Cam with Stock Valvetrain...

[ARrado15]

So I know what some are going to say... but I would like to get a cam that works with the stock valvetrain, as cash is pretty tight right now but definitely want to get a little extra power and some lope. I started looking at the LS9 cam as its only 100 bucks but it seems to sound stock to me... so I started researching the GMPP Hot Cam and the ASA cam but I can't find much information out there... I did find that the Hot Cam comes with springs for $500, but I want to get some input from you guys. Is there some cam i'm not finding right now that can use the stock valvetrain? I've got a Cold Air Inductions Intake, VMAX TB, Kooks LTH W Cats, and Solo Mach XL Catback...

[derieu]

You're going to want to get the GMPP ASA Cam kit that comes with springs and retainers. Typically "tight cash" and "cam" do not mix.

The question you want to ask yourself is, "Do I want to spend less now and risk my $10,000 engine?" or "Should I save up a little more, and spend more then to protect my $10,000 engine?"

I personally am saving to do a full cam + valvetrain overhaul + supporting mods. I want a bulletproof motor.

[ARrado15]

Yea i mean ill still be spending around 1k when its said and done. I like the idea of having a GM Cam in the motor, though i'm open to using a cam that has been tried and tested. Ive seen the Lingenfelter GT1, though i can't seem to figure out if it needs new pushrods and springs... Basically I just want a cam that I can Install without having to change the pushrods or springs. It seems like the ASA and Hot Cam are these... just looking for opinions.

[WHAMMO]

Here is a guy here rubning the ASA cam and he has like 565rwhp. It seems like a stout piece!! Do it! Dont do the LS9 conversion...not worth it IMO unless you want something really really specific and cheap

[JCunningham]

have you done gears. Any cam that you can put in with stock springs really isnt worth doing. a hot cam is only worth 20hp. Youll get more seat of the pants with 3.91 gears. I took my diff to a gears shop and have less than $700 in it.

[Bo White]

Lingenfelter GT1
Lunati 217/228

[ARrado15]

Yea i'm going to be doing gears a few months after the cam... Figured I'd get the cam first. Possibly down the road i'll get a more aggressive cam but as of now I think I'm wanting something like the ASA. Quick question. The GMPP ASA cam comes with new springs and retainers but no pushrods. Is this needed?

[MrChrisLS3]

Originally Posted by JCunningham

have you done gears. Any cam that you can put in with stock springs really isnt worth doing. a hot cam is only worth 20hp. Youll get more seat of the pants with 3.91 gears. I took my diff to a gears shop and have less than $700 in it.

He has a point.

Originally Posted by ARrado15

Yea i'm going to be doing gears a few months after the cam... Figured I'd get the cam first. Possibly down the road i'll get a more aggressive cam but as of now I think I'm wanting something like the ASA. Quick question. The GMPP ASA cam comes with new springs and retainers but no pushrods. Is this needed?

I just can't see spending this kind of money on cam install if it's not the one I really want to begin with. It's a lot cheaper to spend the extra money to do it right once. It's that old saying:

Cheap
Fast
Reliable

pick any two.

[BurnedRubber]

If I were you I would just hold out on doing the cam until you can afford to do it the right way. In the end you'll want more anyways. Like others have said, don't risk doing a cam swap on the cheap and then ruin your engine.

[davidscamaro]

There is quite a few cam's out there that have under .550" lift , that's really your only limitations with stock springs and push rods (and staying under 6500rpm)

Check out comp cam's and lunati cam's, both companies have 3 or 4 grinds that will work

[ARrado15]

Ok.. .so the GMPP ASA cam comes with springs with the cam, so all I'd need is new pushrods (maybe, still nobody has answered this). I just don't see how this is cheaping out as compared to getting a aftermarket with dual springs and pushrods. I just like the fact that it is a GM cam that has been installed into the ls3 and then sold as a crate motor. At least to me, this seems like the GM engineers have done their homework on the cam and have "certified", if you will, the cam to work in the LS3. I don't know if i will ever get a more agressive cam, so even getting 20-30 rwhp on the cam to me is worth it, knowing the valve train is having less stress put on it.

I ultimately want to be at 450-460 rwhp, and I already have all of the bolts on. This is not going to be a drag car. Its my daily driver and while I would like more power, driveability and reliability are at the top of my list. I was just looking to see if there were aftermarket cams that were in the neighborhood of the price of the ASA cam to see if possibly there was something I missed.

[davidscamaro]

http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2020&gid=281

http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2018&gid=281

http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2016&gid=281

[davidscamaro]

Yes a set of 7.4" push rods is a good $100 upgrade

[ARrado15]

Originally Posted by davidscamaro

There is quite a few cam's out there that have under .550" lift , that's really your only limitations with stock springs and push rods (and staying under 6500rpm)

Check out comp cam's and lunati cam's, both companies have 3 or 4 grinds that will work

So do you only need new pushrods and springs when the lift goes over .550 on the ls3 or when the base circle is sized differently? Sorry i'm just confused as to when new rods and springs are needed and when the stock will suffice.