I'm doing the ls9 swap just like that OP! I can't wait!!! I'm doing headers and cam at same time!!

 

Looking forward to seeing your results.

 

You will gain a significant amount of midrange torque with a small to moderately sized custom ground cam, over the LS9. Remember, the LS9 cam is ground for a smooth idle, emissions, stock exhaust manifolds, and is made to work with a supercharger. There is very little valve overlap. It is NOT ideal for an NA 6.2L with headers, it just happens to produce good peak numbers. You don't need a 20* split between the I/E lobes. Not saying the LS9 is a bad option, its just not the "best" option. For me personally, if I'm going to the trouble of installing a cam, it is going to be exactly what I want.

I have compared this swap to installing an LS6 cam in an LS1. It produced very good peak numbers, but didn't have near the midrange power of a well spec'd custom grind. There were a lot of guys who were happy with their swap though, so that's all that matters.

 

I agree with everything you said about other grinds that will provide more power for our 6.2L N/A motors. My question is whether to stay VVT cam or conventional. Although tuning a VVT cam is more difficult, can it produce more power with a broader curve and still maintain decent fuel economy?....I'm betting it can. The technology was designed to "have your cake and eat it too", but has the aftermarket capitalized on it yet?...IMHO not yet. VVT is not new technolgy (OHC ricers been using it for years), it is a new application on Chevy GEN IV's. I'm guessing that it will mature fairly quickly with Comp and other cam manufacturers to bring us more efficient performance. Nothing magic, just raising the bar a notch....hopefully somewhat similar the results that direct injection had on the V6 Chevy Camaros.

 

You just need to have the cam you want ground with the proper advance to work with VVT. It doesn't HAVE to be a specific VVT grind. You advance the cam down low for more power and retard it up high for more power. They key is finding what settings in the tune will yield the best results. If it is a custom cam, you will have to spend time testing at the track or on a dyno.

 

the difference between the ls7 and ls9 cam is lsa. 2.5 degree difference.

ls9 uses 1.7 lifters vs the 1.8 on the ls7.

same lift. same duration.

 

You any closer to doing the ls9 cam.....?

 

i have the parts. just need time to do it. it will probably sit next to the 4.10 gear i have had for over a year

 

Ha! Thats kinda like my headers I have had for about 8 or 9 months! Gonna do them at same time I guess