Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 151
From: Ga
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
lt1-xjs
Thats a good thought and I may go that route. As it is hard to think about the dreaded cam change, to a already strong running motor. What would you suggest with valve train upgrades. I noticed in your sig your running 1.7 rockers and upgraded springs.
What would the cost be on rockers and springs, I would be doing the labor myself.
Thanks
Thats a good thought and I may go that route. As it is hard to think about the dreaded cam change, to a already strong running motor. What would you suggest with valve train upgrades. I noticed in your sig your running 1.7 rockers and upgraded springs.
What would the cost be on rockers and springs, I would be doing the labor myself.
Thanks
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 96
From: springfield tn
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
You can call Brian Tooley racing in Kentucky, 888-959-8865. I got a great deal on springs, retainers, locks and seals. He could probably hook you right up. And shipping is fast and free.
Forgot to tell you, I got all my stuff for under $250
Forgot to tell you, I got all my stuff for under $250
Last edited by dzltek; Sep 19, 2012 at 07:09 PM. Reason: add pricing
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 563
From: north Carolina
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
Seems like it cost me around $1100 bucks for the tune , installation , 1.6 rockers springs and
studs , guide plates. just my opinion buy a nice set of 1.6 rr and cheap out on the springs using
LT4 springs that way when your ready for the cam you can put in a fresh set of springs in with cam
with the mod's in my Sig minus the stall I ran 83 in the 1/8 mile on a hot day with no experience
drive it like you stole it !!!
studs , guide plates. just my opinion buy a nice set of 1.6 rr and cheap out on the springs using
LT4 springs that way when your ready for the cam you can put in a fresh set of springs in with cam
with the mod's in my Sig minus the stall I ran 83 in the 1/8 mile on a hot day with no experience
drive it like you stole it !!!
Last edited by parkers Z28; Sep 20, 2012 at 04:17 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,152
From: Woodstown, NJ
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
"Cheap out on the springs" is horrible advice. Having good valve control is crucial even in a stock application, much less a performance build. I would use GOOD valve springs with stock rockers before I used a cheap spring and a good rocker.
Do it once, do it right.
Do it once, do it right.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,067
From: Kernersville, NC
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
It is the combination of all the parts that makes the difference on stock heads(or any build for that matter). I tracked tested my car stock before the mods and after.....
5/22/08
Baseline stock with K&N CAI and Flowmaster catback.
Warmed up:9.1@80.322mph
Full cool down:8.9@82.436mph
10/03/08
CC503, 1.6 NSA Pro Mag Roller rockers, stock heads, stock exhaust manifolds, catback exhaust, K&N CAI, FMS 30# Injectors.
Warmed up:8.882@83.770mph
No full cool down run.
Keep in mind, that earlier in the car's life, it had run a best of 8.6@82mph and did run 8.7 on a regular basis....so the above was a little disappointing. I suspect the big slow down was from tired stock valve springs. I did improve by being able to beat the stock engine from full cool down to fully warmed, but it does not look like all that much of an improvement given the cash, time, and effort I put into the mild "refresh".
I also encountered oil control problems that resulted in an oil pressure dip when WOT in first or second gears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjclVu1HYYM&feature=plcp
I then pulled the motor again, did a complete bearing refresh.....which did nothing for the oil pressure problem....so I dug in again and changed the oil pickup and oil pan. Which solved the problem, but the oil pan used forced me to go to long tube headers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iKOaJ6XK0&feature=plcp
The gains really showed up when I added my long tube headers. I knew the stock manifolds were choking the engine, I just didn't realize how much.
2/19/11
Added Kooks Long tube headers(1 3/4" x 3") and dual cat y-pipe.
Warmed up:8.437@87.88mph
Partial cool down:8.389@88.354mph
Keep that in mind moving forward.
Last edited by ACE1252; Sep 21, 2012 at 01:59 AM.
Banned
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 90
From: Usa
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
I have done several searches for cam upgrade that will work with stock heads and have not found alot. Mostly came up with the LT4 hot cam.
Not saying that is a bad cam at all but is there other choices. In fact I have heard alot of good things about that cam.
I know I will have to upgrade valve springs and all. My mods are in my sig.
Thanks
Not saying that is a bad cam at all but is there other choices. In fact I have heard alot of good things about that cam.
I know I will have to upgrade valve springs and all. My mods are in my sig.
Thanks
cc305 220/230 .544/.544 114lsa is favored by people who run nitros or blowers and rpm 6200-6300 btw they also come with 112lsa these are bottom end power and the other for the top-end
LPE 219/219: 219/219 .560/.560 112lsa these are the most interesting i found because there rpm range is 6000-6100rpm which is the best for stock heads and they have mid-range consistent to top-end and it would be a good sleeper cam because it is not noticeable
i found this on ls1tech by stealth formula i coudnt find the whole article about but these are notes i took for myself i am considering the lpe because the have the mid-range and top-end
the article also recommended the 1.6rr with any cam swap and it is preferred to change the vavle spring, the pushrods and lifter to get the best out of it
if i find the article ill post it
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 176
From: Arizona
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
I would recommend the CC503 to you. You will need supporting comp cams valve springs to make it work. I got my car with a blown head gasket, so I have nothing to compare it to. But this thing drives like an animal. I took it to the drag strip and pulled down a 14.0 @ 99mph. I had a few bad starts, i'm in a T56 car. I think it could be a low 13 second car easily with the right driver. Has just a little bit of lope, enough to let you know it's not stock. I'm using 1.52 roller rockers and good springs from comp. I also have long tubes/cats/mufflers and a ram air intake. Hope this helps.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,152
From: Woodstown, NJ
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
Registered User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,306
From: Chalfont, Pa.
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
Hre's my "recipe" just keep in mind that the pricing was back in 2006;
GM847 Cam install, July 15th - 18th, 2006
Best timeslips per upgrade found;
Timeslip: Atco November 2008
Good luck, ron
GM847 Cam install, July 15th - 18th, 2006
Best timeslips per upgrade found;
Timeslip: Atco November 2008
Good luck, ron
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
From: Dayton, Ohio
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
Without the cam he will feel no difference in power. The dyno and track may see a little, but he will not notice it. Is it a step in the right direction? Absolutely. Just want you to be prepared when you spend the cash for the valvetrain upgrade and don't notice any difference.
It is the combination of all the parts that makes the difference on stock heads(or any build for that matter). I tracked tested my car stock before the mods and after.....
5/22/08
Baseline stock with K&N CAI and Flowmaster catback.
Warmed up:9.1@80.322mph
Full cool down:8.9@82.436mph
10/03/08
CC503, 1.6 NSA Pro Mag Roller rockers, stock heads, stock exhaust manifolds, catback exhaust, K&N CAI, FMS 30# Injectors.
Warmed up:8.882@83.770mph
No full cool down run.
Keep in mind, that earlier in the car's life, it had run a best of 8.6@82mph and did run 8.7 on a regular basis....so the above was a little disappointing. I suspect the big slow down was from tired stock valve springs. I did improve by being able to beat the stock engine from full cool down to fully warmed, but it does not look like all that much of an improvement given the cash, time, and effort I put into the mild "refresh".
I also encountered oil control problems that resulted in an oil pressure dip when WOT in first or second gears.
[autostream]http://autostream.com/camaroz28/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=2711& transactionid=1348447279-108213144127&posted_by=lt1-xjs_www.camaroz28.com&youtube_video_id=IjclVu1HYYM[/autostream]
I then pulled the motor again, did a complete bearing refresh.....which did nothing for the oil pressure problem....so I dug in again and changed the oil pickup and oil pan. Which solved the problem, but the oil pan used forced me to go to long tube headers.
Solved LT1 Oil Pressure Dropping issue at WOT! - YouTube
The gains really showed up when I added my long tube headers. I knew the stock manifolds were choking the engine, I just didn't realize how much.
2/19/11
Added Kooks Long tube headers(1 3/4" x 3") and dual cat y-pipe.
Warmed up:8.437@87.88mph
Partial cool down:8.389@88.354mph
Keep that in mind moving forward.
It is the combination of all the parts that makes the difference on stock heads(or any build for that matter). I tracked tested my car stock before the mods and after.....
5/22/08
Baseline stock with K&N CAI and Flowmaster catback.
Warmed up:9.1@80.322mph
Full cool down:8.9@82.436mph
10/03/08
CC503, 1.6 NSA Pro Mag Roller rockers, stock heads, stock exhaust manifolds, catback exhaust, K&N CAI, FMS 30# Injectors.
Warmed up:8.882@83.770mph
No full cool down run.
Keep in mind, that earlier in the car's life, it had run a best of 8.6@82mph and did run 8.7 on a regular basis....so the above was a little disappointing. I suspect the big slow down was from tired stock valve springs. I did improve by being able to beat the stock engine from full cool down to fully warmed, but it does not look like all that much of an improvement given the cash, time, and effort I put into the mild "refresh".
I also encountered oil control problems that resulted in an oil pressure dip when WOT in first or second gears.
[autostream]http://autostream.com/camaroz28/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=2711& transactionid=1348447279-108213144127&posted_by=lt1-xjs_www.camaroz28.com&youtube_video_id=IjclVu1HYYM[/autostream]
I then pulled the motor again, did a complete bearing refresh.....which did nothing for the oil pressure problem....so I dug in again and changed the oil pickup and oil pan. Which solved the problem, but the oil pan used forced me to go to long tube headers.
Solved LT1 Oil Pressure Dropping issue at WOT! - YouTube
The gains really showed up when I added my long tube headers. I knew the stock manifolds were choking the engine, I just didn't realize how much.
2/19/11
Added Kooks Long tube headers(1 3/4" x 3") and dual cat y-pipe.
Warmed up:8.437@87.88mph
Partial cool down:8.389@88.354mph
Keep that in mind moving forward.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 151
From: Ga
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
How hard is it to change out valve springs with the motor in the car?
I have done several successful engine rebuilds but the motors were always out on a stand.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,152
From: Woodstown, NJ
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
It is not overly difficult to change valve springs, just can be time-consuming without the proper tool. Typical parts-store valve spring tools tend to be cheap and don't work well on LT1s.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 151
From: Ga
Re: Whats a good cam upgrade with stock heads?
Hre's my "recipe" just keep in mind that the pricing was back in 2006;
GM847 Cam install, July 15th - 18th, 2006
Best timeslips per upgrade found;
Timeslip: Atco November 2008
Good luck, ron
GM847 Cam install, July 15th - 18th, 2006
Best timeslips per upgrade found;
Timeslip: Atco November 2008
Good luck, ron
with the LT1 motor from the pictures. I see you have Mac headers thats what I am running also. I already have a new water pump and Delphi opti I installed last year, it was not as bad as alot said to install. In fact I thought it was pretty easy. So i am sort of familiar with working on LT1s. LOL
Thanks again for the pics. I have some homework to do before jumping into a project this size. I do like the specs of the GM847 cam.
