Cam for Stock exhaust

**SS2002** · 03-17-2016, 06:39 PM

Hello Forum,

This is my first post on LS1.com, I have a 2002 SS with 34K miles and absolutely no power mods except for a K&N filter.
My exhaust is still factory, so my question is about adding a cam and keeping my stock exhaust.

Will the Hot Cam work with the stock exhaust? Can I possibly go with a more aggressive cam and keep the exhaust?

I like the .525 lift of the Hot cam as it is easy on the valve springs, although I do plan on going with LS6 springs at the very least.

Thanks in advance

**SuperSSguy** · 03-19-2016, 07:29 PM

First off WELCOME !!.......and congrats on the 02 SS with 34K.....that's some impressively low miles. Just a quick question back @ ya!..Is there a reason that you opt for a cam swap before dealing with the stock exhaust? Since engines are like giant air pumps the more air you pump in and the faster you can get it out-makes you more power!!...One of the easiest and "cheaper" things that we can do with our F-bodies to gain more HP is to add a cold air kit and long tube headers and a straight flow through type muffler.Not only does it free up more power it sounds great!! There are also a few free-mods you can do too.I see nothing wrong with a cam swap( I wish I could do one myself) i don't think it would hurt to keep the stock exhaust with a cam swap but you would definitely get more out of a cam swap with an open intake and exhaust.

**Naaman** · 03-20-2016, 02:57 AM

I have a Silverado cam in my car (no idea what the specs are). I also have worked heads and stock exhaust manifolds/mid pipe. It also has a Magnaflow cat-back. It will all come down to the tune.

I don't know how much the exhaust manifold is restricting my airflow, but with the mods I've listed, plus an air lid and a ported throttle body I'm getting 361 at the wheels. Hope that is helpful.

**SS2002** · 03-20-2016, 01:16 PM

SuperSSguy, thanks a bunch for the welcome and response! To be perfectly honest, I love the quiet exhaust note the car has. I love being able to rev it up and not attract any attention from the men who keep the peace. I was always paranoid when I would open up my brand new 86 GT (Yes, I am a defector) because of the loud exhaust I had installed the moment I purchased it.

I would not mind some long tubes with cats and some mellow mufflers if it meant having a quiet exhaust, I understand there are some cats that only rob about 2-3 hp after everything is said and done. Heck, if a nice set of long tubes free up another 30 hp, that's not a bad deal..

But, all in all, I love my quiet exhaust.....I am not totally sure how I would feel if I ripped everything out for some hp gain (especially since the car looks brand new) when all I really want is some lump in my idle.

Once again, thanks for the welcome SuperSSguy.

**SS2002** · 03-20-2016, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Naaman

I have a Silverado cam in my car (no idea what the specs are). I also have worked heads and stock exhaust manifolds/mid pipe. It also has a Magnaflow cat-back. It will all come down to the tune.

I don't know how much the exhaust manifold is restricting my airflow, but with the mods I've listed, plus an air lid and a ported throttle body I'm getting 361 at the wheels. Hope that is helpful.

Naaman, thanks for the response. A buddy said the same thing about the "tune". He said to check the base circle size of the cam I am installing and the one I am taking out, for the pushrods sake (plan is to swap pushrods for the hardened variety along with valve springs). So much for an easy swap huh?

361 at the wheels is nice for stock manifolds!

**SS2002** · 03-20-2016, 01:44 PM

SuperSSguy,

Not sure if you received my earlier post, not showing up on the board.

**SuperSSguy** · 03-20-2016, 05:34 PM

I just saw your first post about wanting a cam with stock exhaust?

Originally Posted by SS2002

SuperSSguy,

Not sure if you received my earlier post, not showing up on the board.

**SS2002** · 03-21-2016, 05:42 AM

SuperSSguy,

To sum it up, I have had loud exhaust systems when I was younger, would not mind long tube headers with cats and perhaps quiet mufflers to do the job but I am not totally sure I want to rip up my exhaust just so I can have a lumpy cam.
My car will probably never see the track, so leaving hp on the table will not be a big deal.

An ideal exhaust setup would be shortys and stock exhaust behind it I would think for my situation.

Thanks for the friend request SuperSSguy, have a great day guys!

**Too Fast** · 03-21-2016, 01:36 PM

Shorty headers will easily net you a 0-4 HP gain, and the header manufacturers make money. The stock LS1 manifolds flow as well as shorties.

**SS2002** · 03-21-2016, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Shorty headers will easily net you a 0-4 HP gain, and the header manufacturers make money. The stock LS1 manifolds flow as well as shorties.

Too Fast, that is really good info! Thx

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-22-2016, 09:28 AM

Shorties are really only good for turbo guys.

In your case I would recommend getting a LS6 intake, stay with the stock manifolds and get a Magnaflow muffler or similar (just not Flowmasters unless you like rasp) and a 228 cam with 112 LSA. That will still give you a bump in HP & TQ but still not make it impractical to Daily Drive or cruise with it.

Another thing that would be a benefit is get a set of 243 or 799 heads, get them freshen up and call it a day after you get it tune. Yes with a cam or head swap you'll need a tune. LS6 intake no tune needed.

**SS2002** · 03-22-2016, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Shorties are really only good for turbo guys.

In your case I would recommend getting a LS6 intake, stay with the stock manifolds and get a Magnaflow muffler or similar (just not Flowmasters unless you like rasp) and a 228 cam with 112 LSA. That will still give you a bump in HP & TQ but still not make it impractical to Daily Drive or cruise with it.

Another thing that would be a benefit is get a set of 243 or 799 heads, get them freshen up and call it a day after you get it tune. Yes with a cam or head swap you'll need a tune. LS6 intake no tune needed.

Thanks for the info on the cam, I would gladly welcome some 243 heads from an LS6! I believe my year model 2002 already has the LS6 intake from factory, and it also seems that my car has the LS6 block as I have noted the difference between the LS1 and LS6 blocks in the 2002 model year, my block does "not" have the bullseye imprinted on the block near the head on passenger side. Too bad there is no HP advantage in having the LS6 block other than it breaths better at high rpm's.

So definitely a tune is in the works after a cam swap. I appreciate your help on the cam.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-22-2016, 12:13 PM

I know some one that has a set of 799's for sale.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 03-22-2016, 03:02 PM

I have a new set of ls1/ls6 head gaskets if you do a head swap I'd give you for cheap as they are just sitting in my garage since I was going to use them but I decided to build a stroker instead.

**GoldenFlame** · 03-22-2016, 07:03 PM

I liked the quiet exhaust too the older I got.. I went from having longtubes and TSP's X pipe system dumped under the rear seats to longtubes and an ORY with the stock Z28 muffler out the back.. It was damn quiet yet had all of its pep still.. Something to consider.

**Naaman** · 03-22-2016, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by GoldenFlame

I liked the quiet exhaust too the older I got.. I went from having longtubes and TSP's X pipe system dumped under the rear seats to longtubes and an ORY with the stock Z28 muffler out the back.. It was damn quiet yet had all of its pep still.. Something to consider.

This. Though I'll probably stay with Magnaflow.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 03-23-2016, 03:52 AM

You guys would hate my exhaust plans. 2" primaries with 3.5" collectors flipped and extended out the bumper with no mufflers.

**SS2002** · 03-23-2016, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by GoldenFlame

I liked the quiet exhaust too the older I got.. I went from having longtubes and TSP's X pipe system dumped under the rear seats to longtubes and an ORY with the stock Z28 muffler out the back.. It was damn quiet yet had all of its pep still.. Something to consider.

Goldenflame, that is definitely something to consider! I would like to keep my stock muffler and tailpipes in place after all upgrades.
Thank you sir. I will do some research on ORY this afternoon.