I recently aquired a stock ls1 car (wreckd) for a grand and will be swaping itinto my 95 im looking at doing a budget build and i found a place i can get a zo6 cam for 100 bucks im also thinking about an ls6 intake ive checked the specs on both cams and the zo6 cam isnt much bigger than stock is this a bad idea? does any one have any sucess stories with simalar set up? does any one have a sugested cam for a mild street/ strip car i know this is a loaded question any help is very much appriciated

Thanks Evan

 

Which Z06? The C6 Z06 cam is pretty good something like 211/230 or something. That would go nice on a mostly stock setup. If it is a C5 Z06 I wouldn't bother, just go aftermarket.

-Geoff

 

C5 was what i was reading about do you sugest a specific cam im not usta the LS1 thing its all new to me?

How bout the LS6 intake manifold shoul i bother

 

Do a search of this forum, there has been a lot of discussion on this subject.
You'll learn a ton.
Keep in mind that with any cam upgrade in an LS1 you'll need springs and better pushrods with maybe a cam chain and oil pump depending on the mileage on the motor.

 

The later model (I *think* 2002+)Z06 cam is better- if you get it cheaply, may be worth the effort, especially if you are already changing the manifold anyway-

You can live with the stock pushrods, but probably want to get the z06 'yellow' springs, too. Stock retainers are okay-

Depending on mileage, you may want to change out the timing chain, you will have it off any way- and think about a new oil pump- easy while you are there- If you change the pump, GET A NEW O-RING FOR THE PICKUP! I wish anybody had told me that, when I did this-

My '01 LS1, that came with the LS6 intake, dynoed 332 HP and 346 TQ at the wheels, with minor intake and exhaust mods- with an A4 tranny- probably 360 or 370 HP at the crank-

 

Thanks for the tip n those r prety impresive numbers 4 almost stock set up

 

if you're gonna do the hassle and expense of a cam...go bigger.

you can throw in a 224 cam and make 375rwhp all day long with near stock driveability and reliability. only thing that will change is power and sound a little bit.

 

with the 224 cam what will i need to change? are 90 lbs springs ok? push rods? retainers? i shouldnt have clearance issues wilol i need to replace cam bearing as well?

 

you'll need new springs, but honestly you'd want to do that anyway no matter what cam you pick.

even the LS6 springs are on the weak side

not positive on the pushrods, but again, you should upgrade them anyway to stronger units. but i think if you don't change the heads or head gaskets the stock ones should be the right lenght. confirm that with TSP when you call about the cam.

you WERE gonna call the tech line and ask THEM right?

retainers, locks, bearings should all be fine, assuming the engine is in good condition to begin with.

but while you have it apart...obviously swap out the timing chain and oil pump. the ls2 chain is a good cheap choice. and the ls6 pump works good. don't want to starve the cammed engine of oil!!!

 

something else to consider. Cams have different base circle diameters. If you plan on re using the stock non adjustable rocker arms, you will need to match that to the stock specs. You can also correct for differences with different length pushrods.

 

Put in Lamens terms. Will I or will i not be able to use the stock rocker and pushrods with this cam selection?

 

Yes you can re-use your rockers and pushrods if you like, but as previously stated a set of aftermarket hardened pushrods is the way to go , the rockers are fine .

 

Always measure and get the exact pushrod length you need.

-Geoff

 

OK Thanks Guys