Mattt

Looking for cam recommendation for a 6.0 lq9 that does towing duty, daily driver duty and road trips. I also need it to be smog check friendly, so nothing lopey or rowdy. This is the last piece of the puzzle in this build and I've gone back and forth, having looked at Summit cam 8718 or 8719, TSP stg 2 low lift, and now considering a factory TBSS camshaft as a happy medium. I also have the "1721" factory 6.0 cam in hand, so that is always an option since I have it in hand.

Anyone been down this road and willing to share real world experience, that needed to take into account every other year smog inspections? Unfortunate way of life here in 'Rat controlled CA.

Thanks in advance for .02 cents or more.....

Richardman1992

iTrader: (5)

A comp 212/218 low lift passed with flying colors in my 5.3 back in 2013, the last time I had emissions done in California

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

I put one step up from that in an LQ4 The XR269HR its 216/220 .525/.532 114 LSA 112 ICL and it woke it up.

A friend of mine put in a re-ground factory cam in his LQ4 and he was happy with it 206/214 .527/.549 112LSA

The other thing you can do is have it ground on a 114LSA.

These would be my 2 choices from TSP. Just be aware that TSP will not ship directly to California. Some of there suppliers will though.Texas Speed Low Lift 208/214, .550/.550, 112 LSA Camshaft
Texas Speed Low Lift 212/218, .550/.550 Camshaft With Your Choice of Lobe Separation

I have the comp HR265XR mentioned above in my 5.3L and I have virtually tuned the idle so its smooth and not lumpy like in the TSP video of the stage 2. Some people like that while others do not.

dantheman1540

I didn't realize TSP wouldn't ship directly to Cali, that sucks.

68Formula

My understanding, a -6 degrees max overlap @ .050 is required to pass CA on a 5.3L. With a 6.0L, you should be able to go more than that. So either Summit cam would probably work. I've heard good things about the TSP Truck Stage 2 (212/218) high lift being a really great towing cam in a 6.0L. You could have them use a 114LSA for a greater safety margin.

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

Yup, Thanks to C.A.R.B. suing companies like Jegs, A lot of companies will no longer sell or distribute directly to California.

I couldn't even get Valve springs when they were on sale even though Valve springs don't effect emission's output.

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/nationwi...gal-auto-parts

dantheman1540

Makes me love Florida even more. I bet that XR269HR is perfect in an lq4, did you noticed any efficiency change MPG wise?

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

I didn't keep track of it.
on a friends 2500 Lq4 truck we did a cam similar to TSP stage 1 and it retained pretty much its OEM mpg

Mattt

Thank you all for the replies and prior experience on what you've done. It seems like the 212/218 is the real favorite in this situation. I've been leary of it because of past experience over-camming an engine on something else. Still giving that option serious consideration.

I mentioned the TBSS factory cam, which after research I see is a multi vehicle shared LS2 factory camshaft(last 4 digits 4519). From what I found, it's the same cam in the TBSS, GTO, certain year 'Vette and maybe one other? As far as specs, it seems to be right in the middle ground between the 6.0 lq4/lq9 cam I have (last 4 digits 1721) and the widely regarded 212/218 low lift cam. It being the middle ground has appeal, not too small, not too big. I'm okay leaving a bit out there by not going to the biggest baddest best cam out there since I have the CA factor.

Anyone else BTDT and used a factory LS2 camshaft in an LQ9? Good, bad?

From what I've read, it appears I need to get the earlier version LS2 cam (4519 part #) so it's 3 bolt gear and 1x for the cam sensor which I think is the same as the factory lq9 (1721 part #) cam spec. Is that correct?
I've read some info that's not clear to me if I will have to swap front timing covers and move the cam sensor up front as opposed to the lq4/lq9 rear block location cam sensor, if I source the correct, early LS2 camshaft?
Can I visually ID the early 4519 cam to be compatible with a rear block cam sensor? I've found a low mileage take out LS2 cam that has the "4519" on the face above the QR code.

Thank you all for replies on this.

Mattt

Ok, I guess the LS2 cam option is either a total turd or no one has opted for it previously. I suppose the thread silence should be a sign to move along from the LS2 cam for my application.