Want a fast Denali AWD

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

ivin74

05 NBS Nali
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Posts
2,420
Reaction score
2,557
Location
Htown, Texas
I kept the VVT and have a very lopey idle. We tried to tune as much of it out as we could because my wife keeps getting asked questions she doesnt know the answer to lol. Its a Gwatney performance stage 2 VVT cam. Ill post a video if i can find it.

What are the specs of the cam?
 

Jjdenali

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2015
Posts
94
Reaction score
76
Location
Missouri
Their Stage 2 cam is pretty similar to the Comp 156-401-13 I used in my 08.

Sounds great, when I did the cnc'd heads I pulled out a Texas speed cam and went with the Gwatney. Converter was also done with the heads. Tremendous difference. My wife still drives it every day. It's got great street manners but runs like a scalded dog.
 

91RS

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2009
Posts
2,848
Reaction score
2,299
Location
GA
What converter did you use? I did a converter on my old Trailblazer SS and absolutely hated it and swore I’d never do another one. So I kept the stock converter in mine. I’ve seen chatter about a stock ZL1 converter which should fix much of my hatred for the aftermarket one since the TCC will work like stock.
 

Jjdenali

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2015
Posts
94
Reaction score
76
Location
Missouri
What converter did you use? I did a converter on my old Trailblazer SS and absolutely hated it and swore I’d never do another one. So I kept the stock converter in mine. I’ve seen chatter about a stock ZL1 converter which should fix much of my hatred for the aftermarket one since the TCC will work like stock.
I went pretty cheap but it's paid off so far. It's a reworked factory converter from Patc. 2600rpm
 

ivin74

05 NBS Nali
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Posts
2,420
Reaction score
2,557
Location
Htown, Texas
Their Stage 2 cam is pretty similar to the Comp 156-401-13 I used in my 08.


Just saw the specs for the comp cam, that's a great cam. The Gwatney cam sounds more aggresive. Gwatney does not state the specs of their cam but sounds like a 112 lope separation and the comp is a 114 a bit more milder.

They both sound awesome. Have y'll (@91RS, @Jjdenali) made any long trips since y'all installed the cams? Any drivability issues ?
 

Jjdenali

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2015
Posts
94
Reaction score
76
Location
Missouri
Just saw the specs for the comp cam, that's a great cam. The Gwatney cam sounds more aggresive. Gwatney does not state the specs of their cam but sounds like a 112 lope separation and the comp is a 114 a bit more milder.

They both sound awesome. Have y'll (@91RS, @Jjdenali) made any long trips since y'all installed the cams? Any drivability issues ?
We've put 80,000 miles on ours since I freshened it up. Probably 15,000 miles since the newest cam, heads and converter. We've made 4 trips to Florida (1600 miles round trip) and Vegas twice. No issues at all. I did add a larger trans cooler just in case.
 

91RS

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2009
Posts
2,848
Reaction score
2,299
Location
GA
Just saw the specs for the comp cam, that's a great cam. The Gwatney cam sounds more aggresive. Gwatney does not state the specs of their cam but sounds like a 112 lope separation and the comp is a 114 a bit more milder.

They both sound awesome. Have y'll (@91RS, @Jjdenali) made any long trips since y'all installed the cams? Any drivability issues ?

I found in the comments Gwatney says their 6.2L VVT1 cam is 212/226 and the VVT2 cam is 216/230. Both .552 lift and 113 LSA.

I have not done any trips with mine, I only got it installed in November after having the parts for 6 months. I’ve only put about 1k miles on it.
 

ls1frc

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Posts
923
Reaction score
1,352
I can stall my zl1 verter to 2300 rpms. Stock was like 1500. It drives nice. Good option if youre already in there. They are discontinued i believe though. I had a tough time finding a new one.

After watching a youtube video of a 3200 circle D stall, I knew it wasnt for me.
 

ls1frc

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Posts
923
Reaction score
1,352
Dang these GPI cams have giant lift on them, .637".
 
Joined
Apr 11, 2018
Posts
7,124
Reaction score
14,375
Location
St. Louis
Is there any piston to valve clearance problems with a cam lift that high with stock pistons and heads?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

ls1frc

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Posts
923
Reaction score
1,352
Is there any piston to valve clearance problems with a cam lift that high with stock pistons and heads?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

No, PTV is largely unaffected by max lift. The valve events themselves determine PTV. A cam with a lot of overlap will need PTV checked. These gwatney cams are mild in duration, but just noticed they have pretty aggressive max lift which can prematurely wear out the valve stem tips. The stock rockers aren't designed for that. I'd lower the lift or run roller rockers with that much lift.
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
7,845
Reaction score
20,403
Location
Richmond, VA
You don’t have to sacrifice low end grunt. Have a talk with Roger Vinci @ www.Vincihighperformance.com and tell him what your plans are.
I had a really good experience with Roger Vinci's support. His cam didn't work out for me because I had some oiling and foreign debris issues when I installed it that led to a lifter failing and damaging the cam. However, Roger did warranty the cam for me anyway and sent me a brand new one. Unfortunately, it was too late because I needed to move ahead on the project and went a different way. But, that means that I have a full set from Vinci for the 6.2 that I could give you a good deal on, including the cam, matched dual springs, matched keepers, matched pushrods, and brand new valve stem seals. All you would need is a set of lifters - the Morel 6504s would be perfect.

I can tell you that while I ran this cam the performance was stellar. Big gains in both low and top end power that pushed me back in my seat. It would also be a good cam for future power adders.

Roger doesn't do VVT cams, so it's a 3-bolt cam and I haven't missed the VVT on either the Vinci cam or the Brian Tooley cam I ended up using.

If you're interested, OP, let me know, and I'll make you a good deal.

upload_2020-11-30_16-32-38-png.png
 

Rocket Man

Mark
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Posts
26,678
Reaction score
52,944
Location
Oregon
I had a really good experience with Roger Vinci's support. His cam didn't work out for me because I had some oiling and foreign debris issues when I installed it that led to a lifter failing and damaging the cam. However, Roger did warranty the cam for me anyway and sent me a brand new one. Unfortunately, it was too late because I needed to move ahead on the project and went a different way. But, that means that I have a full set from Vinci for the 6.2 that I could give you a good deal on, including the cam, matched dual springs, matched keepers, matched pushrods, and brand new valve stem seals. All you would need is a set of lifters - the Morel 6504s would be perfect.

I can tell you that while I ran this cam the performance was stellar. Big gains in both low and top end power that pushed me back in my seat. It would also be a good cam for future power adders.

Roger doesn't do VVT cams, so it's a 3-bolt cam and I haven't missed the VVT on either the Vinci cam or the Brian Tooley cam I ended up using.

If you're interested, OP, let me know, and I'll make you a good deal.

upload_2020-11-30_16-32-38-png.263783
Roger is a genius in matters of LS engine valve trains imo and the dude is seriously into helping people out. When I was doing a cam swap after my blower install and thinking of getting a trans built and converter, he answered so many questions I had and made recommendations based on my current and future plans. Your offer sounds awesome.
 

mikeseay

Member
Air Force Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2017
Posts
55
Reaction score
60
Location
Kingston Tn
This. I have to stop myself weekly from slapping a blower on. Will be cheaper in the long run to just have a faster car. B

I did a 6.2 swap, headers and vvt cam. Goes mid 5's 0-60 prob runs mid 13s in 1/4. Its a 6k lb vehicle, to go much faster than that with any reliability youre gonna pay.

you can spend tons of money on your vehicle to go faster than anyone else but at 5000 - 6000 lbs you are never going to be the fastest one out there. Build your vehicle to a level that is comfortable to you and enjoy it. Especially if it is your daily driver or something you have to depend on. You’ll enjoy it more and your wallet will too. Saying that I would love a supercharger on my Yukon too! But.....
 

ls1frc

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Posts
923
Reaction score
1,352
you can spend tons of money on your vehicle to go faster than anyone else but at 5000 - 6000 lbs you are never going to be the fastest one out there. Build your vehicle to a level that is comfortable to you and enjoy it. Especially if it is your daily driver or something you have to depend on. You’ll enjoy it more and your wallet will too. Saying that I would love a supercharger on my Yukon too! But.....

This is true. But then again, this looks hilarious and awesome. Doesn't have to be the fastest, but if you put a blower on like this and launch in 4X4 basically no one will beat you on the street up to around 80 mph. I don't need to go much faster than that anyway lol.

I think once this vehicle is set aside as a spare vehicle, I may do this for fun.

 

Forum statistics

Threads
137,734
Posts
1,990,783
Members
102,722
Latest member
AdrienR
Back
Top