Choosing a camshaft

**95camaroZNC** · 09-04-2010, 06:50 PM

So im trying to pick a cam shaft for the car now since i have the heads back and mostly put back together. Before i asked im running Patriot gold .650 lift springs, stock size valves just ones that are made slightly better then stock ones, and 1.8 crane gold rockers, the heads were cut .20 and are 5.3 heads. The car is a automatic and has exhaust, headers to a x pipe and thats all. My question is, what kind of cam should i be looking for the guy thats doing the work said to look for something with less then .600 lift suggestions and sizes would be great or if anyone has one for sale that would be good. I talked to someone about a lower lift cam today and this is what i got told

Full cam specs are 224/224 .561/.561 114.

It's a great all around street cam, and will make 380-400rwhp on stock heads. Will make 420-440rwhp with a decent set of ported heads. With those 5.3's you have, you can cut them .030 with this cam and running almost 11.5:1 compression. It would make massive TQ at every rpm.

Let me know, thanks.

Just looking for suggestions. Thanks! Oh and if anyone has a good cam fitting the right specs id be interested.

**garygnu65** · 09-04-2010, 08:06 PM

you can look at the ls cams that comp cam offers,go to their website.a thunder racing tr224 is a good cam.or for $25 more you can get a custom cam that will fit and make max power,cam lift is not as important as valve timing events .duration,LSA,ICL,are more crucial then lift.

**95camaroZNC** · 09-04-2010, 08:08 PM

Does the cam i posted look like a decent choice or could i do much better?

**TXZ28LS1** · 09-05-2010, 05:25 PM

224 cam is always been a good performing cam. but i honestly wouldnt go smaller than a 228 cam. i have the MTI X1 230/227 and i have never rode in a cammed car and i think i could have gone bigger. my car is just a daily driver as well.

**BlackSS1** · 09-05-2010, 05:37 PM

You should call and discuss with cam vendors (see sponsors on this site). Your 1.8 rockers are larger ratio than stock, and with milled heads, you will need to make sure you lift does not cause PTV clearance issues.

A 228 or Torquer 2 cam may suit you for a DD, but check clearance and do some research. A custom cam may work best considering your rockers and heads.

**95camaroZNC** · 09-05-2010, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by BlackSS1

You should call and discuss with cam vendors (see sponsors on this site). Your 1.8 rockers are larger ratio than stock, and with milled heads, you will need to make sure you lift does not cause PTV clearance issues.

A 228 or Torquer 2 cam may suit you for a DD, but check clearance and do some research. A custom cam may work best considering your rockers and heads.

Actully going to probably use the cam i quoted here, just needa to talk to the guy when i pick up my heads and see if he thinks its the right cam to run as well.

We shall see.

**TXZ28LS1** · 09-07-2010, 10:29 PM

i think something along the lines of the TSP Torquer 2 would be the biggest i would run in a daily driver car.

**TRANS-DAD** · 09-09-2010, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by 95camaroZNC

So im trying to pick a cam shaft for the car now since i have the heads back and mostly put back together. Before i asked im running Patriot gold .650 lift springs, stock size valves just ones that are made slightly better then stock ones, and 1.8 crane gold rockers, the heads were cut .20 and are 5.3 heads. The car is a automatic and has exhaust, headers to a x pipe and thats all. My question is, what kind of cam should i be looking for the guy thats doing the work said to look for something with less then .600 lift suggestions and sizes would be great or if anyone has one for sale that would be good. I talked to someone about a lower lift cam today and this is what i got told

Full cam specs are 224/224 .561/.561 114.

It's a great all around street cam, and will make 380-400rwhp on stock heads. Will make 420-440rwhp with a decent set of ported heads. With those 5.3's you have, you can cut them .030 with this cam and running almost 11.5:1 compression. It would make massive TQ at every rpm.

Let me know, thanks.

Just looking for suggestions. Thanks! Oh and if anyone has a good cam fitting the right specs id be interested.

The specs you listed 224/224 .561/.561 114
I think that is the thunder racing tr224 cam & you could call them & ask if running the 1.8 rockers will work & like stated you should check anyway with the heads b-n cut .030.......... but yes that cam makes great power everwere
it'S even more torquey on a 112 lsa

**garygnu65** · 09-11-2010, 05:40 PM

get the correct push rod length.

**INMY01TA** · 09-12-2010, 12:49 PM

I'd go at least 228 cam myself also.

**mark21742** · 09-12-2010, 04:09 PM

The 1.8 rockers will not only give you higher lift, but also a few more degrees of duration, so your mechanic gave you pretty good advice on cams... .561" lift with the 1.8 rockers give you a true .594" lift and a 224 will be closer to a 228.

But, since you have an auto, the first thing you should do is get a 3,200-3,800 stall and tranny cooler.

**87gtNOS** · 09-27-2010, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by mark21742

The 1.8 rockers will not only give you higher lift, but also a few more degrees of duration, so your mechanic gave you pretty good advice on cams... .561" lift with the 1.8 rockers give you a true .594" lift and a 224 will be closer to a 228.

But, since you have an auto, the first thing you should do is get a 3,200-3,800 stall and tranny cooler.

Rocker ratio does not affect duration, only lift and RAMP SPEED. It will accelerate lift.

**JRENIGAR** · 09-30-2010, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by 87gtNOS

Rocker ratio does not affect duration, only lift and RAMP SPEED. It will accelerate lift.

Comp cams master catalog says it does. Usually 2-3 deg more duration for next higher ratio??? I guess opening earlier on the intake and exhaust side does this???

**87gtNOS** · 09-30-2010, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by JRENIGAR

Comp cams master catalog says it does. Usually 2-3 deg more duration for next higher ratio??? I guess opening earlier on the intake and exhaust side does this???

The specs on the camshaft do NOT change....

With a larger ratio rocker, the point at which the VALVE reaches 50 thous lift is sooner, and the closing is later. So yes, you could say the duration at 50 thous changes....but the OVERALL cam duration is unaffected.

**mark21742** · 09-30-2010, 02:58 PM

Lol true...bad wording on my part... It makes it "act" like a bigger cam

**87gtNOS** · 09-30-2010, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by mark21742

Lol true...bad wording on my part... It makes it "act" like a bigger cam

Yeah n/p!! I know what I want to say...but I just haven't had to explain it for 5 or 6 yrs now!!

**JRENIGAR** · 10-04-2010, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by 87gtNOS

The specs on the camshaft do NOT change....

With a larger ratio rocker, the point at which the VALVE reaches 50 thous lift is sooner, and the closing is later. So yes, you could say the duration at 50 thous changes....but the OVERALL cam duration is unaffected.

Agreed, I just wasnt sure from how you worded it, haha worded, damn...