LS-6 camshaft

[earntaz]

I have polled the experts here before and I'm looking for more opinions. The 427 I am building is as follows - bored .060 w/forged pistons approx 10.2 : 1 CR; 063 heads fully ported, alum hi-rise, 750 puddle dumper, etc. Pretty much old school. The engine will be dropped into a 70' Nova, 400TH w/3.42 posi.

I have been reading the solid lifter LS-6 cam (similar to the Comp 11-106-3) has been used pretty successfully by the Vette' crowd. Also, been told this cam is much the same as used in the L-72. I have no problem keeping up with solid lifter adjustments as I have had a number of LT-1s and early 426 Hemi engines.

So what are your thoughts concerning this cam on the street 95% or the time and occasional strip time?

The TAZ

[markjohnson]

It was used in several thousand GM production cars for several years and has proven itself many times over. It's an extremely streetable 11-second camshaft if the rest of the car is set up correctly.

Also having first hand experience with the L72 -427 back in the day, you will not go wrong with that combination.

[luzl78]

That's the 143 camshaft, correct?

[earntaz]

Yes -- from what I have read, the Comp grind is pretty much the same as the "143" with a bit of "modern" technology dialed in. Besides, there is nothing like the "rattle" of solids in Chevy engines idling about 850 RPM. Thanks ... The TAZ

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Another great camshaft that I have used on a couple of LS6 motors is the Lunati 20202 Camshaft. The specs are close to the factory cam and it performs really well <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[TDW]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XXXBlackLs6M22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another great camshaft that I have used on a couple of LS6 motors is the Lunati 20202 Camshaft. The specs are close to the factory cam and it performs really well <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif </div></div>

That's what I have in my 450 HP 427. Needs 3.73 gears or better, so the manufacture says.

[COPO PETE]

i would get the blueprinted version from Crane.

the cam is all done at about 62-6500rpm straight up. Retarding the cam 4-6 degrees will allow you to buzz it 7000-7200. The cam is a proven piece of art. Has a smooth idol when the engine warms up. it would work well on the street, and well on the strip.

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COPO PETE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i would get the blueprinted version from Crane.

the cam is all done at about 62-6500rpm straight up. Retarding the cam 4-6 degrees will allow you to buzz it 7000-7200. The cam is a proven piece of art. Has a smooth idol when the engine warms up. it would work well on the street, and well on the strip. </div></div>
^ What he said. Go with the crane version, the pure stock guys have done the research over the past 2+ decades now after trying everyone else's flavor yet the crane remains the gold standard. And I wouldnt worry too much about the gear, it idles fine and has plenty of beans down low, the converter is more important...that cam has gone deeeeep into the 11s through exhaust manifolds and on polyglass tires so it can't be too bad.

[bbbentley]

I have a Federal Mogul 143 version. The price was right, but I have not installed it yet. Should I get the Crane? 375hp engine in 69 Camaro , M20,3.31 rear. Hoping for mid to low 12's. What do you think?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COPO PETE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i would get the blueprinted version from Crane.

the cam is all done at about 62-6500rpm straight up. Retarding the cam 4-6 degrees will allow you to buzz it 7000-7200. The cam is a proven piece of art. Has a smooth idol when the engine warms up. it would work well on the street, and well on the strip. </div></div> That would be a killer for me. If it had a smooth idle no way would I have it. If you want a smooth idle , buy a new Mustang, just not a muscle car without it.

[XXXGoldL34M20]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XXXBlackLs6M22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another great camshaft that I have used on a couple of LS6 motors is the Lunati 20202 Camshaft. The specs are close to the factory cam and it performs really well <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif </div></div>

Here is a video of my car idling in the garage with the sound of the Lunati 20202 camshaft. Puffing white smoke at the rear as it was -10 degrees outside on the winter day the video was taken.

http://youtu.be/gY6TBYtok6o

Exhaust is stock Manifolds with a 1969 Chevelle Chambered exhaust system. I chose not to install the rear resonators on the rear tail pipes so it has that nasty sound. The motor is idling at around 850 to 900 in this video.
Rear end has 3:31 gears with M22 trans. My car fries the tires anytime I nail it <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[earntaz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chevy454</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COPO PETE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i would get the blueprinted version from Crane.

the cam is all done at about 62-6500rpm straight up. Retarding the cam 4-6 degrees will allow you to buzz it 7000-7200. The cam is a proven piece of art. Has a smooth idol when the engine warms up. it would work well on the street, and well on the strip. </div></div>
^ What he said. Go with the crane version, the pure stock guys have done the research over the past 2+ decades now after trying everyone else's flavor yet the crane remains the gold standard. And I wouldnt worry too much about the gear, it idles fine and has plenty of beans down low, the converter is more important...that cam has gone deeeeep into the 11s through exhaust manifolds and on polyglass tires so it can't be too bad. </div></div>

That is the sound I'd like at idle. How is the vacuum -- power brakes OK, etc.?

[earntaz]

Sorry XXXBlackLs6M22 -- haven't figured out how to reply ... again, that is the sound I'd like at idle. How is the vacuum -- power brakes OK, etc.?

[WILMASBOYL78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bbbentley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a Federal Mogul 143 version. The price was right, but I have not installed it yet. Should I get the Crane? 375hp engine in 69 Camaro , M20,3.31 rear. Hoping for mid to low 12's. What do you think? </div></div>

I'm sure the &quot;1320 boys&quot; will chime in on this...seems to me you would need a little more gear to get there...but, maybe with headers, good tune and traction it might work. The M20 will help the low end torque...wilma

[XXXGoldL34M20]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry XXXBlackLs6M22 -- haven't figured out how to reply ... again, that is the sound I'd like at idle. How is the vacuum -- power brakes OK, etc.? </div></div>

Plenty of Vacuum for the Power disc brakes and everything else, if you look at the hood when I touch the gas pedal, even the cowl induction has very good vacuum. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[COPO PETE]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: frankk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COPO PETE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i would get the blueprinted version from Crane.

the cam is all done at about 62-6500rpm straight up. Retarding the cam 4-6 degrees will allow you to buzz it 7000-7200. The cam is a proven piece of art. Has a smooth idol when the engine warms up. it would work well on the street, and well on the strip. </div></div> That would be a killer for me. If it had a smooth idle no way would I have it. If you want a smooth idle , buy a new Mustang, just not a muscle car without it. </div></div>






ill take the smooth idol with a win over a lumpy slow cam.

[COPO PETE]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bbbentley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a Federal Mogul 143 version. The price was right, but I have not installed it yet. Should I get the Crane? 375hp engine in 69 Camaro , M20,3.31 rear. Hoping for mid to low 12's. What do you think? </div></div>


depends what you have for tires and exhaust.. if its a 10:1 bone Stock engine, with small tires and manifolds.. i would bet you will make 13:40's with 3:31 gears... IMO...



Its hard to say!! we need more info on what you have for a set up. 3:31 is not a 1320ft friendly gear..

[bbbentley]

I did say it was a 375hp. That is 11.0:1. It is &quot;bone&quot;stock. Non modified 840 heads,4346 Holley,stock exhaust with transverse muffler. F70x14 bias ply tires. I do have an xtra rear end that has 4.88s,but hesitant to change as it is a later date casting. 3.31 is original.Car has traction bars.

[COPO PETE]

if its a fully blue printed 375 hp 396, makng a honest 375-400hp at the fly. With the M20 and a set of 4:56. The car will have potential to do 12:20's @ 112-114mph. You ll need to get a 1.8-1.9 60ft time. And power shifting will be a must.


IMO the 4:88 will be too much gear for that motor. 4:56 will be the perfect 1320ft gear for your combo. I think anyway... Thats what we always run.
Good luck!!

[PxTx]

Just so I am clear on the speculation, are we talking about running slicks cause the number seems ambitious for a stock tire without a LOT of seat time and fine tuning.

[COPO PETE]

&quot; has potential&quot; on stock bias plys.

I think if this camaro has stock exhaust, it may be the bottleneck. A nice pypes 2.5&quot; W/ &quot;X&quot; pipe full exhaust system will let the car breath propperly.


JJ's 69 L-89 nova did 12:20's with a 4 speed, 4:56 10 years ago. The motor was stock fully blueprinted with the correct GM cam. Nothing to fancy, just a good driver, and a good tune on it.

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bbbentley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I did say it was a 375hp. That is 11.0:1. It is &quot;bone&quot;stock. Non modified 840 heads,4346 Holley,stock exhaust with transverse muffler. F70x14 bias ply tires. I do have an xtra rear end that has 4.88s,but hesitant to change as it is a later date casting. 3.31 is original.Car has traction bars. </div></div>
If its &quot;bone stock&quot; then you'd be darn lucky to actually be at 11:1 compression...the 840 chambers are bigger than the 108cc listed, the domes aren't 34cc, the deck height will be off, and most folks don't run the steel shim head gaskets. When I cc'd our L72 it came in at 10.2:1, and that was after a slight surfacing of the heads...and I know a guy that tore down an original L72 and it came in at 9.8:1.

My advice, go in hoping for low 13s, that way anything better is gravy...

[COPO PETE]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COPO PETE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">[quote=bbbentley]I have a Federal Mogul 143 version. The price was right, but I have not installed it yet. Should I get the Crane? 375hp engine in 69 Camaro , M20,3.31 rear. Hoping for mid to low 12's. What do you think? </div></div>


depends what you have for tires and exhaust.. if its a 10:1 bone Stock engine, with small tires and manifolds.. i would bet you will make 13:40's with 3:31 gears... IMO...





Thats what i meant by &quot;bone stock&quot; usually a slapped together big block only came in at 10:1 or so from factory. 100% agreed still. Lucky to get out of the mid 13's if this is the case.