LSA CAM TEST-108 vs 112 vs 120

[@Co-xm1nt]

My guy in 3 months has proved more combinations than ls1tech has for the past 12 years

[@n5yiz]

Agreed!

[@crw3673]

Sad but true!

[@RumblestripDotNet]

Three months of videos but if you pay attention when he's pulling up the graphs, some of these tests go back to 2007/8 if not further. They are an amalgamation of the tests he's done in print for 20+ years.

[@JunkGaragehome]

@@RumblestripDotNet yup amazing the information people have forgotten or ignored

[@jefflowry4112]

You have to watch generlizations. The reason this picked up so much is because the duration was so undersized to begin with. If you have much larger duration on this and do the same thing, the reverse will start to become true where a bunch more overlap kills low end

[@UnityMotorSportsGarage]

I did the same test on a 4.6 2v back in '09 for my buddy David Vizard... My results mirror what you came up with on the LS! David is a huge fan of tight LSA's and he even has come up with the controversial 128 rule.... Awesome job like always!

[@richardholdener1727]

David's has done a lot of crazy and cool stuff over the years

[@UnityMotorSportsGarage]

@@richardholdener1727 you sir are correct! I know that he is impressed with the work you have done as well... Keep up the great work!

[@Warloch1]

DV's 128 formula says an LSA 107 should be ideal for this combination. I'd like to see a cam test using an LSA of 107 with duration numbers starting at 225 and increasing by 15-25 degrees. I think this could show how David's thinking works across the range of street to race cams.

[@darrinstone49]

Exactly! LCA is a calculated using the ci & intake valve size. AKA allowing enough time for fill. We advance the cam to help lower the rpm when it will start making power. Every 2 degrees advanced lowers it 100rpm, aka 4 deg = 200 rpm sooner. This is a total shift, top rpm is also lowered the same amount.

[@darrinstone49]

Crazy part is BTR thinks LCA is a mear byproduct, I don't follow that line of thinking. I have never gone as tight as 104, 106 is my tightest & I usually shoot for a 108 by using better heads. Different rocker ratios (larger) can also allow a slightly wider LCA but is limited & small. All about choosing the correct combination of parts that will all work together.

[@pauldulworth2768]

If I ever get a chance to either build or simply can swap an LS all I have to do is watch your video series, pick the combo I think will work best for my intended vehicle and just duplicate it. You’ve take all the guess work out of it for us all. What a service you’re providing. Thank you.

[@escuelaviejafarms]

Please, pass the knowledge along and share the crap out of his content!

[@kevinwest3689]

If I had Richard & Brian Tooley a large bank account a time machine a girl with a short skirt and a Long Jacket small hands...that would be all I need, ok the girl has a twin sister, That would be all I need, 😏

[@chandannel]

What do I think? Hell, I don't know anymore...between you and Engine Masters everything I learned as a kid was false. Can't wait for the next installment.

[@chandannel]

I understand physics... and english. My point is, all the hearsay and conjecture are being disproved through a scientific method and theory to practice. Sorry, I didn't have all this information available so easily at a younger age. Thank you, Mr. Holdner for sharing.

[@shelbyavant5081]

@@bigboreracing356 All he said was that he was taught some things as a young person that wound up being inaccurate. No need to be a jerk, I'm sure you have fallen prey to misinformation at least a time or two. We all have. Some of us are man enough to admit it. They knew everything in the 1930s that we know now? You're out of your fucking mind.

[@shelbyavant5081]

@@bigboreracing356 The truth about what? That you're a keyboard warrior who thinks he's "the bad man"? How would I have your comment removed? It's not my video. I'm a commenter just like you, but with some substance. You talk about safe spaces, but probably drive a mustang. Kill any bystanders lately?

[@dburkh91]

STREET RACER what’s your point in trashing someone for something they learned or were told wrong when they were young? Don’t be a douche, we all have been told things that were wrong. Doesn’t give you the right to jump all over someone. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@jaredfarney675]

@@bigboreracing356 I really enjoyed CT magazine growing up !

[@MasterWitchDoctor]

My NHRA SS/J 66 Chevy II uses a custom ground solid roller with a 109 LSA I had ground using David Vizards 128 rule. My heads are NHRA Superstock legal Edelbrock highly modified by Edelbrock to coincide with NHRA rules. I shift @ 9000 so its wound up pretty tight and pulling off a consistent 8.60s with a .060 over 327 and M22 tranny is no easy feat. Listening to David Vizard and reading his books has made not only my Superstock fast but my Stock Eliminator K/SA Monte Carlo SS (with the factory L69 305). This test Richard just run backed up the 128 rule big time. For big blocks and Fords is 127 and he has videos on it if you are wanting to learn. Thanks for this video Richard you are very entertaining and easy to listen to unlike Freiburger and Dulcich.

[@msk3905]

Been watching david vizzard lately and he has a formula that puts this engine’s ideal lsa right around the 108 that made the most power, maybe he is on to something. Oh yeah and as always another great video by richard

[@davidreed6070]

Vizard is up to something He has been DYNO testing for 40 years

[@petercermak4095]

Me too. 128 sb chevy formula

[@edpetrocelli2633]

David Vizard been saying that for years and I believe it`s true. 106 seems to be the magic number for circle track and higher compression, 2bbl seems to like the wider LSA along with bigger CID like 454 and bigger.. There are so many contributing factors I don`t think a person could pick the perfect cam with out a dyno, back when I was a kid cams were listed by lift, duration (advertised) and overlap. I think Isky was one of the first guys to start tightening up the LSA and he made a high mark to reach for

[@AB-80X]

That really depends. If you have high compression, you need more LSA

[@Georgianson]

David Vizard published very good book with great explanation on LSA and how t choose best one for particular application.

[@jaredfarney675]

Great book!

[@adamsweet3587]

I have been reading and have David Vizards books from the early 80s and have built numerous engines on his specs, they have never failed to impress, starting on the Mini A series, Ford Pinto, Chev 350 and now finally the LS series.

[@jaredfarney675]

@@adamsweet3587 I really enjoyed his how to port and flow test. Also how to build horsepower. Really great stuff!

[@frankrizzo2724]

Shota Makarashvili whatever happened to him?

[@jaredfarney675]

@@frankrizzo2724 he has a KZbin channel to promote his lectures and books.

[@r.d.riddle2068]

Around 50 years ago I was taught to run narrow LSAs as much as conceivable to help capture cylinder pressure at higher elevations like in Denver. We were always happy when we got cams at 110, and really happy at 108.

[@GregHuston]

I think I need to dump the 112 in my Olds 350 for a 108!

[@arthurrose6473]

Good video - people are realizing the tighter LSA means more acceleration torque AND NO LOSS upstairs- bigger displacement responds even better, of course vacuum drops due to more overlap and worse throttle response below 1500 to 1800, so an automatic and smaller engine should use a somewhat looser converter, BUT make sure converter stall speed is below top gear or overdrive RPM at highway cruising speeds.

[@Drunken_Hamster]

That last part is basically impossible for a good street car. Cruising RPM in top gear at highway speeds needs to be under 3000 for anything approaching acceptable fuel efficiency. Most underpowered ecoboxes and sport compacts (the normal ones, not the extra weak ones under 130hp) run 3000rpm at 75mph in last gear. The way I spec it is roughly 1/3 redline should be your normal cruise RPM, and that should match up with 0-10mph over your local hwy limits. Or if you have an abundance of torque and/or enough gears that they don't feel too long, 2000rpm cruise no matter what, and between 60-80mph

[@timseely2422]

Great job explaining LSA. Tighter more chop & more bottom end, wider less chop more on the top ! Thanks Richard!

[@BlueMountainRacingEngines]

Very interesting. I run in a tightly-regulated race club where LSA is basically all we have to play with (DOHC, adjusting stock cams) and we are typically living in the realm of 103-105 LSA. Our duration numbers are pretty high (streetbike engines) and we operate around 6000-12000 rpm. There is definitely a point of diminishing returns in wide LSA for top end! This is why we test!

[@dennisrobinson8008]

Excellent. Richard test gives the explanation point. I wonder about 104 or 106. I've even seen people run 102.

[@beyondEOD]

Richard giving the people what they wanted. Awesome. Patiently awaiting SBF combos.

[@aaronford7124]

Brian Meyer Cleveland’s forever!!! J/k. Me 2.

[@rongravel4585]

I was always told this and all our drag cars had the super tight LSA. But it was nice to see it in a graph to prove the point. Richard. Your the man.

[@lacboiatl]

Truck norris cam makes sense now. I just revisited this video and glad I did. Truck norris is what I'm rolling with. Thanks

[@MWR-lg9qp]

You run tests I've always wanted to see. Thank you again for the awesome data you create and provide. Great job!

[@RAZER1RR]

Back in the70's Isky and Clay Smith had a bunch of cams at 108, they were ahead of the curve compared to most cams. They also made very good power through out the rpm range. Nice test

[@darrellsomers5427]

Racer brown made good cams too back in the day

[@brianbrigg57]

Great test but with the 108 LSA looking better all the way it would have been nice to see another with even less LSA to see what would happen.

[@Sir_Theodore_Wigglesworth]

The work never ends... Same test with turbo, supercharger and nitrous. Thanks for everything you do Richard!

[@richardholdener1727]

it's the same with boost

[@rayjon237]

Every cam is a turbo cam.. lol

[@johnagreen883]

Welp, I'm seeing this two years hence, but of course it's still very interesting. I've wondered the same thing about LSA for many years now. I'm positing the lower numbers at lower RPM for a wider LSA have to do with how the wider LSA bleeds off more cylinder pressure. Both valves are still open for several degrees of rotation, and you can't build cylinder pressure until they are both shut. My bit of homework on the newish cams sold for use on low compression engines run in line with this. Comp Cams' Thumper series, Hughes Engines' Whiplash cams, all have very tight LSA numbers. As you say, they give the hot rod guy the lope he likes, but the smooth out early. And they actually make more cylinder pressure than an OEM cam. The lope isn't desirable for an OEM for sale to the general public. All in all, very interesting and thanks for taking the time and effort to do it. One other factor I've wondered about for years, how about the installed angle of the cam? Would installing the 112 LSA piece, maybe even the longer one, make these valve events soon enough to compensate? Thanks!

[@jackpinnell3204]

Wow! Great video Richard! Had no idea that a tighter LSA (with choppy idle) would make more low end power!?!?! NOW.....I can have the best of both worlds!!! I can put a 108 LSA cam in my work truck, have a bada$$ idle and tow my trailers (enclosed tool trailer, 6T flatbed and my I/O boat trailer) all day! ALL your videos have awesome content and enjoy the heck out of them. I watched several of them more than once to make sure I'm absorbing the content for my LS/OBS swap coming up.

[@michaelangelo8001]

Don't get too excited... If that were the case, all cams would be ground on a 100 degree LSA. You get more low end to a point, and then, nothing... Makes your power-band more like a two-stroke.

[@EGGINFOOLS]

It has to be sized to the motor properly. In this case the 402 just happened to like the 108

[@Freebaggin]

GREAT test Richard! This test repeats ALL other dynos I've seen where only LSAs are changed. Yet you read all the tech info they say the reverse. Well done.

[@velr50gt]

Exactly what I was saying on a different video about the intake tests. Just because you have a long runner intake you don’t need to run a wider lsa. The reality is that tighter lsa cams tend to make more power even more so when naturally aspirated. Thanks for the video!

[@bruceleroybell8139]

Thanks Richard, you have answered my next cam choice. This info is priceless and worth gold.

[@drakeolson2539]

Man, I have always wondered what the change in LSA would affect!!! Thank you for the information!!!!

[@axlegrind4212]

my take away: don't rush out and buy a camshaft on a 108 degree lsa. the 112 degree lsa cam is so close to the same power numbers it makes more sense to use it in a speed density fuel injection system because it gives better vacuum at idle and allows the map sensor to work correctly.

[@dreece2000]

Good point, I hope most people can understand that.

[@notme8121]

Good one thanks. That's what I wanted to know and that was my hope that tighter lobe separation will give me better low-end power and a wild chop without increasing lift and duration.

[@ORego-em8yf]

Just subbed, you really get to the point without unneeded banter! Thank you for an informative video

[@richardholdener1727]

Welcome aboard and thnx for the support

[@TheSteve1175]

Tell em what happens to the vacuum. The brakes 😁 Great video 108 centers rock ⚔

[@volvospede]

Do you think vacuum suffers much with smaller LSA? I need good vacuum for the brakes or need to go hydroboost.

[@ttank94]

@@RadRidesByCru I run a 228/234 .614 lift in/exh, 108 LSA in a 355 CI gen II SBC (LT1) and my vacuum at 825 RPM is 13.5 to 14 In/hg. So vacuum in that engine was likely similar given more duration and more CI @volvospede it really depends if you plan on running an auto or manual? As I just pointed out my engine doesn't produce a ton of vacuum at idle, but since I have a manual and a working checkvalve on my vacuum canister my brakes are no different than stock because on decel at cruising RPM my engine will easily produce 25 in/hg at about 2000 rpm with the throttle closed of course. This is plenty of vacuum to charge the canister, and have never noticed a change in my brakes. An auto would obviously be a whole different game though.

[@jgkk5862]

I have run as big as 266@50 on a 99LSA and still had enough vacuum for brakes...

[@n5yiz]

OVERLAP Ls9 = -24.50 Crane 210/218 122.5 = -18.00 Crane 232/242 (.624/.624) 120 = -3.00 112 = 13.00 108 = 21.00

[@indyrock8148]

Exhaust scavenging induction event. The fifth cycle.

[@autobodyspecialistsinc.4397]

all those number can change with different grind timing ...

[@n5yiz]

@@autobodyspecialistsinc.4397 If I hand you a cam with 10 degrees of overlap, you can change that?

[@autobodyspecialistsinc.4397]

Yes, I agree. for some reason i was thinking in terms of the timing events in relation to crank position...

[@glennmanchester1568]

The L.S motors are a whole different animal than the old small block when it comes to cams and l.s.a it seems to me they can do so much more with the l.s cams as far as all of the numbers more lift and longer duration and thus not needing to tighten the lsa as much and fight with the choppy idle and vacuum issues like in the past if I understand right it's due to the cam actually being moved up and ,made larger is this correct ? I'm interested in anything I can. Learn. Pls

[@Ginofia]

Nice this is a topic iv always thought about. Few things I knew for sure was the lower the LSA = more chop @ idle but also slightly more difficult too tune. Now we need the results on smaller cube, less radical builds like your budget 5.3 & 6.0.

[@jimmy_olds]

Hey Richard, camshaft theory is fascinating to me and watch this video often. In fact, I had a custom Bullet Cam for my 454 ground partially based on this video. Theorizing here, a tighter LSA generally increases cylinder psi, because it increases the dynamic compression, which may have contributed to not only the expected bump in low speed torque but also the power across the board.

[@monsterzard1]

THIS IS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!

[@antipasinchrist]

Just installed a Mutha Thumpr (109 LSA) in my LQ9 swap. This videos gives me hope.

[@richardholdener1727]

The success of the cam is more than LSA but my guess is you are happy with the Thumpr

[@antipasinchrist]

@@richardholdener1727 the idle is car porn, yes. I've got to get a better tune though. Still dealing with vacuum issues and the brake booster since it's a high lift cam.

[@Hitman-ds1ei]

Nice, separating fact from fiction as usual top stuff,

[@johnhazel9986]

This is another great post by RH. That 210/218 duration cam might really wake things up with 102-106 LSA

[@DavidViny]

Was the cam advance changed for each cam to keep intake valve closing the same? I have to wonder how much of the low end power was from the earlier IVC of the 108LSA cam then just LSA (or overlap) by itself. Obviously changing LSA moves all the valve events, but keeping the IVC the same might be more of an accurate test of LSA? Especially since IVC is considered the most important. Great vids btw.

[@hefftoneGA]

This is a really good point about the IVC. Changing.

[@crd-nz_001]

Intake Valve Closing is becoming earlier when LSA tightens. An interesting test would be to install the 112LSA cam 4 degrees advance. This would have the IVC point the same as the 108LSA. However, the difference would be that the exhaust would open and close 8 degreese advanced, as the intake would be 108 Lobe Center Angle and the exhaust would be 116.

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

I was wondering the same thing

[@BLUUCIFUR]

Awesome, awesome video Rich... Guess I now know what to expect when I install that Truck Norris cam into my Pontiac LS2... More chop, and more down low-mid range, and hell maybe even more up top as well

[@Lokomart]

How about some lsa +0 vs +2, +4, +6 intake lobe advance. That type of data would help understand ground in advance a bit more while helping with camshaft selection.

[@euba0149]

I would love some more information on this … currently trying to learn what I can and there isn’t a lot of resources I can find on ground in advance

[@hefftoneGA]

Valve event timing is what you need to be comparing.

[@bainracing]

This changes everything! this test is a bit missleading without optimal intake timing.

[@bigal878]

Great test 👍🏻 Would be great to see these exact three combos now fitted with a blower. Richard keep up the great work

[@richardholdener1727]

same

[@carbf1942]

Nice I loved my Lunati Bootlegger in my sbc 406. 108LSA nice chop great power band. Running a Summit cam in my budget junkyard 307 build, 106lsa, gm 601 heads that I cleaned up a bit. Fun little mighty mouse motor. Going to build the 406 right and put a forged rotating assembly in.

[@TheSlim93gt]

I've had the opportunity to work with a few engines using a 108LSA over the normal off the shelf selection. Two 347 SBF's and a 388 LT1. All engines were amazing street strip combos. Still had manners down low, came on strong in the middle and ripped up top. For the 330 to 400ci range, I don't think it can be beat.

[@RunningJoe]

subbed! totally explained LSA's to what I was hoping to understand on paper! also totally explains my ls swapped cruisers cam behavior now too

[@chadtipton5688]

I have an LM7 5.3L Gen 3 bored 30 over. I have watched a lot of your videos and love them. My cam and engine spec are: Custom grind. Cam Motion - 210 int/ 218 exhaust/ 570 int and 570 exh lift with a 110 LSA +2. PAC 625 springs. Stock heads with a 3 angle valve job. I will be adding Long tubes and a full 3" exhaust with a cut out for fun.

[@chadtipton5688]

It looks like the rest of my comment did not go through. 10.3 compression with flat top forged summit pistons with valve reliefs. Was wondering what you though how this will perform and what rpm range it will perform the best and how high it will rev before falling off. I have the new rockers with upgraded trunion kit. Stock truck intake. Thanks for any advice. .007 shaved off heads and about the same shaved of the deck to make true. I will have long tube headers and 3" exhaust all the way back. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks and love the videos. Piston are on average about .004 - .005 out the hole. Stock bottom end. I will be rebuilding my 4L60 and keeping the stock converter if possible. I hope the trans shop can build it to hold 600Hp because I want to add nitrous in the future. Thanks a lot. Love the videos.

[@richardholdener1727]

take a look at the btr truck cam test on the 5.3l-that should give you a very good idea

[@richardholdener1727]

Very nice! still counts

[@jnieto490]

Gotta have that chop! Besides power down low with good torque is what I need!

[@michaelangelo8001]

Richard, you say the dynamometer won't measure the entire operational rpm range. But last year when I was building my Cadillac stroker, I spoke with the engineer at "The Cad Company" extensively. He brought this very subject up in our conversation. Oddly enough he mentioned Westech specifically. He said: "Westech says their dyno won't measure across the whole rpm range, and that's just BS". Said: "we have the exact same dyno, and we had the factory come out and did a add on modification that allows us to do the entire sweep from idle to redline accurately. They could easily do the same" So, maybe this is something you'd want to have Westech look into? If they aren't interested in cooperating, you could still do both a low, and high sweep. At least then we could compare the relative low and high characteristics of the different cams, or whatever you are testing at the time. I think the duration on these cams was too long for your rpm cutoff point. Like you, I would expect to see a sharper drop off in the curve for the shorter LSA cams on top. I think you would see an even more dramatic drop on the low end, also. My experience has been that a closer LSA tends to concentrate the power in a tighter rpm band. Thanks for this data, though. Anything at all in this regard is helpful.

[@richardholdener1727]

Thnx-we were past the power peak of the motor so further rpm won't any higher numbers, although possible differences, for more rpm, this motor needed a single pkane intake. Idle to redline!

[@44amanaplanacanalpanama44]

I would like to see this test run again, but this time with the icl set to 108 for every cam. 12 degrees advanced for the 120lsa, 4 degrees for the 112 lsa, and straight up for the 108 lsa.

[@86chrysler5thave]

this....if they were all installed straight up, then the 120LSA cam's intake valve is opening much later on the intake stroke.....would like to see them all installed on the same ICL, too. would be interesting to see idle vacuum and manners for each, as well as maybe some part throttle fuel consumption (say, 40HP load at 2000 RPM, about what running down the freeway at 75MPH in OD would be)....more than just power to consider with a street car

[@44amanaplanacanalpanama44]

@@86chrysler5thave Also dynamic compression ratio should be the same if they're all installed on 108 icl. That would be a true comparison of lsa.

[@ezmny1387]

all that would change is make the wider LSA even worse as it would then open their exhausts even earlier, kill off all low speed torque and still make less HP up top, The low LSA would just make more power everywhere

[@booplesschpooples6027]

Richard! People want that down low power for part throttle feeling of the motor. If you have a gutless bottom end you feel it trying to accelerate from a stop. Even though you don’t floor it there people still want to it to feel powerful everywhere. ONLY if it doesn’t have a higher stall converter

[@michaelangelo8001]

That's right.

[@ni_wink84]

Idle videos would be a nice add to these videos, LSA tends to change idle characteristics correct?

[@michaelangelo8001]

A lot...

[@richardholdener1727]

idle is choppier with 108 as mentioned in the video, but wish I took idle vacuum and had clips

[@adamsweet3587]

The engine sees only overlap, not duration or LSA. wide duration and tight LSA will give low manifold vacuum and lopey idle. David Vizards extensive testing with LSA has proven with 2 valve motors that optimal LSA is dependent on engine size, 302ci for 110LSA, 350ci for 108LSA, 383ci for 107-106LSA.

[@meetthecarolinas9638]

When designing custom cams for my car, I paid no attention to LSA. My main focus was on the 4 valve event timings with some attention to overlap and the consideration of variable intake advance up to 15 cam degrees. LSA alone doesn’t matter.

[@GroovesAndLands]

@@adamsweet3587 There are no absolutes

[@mikie9077]

YOUR VIDEOS ARE GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. I LIKE THAT YOUR PUTTING MORE TECH DATA . I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A TEST ON HYDRAULIC LIFTERS VS LIFTERS LIKE RHOADS.

[@danawilkes6174]

Now I know why I have always ran a 112 LSA advanced 4 degrees. Intake is always more critical than the exhaust. Also with a 10 - 12 degrees more on the exhaust duration. This is what I have found to work best in the vast majority of cases, over the last 45+ years. What we also found was that a 108 LSA, (MPG) suffered on the street. It was not worth the loss of gas mileage for the little HP that was gained. That was why we started advancing the camshaft, and it worked...

[@alphaghost1633]

Fool - that does not change the LSA - you need to go back and study

[@ezmny1387]

literally all wrong, you change the DURATION to bring the overlap down, you do not change the LSA to help with drivability, having too much duration and then widening the LSA to help drivability is all wrong, if you need to do that you have way too much duration for your application

[@danawilkes6174]

@@alphaghost1633 Really. If I advance a 112 LSA camshaft 4 degrees. Then the Intake would be 108 and the exhaust 116.

[@Drunken_Hamster]

@@danawilkes6174 Yeah, but I think we'd all like to see a direct comparison of a 112+4 adv vs a 108 with reduced duration to have the same overlap (both advertised and at .050) with the same lift, too.

[@100amps]

At first I was wondering why you were on one knee in front of the truck. Then I noticed the nearly perfect Rembrandt lighting profile on your face. Well done. Oh yeah, the cam LSA info was great too. 👍

[@jerrymurphy247]

A lot of great info on this channel. Clearing up a lot of misconceptions. Keep doing what your doing brother!! We appreciate you!

[@pandora1875]

I am learning so much from your videos! Thank you and keep them coming!

[@ShawnDickens]

You said you did this in a reply to my comment on an old video and I looked a couple of times to find it, but now I see why I didn't find it. Now take the 112 and change only lift. Then do the same with the duration would be awesome.

[@slow5oh89]

Was just trying to choose lsa for my new tsp cam last night! Thanks for the test Richard, you're the man!

[@tiitsaul9036]

I find it super interesting. Well done sourcing exact same spec cams other than LSA. If any cam had even a slight duration or lift difference, results would be controversial. Power increase up top with 108 lsa cam is confusing. Could it be due some kind of harmonics? Matching with Intake runner length or something like that? I’d love to see a test with same cams on different displacement Ls motors. Thanks for sharing. Love the content you putting out.

[@indyrock8148]

I'm thinking it's from extra exhaust scavenging during overlap. Starts air in runner moving more, sooner.

[@meetthecarolinas9638]

I am leaning towards exhaust scavenging as well. As for the increase in low end torque with tighter LSA’s, this occurs due to earlier IVC which increases the dynamic compression. That’s the whole premise behind variable valve timing. Advance the intake cam down low for higher dynamic compression (tighter LSA) then retard the intake cam up top to take advantage of port velocity cylinder filling (wider LSA).

[@bcbloc02]

You didn't say but were the installed intake centerlines all the same?

[@richardholdener1727]

I don't know-cant find the cam cards

[@bmasontv]

Were these cams ground with the same intake Centerline?

[@richardholdener1727]

I'm not sure-I don't have the cam cards

[@ACCELGarage]

@@richardholdener1727 then these tests mean nothing

[@QuicKurtZX14R]

Crane made the cams , I would think that they made them how he asked. With only LSA being different.

[@cedricandrews3874]

GM uses the ASA cam to increase performance in several of it's crate motors, i.e the 525 hp 6.2. This cam has a lsa of 110 and you can use stock ls3 springs. I'm currently running this ASA cam in a 6.0 with ls3 cylinder heads. great videos

[@fascistpedant758]

Do you have the rest of the specs?

[@cedricandrews3874]

Summit Racing Part Number:HRS-197715-10,

[@HiShBL2]

Great test as usual Richard, what about the ICL on those cams are they all 0 degree ground or advanced?

[@richardholdener1727]

not sure

[@HiShBL2]

@@richardholdener1727 Really appreciate the amount of time and effort to provide the community with the things they love.

[@dannyparris9172]

@@richardholdener1727 were they all installed straight up ICL, or say 4 degrees adv?

[@tommith.]

The reason I widen my LSA is to soften up the bottom end for engine longevity. I have noticed with my twin turbo 406 sbc I snapped 3 different rods before I switched from 108 to 112. Now I have had the same engine for 3 years with no noticeable change in performance down low.

[@tommith.]

And as for the gains up top with the 108 LSA sometimes things just click and the flow and rhythm of an engine just work right together.

[@JACB006]

If you can only run a test over a limited RPM range .... Why don’t you run two tests? For a street car I would like to see what is lost low down.

[@randallcribb668]

Richard very good video , I hope your subscribers realize how much work and effort you put forth in your videos, we use to call Bob Glidden the mad dog , cause he work continuously , my friend he has nothing on you great job, much appreciated,

[@rideswift]

Great video, I would like to see this type of test ran on a stock 5.3 and 4.8.

[@chomin3025]

rideswift It will be pretty much the same, just shift the power curve towards the right, and it will be a more linear power band.

[@utahcountypicazospage5412]

I would like to see 108lsa waste gate spring pressure and the 120lsa waste gate spring pressure and see who makes the most power on five pounds and 20 pounds with egt gauge hooked up

[@Skoog.]

@@chomin3025 So with a smaller engine will it make hp and torque in a higher rpm than a bigger engine (lets say 305 vs 400 , or a 350 as they have the same stroke) with the same 108 lsa camshaft. Or??

[@chomin3025]

@@Skoog. smaller displacement = It makes the power and torque higher in the RPM (with the same camshaft as the bigger one)(Generally , bigger CI can take more advantage and make more power throughout the whole curve. and bigger CI always means more torque with the same mods as a smaller engine)

[@Skoog.]

@@chomin3025 Thankyou..!! I always thought it made power at the same rpm.

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

another way of seeing this for someone with a DOHC engine. Is the stock camshaft timing, then advancing the exhaust camshaft 4 degrees. then another 2 more degrees. ( however because everything has an equal and opposite reaction this is Also decreasing the overlap period by closing the exhaust valves that many more degrees before. Thus decreasing the overall amount that both intake and exhaust are open together at the same time.)

[@ssx6867]

Thanks Richard, can you test a cam that is too big that's actually make less power than a smaller cam. i always hear about it but never seen it

[@XxMusclecarsxX]

never too big! 😎

[@richardholdener1727]

look at the 408 (175-hp cam) video-yes you can have too much cam

[@chucksgarage7165]

Too big usually means too big for what you are doing with it. For example, street use where vacuum and driveability come into play. The engine dyno won’t show driveability.

[@amilcarjunqueira3859]

@@chucksgarage7165 Or no engine pulls at steady Max. rpm power. Depends on trans. type/coverter, you can have more/less spread on the rpms the engine will work. Too much cam ,can easily drop power on the low side of the rpm range and make the car slower.

[@Dr_Xyzt]

A cam is too big when it doesn't let the other parts in your application do what they're good at, and when the engine stops making around 1.3 foot pounds of torque per cubic inch at its torque peak. For example, an LS3 with a cam that's 260 degrees of duration at .050" of lift is too much cam if you're only gonna rev the engine to 6500 RPM with the stock intake and 52" long headers. -- A monster cam is sometimes a band-aid for certain combinations. For example, if you have 5.3 heads on an LS7 (why the hell would you do that!) A cylinder head is like a pitcher. The ability of the head to flow is the diameter of the pitcher. The slot on the side of the pitcher is kind of like your headers and intake. Some slots are wide, others are narrow, others reach the bottom of the pitcher. The lift is how far you tilt the pitcher. The duration is how long you hold the pitcher tilted. The lobe profile is how fast you tilt the pitcher. The RPM is how long someone is gonna put their glass on the counter for you to fill the glass. Some folks have a pint glass. Others slam shots. Others drink beer and they like a lot of foam on top. -- Your challenge as an engine builder is to tend the bar and do tricks while you do it. If you can tilt the pitcher and shoot a stream through the air and fill someone's glass, and you're already filling someone else's glass while that other stream is in mid air, that's one badass bar.

[@bobryan6474]

Another great informative video Richard. Thanks for showing what’s behind the curtain when it comes to making power.

[@bartpang]

I think you needed to go below 108 to see the drop off on the top end because 108 is about the optimum lsa for that combo.

[@michaelangelo8001]

Good Point...

[@rifleman7313]

Great video, very informative as before watching your videos I did not know much about LS engines except for basic generalities.

[@coolguy112286]

Richard, did you keep the intake lobe center the same? That will make a difference as well. Great video!

[@coolguy112286]

@ihategooglespooks right, which would have an effect on the test : ) but there are many many cams that have a different LSA and ICA

[@claytonnaber4143]

@coolguy112286 I agree - this is an important question. Richard didn’t state what the timing was set at for each cam, so we don’t know whether the LSA change change only affected exhaust lobe timing (constant intake center), or if both intake and exhaust were varying (any other situation, including making the “straight up” assumption). The torque curve difference in LSA can be partially compensated for by adjusting intake centerline. Richard, can you set the record straight about how you did the test? A timing sweep adds another dimension and more pulls to the test, but it completes the picture on how these variables interact. Great video as always!

[@jamest.5001]

They need to come up with a variable LSA cam! With variable lift, and duration, ecm controlled, then the buying of a cam, would be only a download, it would be cool of it worked reliably, I bet it would be expensive to repair, if it could have a range of .150" and 100° dur, and 20° LSA, springs would be about the only upgrade, program cam specs, and amount of variation of timing, make ALL the TQ down low, and All the HP up top. Like vvt on roids! Great video, I'm gonna watch it again!

[@richardholdener1727]

look up the new Koenigsegg motor-infinitely programmable cam timing

[@michaelangelo8001]

@@richardholdener1727 BMWs have variable cam timing, plus variable lift and duration. This also varies the LSA...

[@haydensmith9064]

that was an awesome comparison in perfect time for me. could you do the same test on a gm lsa motor in relatively stock form? i would love to see how a cam that size goes with such a tight lsa on boost escaping

[@kevinjohnson9372]

Hell of a comparison test sir I love the chop and the low end power. Would a tight lsa be good for a boost aplication

[@poncoolride]

Unfortunately you need to open up LSA a bit for a supercharged app. Excessive overlap can bleed off boost pressure.

[@deeaikens9843]

I want to hear the difference in the LSA of the cam

[@Ka_Gg]

@Hakimbo Bola Maybe he wants something that sounds cool and helps performance? Lets say you only get 2 degrees difference in LSA and it doesn't make much of a difference in power, but sounds cooler, why not get it if that's what you are looking for.

[@raymond80hr]

Hakimbo Bola the sound makes all of the difference. a heathy sounding cam just makes it funner to drive even if it is little slower on the bottom. no one looks at a stock sounding cam and thinks that sounds good.

[@thegrinch7219]

Lower lobe center number more choppy

[@EGGINFOOLS]

@Hakimbo Bola Well considering he watched the video all the way through the choppiest cam made the most power. So STFU

[@gibsonsgrobot]

Right in this it showed the lower lsa making more power throughout, and with a lower lsa you'd have more chop chop pop pop. If that's what you're after, that'd what you'll get!

[@timoneal9654]

I feel honored. I think my dumb question yesterday motivated you to make/post this video. Thank you! I most definitely learned something from this video. I personally envisioned the LSA effect backwards figuring less overlap would help low-end. So glad you post these educational videos.

[@richardholdener1727]

Yep-your question yesterday motivated me to go back in time to 2014 to run this test, lol. Seriously, make sure to post requests-I read them all and love the ideas

[@awebke]

Interesting to see that most basic "Turbo cams" have a wide LSA if tighter LSA produces more power down low. I would think that's what you'd want to spool the turbo up faster on most combos. It seems like you can't go wrong with tighter LSA for a street/strip motor where you aren't worried about driveability. I guess that's why the turbo cams have wide LSA, just to help driveability. Interesting to see for the build I'm trying to piece together, looks like I might try and spec out my own cam for the fun of it and see where it takes me :)

[@Tyler_Mattson]

awebke You’re exactly right. Back when they raced the grand nationals, Kenny duttweiler tightened the LSA on them for the very reason you stated.

[@TurboGreggZ]

Egt can sky rocket from tight lsa. Overlap causes issue due to the reversion.

[@ezmny1387]

​@@TurboGreggZhow are you getting reversion when most modern turbos have a pressure ratio close to 1:1 (pressure in the exhaust equal to what's coming in the intake)

[@anetworkservice]

Thank you, Richard. I was going to ask you this question and I recalled you always telling us to refer to your long history of videos. Lo and behold you had one on LSA that really helped to answer my personal question, I wanted to know if I could go to a lower LSA on my EFI equipment BBC. All the cam specs say not for EFI. But I know what you normally run, and I thought you had my answer. I'm not that concerned about idle quality and would like more chop at idle for my 70 BBC Chevelle. The only other thing I'm wondering is what effect positive or negative a smaller LSA will have on Nitrous. I'm off to search for that video... Thanks for all you do! Mark

[@richardholdener1727]

lsa is not related to nitrous. ask what the cam does to the na power output, then add nitrous

[@crash5811]

There is an exception to every rule, with a few exceptions.

[@marcstlaurent3719]

Great test , another always asked question answered

[@andrewcammer2535]

Let's see the same test on a 4.8 (same cam). I think the smaller displacement will emphasize the torque differences much more than the stroker, and show the curves better.

[@ezmny1387]

you want tighter LSA with more cubes as it takes advantage of the larger displacement for filling sooner

[@tc6hp]

Thank you I been asking you to do this for 6 years!

[@richardholdener1727]

this was done long ago

[@nogood_ideas]

Where were the intake centerlines on each of the cams when they were installed? Was each cam installed straight up or were they all installed on the same intake centerline?

[@richardholdener1727]

installed dot to dot-I don't have cam cards

[@Eqium]

very interesting results, ill keep this in mind as are thinking of getting a custom grind for my lsx 7.0

[@jeffwooton7138]

From what I understand, which ain't much, it's all about the EVC point. Start there, and adjust the rest. This is per the great Harold Brookshire, and Mike Jones, and even David Vizard. It would be interesting to see that installed +4.

[@poncoolride]

IVC, is the most critical event.

[@robertenglish5313]

Awesome video's and content Richard... Have you done anything with variable Duration lifters like Roads lifters. I heard a comment about them advancing the timing events as well as reducing duration but have not seen anything "tested" like how you do it...

[@richardholdener1727]

I have not yet

[@robertenglish5313]

@@richardholdener1727 thanks for your reply, I respect your work...

[@robertenglish5313]

I've been thinking about trying them on a 238 @ 50 cam with 106 LSA... Lots of overlap. The paper work says the reduction of up to 20deg @50 would result in a cam profile of about 218@50" lift below 4000rpm. Maybe 238 @50 would be too small to make the most of this?

[@l96sierra14]

The stroker needed the overlap. Stock 5.3 will limit how much overlap you can throw on it I think. We need to test that!!! Title “how much overlap a 5.3 can use? How does the graph looks!!

[@johnhazel9986]

Thankyou! These dyno tests where you change one thing are the cool ones!

[@lukemorgan3368]

I’d definitely like to see this on a smaller displacement engines possibly comparing the 4.8L/5.3L to the bigger 6.0L is also be interested as to how the LSA can affect specific boost pressure

[@baggedandlsswapped67suburban]

I was just thinking about making a very similar comment to this. Lol

[@toflaherty84]

it would be very interesting to see this on the 4.8L/5.3L, as well as comparing, for example, what BTR did with their truck cams between V1 and V2 where what used to be 113+3 LSA is now 110 LSA.

[@richardholdener1727]

same under boost

[@joew7897]

Have you not watched his videos? The difference it makes na will be the same under boost. Almost every time he tests a motor na vs boosted the curve is the same just higher up the graph obviously.

[@lukemorgan3368]

Joe momma I wasn’t really thinking when asking my question tbh initially I was thinking about degrees of overlap

[@booster1697]

I’m waiting for cam tests like the 228r with 112 Lsa. All your tests have split duration. I’d also prefer stock block configuration. I feel more viewers can relate easier. Maybe throw in more ls1 engines too. Overall great job! I enjoy your videos.

[@jacobburskey3044]

doubt you will see any single duration cams, almost all cam places insist on split duration, and a larger one at that, not to mention that 5.3/6.0/6.2 are now more common than a 5.7 ls1/6

[@booster1697]

More of a reason to test it now. Let’s see if they are correct. These dyno tests will back up statements like that.

[@jacobburskey3044]

i agree, id love to see normal split vs single duration vs reverse split to see how it affects the curves

[@bradbarnette716]

Great comparison. Can we also assume that the ICL was (obviously) different for each cam? And in addition, would you be able to test with the same installed ICL across all three cams? I know, I know, asking for the world! In addition to letting everybody see the difference in lobe separation is valuable, but (I think) more importantly, starting to understand how the ICL and intake closing event have on the actual powerband. Generally the lobe separation automatically alters this, unless advance is ground into the cam to "compensate"

[@Crysmatic]

When you change LSA you are probably changing ALL four valve events. I believe it was Billy Godbold who said that they use wider LSA because people always think bigger duration is better, so they spread the lobes so it doesn't have as much overlap. The result is soft low and midrange torque, and small gains up top. Most LS combos should be 106-111 range for best power.

[@shannonsisk]

Interesting how it gained without really losing anything with LSA. I guess the next thing to do like you said would be to change the engine size and test again 👍

[@Faolan161]

I would have thought the 108 lsa would have made a peakier power curve, not flatter..... good info!

[@kevinm3702]

Odd request..... but I would really like to hear the idle difference in all 3 cams

[@richardholdener1727]

wide lsa has a smooth idle-and I should have done that

[@44hawk28]

If you listen to Dave vizard. You will find that he discusses the lobe separation angle being much narrower, especially on smaller displacement engines. The higher the displacement the less effect of changing lobe separation angle becomes. At about 400 cubic inches, it has becoming almost moot, if I'm remembering his descriptions properly turn it down about a 5.3 L engine, A 106 to 108 bulb separation angle should be fairly Optimum especially for a street engine. With higher lift and duration, it still follows. As you move up in displacement the difference in lobe separation angles tends to start to fade away and larger engines tend to like greater lobe separation because of volumetric efficiency changes. I'm doing this from memory because it's been only a few times that I've studied this, but I have always remembered what he has to say because he has the background and has done more testing than you will do unless that's all you do the rest of your existence.

[@TheTmshuman]

I feel like a certificate is in order after watching all of your videos.

[@dumbestoyster]

This test has always interested Me.

[@ElPants21]

Would love to see this focusing on higher rpms on a 4 cam mod motor. Would be super easy to change only LSA without even pulling the cams

[@johnb7430]

Great data, Richard. Can you also go into idle vacuum an BSFE numbers?

[@richardholdener1727]

Wish I had that