest going this route and then see if you feel you still want a cam. *but...this mod bug is a virus w/ no cure...beware*
callaway honker cai (as good as lingenfelter)
ported ls2 tb (formatto)
ported fast 102 (spinmonster)
160' stat
kooks 1 3/4 LT ceramic coated headers (jet hot)
no cats
bassani cat back
mail order tune (ECS) "highly recomended"
I have been contemplating a h/c pkg as well......but I can not hook the power i have now in 1+2 gears...even with phadt featherlight coilovers and running 305/30/19 ps2's on back (bit worn though)
bought everything slightly used and made great performance gains...while saving a TON of $$$. I would suggest going this route and then see if you feel you still want a cam. *but...this mod bug is a virus w/ no cure...beware*
11-19-2012, 09:59 AM
#17
Team Owner
Do NOT go with the GM hot cam...its weak in comparison to others out there. I know guys running the original street sweeper in their LS2 cars and they hold together fine and they make a lot more power than the hot cam and its the same price for the most part.
If it were me I would also update the springs to keep everything together. You dont want springs to get weak over time or worse have one break and there you will sit with a junk engine.
If it were me I would also update the springs to keep everything together. You dont want springs to get weak over time or worse have one break and there you will sit with a junk engine.
11-19-2012, 06:27 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
Wow sounds like u have a Kool package on your car! I want to do it in steps as u said but I am no stranger to the mod virus! Lol what did u feel just off the TB and fast 102mm intake because I have herd they aren't worth doing unless ur making over 500! I really don't believe that! Lol what do u feel different in yur performance with them?
