Eventual LS2 cam upgrade, whether to upgrade the lifters?
Discussion
So at some point I'll be putting a nasty cam in the Monaro.
The plan will be to also do valve springs / retainers, pushrods, probably a trunion upgrade on the stock rockers (opinion seems so divided on upgrading the LS rocker arms?) and of course the actual bump stick.
All of these bits can be done without removing the heads, so this question is aimed at the lifters...
Quite simply, shall I bother?
Motor has done about 65k so far, mileage is now probably only about 5k a year but it does get some stick once warmed up reasonably often.
Cam wise it'll be something reasonably big, I'm not fussed about driveability at all, but I don't want to go so big that the powerband is all between 5,000 and 7,500 rpm, area under the curve is what I'm after, so it'll maybe end up being mid 230s but on a slightly tighter LSA for the lope, with reasonable lift (over 0.600)...
Or I could be completely wrong spec wise, the research has only just begun on that front...
So yes, shall I also budget for lifters? I'd presume the LS7 lifters would be a reasonable upgrade, or should I also research aftermarket ones? I'm doing my own research too, just thought I'd ask on here too as it's all a bit quiet recently!
The plan will be to also do valve springs / retainers, pushrods, probably a trunion upgrade on the stock rockers (opinion seems so divided on upgrading the LS rocker arms?) and of course the actual bump stick.
All of these bits can be done without removing the heads, so this question is aimed at the lifters...
Quite simply, shall I bother?
Motor has done about 65k so far, mileage is now probably only about 5k a year but it does get some stick once warmed up reasonably often.
Cam wise it'll be something reasonably big, I'm not fussed about driveability at all, but I don't want to go so big that the powerband is all between 5,000 and 7,500 rpm, area under the curve is what I'm after, so it'll maybe end up being mid 230s but on a slightly tighter LSA for the lope, with reasonable lift (over 0.600)...
Or I could be completely wrong spec wise, the research has only just begun on that front...
So yes, shall I also budget for lifters? I'd presume the LS7 lifters would be a reasonable upgrade, or should I also research aftermarket ones? I'm doing my own research too, just thought I'd ask on here too as it's all a bit quiet recently!
SturdyHSV said:
So at some point I'll be putting a nasty cam in the Monaro.
The plan will be to also do valve springs / retainers, pushrods, probably a trunion upgrade on the stock rockers (opinion seems so divided on upgrading the LS rocker arms?) and of course the actual bump stick.
All of these bits can be done without removing the heads, so this question is aimed at the lifters...
Quite simply, shall I bother?
Motor has done about 65k so far, mileage is now probably only about 5k a year but it does get some stick once warmed up reasonably often.
Cam wise it'll be something reasonably big, I'm not fussed about driveability at all, but I don't want to go so big that the powerband is all between 5,000 and 7,500 rpm, area under the curve is what I'm after, so it'll maybe end up being mid 230s but on a slightly tighter LSA for the lope, with reasonable lift (over 0.600)...
Or I could be completely wrong spec wise, the research has only just begun on that front...
So yes, shall I also budget for lifters? I'd presume the LS7 lifters would be a reasonable upgrade, or should I also research aftermarket ones? I'm doing my own research too, just thought I'd ask on here too as it's all a bit quiet recently!
Whilst you have the heads off i would suggest putting a set of lifters in there as well, better to be safe than sorry.The plan will be to also do valve springs / retainers, pushrods, probably a trunion upgrade on the stock rockers (opinion seems so divided on upgrading the LS rocker arms?) and of course the actual bump stick.
All of these bits can be done without removing the heads, so this question is aimed at the lifters...
Quite simply, shall I bother?
Motor has done about 65k so far, mileage is now probably only about 5k a year but it does get some stick once warmed up reasonably often.
Cam wise it'll be something reasonably big, I'm not fussed about driveability at all, but I don't want to go so big that the powerband is all between 5,000 and 7,500 rpm, area under the curve is what I'm after, so it'll maybe end up being mid 230s but on a slightly tighter LSA for the lope, with reasonable lift (over 0.600)...
Or I could be completely wrong spec wise, the research has only just begun on that front...
So yes, shall I also budget for lifters? I'd presume the LS7 lifters would be a reasonable upgrade, or should I also research aftermarket ones? I'm doing my own research too, just thought I'd ask on here too as it's all a bit quiet recently!
A budget and power goals make the whole process far too simple and cost effective ringram (good to see you back on here by the way)...
I'm not going to lie about it, about 40% of the reason for wanting to do it is because I'd love to have the car in bits and go through the whole process, and to drive it afterwards knowing I've put those bits in etc. (have only done basic bolt on stuff so far...)
Then there's about 35% of the reasoning being a desire for a better sounding idle...
The final 25% being I'd also really like it to not run out of breath until 7k, naturally enjoying the benefits of a little more power along the way.
There isn't a particular budget to this, as at the moment I don't have the money spare to do it really, but the research has begun because I have a garage now... The lump sum of getting heads, even just the CNC LS3 ones is outside of the budget though, if I can manage to chip away at a parts list a few hundred dollars at a time then that's doable.
I know I'm going about this the wrong way, but that's forums for you, full of idiots!
I'm not going to lie about it, about 40% of the reason for wanting to do it is because I'd love to have the car in bits and go through the whole process, and to drive it afterwards knowing I've put those bits in etc. (have only done basic bolt on stuff so far...)
Then there's about 35% of the reasoning being a desire for a better sounding idle...
The final 25% being I'd also really like it to not run out of breath until 7k, naturally enjoying the benefits of a little more power along the way.
There isn't a particular budget to this, as at the moment I don't have the money spare to do it really, but the research has begun because I have a garage now... The lump sum of getting heads, even just the CNC LS3 ones is outside of the budget though, if I can manage to chip away at a parts list a few hundred dollars at a time then that's doable.
I know I'm going about this the wrong way, but that's forums for you, full of idiots!
For the cost, I'd get lifters mate 
I can recommend Brian Tooley for all parts.
It's worth running the numbers for an LS3 top end swap. You'll get £500 for your LS2 heads and nearly £500 for your FAST. Having said that, you will need LS3 injectors, but these can be had from people who have added a blower to their LS3.
A quick look and you can get CNC L92 heads for $530 each. Add an LS3 manifold (again, from someone who has added a blower to their LS3) and you're laughing! A cam like mine and it'll make great power at 7k rpm
I can recommend Brian Tooley for all parts.
It's worth running the numbers for an LS3 top end swap. You'll get £500 for your LS2 heads and nearly £500 for your FAST. Having said that, you will need LS3 injectors, but these can be had from people who have added a blower to their LS3.
A quick look and you can get CNC L92 heads for $530 each. Add an LS3 manifold (again, from someone who has added a blower to their LS3) and you're laughing! A cam like mine and it'll make great power at 7k rpm
All newer LS lifters are the LS7 ones, so good to go.
Your old ones should be ok though, just check the cam when it comes out to see if the lobes are ok. Then lifters should also be ok.
You probably cant go wrong with a cam in the 23x range. Maybe 230/238 etc. That will work better with better heads too.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/engines-drivetrai...
That would get my vote with better heads down the line. As you already have the intake just go with a set of cnc cathedrals when you get the ££.
So uber budget and you should be good to go with cam and valve springs only. I know GSD2000 has a spare set of new 918's going cheap.
I might have a spare cam available 222/230. Just need to see if the old larger one from my 440 fits ok in the LS3 227/243
Add other stuff like lifters, pushrods etc as budget allows. But I suspect they are not essential as plenty have done cam swaps with the stock stuff reused.
Your old ones should be ok though, just check the cam when it comes out to see if the lobes are ok. Then lifters should also be ok.
You probably cant go wrong with a cam in the 23x range. Maybe 230/238 etc. That will work better with better heads too.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/engines-drivetrai...
That would get my vote with better heads down the line. As you already have the intake just go with a set of cnc cathedrals when you get the ££.
So uber budget and you should be good to go with cam and valve springs only. I know GSD2000 has a spare set of new 918's going cheap.
I might have a spare cam available 222/230. Just need to see if the old larger one from my 440 fits ok in the LS3 227/243
Add other stuff like lifters, pushrods etc as budget allows. But I suspect they are not essential as plenty have done cam swaps with the stock stuff reused.
SturdyHSV said:
So at some point I'll be putting a nasty cam in the Monaro.
The plan will be to also do valve springs / retainers, pushrods, probably a trunion upgrade on the stock rockers (opinion seems so divided on upgrading the LS rocker arms?) and of course the actual bump stick.
All of these bits can be done without removing the heads, so this question is aimed at the lifters...
Quite simply, shall I bother?
Motor has done about 65k so far, mileage is now probably only about 5k a year but it does get some stick once warmed up reasonably often.
Cam wise it'll be something reasonably big, I'm not fussed about driveability at all, but I don't want to go so big that the powerband is all between 5,000 and 7,500 rpm, area under the curve is what I'm after, so it'll maybe end up being mid 230s but on a slightly tighter LSA for the lope, with reasonable lift (over 0.600)...
Or I could be completely wrong spec wise, the research has only just begun on that front...
So yes, shall I also budget for lifters? I'd presume the LS7 lifters would be a reasonable upgrade, or should I also research aftermarket ones? I'm doing my own research too, just thought I'd ask on here too as it's all a bit quiet recently!
James, if it were me I would definitely do lifters. I can recommend the GM Cadillac race lifters. Or have a look at the Morel tie bar items, they look the dogs and I will be using some in future. The Caddy items have held up well in my FI LS2 motor which had some abuse as in 600 rwhp and 7K rpms.The plan will be to also do valve springs / retainers, pushrods, probably a trunion upgrade on the stock rockers (opinion seems so divided on upgrading the LS rocker arms?) and of course the actual bump stick.
All of these bits can be done without removing the heads, so this question is aimed at the lifters...
Quite simply, shall I bother?
Motor has done about 65k so far, mileage is now probably only about 5k a year but it does get some stick once warmed up reasonably often.
Cam wise it'll be something reasonably big, I'm not fussed about driveability at all, but I don't want to go so big that the powerband is all between 5,000 and 7,500 rpm, area under the curve is what I'm after, so it'll maybe end up being mid 230s but on a slightly tighter LSA for the lope, with reasonable lift (over 0.600)...
Or I could be completely wrong spec wise, the research has only just begun on that front...
So yes, shall I also budget for lifters? I'd presume the LS7 lifters would be a reasonable upgrade, or should I also research aftermarket ones? I'm doing my own research too, just thought I'd ask on here too as it's all a bit quiet recently!
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