quick question about exhaust cam....might be interchangeable!

[cardelino18]

ok so i have been reading that if you tune the exhaust cam you actually loose power... but something just came up on ccs.net and wanted to share it to ask a couple of questions to the guys that actually know their stuff...

this is what came up:

ECOtec CAMSHAFT INFO SHEET
This sheet provides basic information regarding production camshafts used in the ECOtec engines listed
below. This information is accurate as of November, 2006. GM reserves the right to change
specifications and part numbers without notice.

Note: ECOtec Engine codes refer to the following
L61 - 2.2L, used in Saturn ION & VUE; Chevy Cobalt & HHR, Pontiac G5
LE5 - 2.4L, used in Saturn ION & Sky, Chevy Cobalt SS & HHR, Pontiac G5 GT, G6, & Solstice
LSJ - 2.0L supercharged, used in Saturn ION Redline, Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged
LNF- 2.0L turbocharged, used in Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline

Production ECOtec Camshaft Specifications:
INTAKE Cam Valve Valve Duration Valve area
Part Peak Lift Peak Lift Timing @1mm lash @1mm lash
12587985 - LSJ 5.9557 10.03790354 100 196.50 1117.70
12590699 - ’07 L61 5.9804 10.07953361 116 198.40 1112.90
12578511 - LE5 6.2551 10.54252068 135 210.30 1253.30
12589335 - LNF 6.111207 10.29999939 126 203.60 1171.30

EXHAUST Cam Valve Valve Duration Valve area
Part Peak Lift Peak Lift Timing @1mm lash @1mm lash
12584363 - LSJ 5.9543 10.04392819 -115 191.70 1076.40
12590700 - ’07 L61 5.9752 10.07918306 -108 193.30 1078.00
12578512 - LE5 5.95143 10.03908697 -125 195.40 1092.70
12589340 - LNF 6.106106 10.30000003 -120 194.00 1106.00

Notes regarding camshaft interchangeability:
�� The L61 (2.2L ECOtec) camshaft changed for the 2007 model year. This change was to go to a less
aggressive cam profile with less noise, less jerk, less impact load, and better valve dynamics.
�� The 2007 L61 intake cam cannot interchange with any other production ECOtec cam.
�� The 2007 L61 exhaust cam is interchangeable with the ‘06 L61 and the LSJ exhaust cams.
�� The 2006 L61 intake and LSJ intake and exhaust cams are the same casting. However, the LSJ cam
sensor is driven with a hex bushing pressed into the rear of the exhaust cam. In order to operate
properly, the production LSJ cam sensor requires a cam which has a hex bushing pressed into the
exhaust camshaft with the exact orientation in angularity to the cam.
�� The 2006 L61 cams and LSJ cams are the same profiles at different timings. The 2006MY L61
timings are 116 intake, -103 exhaust. The LSJ timings are 100 intake, -115 exhaust.
�� The LNF and LE5 exhaust cams could interchange. The LNF and LE5 cams are not interchangeable
in any other way or with any other ECOtec cams.Valve springs are the same across all variants, and should be upgraded for high-rpm operation or
increased lift.
The GM Performance Parts ECOtec cam set (88958648 set or 88958636/7 individually) are aggressive
race cams, not stock-replacement cams. They require upgraded valve springs and retainers. These
cams were designed for a race motor, using the ‘06 L61 as the starting point. The cams will not fit the
2.4L LE5 head and will not work with the stock ECM or lifters. They physically fit the 2.0L LSJ head, but
the vacuum pump / cam sensor will not work in a regular production engine.


my questions are what would happen if we do get some aftermarket exhaust cam on it and tune that cam from the LE5??? do you think we will see some power gains? are they worth the price? IDK im still doing research on it but can seem to find anything so im guessing is new...

thanks in advance!


this is what term did and i think BYT dyno and ended up loosing power top end...

Smooth those cam changes into the lower load areas. That will help prevent valve destruction. Like this

Try this exhaust cam table it should help low end and midrange torque some and top end hopefully.

also i found this cams from the LE5 and this s the exhaust cam spec on it:
PRIMARY EXHAUST
ADV
256* 417L
@.050
202*
from J Body Performance...

[BackyardTurbo_FTW]

It actually gained power when further advancing the intake cam above 5500. Anything I did with the exhaust cam lost power tho, and badly above 6k!

But after gaining power and then doing an acceleration test, it was slower. I still never went to the track to try running either back to back and see what the difference was.

[cardelino18]

yea but my question is how much power can we expect if i get a LE5 exhaust cam? with this spec:

PRIMARY EXHAUST
ADV
256* 417L
@.050
202*

[Jaxon]

iirc something is cam driven on the lnf and can't be swapped with anything else. I think it was the high pressure fuel pump? its been awhile lol.

[rnjmur]

I am pretty sure you are right Jaxon, I am pretty sure the HPFP is driven by the intake cam.

I personally don't see how swapping cams on the LNF is going to ever be advantagous to power.

[cardelino18]

being able to open up the valves for longer... people with big turbos would gain a good amount of power if its possible...

[cardelino18]

iirc something is cam driven on the lnf and can't be swapped with anything else. I think it was the high pressure fuel pump? its been awhile lol.

isnt that for the intake cam anyways? we are only changing the exhast cam...

[Gimpster]

Yah, the pump is on the intake side.

Does the LE5 run a Bosch sourced PCM? If not I'd be curious if the reluctor ring on the cam sensor is different between the LE5/LNF.

Not that I'll be swapping cams anytime soon

[Jaxon]

for bigger turbos, you can adjust the cam timing like you want, no need for a cam swap to the le5 cam. atleast in my understandings(which are still pretty basic when it comes to tuning)

[rnjmur]

being able to open up the valves for longer... people with big turbos would gain a good amount of power if its possible...

I don't think any small gain you would see is worth the work to swap the cam then have the nightmare of tuning the VVT for it.

[Terminator2]

being able to open up the valves for longer... people with big turbos would gain a good amount of power if its possible...

You can change the valve timing with HP Tuners. If you are wondering there is a way to make that big turbo of yours spool faster by just changing the intake and exhaust cam timining especially below 4,500 RPMs.

[oldskool]

If i'm reading the specs properly, you're switching from a cam with less duration and more peak lift (LNF exhaust) TO a cam with more duration and less peak lift (LE5 Exhaust). That is a backwards step IMO. A regrind of the LNF cams to yeild more peak lift would be a much more worth while endevor.