help choosing a cam?
 

Shopping around for a new cam for my Trans Am and here are some that have been suggested. I am swapping in an LS6 with 243 heads fwiw. Hoping to make around 400/400 at the wheels NA and will be spraying a 125 shot.

235/238 .621"/.612" 112+3
235/242 .621"/.615" 111+3
231/234 .617"/.602" 111+2

Another shop would not send me specific numbers, but was just saying something in the range of a high 23x duration and .62x" lift on around a 112 lsa.

To me, it sounds like all of these folks are on the same page and kinda telling me the same thing. That being said, how do I choose one that I will be happy with?

My current cam is a 225/229 .580"/.590" 114 and I was less than impressed with it overall because it just didn't seem to make any power for the mods. I don't need the car to be a daily driver, but would like to be able to cruise around and have some decent power on tap when I decide to punch it. The whole build is leaning towards a pro-touring style build rather than a full on dragster, but I know the power I want to make and that with some planning I can get there.

Thoughts?

i would keep the same cam and get the heads ported if possible.

I may be interested in your old cam if you buy a new one.....

The old cam is being included in the sale of the LS1 engine and is already sold. I have a complete LS6 going in in it's place and need a cam for that. I may throw a set of the PRC stage 2.5 243's on there before it goes in.

Rule of thumb is always go more conservative than you think you need unless this is for a specific application. Most people let their eyes pick out a can without any real understanding that they are completely ruining any low end power. Also when the manufacturer says power band on a certain big cam will be 2500-7500 that is more like 4000-7000. Also if I were you I would keep the LSA a little wider. The top cam is pretty big for an LS6 engine if you still want any passing power around 2000 RPMs. On a side note isn't this car an auto?

if all you want is 400 then throw a stock LS6 cam in it with some 1.8 rockers and do full boltons... Greenbean made 426 with a stock LS2 cam in his LS2

You can make 400 with a freaking hotcam FWIW. 6-speed or auto makes a difference though.

I'd like to see 400+ if possible. Car is an auto and will be stalled to around 3600-4000. I don't know much about cams other than ls engines like big ones lol. It's a toy, not a DD but will be driven primarily on the street when I take it out and an occasional trip to the track. A nasty idle and good power curve are my main goals. It won't see much time at 2000 unless I'm cruising


Tap dat talk

I have a custom ground cam that is 234/238 .629 .630 112+5 LSA from my LS1 if your interested. Less than 1200 miles on it.

I don't know who you've talked to at this point. Give James Frye a call at competition cams. He is over the cam tech department. Very bright guy and easy to talk to. He maybe a little hard to get on the phone, but is worth the wait. He helped me design my custom cam in my small block ford and hit the nail on the head the first time around. Their custom cams are pretty much priced the same as their off the shelf grinds. Turn around time is fairly quick.

228/232 .612/.600 111

made 412hp in my bolt on ls1 through a 6speed.

RPM range would be very usable. Throw a 150 shot and roll out.

How so? That cam produces huge low end tq and is very popular with the heavier gto guys.

Ihazcomprehenshun

Matt he wasn't putting you down he agreed it was a good grind.

Matt has no comprehenshun. Lulz.


Asa cam ftw. Lol!

low 230 intake duration at 600 lift on a 112. GET SOME!

I read it wrong. STFU NOOB! Go hang out with birdman.

You don't know!

Sell out.

:poke:

I think I'm just gonna go with the 235/238 .621"/.612" 112+3. Being an auto with 3.73's and planning my converter correctly, I feel like it should be a good fit and should also scream on the bottle while still being a good fit if I decide to upgrade heads in the future.


Tap dat talk

if you are planning on nitrous why not get a more nitrous friendly cam?

What exactly makes a cam more nitrous friendly? I'm only planning to spray a 100-125 shot on a simple Zex kit.