Biggest cam for factory exhaust manifolds

**180ls1** · 02-14-2008, 09:23 AM

I have been reading quite a bit and it seems like I should go with either the stealth 2 cam or the cheatr cam. I need to keep my stock manifolds (i know it sucks) But what is the biggest i can go, i want the most gain from a cam with stock manifolds.? A 224/224 or bigger? I would be using a vinci tuner to tune it also. It seems like the cheatr and stealth 2 will give me about 30rwhp tuned.

**2-bowties&abird** · 02-14-2008, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by 180ls1

I have been reading quite a bit and it seems like I should go with either the stealth 2 cam or the cheatr cam. I need to keep my stock manifolds (i know it sucks) But what is the biggest i can go, i want the most gain from a cam with stock manifolds.? A 224/224 or bigger? I would be using a vinci tuner to tune it also. It seems like the cheatr and stealth 2 will give me about 30rwhp tuned.

i dont know if you would even get 30 rwhp. i only got 350rwhp on a cam/ header swap and mine is a m6. but i dont have any boltons just cam /headers. but who knows.

**180ls1** · 02-15-2008, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by 2-bowties&abird

i dont know if you would even get 30 rwhp. i only got 350rwhp on a cam/ header swap and mine is a m6. but i dont have any boltons just cam /headers. but who knows.

well there is a dyno on ls1tech where the guy picks 34rwhp with a cheatr cam and a dyno tune.

**2-bowties&abird** · 02-15-2008, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by 180ls1

well there is a dyno on ls1tech where the guy picks 34rwhp with a cheatr cam and a dyno tune.

i'm just saying i was hoping for around 370ish but i wasnt dissapointed when i put down 350. just dont be too optimistic, especially going by someone elses numbers.

**Spaz** · 02-15-2008, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by 180ls1

I have been reading quite a bit and it seems like I should go with either the stealth 2 cam or the cheatr cam. I need to keep my stock manifolds (i know it sucks) But what is the biggest i can go, i want the most gain from a cam with stock manifolds.? A 224/224 or bigger? I would be using a vinci tuner to tune it also. It seems like the cheatr and stealth 2 will give me about 30rwhp tuned.

man... a hand held tuner isn't going to be good enough for a cam swap... shit like that needs a dyno tune...

either cam will give good gains...

**DV327** · 02-18-2008, 04:10 AM

Lingenfelter makes the GT11 that has more lift on the intake and exhaust. .634/.644 . Duration is at 215/ 231 .

**nhraformula** · 02-18-2008, 04:41 AM

cheater cam and make sure you get beehive springs that will hold .650 lift.
shorty headers are CARD legal in Cali

**Frost** · 02-19-2008, 03:02 PM

Cam Motion will custom grind a cam that takes your entire setup into account and won't cost any more than an off-the-shelf cam. This is the way I'd go.

**ibanez7** · 02-19-2008, 04:03 PM

buying a cam with stock headers is like putting a seatbelt on a couch... completely pointless.

the stock headers are restrictive as is, which is why people buy aftermarket headers.

For the same price of installing a cam and getting a tune, you can install headers get similar gains and not need a tune.

Also in regards to the GT11 cam, lift over 600 will kill factory springs!!!! Also you might have to flycut the pistons.

If you are dead set on buying a cam before headers, stick with the ls6 hot cam. Anything bigger will choking the engine and killing you factory springs.

When building a car build from the ground up! and buy parts that compliment eachother!!!

**Frost** · 02-19-2008, 04:55 PM

The hot cam sucks and should be avoided like plague regardless of your setup. The GT11 will NOT hit your pistons. Any cam swap worth making involves springs and more.

I agree about doing things that compliment though...

**nhraformula** · 02-19-2008, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by ibanez7

buying a cam with stock headers is like putting a seatbelt on a couch... completely pointless.

the stock headers are restrictive as is, which is why people buy aftermarket headers.

For the same price of installing a cam and getting a tune, you can install headers get similar gains and not need a tune.

Also in regards to the GT11 cam, lift over 600 will kill factory springs!!!! Also you might have to flycut the pistons.

If you are dead set on buying a cam before headers, stick with the ls6 hot cam. Anything bigger will choking the engine and killing you factory springs.

When building a car build from the ground up! and buy parts that compliment eachother!!!

hes in cali and cant go long tubes.

**ibanez7** · 02-19-2008, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by nhraformula

hes in cali and cant go long tubes.

even with cats, cali can bust you???

with that being the case I would not go bigger then the ls6 hot cam

**180ls1** · 02-19-2008, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Frost

The hot cam sucks and should be avoided like plague regardless of your setup. The GT11 will NOT hit your pistons. Any cam swap worth making involves springs and more.

I agree about doing things that compliment though...

I like my idea because i could go with a cam and new springs which would be nice since mine have 94k on them and have a nice cam lope also and gain another 35 or so horsepower. I would probably add the ls6 intake also. I pretty much have 1,200 to spend and and i think a small cam, ls6 intake and tune route would be the best power for the money.
Also how long should a pair of nice springs last me with a cam with around 600 or so lift like 30,000 miles??? I know it depends but that seems about average right?

**Danger731** · 02-20-2008, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by ibanez7

even with cats, cali can bust you???

with that being the case I would not go bigger then the ls6 hot cam

yep, lt's cause you have to move the cats which is an instant visual failure

**ibanez7** · 02-20-2008, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Danger731

yep, lt's cause you have to move the cats which is an instant visual failure

wow that completely sucks!!!

**ibanez7** · 02-20-2008, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by 180ls1

I like my idea because i could go with a cam and new springs which would be nice since mine have 94k on them and have a nice cam lope also and gain another 35 or so horsepower. I would probably add the ls6 intake also. I pretty much have 1,200 to spend and and i think a small cam, ls6 intake and tune route would be the best power for the money.
Also how long should a pair of nice springs last me with a cam with around 600 or so lift like 30,000 miles??? I know it depends but that seems about average right?

with understanding the situation your in and that you are going to do springs.

I would recommend:

228 222 .588 .581 114.5
224 224 .581 .581 112
224 224 .581 .581 114

they are excellent cams from Speed inc.

Also for springs you will be fine using Ovate Wire Comp Cam Spring. The use the stock retainers and will work fine. I use them on my big cam and its fine.

For spring longevity, let the car warm up every time you start it. No cold engine revving. also during install oil up the springs.

I would recommend buying new push rods too. 7.4 chromoly

**NorthwoodDavid** · 02-20-2008, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by 180ls1

I like my idea because i could go with a cam and new springs which would be nice since mine have 94k on them and have a nice cam lope also and gain another 35 or so horsepower. I would probably add the ls6 intake also. I pretty much have 1,200 to spend and and i think a small cam, ls6 intake and tune route would be the best power for the money.
Also how long should a pair of nice springs last me with a cam with around 600 or so lift like 30,000 miles??? I know it depends but that seems about average right?

$1,200...Thats what i had to invest in my car. And have to tell ya, after the 918 springs,ls6 ported oilpump,timing chain,cam,lifters,pushrods,gaskets...it ran me a little over 1k. So for me an ls6 intake has to wait.
But...i bought the ls7 lifters and u problably dont need them so...you will be cutting it close!
hope this helped some! And i went with the 224/224 581/581 12lsa the rest is stock for now.(i know im chocking it but sorry, no cash)

**180ls1** · 02-20-2008, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by NorthwoodDavid

$1,200...Thats what i had to invest in my car. And have to tell ya, after the 918 springs,ls6 ported oilpump,timing chain,cam,lifters,pushrods,gaskets...it ran me a little over 1k. So for me an ls6 intake has to wait.
But...i bought the ls7 lifters and u problably dont need them so...you will be cutting it close!
hope this helped some! And i went with the 224/224 581/581 12lsa the rest is stock for now.(i know im chocking it but sorry, no cash)

ya i was thinking about the used parts on here there are some good deals out there that i could just get over time i would not be done with this swap till the end of summer. I just really want to explore the options.
Are you on stock manifolds?

**02blkws6** · 02-20-2008, 12:44 PM

I sure am glad I don't live in Cali.

I just took my car for an emissions test yesterday. The guys were looking at me like I was gonna fail. He even looked in the back hatch (windows not tinted) and said huh nitrous. I told him or go fast juice.

I passed and check my sig for mods.....