LS3 525 vs cammed 430

[65 drop top]

I've decided to go with a LS3 for my '55 Chevy. I'm having trouble deciding between the LS3 525 or the LS3 430 and doing a cam swap. It looks like if I do a cam swap it'll get me closer to 570 hp. The ASA cam is 226/236 @ .050 with .525 intake and exhaust and 110 lsa. There are a couple different cams I'm looking at, TSP for example, and they are around 230/245 @ .050 and .630/.615 lift and 112 lsa. I'll be running a close ratio T56 and have 3.70 gears and will be running a 335-345/?/20 tire. The rear end is new and I would like to use it, but not totally opposed to a new gear set to get the perfect combo.

I want the car to make as much power as possible with out sacrificing reliability or excessive wear on the valve train. I want it to be fast when I push it, but want it to be able to take long road trips. It needs to be daily driver reliable. I'm just trying to find the best compromise.

Any other cam recommendations if I go with the 430?

[dhutton]

Low end torque is going to suffer with that horsepower goal. Low end torque is what gives you the best feeling of power on the street, not peak horsepower which is purely for bragging rights imho. You want a nice flat torque curve. Not a fan of that ASA cam. I recommend the 480/495 GMPP crate engine and be done with it.

Don

[Z06vet]

I really like the texas speed stage 2 cam on a 112. It has a broad power band, good power down low for coming out of those tight, slow autocross turns, and still sounds great ad idle. I sent the heads to them when I bought the cam & had them ported. I was really impressed with the overall package. I see they changed the exhaust duration on the stage 2 cam, so I'm not sure if that will affect power in the lower range. Mine is a 229/236 112.

[badazz81z28]

Me personally if we are talking a new crate engine, go with one you don't intend on modifying. I wouldn't chance breaking into a new engine to swap the cam and void any sort of warranty. I also agree with the power. You want a good power band not peak power. There is a difference. I guarantee you would like my 500 horse LS7 better then my 500 horse LS1

[65 drop top]

Low end torque is going to suffer with that horsepower goal. Low end torque is what gives you the best feeling of power on the street, not peak horsepower which is purely for bragging rights imho. You want a nice flat torque curve. Not a fan of that ASA cam. I recommend the 480/495 GMPP crate engine and be done with it.
Don
I do see that a lot of people like the 480 better. I've gotten used to driving my BBC Chevelle with over 600 hp and tq. I was hoping my '55 would keep up with it.


I really like the texas speed stage 2 cam on a 112. It has a broad power band, good power down low for coming out of those tight, slow autocross turns, and still sounds great ad idle. I sent the heads to them when I bought the cam & had them ported. I was really impressed with the overall package. I see they changed the exhaust duration on the stage 2 cam, so I'm not sure if that will affect power in the lower range. Mine is a 229/236 112.
Did you ever drive your car with the stock cam? How would you compare the two down low?


Me personally if we are talking a new crate engine, go with one you don't intend on modifying. I wouldn't chance breaking into a new engine to swap the cam and void any sort of warranty. I also agree with the power. You want a good power band not peak power. There is a difference. I guarantee you would like my 500 horse LS7 better then my 500 horse LS1
I agree, I've been thinking about that too. But I'm doing a complete frame off rotisserie build. I'm at least 2 years away, if not even longer from being done. I think the warranty would have expired by then if they start it on the purchase date.

[icemanrd19]

I have the ls3 480 which i think is actually rated at 495hp. Its a damn blast. Love the sound of the cam, runs hard, and can easily upgrade in the future.

[65 drop top]

Here are dyno sheets from GM for the 480 and the 525. It looks like the 525 has more torque across the board. I've heard that the 480 has more torque down low, but it looks like the 525 has about 50 ft lbs more at 3400. I'm not sure how the 2 compare below 3400 but the 525's curve looks flat enough that I'd imagine it does well below 3400 as well.

The graph for the 525 cuts off at 6200 rpm. I wonder if the peak hp drops off or if it continues to pull?

[65 drop top]

I have the ls3 480 which i think is actually rated at 495hp. Its a damn blast. Love the sound of the cam, runs hard, and can easily upgrade in the future.
Just curious, what kind of car is it in? Any idea on a 1/4 mile time? I keep hearing really good things about the 480.

[icemanrd19]

Just curious, what kind of car is it in? Any idea on a 1/4 mile time? I keep hearing really good things about the 480.

67 camaro, t56 mag, ford 9" with 4.11s. car pulls very hard. 1, 2, and 3rd are a blast anytime. cruising going 60ish and dropping it to 4th pulls hard to 100 plus.

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fran dy.dicken.3%2Fposts%2F10101168534310156&width=500" width="500" height="663" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>


https://www.facebook.com/randy.dicken.3/videos/pcb.10101168534310156/10101168519973886/?type=3&theater

[65 drop top]

67 camaro, t56 mag, ford 9" with 4.11s. car pulls very hard. 1, 2, and 3rd are a blast anytime. cruising going 60ish and dropping it to 4th pulls hard to 100 plus.

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fran dy.dicken.3%2Fposts%2F10101168534310156&width=500" width="500" height="663" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>


https://www.facebook.com/randy.dicken.3/videos/pcb.10101168534310156/10101168519973886/?type=3&theater
Awesome video, thanks for sharing it. You're car looks and sounds great.

[MotorCityMuscleCarz]

I just (two weeks ago) had a new LS376/525 engine (obviously, with the ASA cam) and new American Powertrain T56 Magnum installed in my pro-touring '69 Camaro (which is running 4.10 gears). The powertrain runs very strong and smoothly with a definite assertive thump. Both engine and transmission come with a 24 month warranty, and no messing around needed opening up engine to change cams, etc. So far, it's very daily driver-reliable --- I drive it 80 miles round trip to and from work every day --- which is what I was looking for also. Couldn't be happier. Highly recommend.

[65 drop top]

I just (two weeks ago) had a new LS376/525 engine (obviously, with the ASA cam) and new American Powertrain T56 Magnum installed in my pro-touring '69 Camaro (which is running 4.10 gears). The powertrain runs very strong and smoothly with a definite assertive thump. Both engine and transmission come with a 24 month warranty, and no messing around needed opening up engine to change cams, etc. So far, it's very daily driver-reliable --- I drive it 80 miles round trip to and from work every day --- which is what I was looking for also. Couldn't be happier. Highly recommend.
Awesome! How does the motor do at low rpm's? Close ratio trans? Do you like the 4.10's with you're combo?

[MotorCityMuscleCarz]

Awesome! How does the motor do at low rpm's? Close ratio trans? Do you like the 4.10's with you're combo?

At low RPMs, the motor pulls strongly. Yes, I have a close ratio T56. There are trade-offs with any combo of transmission ratio and rear end ratio. When I had a wide ratio T56 (my previous transmission) and the 4.10 rear end, it obviously ran at lower RPMs when at highway speeds. That provided a bit better gas mileage, but also meant that whenever I wanted to pass someone, I always had to downshift, and at slower highway speeds (like around 62 MPH), it was on the very edge of needing to go into 5th gear --- not comfortable.

On the other hand, with the close ratio T56, at any highway cruising speed down to about 52, I'm comfortably driving in 6th gear, and at most any speed above 60, I have enough power on tap to pass someone without going into 5th gear. The trade-off is that gas mileage is a bit less and it revs higher while cruising.

I'm a little bit undecided as to which situation I like better. I want my cake and eat it, too. ;-)

If I were you, I would keep the 3.70 rear ratio with the close ratio T56 and then get the LS376/525 and be done with it. I imagine that you'd be very happy with that set-up --- could avoid messing around with cams, get a thumpy sound (especially with cut-outs and 3 inch exhaust, it sounds mean), get a reliable set-up, and get a 24 month warranty besides.

[icemanrd19]

Not sure why i waited this long but today i decided to give it a nice go on my car from 1st to 4th. The tires would chirp pretty good shifting from 3rd to 4th and man it pulled hard. This is with a 315 rear michelin tire, t56 magnum, ls3 480 package. Im still running the stock GM tune. My new 3.5" aluminum driveshaft will be here weds and it will be getting a custom tune after to pull more power out of it.

[65 drop top]

Well after a lot debating on which way to go, I ordered the 525. From all of the hours of research I've done, it was about a 50/50 split between the two. I also ordered a QuickTime bellhousing and a close ratio T56. Now I need to figure out which flywheel and clutch to get. The LS7 clutch kit looks pretty good.

[slimjim]

where did you decide on ordering from? I'm looking at the 525 long block from turnkeyenginesupply.com, Internally it's the same engine you purchased, but without all the parts I won't use

[icemanrd19]

I bought a connect and cruise from pace performance. Amazing company to deal with

[PremierJosh]

I would pick up a low miles ls3 pull out or l99 if it's a lot cheaper and change the cam yourself. Gm never picks very good cams for there crate motors. There 454 lsx is terriable.

[andrewb70]

I would pick up a low miles ls3 pull out or l99 if it's a lot cheaper and change the cam yourself. Gm never picks very good cams for there crate motors. There 454 lsx is terriable.

GM considers longevity and long valve spring life when choosing cams. They may not give ultimate power, but they have to live through at least the 24 month warranty.

Andrew

[garvir]

i picked up a LS stage 2 cam GM#88958772 for my ls2 in my 87 carburator monte carlo this will be my winter swap. 227i/239e 551i/551e 108 degree lsa. i do like the 108 lsa, a lot of rumble and great low end for coming off the corners.

[andrewb70]

Notice that both the ASA and the cam listed above have relatively low lift numbers compared to duration. These cams tend to be easier on valvetrain parts because valve acceleration is kept lower. Look at specs for most aftermarket cams and you'll see they have relatively high lift numbers relative to duration. They do make more power because the valves are opened and closed at a faster rate, but durability suffers.

Andrew