Questions about my heads/cam setup
#1
Questions about my heads/cam setup
Hey everybody,
I was wondering if anyone has any advice for my heads/cam package I had installed earlier this year…
I bought stage 2 LS1 heads from Patriot performance, and the cam is Lift: .581/.581 Dur@.050: 224/224 LSA: 112 114 from Comp Cams.
I had the car dyno tuned and it made 381 HP at the wheels. That is with a LoudMouth, but no headers. I then got Pacesetter LT’s and custom y-pipe with no cats and had it re-tuned and strapped back on the dyno. It only made 388 RWHP. I lost a good amount of low end torque. I was really hoping for over 400 RWHP with this setup, but it feels kind of sluggish (for a heads/cam car) until over 4000 RPM.
Also I’ve noticed a light smoking problem when idling. Not the average puff of smoke chevy V8’s are known for at start up, but a constant light blue smoke while idling, and enough fumes to make you high. No cats though so….
My question is, is the lack of low-end the cam? Is there a better cam to go with? Or is it the heads? Any advice? This is not a daily driver, mostly weekends. It just doesn't have the nasty raw power I was hoping for except for way up top.
Any ideas?
I was wondering if anyone has any advice for my heads/cam package I had installed earlier this year…
I bought stage 2 LS1 heads from Patriot performance, and the cam is Lift: .581/.581 Dur@.050: 224/224 LSA: 112 114 from Comp Cams.
I had the car dyno tuned and it made 381 HP at the wheels. That is with a LoudMouth, but no headers. I then got Pacesetter LT’s and custom y-pipe with no cats and had it re-tuned and strapped back on the dyno. It only made 388 RWHP. I lost a good amount of low end torque. I was really hoping for over 400 RWHP with this setup, but it feels kind of sluggish (for a heads/cam car) until over 4000 RPM.
Also I’ve noticed a light smoking problem when idling. Not the average puff of smoke chevy V8’s are known for at start up, but a constant light blue smoke while idling, and enough fumes to make you high. No cats though so….
My question is, is the lack of low-end the cam? Is there a better cam to go with? Or is it the heads? Any advice? This is not a daily driver, mostly weekends. It just doesn't have the nasty raw power I was hoping for except for way up top.
Any ideas?
#3
Re: Questions about my heads/cam setup
i've seen so many times people claiming and exaggerating about 20-30hp gains from LT headers. when i have read several, including JasonD dyno only 15 hp gains on bolt on cars (at the wheels).
yah...7 seems a bit low, but it could have been the dyno, weather or even not the most ideal tune for the headers.
the tune could have been a bit "hot" for it before, and now it is right where it should be...which could explain a smaller gain.
and i think loss of low end torque is a common occurance associated with the high flowing LTs, but it usually makes up for it on the top end.
curious as to what rpm you pulled to on the dyno? you may need to go higher to see the full potential of the mods..particularly with the cam.
but 390ish to the wheels with heads and 224* cam, boltons with LTs, is about the going number from all the info i've read
yah...7 seems a bit low, but it could have been the dyno, weather or even not the most ideal tune for the headers.
the tune could have been a bit "hot" for it before, and now it is right where it should be...which could explain a smaller gain.
and i think loss of low end torque is a common occurance associated with the high flowing LTs, but it usually makes up for it on the top end.
curious as to what rpm you pulled to on the dyno? you may need to go higher to see the full potential of the mods..particularly with the cam.
but 390ish to the wheels with heads and 224* cam, boltons with LTs, is about the going number from all the info i've read
#5
Re: Questions about my heads/cam setup
Yes it does burn some oil. It doesn't smoke ALL the time, but the exhaust stinks bad and burns your eyes (probably the no cats), and a lot of times, it has very light blue smoke while idling.
I'm not complaining about the 7 hp from the headers, but the loss of torque from when it was stock til now. People have told me you can't get lots of low end torque AND high RPM power with a cam, that the torque comes from the heads. If thats true, I am a little confused since I bought heads from Patriot Performance that were supposed to give gains.
Is there a magical cam out there that will make 400 HP AND give more low end grunt?
And where are my winning lotto numbers?? Ha ha
Thanks
I'm not complaining about the 7 hp from the headers, but the loss of torque from when it was stock til now. People have told me you can't get lots of low end torque AND high RPM power with a cam, that the torque comes from the heads. If thats true, I am a little confused since I bought heads from Patriot Performance that were supposed to give gains.
Is there a magical cam out there that will make 400 HP AND give more low end grunt?
And where are my winning lotto numbers?? Ha ha
Thanks
#8
Re: Questions about my heads/cam setup
<------- 290 rwhp. If I were you, I'd be happy with those numbers. But then again that's what they are. Just numbers. Did you run any 1/4 miles yet? That's the best way to guage your gains. With all the stuff I put in, I feel too much low end torque and good high end torque. Hopefully getting new 1/4s tomorrow. Good luck!
#10
Re: Questions about my heads/cam setup
Originally Posted by V6toZ28
Hot cam ...
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