Hey I need help on deciding what is a good cam for my 98 ls1 6spd. HotCam or Comp Cam? I am trying to get 400horses. I think I am anywhere from 317-325. I haven't dynoed so I my starting point for stock horses is 305. Look at my sig for the mods (not much). If you guys think ls1s give more horses and was underatted purposely by Chevy then lets say I want about 430. I use my car as an everyday car, so I guess I want something between mild and wild. Also I want one that is known for not giving too much problems. Please I need the dudes who know what they are talking about on this one cuz it's not something I can easily go back and change. I've been on this site for about 2 months now and everyone here seems to give good advice and I am starting to remember names and know who is an expert in a particular area. I would get headers, but I didn't want all that extra noise by my feet. I love to hear my music.

 

You won't be able to reach 400HP without getting long tube headers. The cams full ability is brought to life by the long tube headers. The cam I would recommend is the ThunderRacing 99-224/224-114. Good mid and high range power. After looking at your mods I'd say get a lid and a new cat back exaust.

 

Are you talking 400 HP to the wheels or just to the flywheel? Since you seem to be using the the OEM 305 number as you're jump point I'm assumng you're talking flywheel.

If so, then you don't even need a cam, a good lid or an FIPK, a cut out, a ported TB and pulley will get you to 400 at the flywheel ... 320-340 rwhp.

Now if your talking to the wheels, first you won't have chance without long tubes and probably heads also. Quite frankly for any given cam out there claiming 400 rwhp with just the cam and bolt ons, there are 5 people with the same cam only getting 360 to 380.

Also what's your defintion of "not too much problems"? Any cam that is going to get you anywhere near 400 is going to require tuning and/or drilling the the TB and probably both. Also high ramp rates and lifts will require an upgrade to your springs, pushrods and expose the engine to more valve train stress and potential probelms in the future.

So here's your choices. If your priority is on reliabilty and minimizing your immediate issues and potential future problems - you're going to have to go mild. Something like a Z06 cam or the Trooper cam. Basically low lift, near stock ramp rates and nothing too radical on the duration. But you can realistically expect nothing more than 15-30 rhwp, especailly if you stay with stock manifolds.

Or go radical, such as the F1, X1, MMS 230 or the G5. With headers you might get your 400 to the wheels. But you will have tuning issues, you can look forward to breaking springs in the future if you race it and drive it hard - if you don't what's the point of the cam?? Most folks with a radical cam, as a matter of routine maintenance, are going in and swapping out springs and pushrods once a year or more often ... if you're on a budget forget going this route and as minimum you better have back up transportation.

A good compromise cam whould be the GM Hotcam. It's designed to work with the stock pushrods and comes with the upgraded LS6 springs, all in a kit for less than what the AM cams cost out right. You may have to do some work with the throttle body to smooth out your idle and you can get your basic tuning dialed in with a MAFT. You're still not going to get your 400, maybe 370 to 380 if you get headers.

Good Luck

 

Well, if you check out ls1speed.com, they have a comp cam there (specs are 224/224 .581 lift and either 112 or 114 lsa) that says it can get you 400 rwhp with just bolt ons and stock heads! But you don't have a shot in hell at 400 rw w/o longtubes! So get a set of hooker longtubes, either into a true dual setup or a good catback, if you want quiet, try like a random tech catback, decent flow and pretty quiet from what i've heard, then port the TB, and you should be pretty damn close to 400 rw!

P.S. - You will need a better clutch to handle that kind of power, and if you have good tires that hook (DR's or slicks) you may want to invest in a 12-bolt!

 

Given my mods, SLP LM, FIPK, MAF, TB Bypass, Ram Air, 3.73s, would a head and cam put me over 400 hp. Also just want something cleared up, on this message board people say that the number given by GM is at the flywheel and there are people who say its at the wheels. So which is it?

 

Well, i'm pretty sure you'll get over 400 rwhp on any ls1 if you put headers, heads, and cam. But without the headers, I don't know if heads and cam would get you there, but it probably would, but i'm not sure. As for the gm #'s, most ls1's stock put between 300 - 310 to the wheels, but gm is rating it at 305 at the flywheel, therefore, gm way underrates it!

 

So what mods should I try to do? I just want about 400 to the wheels. Looks like I need long tube headers. Maybe I can start to lighten up my car by changing out parts. Any suggestions?

 

I voted for the Comp but honestly I wouldn't go with either one. The Hotcam is a waste of money unless you want a very mild cam and Comp does make good cams but IMO there are better ones out there. Thunder has some very nice cams available and they would definitely be my choice if I were in the market for a cam right now.

Yes, as others have said, you will need headers to reach 400rwhp.

If you're considering heads (stage 2) and a cam then...with tuning, you should make well over 400rwhp (probably around 450)

As Devon said, GM did rate the cars at 305fwhp but most will put out around 305 to the wheels and quite a few will surpass it (most '01-'02s will).

 

look at my mods...i have 405 RWHP so that should get you where you want to go

 

Dude, with all that, you only 405 rwhp and 386 rwtq?! Damn, you should have way more than that!!!! What cam is it? Those numbers seem very low to me!!

 

Most dynos are different, he may go somewhere else and lay down 425+. I'd be more interested in track times, specifically trap speeds, to judge how much power the car is making. This would be assuming that he has made some passes, probably not but I'm just trying to make a point

Of course those numbers may be accurate, then I'd say that his combo just isn't making as much power as some others. Either way, 405 ain't too shabby.

 

yeah, 405 ain't bad, i was just expecting more with the mods he's got, you know what i'm sayin? bye the way, I see your from boca, are you goin to the f-body experience in tradewinds park sat? Also, you ever check out the sffba (South Florida F-Body Association)? If not, check out the website www.sffba.com and if you can, take a ride down to tradewinds sat at 11 am for the f-bod experience, it should be pretty cool.

 

Devon, I might make it down there, not sure yet. Yeah, I've been a SFFBA member for a while now, my SN is Aaron96Z.

 

Oh, aight, cool!!! Mine's hot99z28, if you make it out, i'll see ya saturday.

 

OK, back to cams.....................................

Bottom line, what kind of cam would be a good choice to achieve ~400rwhp?? ("stik6shift00", you're running a Comp cam right?? and you're putting down 400rwhp, so obviously Comp makes a good cam then!? ).

Another question (for anyone??)..................I'm assuming most guys stick with hydraulic roller lifters when changing cams eh?? I mean, it would almost seem counter-productive to use a regular flat-tappet lifter/cam setup!? And what about rockers............do you guys stick with the stock RR's, or upgrade to aftermarket ones?? (and if aftermarket, which brands??) I'm just trying to do some homework for myself and anyone else who's interested.

And just FYI "magyver"....................although you may not want to install headers due to noise increases, it's not the headers that affect the noise..............it's your mufflers (trust me, my dad's '73 has a nice set of big tube headers, but with the mufflers on it, it's pretty quiet!)..............so if you really want a solid boost in power, get a set of headers and really "wake" your motor up!