Cam for the L92 heads, does it need to be specialized? Opinions, observations,etc

Do the L92 heads perform much better with camshafts designed specifically for those heads? From the reading i have done, it seems the valve events need to be altered due to the huge intake port on those heads. Using a camshaft meants for traditional cathedral port heads (5.3, ls6, 6.0 heads, trickflow, patriots, etc) leaves alot on the table from what i have read (and seen in peoples results).

It seems you can get good results with these heads and aftermarket cams, but to really make these heads perform the cam has to be made for these heads.

Can some of the cam guys like Predator, EDC, Brian Tooley, etc, chime in here?
What about you sponsors and shop techs? What have you found?

And the can of worms has been opened...

Yes. The heads need a heavy exhaust bias on the cam. Mine is 224/230 .58 .59 114 LSA. The valves are a lot bigger than the ones in the LS2, so if you go big on the lift you should cut the pistons. I've seen a lot of people with small cams like mine make as much or close to the power of the bigger cams with these heads, and have better low end. Bigger isn't always better.

Hopefully the sponsors will chime in to point you in the right direction towards your specific goals for your car. I went with the Livernois Motorsports Comp Cam L92 Stage 1, as I'd read an article in GM High Tech Perfomance magazine where they tested that exact cam and made proven results. I am very happy with the power my car made while retaining dd street manners. As with any mods, to ensure the greatest gain and smoothest operation, plan and build your motor as a package with matching parts, rather than a mishmash of random components.

Quote: Originally Posted by KC2GIW... And the can of worms has been opened...

Oh yeah I forgot, is your friend

I've searched for the past 7 months and noone is willing to give out cam info except thos who have the stuff done. And even then, noone seems to have a clue how big you can go. One of our local guys just put in a very healthy cam without having to cut the pistons and ended up with 476/433 to the ground. Very awesome build.
Also as was stated above....whatever you do, make sure you've got a good exhaust side. They need it to make up for the large intake side on the heads.

Oh, i have searched and searched. I read all of the articles on these heads, hence my questions and observations.
Beachgoat, i agree with needing to plan a matched engine, not a mismatch of shit thrown together. Hence my question abut the cams.

I dont expect anyone to tell their cam specs. Just asking if it is true that the L92 heads need their own style cam grind to perform at their best (gaining torque and HP in the low and high rpms), as opposed to buying a cam meant for traditional style heads like the megadeth, torquer, S-cam, etc.

It seems that going with a big cam (240+) isnt a good idea with these heads. I thought i read that the Intake VE needs to be delayed to keep the velocity up, or something like that. So if Brian Tooley, EDC, or any other Manly CAM MEN would like to chime in, please please do.

I have the torquer v3 in mine makes a little power down low but hits hard at 4000 both hp and tq. Torque stay above 400 from 4000 rpm till 6300. maybe that will help you.

My dyno graph. It feels a little lazier than stock below about 2000rpms, but after that, especially over 3500, this is one hard hittin mother.

My cam runs right around .615 lift and no cutting was needed.

Your best bet, as is obvious, is to talk to Ed C if you want to keep it online. That or call a local shop and just work out a package. Leave it to the pros. You won't be let down.

I could recommend a few shops (including the one that does all my work) but in reality, they're going to call Ed to make the package anyways.

oh, i know ED know his shit. I was just curious as to what others had experienced and encountered

Boy do I wish what all this meant, lmao.

I'm looking into heads...cams...ect, as my next set of mods.

I just can spell the words. It seems like there's a lot of numbers and work involved.

This isn't just a "buy the darn thing and have it installed" deal? I'm not going to be doing the tuning or anything myself, so I expect the installers and tuners will know what they're doing? Or do I need to let them know something? What do I need to know?

my head hurts.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hiro... Boy do I wish what all this meant, lmao. I'm looking into heads...cams...ect, as my next set of mods. I just can spell the words. It seems like there's a lot of numbers and work involved. This isn't just a "buy the darn thing and have it installed" deal? I'm not going to be doing the tuning or anything myself, so I expect the installers and tuners will know what they're doing? Or do I need to let them know something? What do I need to know? my head hurts.

wait a minute.... You dont know anything about heads or cams, you dont know what to even ask for...but you have an APS twin turbo kit??

this doesnt make sense.

What doesn't make sense? You don't have to know the mechanics of everything to know how to buy it. I didn't have to take a test before buying the APS, the only requirement was pulling out my card! ^.~

I know a little bit about cars, but it's not a specialty of mine. I'm not a mechanic and I couldn't take a car apart and rebuild it, but I can still own one.

I mean I know I've got to have gas in the car before I can drive it. I just don't know all the specs I need to know about heads or cams.

Quote: Originally Posted by KC2GIW... My cam runs right around .615 lift and no cutting was needed. .

Lift has nothing to do with P/V clearance.

Quote: Originally Posted by ls1builder... Lift has nothing to do with P/V clearance.

Well, hell, then I'm going to get one ground with an even 1.000" lift then.

Quote: Originally Posted by KC2GIW... Well, hell, then I'm going to get one ground with an even 1.000" lift then.

You might be able too, as long as there aint alot of duration

Quote: Originally Posted by Hiro... What doesn't make sense? You don't have to know the mechanics of everything to know how to buy it. I didn't have to take a test before buying the APS, the only requirement was pulling out my card! ^.~ I know a little bit about cars, but it's not a specialty of mine. I'm not a mechanic and I couldn't take a car apart and rebuild it, but I can still own one. I mean I know I've got to have gas in the car before I can drive it. I just don't know all the specs I need to know about heads or cams.

honestly, i never considered that. I cant imagine just putting something on my car without knowing anything about it. You have done well for yourself in that case. good luck man.

Quote: Originally Posted by Johny GTO... honestly, i never considered that. I cant imagine just putting something on my car without knowing anything about it. You have done well for yourself in that case. good luck man.

I didn't say I didn't know anything about it, I just said I didn't know all the mechanics of it. I couldn't build one myself and I couldn't sit down and explain in detail how it works. I know the basics of what it does.

I don't have to be certified to buy this shit. I don't need a degree in mechanics to purchase it. Get that out of your head buddy, because not everyone is an expert in mechanics.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hiro... I didn't say I didn't know anything about it, I just said I didn't know all the mechanics of it. I couldn't build one myself and I couldn't sit down and explain in detail how it works. I know the basics of what it does. I don't have to be certified to buy this shit. I don't need a degree in mechanics to purchase it. Get that out of your head buddy, because not everyone is an expert in mechanics.

No one said you needed to be a mechanic, have a degree, or anything of the sort. Mellow out tough guy, and stop acting like an asshole.

Quote: Originally Posted by Johny GTO... honestly, i never considered that. I cant imagine just putting something on my car without knowing anything about it. You have done well for yourself in that case. good luck man.

Sounded like asshole sarcasm to me.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hiro... Sounded like asshole sarcasm to me.

If you were on the other side of the fence in this discussion, it wouldn't sound like asshole sarcasm. Once you really dig into a motor, all of the TINY pieces that are all potential failure points is downright scary. A lot of people who do their own work truly can't imagine going back to that time when they could let someone else install parts without worry of what the consequences could be.

Quote: Originally Posted by gametech... If you were on the other side of the fence in this discussion, it wouldn't sound like asshole sarcasm. Once you really dig into a motor, all of the TINY pieces that are all potential failure points is downright scary. A lot of people who do their own work truly can't imagine going back to that time when they could let someone else install parts without worry of what the consequences could be.

So now I'm a clueless idiot? I never said I don't look at the consequences and I never said I don't fear all the potential failures of a car. Why are you guys throwing out undirected accusations that make me seem a little fool-heartedly?

I would prefer someone else do the job, yes. Why? Well, let's see. I don't feel like going through years of school to finally get the parts off my back porch and install them.

Also, if they mess anything up, it's in their policy to fix it. If I messed it up, however, well, that shit ain't free.

Also maybe perhaps I don't have the time nor the tools to do the job myself.

Sure, I would LOVE to know everything about all the mechanics. I would LOVE to do my own work. I think it would be fun and would save me loads of money and worry! But I can't, and I don't see that happening any time soon. So I'm sorry that I'm not a mechanical guru and that I PAY people to install shit for me. God forbid anyone offer their mechanical services to the less inclined.

I'm not meaning to sound cruel, but come on. It really sounds like all the responses directed at me are saying:
"Why are you adding stuff to your car when you don't have a degree in mechanics? I can't believe you're paying other people to do your engine work!"

I mean come on, since when has the world come to the point where everyone needs to know everything and do their own work? Sure it would be convenient, but then there goes the market for everything.

I bet not many of you here knows how to properly subnet networks and script programs, but you guys still use the internet and computer software. You don't see me bashing some of you for that now do you?

Come to think of it, I can't believe some of you are typing on a forum that you couldn't properly code yourself and apply it to a network!

Sarcasm. Bam.

I wasnt being sarcastic.

And no one called you an idiot. What is your deal? All i was saying was that i have never heard of anyone buying parts for their cars without knowing anything about them. Most people who are into having their car go fast are a little (like me, i am no guru) educated on the matter. Not many people just hear that something will make them fast and buy it.

I was just surprised. wasnt coming down on you. neither was anyone else.

again, relax.
and again.... sounds like you have done well so far. good luck.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hiro... So now I'm a clueless idiot? I never said I don't look at the consequences and I never said I don't fear all the potential failures of a car. Why are you guys throwing out undirected accusations that make me seem a little fool-heartedly? I would prefer someone else do the job, yes. Why? Well, let's see. I don't feel like going through years of school to finally get the parts off my back porch and install them. Also, if they mess anything up, it's in their policy to fix it. If I messed it up, however, well, that shit ain't free. Also maybe perhaps I don't have the time nor the tools to do the job myself. Sure, I would LOVE to know everything about all the mechanics. I would LOVE to do my own work. I think it would be fun and would save me loads of money and worry! But I can't, and I don't see that happening any time soon. So I'm sorry that I'm not a mechanical guru and that I PAY people to install shit for me. God forbid anyone offer their mechanical services to the less inclined.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hiro... I'm not meaning to sound cruel, but come on. It really sounds like all the responses directed at me are saying: "Why are you adding stuff to your car when you don't have a degree in mechanics? I can't believe you're paying other people to do your engine work!" I mean come on, since when has the world come to the point where everyone needs to know everything and do their own work? Sure it would be convenient, but then there goes the market for everything. I bet not many of you here knows how to properly subnet networks and script programs, but you guys still use the internet and computer software. You don't see me bashing some of you for that now do you? Come to think of it, I can't believe some of you are typing on a forum that you couldn't properly code yourself and apply it to a network! Sarcasm. Bam.

Quit being so defensive. No one calls astronauts "clueless idiots", but I bet none of them can build a space shuttle. However, I'll be damned if I would jump on board a vehicle with a few million pounds of high explosives assembled by the lowest bidder. This analogy may be a bit extreme, but that was my point about a lot of mechanics not wanting to have something done that they don't fully understand. Some people are more trusting/tolerant of dealing with the unknown. Your analogy about computers was mostly correct, with one major difference. If my computer screws up, someone might steal credit card info, or I might not be able to post online. However, if my car screws up, I might end up crashing and dying.

Quote: Originally Posted by KC2GIW... Well, hell, then I'm going to get one ground with an even 1.000" lift then.

Ignorance is bliss.

Quote: Originally Posted by Johny GTO... I wasnt being sarcastic. And no one called you an idiot. What is your deal? All i was saying was that i have never heard of anyone buying parts for their cars without knowing anything about them. Most people who are into having their car go fast are a little (like me, i am no guru) educated on the matter. Not many people just hear that something will make them fast and buy it. I was just surprised. wasnt coming down on you. neither was anyone else. again, relax. and again.... sounds like you have done well so far. good luck.

I never said I was completely clueless as to how it all works or what it does. What I don't know is LITERALLY how a lot of this works, as in the moving parts and all other aspects. I don't flip through a magazine and say, "I want that, I don't know what it is or what it does, but make it fit."

I know what I want, but just not in great detail as what to search for and what to negate due to my previous upgrades.

This is the internet, these conversations don't take place in person. Therefore I am unaware how you intended what you said to be taken. To me it sounded like sarcasm, it's just the way it jumped out at me due to the wording. I am human after all and I do apologize. It just wasn't clear to me.

Quote: Originally Posted by gametech... Quit being so defensive. No one calls astronauts "clueless idiots", but I bet none of them can build a space shuttle. However, I'll be damned if I would jump on board a vehicle with a few million pounds of high explosives assembled by the lowest bidder. This analogy may be a bit extreme, but that was my point about a lot of mechanics not wanting to have something done that they don't fully understand. Some people are more trusting/tolerant of dealing with the unknown. Your analogy about computers was mostly correct, with one major difference. If my computer screws up, someone might steal credit card info, or I might not be able to post online. However, if my car screws up, I might end up crashing and dying.

Again, I am human and do apologize, it's just the way it was worded made it sound like you were associating me with someone who knows nothing of mechanics and doesn't think about the consequences.

And about the computer not causing death? You could actually have a faulty power supply and try to change it yourself without first properly grounding yourself out. It'll give you quite a jolt, and with a weak heart or the right conditions, it could be fatal.

Also, if you're a freelance hacker tricked by a former CIA network security specialist to hack the CIA's mainframes, transportation mainframes, communication sources, and water, gas, and power plant systems and then become expendable and unknowingly have explosives strapped on the inside of your tower case and have a virus dumped into your system causing computer failure in turn causing you to hit CTRL+ALT+DELETE in an attempt to restart the computer but unknowingly to you it was the trigger that detonated the explosives resulting in your tragic demise could in fact prove deadly.

But we all know that only happens in Live Free or Die Hard...

And about the computer not causing death? You could actually have a faulty power supply and try to change it yourself without first properly grounding yourself out. It'll give you quite a jolt, and with a weak heart or the right conditions, it could be fatal.



I have taken a few nasty jolts from flyback transformers in the past. Comparatively speaking, touching the wrong wire on a power supply is like getting punched by a two year old. 25KV>120V! There is nothing like the feeling of your heart restarting when you hit the floor to give a new perspective on things. Luckily, I only hit my head on the way down once, and I'm sort of hard-headed.

Quote: Originally Posted by gametech... Comparatively speaking, touching the wrong wire on a power supply is like getting punched by a two year old. 25KV>120V!

Not if you're trying to change the power supply with the computer still plugged in

Yes, I've been hit by more deadly things out there, but we were on the subject of computers

Transformers = bad.

Yeah... so how bout that L92/cam combo?

You two go out back, give each other some handjobs, and stay out of the thread.