Putting in a Cam. Do you need to....

Putting in a Cam. Do you need to....

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Discussion

Behold81

Original Poster:

2,931 posts

168 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Replace the lifters. While the engine is apart it seems sensible to swap the cam out. But do I need to do the lifters? It's quite an added cost if not a must right now.

The engine is getting a bottom end rebuild next year and was going to do that then is sensible.

ArnieVXR

2,449 posts

182 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Guessing you'll be looking at them and, if they're in good condition, feel quite sad that you've bought new ones?

I though the upgrades only added the ability to rev the motor a bit further? Can't see that your set-up really needs that, as they supercharger will only be in the way at higher revs. Maybe helpful on mile-runs, but not much else is my 2p.

Mud_

2,924 posts

155 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Are you on the originals? LS7 lifters are the stock replacement now, although I don't think they are considered an upgrade. IIRC the LS2 lifter trays are an upgrade for LS1 though.

neiljohnson

11,298 posts

206 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
if your just doing the cam it would mean having to remove the heads as well to replace the lifters

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Behold81 said:
Replace the lifters. While the engine is apart it seems sensible to swap the cam out. But do I need to do the lifters? It's quite an added cost if not a must right now.

The engine is getting a bottom end rebuild next year and was going to do that then is sensible.
Just check the rollers on the lifters. If they're all nice and smooth then no reason not to re-use them.

Likes of LS7's etc arent a huge price though...and to change them later does require heads off. If rebuilding bottom end next year, then no reason you cant change them then. Dont forget...if something aint broke, dont fix them ! lol

Behold81

Original Poster:

2,931 posts

168 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Well that's the thing. I have ls6 heads to go on with new roller rockers and ls6 intake. I know a cam will help even more but coat keeps adding up. So while I don't want to cut corners if it's not needed to be replaced.

But maybe I pull a head and take a look. It's not like it's a big job to pull a head.


HappyMidget

6,788 posts

114 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Slightly different to you in that mine is a lot newer, but got a cam coming soon and not even going near the heads for that. That can wait till I spec the final cam and replace the lot, including the heads hehe

jameshsv

5,844 posts

159 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Behold81 said:
Well that's the thing. I have ls6 heads to go on with new roller rockers and ls6 intake. I know a cam will help even more but coat keeps adding up. So while I don't want to cut corners if it's not needed to be replaced.

But maybe I pull a head and take a look. It's not like it's a big job to pull a head.
I am still on original lifters

jameshsv

5,844 posts

159 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
jameshsv said:
I am still on original lifters
But will be changed when i have forged short block fitted

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
Behold81 said:
Well that's the thing. I have ls6 heads to go on with new roller rockers and ls6 intake. I know a cam will help even more but coat keeps adding up. So while I don't want to cut corners if it's not needed to be replaced.

But maybe I pull a head and take a look. It's not like it's a big job to pull a head.
If you've no other reason to pull a head, I wouldnt bother. Unless there has been some symptoms of a problem that might lead you to think the lifters need looking at.

Behold81

Original Poster:

2,931 posts

168 months

Friday 27th May 2016
quotequote all
What about springs. Take it I will need better springs to cope with the higher lift.

I believe the ls6 springs max out at .551 of lift.


jameshsv

5,844 posts

159 months

Friday 27th May 2016
quotequote all
Behold81 said:
What about springs. Take it I will need better springs to cope with the higher lift.

I believe the ls6 springs max out at .551 of lift.
Gurmeet has some BTR springs

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Friday 27th May 2016
quotequote all
Behold81 said:
What about springs. Take it I will need better springs to cope with the higher lift.

I believe the ls6 springs max out at .551 of lift.
You will need springs appropriate for your cam etc

Behold81

Original Poster:

2,931 posts

168 months

Friday 27th May 2016
quotequote all
There is the £ 1000 question

Spec.

It's lookin like 115-116 seems best on a centri.

.6 lift on both seem common. But can I go more. Will it help?

What duration and lobe type?? This is a black art.

I'm happy to be a bit lairy. It's not a daily and it is my toy. Also emissions are easier as I'm on a no. Cat test mot.

Thoughts?

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Friday 27th May 2016
quotequote all
Behold81 said:
There is the £ 1000 question

Spec.

It's lookin like 115-116 seems best on a centri.

.6 lift on both seem common. But can I go more. Will it help?

What duration and lobe type?? This is a black art.

I'm happy to be a bit lairy. It's not a daily and it is my toy. Also emissions are easier as I'm on a no. Cat test mot.

Thoughts?
So you dont actually have a cam yet ?

115-116 on its own means very little.

No need to go crazy with cams and I do prefer mild and very smooth idle etc myself, but maybe try Tick's ? They seem to say it will work with standard heads and engines with regards clearances etc....again obviously you'll need springs and pushrods. I'd guess they would sell kits too.

http://www.tickperformance.com/tick-performance-bl...

Behold81

Original Poster:

2,931 posts

168 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
quotequote all
No I don't have a cam yet. Want to buy one soon to fit with my heads and intake.

Appreciate. 115-116 means little without lobe size. I guess most seem to be around that angle to remove overlap.

I'm happy to be a little rough on idle as I say it's not a daily. But no need to go full lairy if it does not gain anything.

Once I have a cam size I'll get matching springs, new rods and buy my gaskets ETC.

jameshsv

5,844 posts

159 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
quotequote all
Behold81 said:
No I don't have a cam yet. Want to buy one soon to fit with my heads and intake.

Appreciate. 115-116 means little without lobe size. I guess most seem to be around that angle to remove overlap.

I'm happy to be a little rough on idle as I say it's not a daily. But no need to go full lairy if it does not gain anything.

Once I have a cam size I'll get matching springs, new rods and buy my gaskets ETC.
I have the MF1 cam fitted to mine with 1.8 ratio roller rockers plus the d1sc procharger

gsd2000

11,515 posts

182 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
quotequote all
I am running a ccp "jam cam"

Personally I don't think you need roller rockers because they are heavier.

I only run them on mine due to the trickflow heads

If you would like to understand more about how to spec a camshaft then it would be worth having a read about valve events.

Behold81

Original Poster:

2,931 posts

168 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
quotequote all
To be fair I'm running them as I have them. They should be stronger than the stock as is.

It is what it is and can always be changed later on.

But for now getting the right cam is the key to it all. I get what a cam does and how. But understanding what is best for the application is where I fall flat. Understanding what lift and duration suits best followed by what overlap or non overlap is going to net the best power and what advance is best suited is a mystery.


Behold81

Original Poster:

2,931 posts

168 months

Saturday 28th May 2016
quotequote all
The jam cam seems to get some good rep. Especially with the pro charger boys.

What is the spec. I can't find it.