Cam Work

**2001camaroSS** · 02-20-2012, 08:15 PM

I want to start off by saying I literally have no understand of cams. I want to get a cam and either use the stock heads or get a set of heads that are affordable (maybe LS6 heads). I want the car to maintain its drive ability but see some nice horsepower gains. If possible, I would love to see 400+ RWHP after adding some long tubes to the car as well. I don't track the car as it is just a cruiser. Anyone have any good suggestions on set ups that would accomplish this?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 02-20-2012, 08:23 PM

Ron's sticky in this section on cams is pretty informative and gives the basic understanding of how they work and what all the nomenclature means; LSA, split duration, PVC, etc

Here is the write-up: http://www.ls1.com/forums/f7/camshaf...ite-up-127350/

It also has cam selections in there.

I usually tell everyone the same cam choice for a well-mannered street car; Torquer V2, 228r on a 112 LSA, or a MS3. A lot of people like the TSP 224/224 also. Others go with a TSP 233/239 cam.

**2001camaroSS** · 02-20-2012, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Ron's sticky in this section on cams is pretty informative and gives the basic understanding of how they work and what all the nomenclature means; LSA, split duration, PVC, etc

Here is the write-up: http://www.ls1.com/forums/f7/camshaf...ite-up-127350/

It also has cam selections in there.

I usually tell everyone the same cam choice for a well-mannered street car; Torquer V2, 228r on a 112 LSA, or a MS3. A lot of people like the TSP 224/224 also. Others go with a TSP 233/239 cam.

I did look over that sticky briefly. There is a ton of good info there. For my needs what would you suggest I do for the heads?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 02-20-2012, 08:45 PM

The most budget friendly heads would be 243's port and polished, but even those aren't exactly cheap. Maybe you get get them for under 1K if you shop around. They would definitely be cheaper than a great set of flowing heads like AFR or TrickFlow though.

I think 243's are a popular choice

Some people port the stock 241's and have good luck.

**2001camaroSS** · 02-20-2012, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

The most budget friendly heads would be 243's port and polished, but even those aren't exactly cheap. Maybe you get get them for under 1K if you shop around. They would definitely be cheaper than a great set of flowing heads like AFR or TrickFlow though.

I think 243's are a popular choice

Some people port the stock 241's and have good luck.

Any idea on numbers with one of the cams you listed and stock ported heads?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 02-20-2012, 09:21 PM

It will depend strongly on how well the heads are worked, but I would guess the heads alone would yield about a 30rwhp gain. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. So, with that said, I'd guess with those complimented with the TSP 228r cam you'd be looking at a ballpark of low 400's.

**98maro** · 02-20-2012, 11:58 PM

i am on the same boat for mine, i want the same goals as you, i had in mind 228r with ported ls6 hedas, but i have heard with a good port job on the 241s you can reach good numbers..

**BrownsMillsAntz** · 02-21-2012, 10:52 AM

Almost any vendor sells a ported LS6 head, or you could even have your stockers ported...as for a cam theres a ton out there... best bet is to call a vendor and maybe they can point you in the right direction. 241's can make good numbers, seeing my budget is pretty tight thats the route I chose to go...picked the heads up for 140 bucks w/ comp springs and the port works costing me 400 bucks from a local guy.

**98maro** · 02-21-2012, 10:55 AM

dam port job is expensive!! port job plus ls6 heads is to much, might as well get new ones from the vendors, they go from $1200 and up i belive

**BrownsMillsAntz** · 02-21-2012, 11:08 AM

Your right, your looking at a minimum of $400 for the 243's, then to send them out probably $600-800 bucks depending on the vendor...thats why most guys just buy from the online vendor new.

**2001camaroSS** · 02-21-2012, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by BrownsMillsAntz

Almost any vendor sells a ported LS6 head, or you could even have your stockers ported...as for a cam theres a ton out there... best bet is to call a vendor and maybe they can point you in the right direction. 241's can make good numbers, seeing my budget is pretty tight thats the route I chose to go...picked the heads up for 140 bucks w/ comp springs and the port works costing me 400 bucks from a local guy.

Any idea on gains in HP you have seen? I want to be all stock besides cam, head work, and exhaust.

**tatertot91** · 02-23-2012, 06:28 PM

I'm looking into almost the same setup. Just made a deal with a local vette guy on his 243s for 450 which is about average. Port work goes upwards of 1k if you're interested in going that route. Advanced Induction, Texas Speed, Lingenfelter all do great work based on all that i've seen so far but there are other companies out there. As far as cam choice it really depends on what you're looking for. I've been looking into the torquer v2 and have heard lots of good things about it.
Unported 243s and a torquer v2 would put you around your 400 goal, just depends how far you wanna go
Ported with a fast and you'd be sitting around 450.

**2001camaroSS** · 02-23-2012, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by tatertot91

I'm looking into almost the same setup. Just made a deal with a local vette guy on his 243s for 450 which is about average. Port work goes upwards of 1k if you're interested in going that route. Advanced Induction, Texas Speed, Lingenfelter all do great work based on all that i've seen so far but there are other companies out there. As far as cam choice it really depends on what you're looking for. I've been looking into the torquer v2 and have heard lots of good things about it.
Unported 243s and a torquer v2 would put you around your 400 goal, just depends how far you wanna go
Ported with a fast and you'd be sitting around 450.

What do you think of ported 241s? It's good to know that Lingenfelter does great work considering they will be in my back yard. I'm just exploring my options. My funds are fairly limited at the moment so I'm just trying to be smart.

**tatertot91** · 02-24-2012, 04:56 AM

A set of well ported 241s should out flow the 243s but after having them ported id just go buy the 243s and have the ability to go bigger if you decide to later on. Plus if you decide to sell the heads in the future the 243s will hold their value a lot more.

**tatertot91** · 02-24-2012, 04:58 AM

799 heads are the same as 243s
If you can find those cheaper thats another option. Most people just assume 243s are better

**2001camaroSS** · 02-24-2012, 07:01 AM

Yea that's smart. I didn't think about it like that. What cars to the 243s and 799s come on?

**tatertot91** · 02-24-2012, 07:43 AM

05-06 gtos, ls2 c6 vettes, c6 zo6s all came with these heads. id have to look it up but some year 243s came with light weight sodium filled valves which are nice to have but not a real deal breaker if the heads dont already have them

**redbird555** · 02-25-2012, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by 2001camaroSS

Yea that's smart. I didn't think about it like that. What cars to the 243s and 799s come on?

The 243's and 799s also came on some small truck motors so keep an eye out there. Really the only difference between the heads is that they are cast t different foundries and the 243 are said to be cast a little smoother but there is NO difference in power. As said before only 243 heads that came on ls6 engines will have the light weight valves so the head would need to be either from an 02-04 z06 or 04-05 ctsv

**2001camaroSS** · 03-05-2012, 09:29 AM

What is a good price for some 243s or 799s?

**tatertot91** · 03-05-2012, 12:18 PM

around 4-500 depending on the mileage
If you get them less thats a great price, you will most likely find 799s cheaper because more people know what 243s and think they're better than 799s, they are the same.
I paid 400 for my 243s with just under 25k on em to give you an idea