Teach me some basics of Cam #'s and selection ...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,628
From: Pgh, PA
Teach me some basics of Cam #'s and selection ...
Im only 16 so cut me so slack here lol ... Im not gunna be out buying a new cam anytime soon , but when i have the cash id like to no what to look for and what to avoid ...
So that said , what are some basics for cam selection in general , and more specific to LT1's as well ? ...
Could you guys explain what #'s mean what , and how to tell if its too much or too little for stock flowing heads and **** like that ?
Also , just wondering , but what cam would make the most power for a mostly stock LT1 ... Im not really concerned with peak horsepower, but more so getting the most Area under the line ... having a strong Mid, and having a flatter torque curve ... Since i wouldnt rev past 6K unless i had a forged bottom, peak horsepower from a gigantic ogrely cam is kinda pointless to me ... Id just want something that will pull like a bitch and be alot faster for when im running it.
while still being fully streetable lol ...
So that said , what are some basics for cam selection in general , and more specific to LT1's as well ? ...
Could you guys explain what #'s mean what , and how to tell if its too much or too little for stock flowing heads and **** like that ?
Also , just wondering , but what cam would make the most power for a mostly stock LT1 ... Im not really concerned with peak horsepower, but more so getting the most Area under the line ... having a strong Mid, and having a flatter torque curve ... Since i wouldnt rev past 6K unless i had a forged bottom, peak horsepower from a gigantic ogrely cam is kinda pointless to me ... Id just want something that will pull like a bitch and be alot faster for when im running it.
while still being fully streetable lol ...
Banned
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,090
230/236/112 .544/.555
230 is how many degrees of rotation the intake valve is kept open. 236 is how many degrees of exhaust valve
112 is how many degrees the centerline of each lobe (intake/exhaust) is from each other
.544 is how far the the intake valve in inches is lifted off the seat
.555 is the exhaust lift, same as above.
224/230/112 would be a good cam for a stock lt1.
230 is how many degrees of rotation the intake valve is kept open. 236 is how many degrees of exhaust valve
112 is how many degrees the centerline of each lobe (intake/exhaust) is from each other
.544 is how far the the intake valve in inches is lifted off the seat
.555 is the exhaust lift, same as above.
224/230/112 would be a good cam for a stock lt1.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,628
From: Pgh, PA
Thanks , i knew some of that , jsut not the
What characteristics make a cam more or less streetable,
112 is how many degrees the centerline of each lobe (intake/exhaust) is from each other
Banned
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,090
the lobe seperation angle and intake duration are probably the biggest factors unless you get into valve closing points and stuff.
smaller lsa will give a generally choppier idle, and make power peakier, 112 is a good compromise for a street car.
more intake duration will take away some low end power, and raise power band.
smaller lsa will give a generally choppier idle, and make power peakier, 112 is a good compromise for a street car.
more intake duration will take away some low end power, and raise power band.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,853
From: Christiansburg, VA
must be a hydraulic roller cam, must be specific for the LT1, intake duration at 0.50" is more important that advertised duration, an intake duration of 218-224 at 0.50" (on a 350ci engine) will result in a peak hp about 5800-6200rpm, if the duration is 230 expect peak power around 6500rpm. you have to have "better" valvesprings for ANY cam that is bigger than stock, new lifters are not a must but recommened for higher lift cams, if i was picking your cam (im not 
) i would go with comp cams XE 224/230-112 it has a nice sligtly lopey idle, makes great mid range power, peaks around 6200 though. hopes this helps!
Jesse
) i would go with comp cams XE 224/230-112 it has a nice sligtly lopey idle, makes great mid range power, peaks around 6200 though. hopes this helps!Jesse
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 51
From: Pleasanton/SLO, CA
Click me for more information on LT1 cams than you could possibly need...
I think anything less than ~230 degrees on the intake at .050 is going to be plenty streetable. I am running a 222/230 in a 4300 lb car with stock gears and a T-56 (horribly slow off the line) and my car is a little more tame than I expected. You will be able to run a larger cam than I as your car weighs ~900 pounds less.
Matt
I think anything less than ~230 degrees on the intake at .050 is going to be plenty streetable. I am running a 222/230 in a 4300 lb car with stock gears and a T-56 (horribly slow off the line) and my car is a little more tame than I expected. You will be able to run a larger cam than I as your car weighs ~900 pounds less.
Matt
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
