Ls2 cam selection help

[griff]

Guys, I am turning to you all for some helpful opinions. I have decide to put a stock headed LS2 out of a Trailblazer into my 68’ Camaro and this being my first LS adventure I need some suggestions regarding which cam to use or to leave the stock cam alone. The Camaro has 3:73s, TKO and manual brakes. I plan on driving it once a week to work, Sundays and maybe an occasional attempt at autocross or the drag strip. I would like maximum horsepower and torque with out killing the drivability. I will probably be using the Edelbrock motor mount plates and headers, Canton or Moroso oil pan and stock LS6 or after market intake. I know there is a ton of experience in this forum and look forward to any and all opinions.

Thanks,
Griff

[Mike Norris]

I have tried a few cams here and there on these LS engines :)

What I have found as the best for a stock LS1, LS2 or LS6 is a 224/230 114. Not the biggest lopey idle, but has a nice sound to it. Not the highest HP, but should still make 400-410 RWHP or so at the tires with about 375-390 RWT. Nice to tune and nice to drive.

I just did a 2004 GTO 6 speed with one today and she put down 403 RWHP and 385 RWT. Had cold air intake and long tube headers with a stock MAF sensor and LS6 intake manifold. Drove very nicely when I finished her up.

Hope this helps.

Mike Norris

[dhutton]

I have tried a few cams here and there on these LS engines :)

What I have found as the best for a stock LS1, LS2 or LS6 is a 224/230 114. Not the biggest lopey idle, but has a nice sound to it. Not the highest HP, but should still make 400-410 RWHP or so at the tires with about 375-390 RWT. Nice to tune and nice to drive.

I just did a 2004 GTO 6 speed with one today and she put down 403 RWHP and 385 RWT. Had cold air intake and long tube headers with a stock MAF sensor and LS6 intake manifold. Drove very nicely when I finished her up.

Hope this helps.

Mike Norris

What would you recommend if using upgraded heads? Which heads give the best bang for the buck? I was thinking of using a TSP 228R cam and TSP stage 2.5 5.3 heads.

Thanks,
Don

[Mike Norris]

When it comes to cylinder heads, I always say you get what you pay for. For aftermarket heads I prefer AFR and Trickflow in that order. The downside with the TFS heads are that aftermarket roller rockers are required and an additional expense.

With factory ported heads, I use TEA out of Ohio. They are the company that developed the TFS heads. The TEA LS6 heads are usually within 5-10HP od the AFR 205s. The TSP heads tend to be 10-15HP behind the TEA's with the same cam. Peak flow numbers are great, but midrange is what makes a big difference.

On the 228R and a 346 or 366 engine, the 228 intake duration tends to get into an area of losing low end and starts to pull around 3500 or so. This can be offset by going to a 111 or 112 LSA, but this takes away some low speed driveability. With that said there are a lot of that cam out there with happy folks.

Hope this helps.

Mike Norris

[dhutton]

Thanks Mike.

[WS6]

On the 228R and a 346 or 366 engine, the 228 intake duration tends to get into an area of losing low end and starts to pull around 3500 or so. This can be offset by going to a 111 or 112 LSA, but this takes away some low speed driveability. With that said there are a lot of that cam out there with happy folks.

Hope this helps.

Mike Norris

I was going to say I agree with Mike's first choice but I tend to lean towards a 228/232 112+4 XER cam for a hot rodder. However, he's listed the downsides to the 228/232 that I was going to cover as well. Since you are a manual, you will notice the decrease in drivability at low speeds. You may have surge issues just putt putting through a parking lot. The low end loss is noticeable but rather minor. It's nothing like a 232+ intake cam which is limp wristed until 3500rpms.

Aside from that, a 228/232 cam rips very hard down low and pulls to red line great. I love those cams, lol. They are lots of fun with a 2800-3200 stall converter :)

Either choice will work well for you. One is just a little rowdier.

[griff]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help. So would the Comp Cams XER273HR be a good choice? Does Comp Cams build a quality piece? Is the XER a good lobe design? It seams the .580ish lift would work well with the LS2 heads and the duration is right about where you suggested. Thanks again for your input.

[Mkelcy]

Out of curiosity, would the recommendations be the same or different for rectagular port LSx heads?

[Mike Norris]

The XER273HR is the off the shelf grind I used for quite a while and works very well. I also use the XFI lobes on a custom grind for certain applications.

The LS3, L92 and LS7 rectangular heads tend to like more split since the intake ports work so well and the exhaust port is still bascially the old LS6 configuration.

Mike Norris

[griff]

Moved to new thread

[BA.]

My buddy has that Livernois Stage 2 cam in his C6 Corvette along with LIvernois Stage 2 head porting and now a FAST intake.

Lemme tell ya, it's a pretty badass car capable of 123mph in the quarter, it's got a reeaal attention getting idle too. (Kooks long tubes and Bassani exhaust) I LOVE it, as does most everyone else. Very musclecar sounding, without sounding like popcorn. :)

You'll definitely lose some low-end torque with it, but I don't think soo much that you won't still love every minute of it. I don't think you want anything bigger, for sure. I think your gearing, TKO and weight fit it well.

Still nothing wrong with Norris' suggestion too, dude knows what he's doing.
My opinion might be that the 224 is a perfect, daily driveable, fast, comfortable cam. Not too big, not too small.

The 232 I might say is a little more for the guy who wants to get noticed, wants that slightly rumpy idle and is willing to give up a little low-end torque to get it. Like a weekend/play car for some.

PS. I'm not "in the biz" like Mike N though. it's his lifeblood man.

[beyonda68]

If one is changing the cam, what other parts should be changed to make it a reliable fun daily driver. All year around in new england weather.

[MoonMan]

Assuming the cam isn't too aggressive, for a DD, I would consider changing to stiffer springs and hardened pushrods and you should be fine.

[Nemesis RR]

228/232 on a 111+2 with a 2800 convertor. I little bit looser than stock but hits hard enough to make the car spin for 3 to 4 car lenghs going 35 to 40 MPH with 275 TOYOs. On a stingy dyno I made 395 on a hot humid day. A little shake and have to let it sit in the morning for 1 minute but other than that my wife drives it and says it drives like stock but shakes.

[Tommy69z]

whats the biggest cam for the roughest idle in a 98 LS1, with the least amount of accesories..want it to run good as well, but want it to really cut up idling more....will be in front of T56

[trex1270]

I am installing an ls1(5.3 block, punched out) into my 69 maro...I have chosen a East texas muscle car stage 2 nitrous camshaft. It helps his shop is 10 minutes from my house. you can go to his web site, click on 98-02 camaro the hit the cam section and pick the stage two cam it has a video clip of idle, sounds great! I am installing forged rods and pistons for future upgrades with Texas speed 5.3 heads, going for 10.8:1 incase of a supercharger might be in my future...now if I can get my pocket book to keep up with me..