[chrest]

I have made the decision to do a cam swap as well and have been ingesting so much info. I think I will be going with the engine pull method. I've done other projects that involved pulling the pan while in the vehicle and it's too difficult to get things sealed back up in my experience. I'll be doing supporting mods this winter and cam next winter but inintend to document the entire process for the forum.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by PRAY

My cam job will be starting on Saturday. I think I am just going to pull the motor. But mine is going to be a bit involved so I it is best for me to pull it. I don't plan on losing any torque, anywhere. I have a buddy that has done a bunch of cam swaps and he has decided to pull the motors. He did it both ways and according to him, it is just faster.

You considering those Vengeance pistons while it's out?

[PRAY]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

You considering those Vengeance pistons while it's out?

Not right now. Possibly when the blower goes on. But someone needs to make a piston that we can safely get to 13.0 SCR. Almost all of these cams coming out need at least 12.6 SCR just get back to stock DCR. I fully believe that is why we are seeing the aftermarket cams not make much of any tq and start to get gains around 5K. Since there is no PTV in these cars you are very limited to when the valve events can start. I am going to take a bunch of measurements this weekend to figure out what can be done on the cam front.

[DFW1LE]

Originally Posted by PRAY

Not right now. Possibly when the blower goes on. But someone needs to make a piston that we can safely get to 13.0 SCR. Almost all of these cams coming out need at least 12.6 SCR just get back to stock DCR. I fully believe that is why we are seeing the aftermarket cams not make much of any tq and start to get gains around 5K. Since there is no PTV in these cars you are very limited to when the valve events can start. I am going to take a bunch of measurements this weekend to figure out what can be done on the cam front.

This is a very interesting and astute observation. It would be good to see such a piston/rod drop in kit that wouldn't require rebalancing, but I suppose that wouldn't be possible without rebalancing.

[Redlinez]

I definitely miss the LSX cam swapped cars I had, but wow do these drive so much better.

[PRAY]

Originally Posted by DFW1LE

This is a very interesting and astute observation. It would be good to see such a piston/rod drop in kit that wouldn't require rebalancing, but I suppose that wouldn't be possible without rebalancing.

Almost all of the aftermarket cams lose at least 1 full point of DCR. That is substantial. Especially if you are going to run E. E loses it's effectiveness as compression goes down. Going from a IVC of 29* with the stock cam to a IVC or around 44* with most of the aftermarket cams I have seen is a killer. When you go to some of these STGIII cams out there you are killing yourself unless you have at least a 4C (probably need a 5C) and plan on shifting the car at 7,500. I am sure it looks good on the dyno but I bet it doesn't get down the track.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by PRAY

Not right now. Possibly when the blower goes on. But someone needs to make a piston that we can safely get to 13.0 SCR. Almost all of these cams coming out need at least 12.6 SCR just get back to stock DCR. I fully believe that is why we are seeing the aftermarket cams not make much of any tq and start to get gains around 5K. Since there is no PTV in these cars you are very limited to when the valve events can start. I am going to take a bunch of measurements this weekend to figure out what can be done on the cam front.

Yes I agree which is why I have no interest in a cam swap on this platform at this time. Giving up compression is going the wrong direction in a NA application.

Originally Posted by Redlinez

I definitely miss the LSX cam swapped cars I had, but wow do these drive so much better.

That is why I kept my Fbody...6g is a better but I still love my H/C LS6 hard top.

[BradfordCamaro]

Figuring out the right combo is the hard part.
I managed a 40ft/lb gain w/ +70ft/lbs @6000rpm.
But I did heads as well.

I guess it is how much gain you expect as reasonable.

[Redlinez]

The cost per hp really comes into play too. Sounds like you're way better off going FI and maybe someone will come up with a ghost cam tune so you have the best off both....

[mtlforlife]

Can you combine lower compression pistons with a higher compression head to recover some of the cam loss? E.g. CMS 10/5/1 pistons/rod drops in with Lingenfelter 12/1 cylinder heads.

[PRAY]

Originally Posted by mtlforlife

Can you combine lower compression pistons with a higher compression head to recover some of the cam loss? E.g. CMS 10/5/1 pistons/rod drops in with Lingenfelter 12/1 cylinder heads.

It all boils down to PTV. I would say no. If there is no valve relief cut into the piston then PTV and injector clearance will be the doom of it. These heads are already at 59cc stock. From what I have heard from a trusted source is that you can't mill more than .020" of the head without the injectors getting dangerously close to the pistons. You can run a .040" Cometic to help with quench and gain a little compression back but you will still run into trouble eventually. It appears that around 11.8 SCR is about all you can get out of these things right now without fly cutting a notching the pistons for the injectors.

I think the other big deal is that most of these cam offerings are on a 114-116 lobe sep. That alone is going to mover your power band up and move your IVC way back as well. A double whammy really. What I am very curious about is to see what the PTV for the exhaust is. I personally don't spec any cams save one, on anything over 112. Most of my cams are 110-111. If you get your over lap right you can maximize DCR and the tq curve with a very strong top end.

I just sent off a ported top end package with a custom cam today. We will see how that does in a couple weeks. I will have a lot more answers by Sunday with my stuff. If for some reason I run into issues I can't over come to run the cam I designed for my car then I will throw in the blower cam and throw the blower on.

[ULTRAZLS1]

I really want to see how your custom cam works with your heads. Don't do the blower yet.

What type of valve springs are you going with ? Who is making your cam? What peak rpm are you looking at?

Back in my LS days 110-112 LSA was always the popular choice. Wonder why everyone is doing higher now...

[PRAY]

Originally Posted by ULTRAZLS1

I really want to see how your custom cam works with your heads. Don't do the blower yet.

What type of valve springs are you going with ? Who is making your cam? What peak rpm are you looking at?

Back in my LS days 110-112 LSA was always the popular choice. Wonder why everyone is doing higher now...

I am using TSP valve springs. The cam is also on TSP lobes. They have been grinding my custom cams for years. I used to run Comp LSL/ HUC lobes for all my LS stuff. But I switched to TSP lobes some time back. The cars seem to make the same power. I am looking to keep the same power curve I have now. I want peak power from 6,500 to 6,700 and want it to carry well after peak. I want to keep the shift points around 6,800 with the gear splits of this trans. I also didn't want to have to re-stall my converter.1.39 60ft's is the goal with 9.9 1/4 being the final goal.

I will try to find out this weekend if the lobe sep is a mechanical issue or a tune issue.

[KingLT1]

I am definitely interested to see Prays results with the Cam.