Hey everyone,

I'm still pretty new to the LS1 world. I only have the most minor bolt on mods only, as you can see. However, it's build up time this summer.

In addition to a cam, I'll also be doing the Pacesetter long tubes (still deciding on what ORY, but thats another thread) and dyno tune.

My LT1 ran a hot cam because I had no plan for heads. However, I am going to do heads, but probably not this year. I would likely go with Patriot Stage IIs.

My goals: Pre-heads, I guess I would like to hit 330-350 rwhp, if possible, on a cam/header/tuned car. Once I go with heads, I would like to try and push 400 rwhp (obviously re-tuned and more supporting mods)

The car is an M6. It is an everyday driver year round. I plan on doing mostly street driving, with an autocross orientation (will get supporting suspension mods), but something still respectable at the strip. I would probably prefer something in the mid-rpm power band with a balanced torque curve. I don't think I wanna rev much higher then 6200 on stock internals until I go with a stroker.

So with that info, I'd appreciate if you could throw some cam ideas at me. If you have any questions please let me know. I've have searched around, but of course every person looks for something different.

Also, PLEASE suggest everything else you would think I would need. Obviously springs are a must. Pushrods? Lifters? Retainers? etc. The car only has 41k miles on it, and it runs beautifully, very strong.

As always, I appreciate your help

 

224/228 .581/.588 110+2 LSA cam
Talk to Thunder Racing about their custom lobes designed with CompCams.


That cam will get you close to 400rwhp without heads on an M6 and is considered a pretty mild cam for an LS1 these days. If you don't really want to spin the engine too high, then you're going to want to stay away from cams with bigger durations (ie. int/exh in the 230's).

You'll need, at a minimum, some 918 springs, CM pushrods and supporting gaskets for the swap. As mentioned below, upgrading the oil pump and timing chain are good ideas as well.

 

I'll just wait for Kraest to chime in and recommend the Futral F13/F14.

 

Welcome to the LS1. Your goals are very low

The cam-only LS1 cars are very capable of 400rwhp (LT1 heads/cam territory) and heads/cam cars are capable of 450+ rwhp (LT1 high $$$$ stroker motor territory).

For the cam swap, you can get an entire kit that includes the springs, pushrods, retainers, etc. To do it "right", you'll also want to get the oil pump ported or get an LS6 pump along with an LS2 timing chain set.

Since you have an 01 car, you already have the LS6 intake manifold, so you won't need to touch that until you get the heads, but you'll want to port the TB for optimal results with the cam-only swap. The stock fuel pump is fine and the 2001s had 28# injectors, which are also fine for a cam-only swap.

With that being said, I'd recommend the Futral F13 cam for your setup. It's a proven cam that's very streetable and makes a ton of mid power along with a ton of peak power.

Mike

 

Thanks for the great advice so far guys.

Sorry about my weak goals! I guess I'm a little too used to the numbers of an LT1 I also wanted to be realistic. I'm not one of those "DOOD HOW DO I GET 400 HORZEPOWER?? WIF AN AIR FILLTAR?" kinda guys.

Mike, thanks for the advice. I'm really glad you posted in my thread and I appreciate the help.

Does this Futral F13 cam go by a different name at retailers? I have seen it mentioned on the boards before, but I don't think I have seen it listed at a vendor. Anyone have the specs off hand? Don't worry if you don't, I'll do a search when I get home from work.

I have seens some spring kits, but I am really interested in a full valvetrain kit like you mentioned Mike. Where should I look for a package that includes springs, pushrods and retainers? I suppose I could make the setup myself, but I want to be sure to have complimentary parts that will work well together.

Back to the goals again, what should I reasonably shoot for on a cammed daily driver M6?

Thanks again!

 

You're only going to find it at Futral Motorsports, since they are the only ones who send the info to Cam Motion to have it ground. They have the complete packages for everything.

www.futralmotorsports.com

Goals? 400rwhp. Some of the bigger cams can make 420+, but are much less drivable.

 

For a streetable cam, the 224/228 cam sounds purfect. I was, however, going to recomend a TSP 228 grind which is about the same specs on your choice of an LSA. Not the most agressive cam w/ a wide powerband on a wide LSA. 1400-6800rpm, or somethign close to it. Would be great for Auto X..

330RWHP are doable w/ a catback and lid on your car. Possibly LT's, too. Depending the altitude and stock HP (it varries, GM underrates). I've got a full exh and full induction setup. Last time I was dyno'd, I pulled a measly 336/346 rwhp/tq. I should be near 350/360 now (w/ addition of a couple newest mods).

TSP sells a head and cam combo. Heads, cam, PR's, gaskets, and oil pump of your choice. They have the 224/224 .581 .581 Your choice of LSA and the 228/228 .588 .588 Coice of LSA. The cam mentioned above is a good mix of both. Also an EXH biased cam which would be good for and F.I. car.
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=680&catid=47

Have fun w/ it do0d!..

 

We recommend and sell the TR 224/224 cam as well. We have a customer car with that cam, headers, exhaust and tuning pull 407 RWHP with excellent drivability.

 

I wouldn't **** with the TR224. You'll be looking for more power and a bigger cam within 6 months.

 

I think this is the main reason we were recommending that cam Kraest. Yes, he could make more power with a bigger cam. But, keeping the duration lower with a decent amount of lift will help keep the power band a little lower and in more "useable" RPMs. He'll still be shifting at 6500rpm with a 224 cam vs. the 6800~7000rpm shifts he would have to make to fully use the bigger duration cams that give another 10~15rwhp.

 

Hey Mike,

Is this the F13 you were talking about?

FMS Custom Grind Camshaft - 230"/232" .595"/.585" 112LSA - aggressive profile with a 2500-6800 RPM range, rough idle (from Futral site)

This cam is pretty intriguing to me, but it seems pretty beefy as well. Is that lift too high that stock heads will constrict flow? Would I be good with this cam if I waited a year and then added heads? That thing is pretty streetable huh?

Bayer, thanks for your input too dood! I'll look at those Texas Speed packages after work.

you guys are the best!

 

Learn about cams and make your own choice. If you'd rather not, then stick with the 224.

 

.... that was kinda the purpose of this thread.

 

I think he meant you should learn a little more in depth about how cams make power with the timing of valve events, dynamic compression ratios, etc. If you have some reading time invested in those topics (frequently discussed over at LS1Tech.com's Internal Engine forum), you wouldn't need to ask which cam to recommend because you could make your own choice. Some people don't get that involved in the details and would like to have a little help so they can call it a day. Either way, I stand by my recommendation based on the criteria you established at the start of the thread.

 

Something that hasn't been discussed is what final gear ratio are you going to use. If you are staying with the stock rear gears then a FM 13 is probably as big as you want to go for drivabililty. The 224/224 comp is a good daily driver cam.