So I'm building what is basically an iron block ls2 to go into my 03 Tahoe (LQ9 short block, 799 heads). Wondering what would be a good cam to put in it? I've always wanted to use the chopacabra cam from tsp but I wanted to get second opinions from people that have more experience in this field than me. What would be a good cam to make 400-450hp and sound pretty good for that short block/heads combo? Truck has a fully built 4l60e with trucool 40k, 4.10s with a trutrac, new transfer case, and fully rebuilt front diff. I will be running the stock intake manifold. Will consider getting heads/intake mani ported. Will also be running speed Engineering 1 3/4 long tube headers.
Good cam?
- Thread starter Mrwick_02
- Start date
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Marky Dissod
Full Access Member
The answer to this question really depends on how you are willing to prepare the rest of the valvetrain.
Mudsport96
Full Access Member
Are you talking 400 wheel or 400 crank? With just long tubes and a good tune a stock LQ4 should be close to 400 crank.
How to make 400hp with a gen 3 truck engine
jump to 11:40 for the 6.0 stuff. Now this is an LQ4 and with headers and a good tune ( and minus accessories) it made over 400hp. So a higher compression LQ9 could do it with accessories. An LQ9 with 799 heads making even more compression should definitely be able to do that. So just the stock cam and go drive.
Now an aftermarket cam that makes more low-end torque is going to create higher cylinder pressures in the lower revs. Combine that with higher compression and you have a recipe for detonation. So premium will be required. So maybe get bigger injectors and tune for e85.
How to make 400hp with a gen 3 truck engine
jump to 11:40 for the 6.0 stuff. Now this is an LQ4 and with headers and a good tune ( and minus accessories) it made over 400hp. So a higher compression LQ9 could do it with accessories. An LQ9 with 799 heads making even more compression should definitely be able to do that. So just the stock cam and go drive.
Now an aftermarket cam that makes more low-end torque is going to create higher cylinder pressures in the lower revs. Combine that with higher compression and you have a recipe for detonation. So premium will be required. So maybe get bigger injectors and tune for e85.
Sorry for the super late response... Preferably 400-420 whp.
Sorry for the late response... Going with ls7 lifters, tsp chromoly pushrods, ams performance stock rocker arms with upgrade bushings... Not sure on springs as I haven't decided on a cam.
Mudsport96
Full Access Member
What are your plans for the vehicle? Towing? Racing? Just more usable power?
More usable power, racing, donuts/burnouts. Will be mostly daily driven, but I do race and do donuts/burnouts usually about twice a week.
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Mudsport96
Full Access Member
Truck Norris cam. More average power through the whole range and only giving up power at the very top of the rpm range. In a heavy vehicle you want more low and middle torque.
Would a chopacabra cam suffice?... That's the cam I originally had in mind before I even started the project.
Mudsport96
Full Access Member
Do you already have the chopacobra?
If not get the BTR Truck Norris No Springs Required cam. It makes more power than the Chopacobra with less lift. Meaning more power with less strain on the valve train...therefore more reliable.
Chopacobra 414hp and 400tq
Truck Norris nsr 429hp and 409 tq
If you can make more power with less stress on the engine, why would you want to make less power?
If you already bought the Texas speed cam use it.
If you haven't, buy the BTR that makes more power and just use a set of ls6 or ls7 springs and avoid the high dollar parts you won't need. The No Springs Required cam is designed for the truck Springs so really you could run a new set of those if you wanted.
If not get the BTR Truck Norris No Springs Required cam. It makes more power than the Chopacobra with less lift. Meaning more power with less strain on the valve train...therefore more reliable.
Chopacobra 414hp and 400tq
Truck Norris nsr 429hp and 409 tq
If you can make more power with less stress on the engine, why would you want to make less power?
If you already bought the Texas speed cam use it.
If you haven't, buy the BTR that makes more power and just use a set of ls6 or ls7 springs and avoid the high dollar parts you won't need. The No Springs Required cam is designed for the truck Springs so really you could run a new set of those if you wanted.
Mudsport96
Full Access Member
Byr no springs required cam
Tsp cam
The graphs look different because of the rpm increments they use are different.
Just look up different videos on YouTube for dyno tests of both.
Tsp cam
The graphs look different because of the rpm increments they use are different.
Just look up different videos on YouTube for dyno tests of both.
