Choosing a C6 Corvette Camshaft Pt 2 (Lift, Duration, LSA & Overlap Explained)

[@shepvette6278]

Great video man! I wish the previous owner of this new convertible would have watched your videos first haha! I can't wait to get a ride in your car again after all these upgrades!

[@Toys4Life]

Ha - But it will seem slow compared to your new LS7 powered C5!

[@shepvette6278]

This thing's a highway screamer. Does all of her business on the big end. You're going to have a properly selected setup that's going to grunt and work correctly!

[@patrickkeschl596]

Never forget the mantra, “You advertise Horsepower but you drive Torque”.

[@bradkeeney5236]

I think you’ve done a pretty good job of talking your way through this,considering especially, how you could go on endlessly with different features and details. People who don’t understand need to realize that you’re talking within your parameters so the questions that they’re concerned about could be answered by looking at your situation. I’m excited to see what you pick!

[@Toys4Life]

Thank you!! It is mind numbing after a while thinking about all of the possible combinations of lift, duration, overlap, LSA, built in advance, lobe profiles, intake and exhaust valve opening/closing points etc!!! And every cam company has found the secret sauce....

[@patrickkeschl596]

I think it’s important for people to know what they are starting with in terms of stock. 1999-2003 base corvettes had cams with a duration of 198/207, a lift slightly under 0.50 and an LSA around 115. The Z06 had a slightly bigger cam. The 2002-2004 LS6 motors had cams with 204/218 duration, 0.55 lift and a LSA of 116-117. Another Great Video!

[@Toys4Life]

100% agree and interestingly the 05-07 LS2 cam is very close to the 02-04 LS6 cam coming in at 204/213 duration, 520/521 lift & 116+4 LSA.

[@gtbmjb7192]

Summit 8713 Stage 3 Truck Cam. I think very similarly to you. Also Holdener has a cam test (MotorTrend?) of the factory cams & the LS2 cam had the highest "Average" power including the LS7 & LS 9 cams. Warranty issues are also involved in engineering determinations per cam specs and much more. Be Blessed.

[@gtbmjb7192]

Stay with the stock valve lift and your valve springs, push-rod length and trunion concerns are minimized. Stay close to the stock LSA (not under 112) and you will be happy and so will your valve train. Intake duration in the lo-mid 220-250 and really be happy. The cam can be changed without removing the heads. Set #1 to TDC. Remove the valve covers rocker arms and push rods. Rotate engine twice and the lifters are in the trays and you change the cam. LS engine are race engines in street disguise. 6 bolt mains, 2 many head bolts (kidding) and roller lifters. Beware of marketing hype saying that you have to change lifters, valve springs on daily driver street engines. Great vids.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

I’m not surprised by some of these results. Cams do make an impact. Are you going to swap that rear end or the manual transmission?

[@Toys4Life]

They are possible future mods!

[@WarriorsPhoto]

@ Those closer gears make a Corvette a lot of fun. Good luck!

[@jonranper]

Great explanation of cam theory! I saw a video years ago HotRod TV where they put an engine on the dyno and were guessing what the output would be. Mr. Brule who was running the test said "This cam has so much overlap I don't think the engine will even start!"

[@Toys4Life]

lol!

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Thanks for the video

[@Toys4Life]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gtbmjb7192]

As shown in this video and many other comparo's, the "stock" 243/799 heads are finished making significant CFM gains after .500. So from there to .550 is a good place to be on the lift. FWIW, lift is similar to compression it works every where in the RPM range, not RPM specific like LSA & Duration. Regards,

[@Dean-h1b]

Can't wait to see what cam you choose. Are you going to cave and add headers? Are you going to pull the heads and change lifters or just swap it? You need more Batcave time! Got the last bat carcover listed on ebay! Thanks for all you do.

[@rapid13]

I'm gonna have to see if I can discover the specs on my BTR.

[@Toys4Life]

Most of the info is out there but I think he typically keeps a little bit of the specs secret...

[@raymondleathers5921]

Your cam selection sounds spooky 😉

[@Toys4Life]

But I haven't selected it in the video's yet (:-)

[@jimjohnson660]

Nice video, was hoping you would touch on boost cams a little bit... maybe in your next video

[@daren9721]

Btr red hot is a nice boost and naturally aspirated cam!!! Google it

[@Toys4Life]

Boost cam info is definitely something to consider!

[@WhaleRacer]

Your video made me remember the Sloppy Best cam... and all the testing RH did when that and the Truck Norris cam was new. Have you considered shorty headers while doing the cam swap? They are not worth much HP but they do help the entire RPM range a lil bit and should be lighter than the stockers.

[@Toys4Life]

I think RH has tested all of the sloppy cams! SS1. SS1.5, SB. SS2 and S3 and stock ex manifolds vs shorties vs cheap long tubes vs expensive long tubes. His channel is a fantastic resource!!

[@daren9721]

Depending on cam, good idea to get a trunion kit, the stock rockers are limited on there movement and check for pushrod length when changing a cam. Always great videos 👍🏼

[@Toys4Life]

I do have the push rod length checker ready to go! Curious, what lift at the valve have you seen/heard of rocker impingement issues with?

[@daren9721]

​@@Toys4Life around 600 lift! I bought the Michigan motorsports rocker arms with the trunion kit installed on ebay! Inexpensive insurance. You can rotate them 360 degrees, the stock one are limited in there movement.

[@ruleslawyer]

I'm guessing- Summit Racing™ Pro LS Vortec Truck Swap Camshafts SUM-8713R1

[@Toys4Life]

You sir are very close! I almost bought this one & for my stated purposes I think this would be a very good cam!

[@InTheHookJohn]

There is a good chance I'll install the same cam in my LS2 auto. I'm hoping it's one of the ones I've been looking at. Again, love your channel and the work you put in. Thank you.

[@Toys4Life]

Cam will be revealed in the next video!

[@InTheHookJohn]

@@Toys4Life haha much like the rest of your viewership... eagerly waiting!!

[@gbass7328]

A high hp cam is more Exh or Int valve duration? And what about for a supercharged LT4?

[@Toys4Life]

Generally both intake & ex duration increase a lot over stock if you are seeking a major bump in HP from say 5-6500 RPM.

[@eriksony6398]

Why not review the Launch GM scanner

[@Toys4Life]

There are oodles of scan tools. Nothing against the launch but I'm kind of an Autel fan and the Otofix d1 lite is a great way for a DIY or to get into it.

[@eriksony6398]

@@Toys4Life OK, If you are open testing a Launch scanner, I can DM you.

[@Toys4Life]

Sure thing - here is my email. [e-mail]

[@eriksony6398]

@@Toys4Life Thank you, Just sent.

[@richarddobreny6664]

Roller tipped rockers as well? You seem to be narrowing it down nicely. As well, how all these changes work in conjunction with each other is important. Anything on valve wear characteristics, which you already alluded to. Factory engineers have to make all those comprises as well as emissions constraints…

[@donaldsimmons5712]

why are you holding a v6 cam talking about a v8 the visual is just a little funny...other than that you have one of the best corvette tech videos on KZbin.

[@Toys4Life]

I wanted to see if anybody would notice, and you did! Besides, the LS cam is a lot heavier and sometimes it takes a few takes to get the right video captured 😞

[@jamescurti9804]

You don’t discuss ramp rate. You don’t discuss automatic or manual. You don’t discuss gears. Minimum cam for a ls2 is 224-228 590 lift on a 114. 112 cams are no good for an automatic. Anything bigger then 228 say 230-236 cams you need gears. It severely takes away low end performance. If a newbie I’m not using your video to buy any ls cam based on your incomplete statements

[@Toys4Life]

1. IMO, ramp rate is beyond the scope of this video. If you have a good link to a resource that goes over it feel free to link it and I may attach it to Pt. 3 2, Gears, converters auto vs manual will be touched on in Part Three. 3. I agree with your general LS2 guidelines, clearly you are not a newb. 4. Sorry you think this video failed in its purpose to help inexperienced folks to understand cams a little better before they buy one for the first time.

[@InTheHookJohn]

James what is your opinion on the Truck Norris cam for an auto (stock with 2.56 gear) running stock converter? Would you even bother doing a cam on a stock converter?

[@jamescurti9804]

@@InTheHookJohn looks to small at at 212 duration. You have to minimum 218 cam. I would also do Jessel 1.7 shaft rockers. Updated manifold and ported throttle body. What are you outing it in. 2:56 gear

[@InTheHookJohn]

@@jamescurti9804 I have headers and a fast 102 intake as well. It's in an LS2 Corvette. 2006

[@jamescurti9804]

I would do a 224 duration can. 224/224. 570-580 ish lift. 114/115 for a good idle. You may lose a lil down low on pedal feel. You can move up your gears before 2 steps if needed. You may want to consider gears/torque converter before even swapping can. Good street converter with a aftermarket tranny cooler 10”. 3200-3500 stall. You want to maintain drivability and not heat build up in tranny. You should show this thread to shop there doing your install and ecu tune. They probably will have a combo picked out they have used with success. Having headers and manifold helps. I would do the jesel 1.7 shaft rockers if you are doing cam