LS Cam Choice

[aps63]

Ok guy's, this is my first LS build and my first engine build in many years.
Trying to choose a cam , I contacted Comp Cams and this is what they suggested for me.
I told them it would be mainly a street car with the occasional auto or road course. I also said I was looking for around 450 hp. Maybe it's just me but does seem like a very aggressive cam for my purposes? Please let me know what you think.


lQ9 10.0:1 compression
L92 heads
Single plane manifold & carb
Stock rockers 1.7:1
Stock bottom end except for upgraded rods.
Long tube headers
Auto trans


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[65 drop top]

I bet the GM hot cam would be a good choice. Easy on the valve train too. It makes 495 or so hp in the ls3 crate engine.

[aps63]

I bet the GM hot cam would be a good choice. Easy on the valve train too. It makes 495 or so hp in the ls3 crate engine.

That is one of the choices I am looking at.
Just would like to hear some other peoples thoughts on the subject. Hopefully people who understand Camshaft specs better than I do.
Thanks

[65 drop top]

Keep in mind that a lot of the aftermarket cams will require valve spring replacement at ~20k miles.

[nokones]

I would contact Lingenfelter. They will have the cam to meet your needs. They use Comp Cams with special grinds for your specific applications.

[badazz81z28]

I would contact Texas Speed and Perfomance. Yes you will need valve springs to match. Anything that uses the stock springs will likely not be worth the money and work involved

[aps63]

Thanks for all the recomendations guy's.

[jwcarguy]

Paul,
Given that you are going to run a carb on a single plane intake, I would say to stick with the Comp recommended cam or as stated above, contact a reputable shop ie Lingenfelter, EPS, Texas Speed, etc)

Those cam specs are fairly mild in the LS world, they are on the LSL lobes
You mentioned that it has been awhile since you built a engine, so with that being said, these newer engines are far different than earlier small/ big blocks
So try not to compare what used to be "radical" in a small block, to the lifts available and run in the "LS / Vortec" engines
The past few cams that I had spec'd & ground were from Geoff @ EPS (Engine Power Systems)

the GM "Hot cam" is a very small / mild cam (.525 lift 219/228 dur) and was geared towards the LS1/ 6 cathedral port cylinder heads, running n/a FI, not a carb

You are running the "rec port" L92 cyl. heads, so the grind of cam should match the head port configuration
Also, verify your "PTV" piston to valve clearance too, your LQ9, if stock, will have flat top pistons
if you heads have been milled or different thickness head gaskets are used
some cams with higher lift and longer duration #'s may require that the pistons be "flycut" (usually on intake side) for proper ptv
you can get/ rent a tool to do it on the engine if assembled already
or if apart, have machine shop do it

hope this helps

Jeff

You will need all the supporting valvetrain upgrades to go with the cam too (spring set, correct length (measured) pushrods, and should do a trunion upgrade as well)

[aps63]

Thanks Jeff.