Ok so I'm posting this because the quick search route didn't give me any real info. I just got a 92 LS and for now I'm planning on staying with an LS instead of going the ls/vtec route or swapping to another motor. The car runs good and hard and has low miles, but i want more power, turbo or supercharging is ruled out. So can i get some opinions on some good camshafts for the LS? i kno i'm looking for the best life and duration since im staying naturally aspirated but can i get some opinions from personal experience and such? thanks it's really appreciated.

 

i got my cams from crower on their website. theyre stage 2 street/strip cams. good duration could use a little more lift but they definately gave me a big gain, but i also added oversize valves. you ll need to get the springs and retainers kit to go with the cams. whatever you do make sure you get billet cams and not factory regrinds. if your going all motor crower also makes lightweight rods for the b series.

 

I've been wanting to get camshafts for my 90 ls b18a but eventually I would like to add about 8 maybe 12 psi of boost via turbo. Can I do this with out blowing my engine. obviously I will need a good tune and have the timing adjusted. Dont know much about cams for b18a's. looking into getting forged internals if the bosst is over 8 psi. Any advice would be nice im still a noob.

 

i have crower stage 1 cams in my b20 (same as for an ls). no need to upgrade springs or anything in the head. just put them in and set the timing. i noticed a big difference in the top end mainly 4k and above (which is where the stock power band really starts working anyhow). i love them!!

to the guy wanting to boost also...no need for forged internals on 8 pounds. a stock ls will hold up to 12 without a problem and will even hold 15 safely on a GOOD tune. i personally am going to go with 15 pounds and a very good tune once i pick up another block.

 

this is wonderful help, i was thinking of getting crower stage 1 but i think the added horsepower from stage 2 would satisfy specially since crower has them on special for 314 which is the same price as stage 1....if i got stage 2 tho would i need a tune? and another question is the GSR intake manifold compatible with the ls?

 

hell, if they're on sale for the same price as the stage 1's i'd jump on that if i were you. i got my stage 1's off ebay for 190 shipped to my door, brand new, never used so i cant complain about that!!

as for the tuning question...get yourself a good pair of adjustable cam gears (like AEM). my cams did not need to be tuned, but the added profile of a stage 2 might need to be. you just need someone good with tuning to adjust your gears (aftermarket ones that is) and you should be ok.

as for the manifold...i forget if they are or not but i wouldn't do it. i'd just get a skunk2 and be done with it. i LOVE my skunk2! makes a hell of a difference in the top end on an ls. the cams and manifold are def. a great combination!!!

 

i want to jump on the stage 2 cams but then i need a retainer kit and thats $350... so in total id pay $664 plus w.e the cam gears cost plus tuning... for that i rather get the stage 1's get cam gears and a pair of type r pistons, the cars already chipped and runs a lot harder than regular ls'...i beat my boys bubble with an ls no interior and mines full interior plus a spare tire in the back... if i had the money though i wouldn think twice about goin with the stage 2...anyway thanks alot everyone its been great help..

 

yeah i know what you mean man. and stage 1s with some type r pistons would run pretty damn good! just grab a skunk2 manifold and you're set. nice job beating the hatch, i like it! lol

 

bah if your going to boost you might as well wait and get the crower 402t's there so much better!!! i am going to sell my stage 2 crowers to get them...i wish i would have just waited! take it from someone who's done what your trying to do and wait. go ahead and buy your turbo kit get your map sensor and some kind of hondata then worry about your cams/springs retainers. youll be ALOT more happy running around on 8psi in 6 months than cams on a stock ls for 6 months i promise!

 

how much for ur cams? i kno exactly wut u mean but theres a lot of cosmetic work that has to be done.. for now im cool rolling around with a little more muscle than stock under the hood while i make her look better but in all honesty i rather have a car that i feel comfortable displaying than one with a lot of horsepower and doesnt attract any women...but yeah how much for ur cams?

 

Please do not tell people that a stock motor will "hold 12 psi". That is an incredible blanket statement based on no fact whatsoever. You cant tell someone how much psi they are going to be able to hold without knowing what model turbo they are running, and even if you did know, it would still be a challenge. IF you have to estimate, do it in horsepower.

To the OP, do yourself a favor and get the pieces that Crower recommends with the cams. The GSR IM does not fit a B18a/b, and if you're going to get cams or an IM (don't do one without the other really) you need to get it tuned or you'll just be wasting your money. You cant expect the ECU to know that you have performance parts, thats why you tune it.