Which Cam?

[jderry]

I asked both Comp and LE about both cams, what I got from them was I need a bigger converter to see the gains from the larger cam, ported or aftermarket heads will improve performance with both, while both can be used and will see good gains with stock heads.

[JoeliusZ28]

Id go for the bigger one just so you dont have the chance if mentally wondering \"what if\"

Roll through a parking lot in Kolins car and watch everyone about break their necks trying to look at his car, then tell me you want a mild cam

No offense guys but these aren\'t the best rationalizations to go bigger.

I think the big thing being overlooked here is that the smaller cam will be maxing the capacity of the stock heads as it is when looking at the overall RPM curve. Theres about a 90% chance the bigger cam will peak only 5-10 more rwhp up top at the cost of power down low, which could mean the bigger cam ends up running nearly the same quarter mile time as the small one unless you use a huge stall to keep it peaking. That and you also sacrifice mileage, driveability, and reliabilty, all of which you will sacrifice even more of when you go with the bigger stall it needs. There will be many components of the car enduring substantially more stress to run an insignificantly faster time.

it is very much a curve of \"depreciating gains.\" The best bang for your buck WILL and always factually be the smaller cam because it works with all other existing systems already in place.

Now, I am not trying to say the bigger cam shouldn\'t be considered. I\'m not entirely sure what the intended use of the car is. Many of these factors I have brought up may not be a concern to John.

[jderry]

They also suggested a 226/232 .578/.574 110 LSA. – 1900-6200 RPM which seems to be less duration then both, but the same lift as the large cam?

[JoeliusZ28]

They also suggested a 226/232 .578/.574 110 LSA. – 1900-6200 RPM which seems to be less duration then both, but the same lift as the large cam?

I\'d really need to know what your long-term goals for the car are to guide you any more, as well as how much risk you want to take of breaking something. This 226/232 you mention is very similar to mine, it will also likely be at the upper limit of the stock heads. here are the numbers my car put down through a 6 speed:





My valve bowls were cleaned up so my heads aren\'t \"100%\" stock but they are not ported (stock runner CC). 370-380 rwhp thrugh a 6 speed seems to be about the typical limit for stock heads regardless of cam.

The flat-as-a-table torque curve = very fun to drive, in my opinion

[jderry]

I want something that is fast and fun on the street and can hold it's own at the track.

I don't have the income to make a drag car currently so that's out of the question. I was thinking of running the smaller cam, with more duration and slightly less lift. Paired with a ridings converter, new valve train componets, and a good tune should be pretty fun.

[c0ncEpT]

The smaller cam will be faster in a stock headed/opti spark car...

[FASHOOTER]

From what Comp and LE have said the cams are so similar that there is not much difference. The only thing I would need to run the larger one would be a converter.

There you go! Aren't you planning a 3600 conv? LE knows what he is talking about have bought 3 cams and 2 sets of heads from him.

Everytime I have used him I told him what my goals were with the car and he made it happen. He has many years of experiance with the LT1. He is not gonna sell you something you won't be happy with!

[nascarnate326]

I could care less about drag times even though the OP does. Im just saying that putting a mild or baby cam in the car when he was considering a larger cam could come back to haunt him in his head. A year from now when he sits at his computer watching videos wondering "what if I went with the bigger cam, wonder what that would be like".

Everyone knows id throw a hot cam in my car if I could lol.

[FASHOOTER]

Yup!

[JoeliusZ28]

I could care less about drag times even though the OP does. Im just saying that putting a mild or baby cam in the car when he was considering a larger cam could come back to haunt him in his head. A year from now when he sits at his computer watching videos wondering "what if I went with the bigger cam, wonder what that would be like".

If what we are worried about here is the sound his car makes in a video then i digress. Even a baby hot cam is going to sound bad ass with the right exhaust imo.

Personally id rather have a car that performs and be wondering "what if" than be the guy that has to tell everyone he has a big cam in a car that isnt performing. you know ive never cared about track times either but they just happen to be a good way of measuring the fun factor.

John are you considering head work or not? Did lloyd make any recommendations to you about raising compression? It definitely wouldnt hurt on any of these grinds, and its a lot cheaper to do than portwork and will help you gain back some of the lost bottom end. Ie you could go a little bigger on the cam and lessen some of the negative effects.

If your plans already include a stall and some form of headwork then really id have no reservation about using the biggest cam, other than the opti.

[JoeliusZ28]

I want something that is fast and fun on the street and can hold it's own at the track.

I don't have the income to make a drag car currently so that's out of the question. I was thinking of running the smaller cam, with more duration and slightly less lift. Paired with a ridings converter, new valve train componets, and a good tune should be pretty fun.

I wouldnt recommend less lift than hes given you in any situation, but if thats what you want do it with 1.5 rockers so you can change your mind.

[JoeliusZ28]

Also - if you want to see a 226/234 car in person, you are welcome to come visit. I have no insurance right now but i do have a long driveway lol.

[94ss68c10]

if i lived closer you could check my car out and see if you would like a car that you have to rev to 4.5-5k to hit the powerband lol

[jderry]

I really don't know which one to get. I have thought about getting the heads milled some to raise compression. What does that usually cost? My dad is friends with a very popular engine builder/machinist in the area. But I still feel I could possibly over pay going through him... I will be getting a converter in the spring (tax refunds). The problem now is LE is giving me three grinds to choose from. I don't honestly want to have to shift at 6400rpm to get the most out of my engine. However which of the two smaller would make better power then? The custom grind the suggested was 228/236 .576/.571 and they have a "off the shelf" 226/232 .578/.574 I am not an expert by any means. Which one would make better power all around? The custom one has more duration while having less lift. Their "off the shelf one" is just the opposite. I am worried about having to replace optis frequently with the large cam. Otherwise I would go with it.

[94ss68c10]

my cam is 234/242 .576/.595 112 LSA iirc, and I have hit 6800 more than a few times and have yet to have to mess with the opti. The carfax did say jesus owned my car so I might just be a lucky one. . .

Go with your gut feeling, which one is your gut telling you to go with lol