LS6 cam or Modern equiv in SS454 Monte

[VintageMusclecar]

Taz;

A good set of GM, Crane or Morel hydraulic lifters should live just about forever on a mild cam. If you're talking about aggressive HR or solid roller cams, then lifter choice depends on the lobe profile. I've learned the hard way about running an .842" lifter on an aggressive lobe. Milder stuff is fine but you still need to inspect the lifters regularly. On solid rollers--if you start seeing lash variances pop up, problems are right around the corner.

Back to Aarons goals--I would spec a mild custom hydraulic roller for his application.

[BLACKLS5]

I installed a GM 502 HO roller #24502611 in my Dad's '71 Chevelle. It's a 402 but it really woke it up. I'm sure it make an improvement over a factory LS5 cam. 510-540 int, 211-230 exh. 112 intake centerline. Use can use a GM front retainer plate that eliminates the need for a cam button. You must change to the recommended distributor gear though. We used Morel hydro roller lifters and GM push rods.

[aaronkl84corvett]

the roller lifter is and always has been my concern - i'm fine checking lash once or twice a year - but i don't want to have to deal with a roller lifter going south - which is why i've avoided them, and run flat solids with good oil and have never had an issue... but i've not run any of the super crazy profiles either. I'm about to install one of Chris Straub's solid flats in my 421 SBC

i drive my cars - want them to perform well when I step on it. - the Factory Hi-Po stuff has always been enough for my enjoyment - which is why i originally considered the LS6 cam over the the LS5 - but i'm not in a position to rebuild the motor and go for the 11:1 it wants.

[WILMASBOYL78]

This is a great thread...I enjoy these tech discussions because I always learn something new. I have used the 502 Hyd. Roller cam in a mild 454 and it works well. Eric is right on the money that a better convertor and a little more gear will really help the performance. ATI offers a great lineup of well made convertors...their tech guys are good. A move to 3.55's or 3.73's will make a huge difference in the seat of the pants and down the road.

You should make the cam choice and any head changes prior to getting the convertor. Those 290 heads are good castings...and can be even better with a little massaging. As for the intake, you have a cast iron low profile now..if a factory unit is what you want, the only aluminum choice is the 427/390hp unit...but it is a low profile model. A 163 rect port or a Weiand Stealth painted orange are two more choices to consider.

Give Eric a call before you pull the trigger.

wilma

[EZ Nova]

Aaron, any updates on this?

I personally would NEVER run an OEM cam as they are such a compromise over just about anything out there. With the technology that has come out in the 30 yrs since that LS5 was made is night and day. With a few "minor" tweaks, that LS5 even with 9-1 comp, can make the power of an LS6, proven many many times by a number of guys out there.

I will admit, the stock manifolds I have no idea what that will effect. IF it were me, I would swap out the heads for the mildly ported oval port closed chamber heads, get the matching manifold and have it ported, and get a cam from a cam guy. In Detoit, talk to Chris Uratcko or even Mark Jones on here. The cam,heads,intake to manifolds is the package that needs to all work together to be there best.

FYI, I have a mild 427 with the ported closed chamber oval heads, flat tappit, but 12-1 and a strip dom intake with heads. Been mid 10.'s back in the 90's with it and it's set-up for nitrous. Was very very street friendly.

Or check out Mark Jones's build here for an idea:

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...opics/646361/1

YES Mark did put on some things you don't want (intake, headers, el. water pump drive) but you can get the idea

[aaronkl84corvett]

i havn't done much of anything yet - i learned that the cam I thought was the L72/Ls6 cam is actually an old ZL1 cam - so i'm gonna try to sell that to pay for a new cam... no luck yet!@

Cheers
Aaron