Weak low end torque and surging as far as I know. Some guys love them.

Don

Gotcha. I hope that isn't the case with mine. I guess time will tell. Thanks

Josh

Hey Josh, I was just in Atascadero this weekend picking up an LS1. I used to live down there for a long time. I'll be back a couple more times this month and next.

Also.. something to think about: The aftermarket cams will need periodic review of the valve springs if you go over a certain lift. The 525 has some sacrifices in order to achieve a higher HP number, but it's under warranty, and theoretically won't need valve springs to be changed.

Texas Speed has a cam that adds 104 HP to an otherwise factory LS3, but it's going to be rough on valve springs (which might not be ideal for a daily driver car) and requires tuning.

The headers and intakes most people put on the engines also helps a bit with power output. Tuning makes the most of these also.

"Texas Speed has a cam that adds 104 HP to an otherwise factory LS3"
Where is that listed??

X2. Where is that TS cam?

The GM Hot Cam (525) is 95 HP over the stock 430 LS3. I liked the way it sounded and the performance was great. No surging or any other issues.

So where to you get the "sacrifice" on the GM 525 crate motor?

Torque at over 400#s at 3000 rpm and almost 500#s at 4500 rpm

BFG Rival S 335/18s with 3.70 gears and a T56 Magnum would spin the tires all the way deep into 3rd

Thats crazy. What a small world!!! I live in paso robles but my shop is in atascadero. Wow 104hp is a huge increase. I'll keep that in mind if I need more hp! Thx

I think the Hot Cam is in the 480 hp. The 525 hp version uses the ASA cam. Interesting thing is the 480 hp version has more torque and hp up to 4500 rpm in the curves I saw. Depending on how you drive the 480 hp MAY be a better choice.

Don

I was just looking to compare my motor to the 525hp ls3 crate. I ordered mine from SMC Performance and here are the specs they list. Its a 515hp ls3 crate. I didn't see many specs online for the 525 besides saying it has the ASA camshaft.

Engine Build Specs. Upgrades marked in red

10:7 to 1 static compression
New GM LS3 Aluminum Block
New GM LS3 Aluminum Heads, Dual Patriot Performance valve springs with titanium retainers
GM flat top pistons, with GM ring pack
New GM Performance coated main and rod bearings
New GM LS3 rods with ARP rod bolts
New GM LS3 nodular iron crankshaft (58X)
New GM high volume oil pump
New GM LS3 1.7 rocker arms
New custom ground Competition Cams camshaft. SMC Stage 2 with good idle and driveability
New GM LS7 hydraulic roller lifter
GM head bolts
5/16" Chromoly push rods
New GM LS3 C6 Corvette wet sump oil pan
New GM intake manifold assembly 42 LB. injectors
New GM LS3 Ignition coils and wires
New GM gaskets and seals

Are most of these upgrades the same as the 525hp build? Im not a motor guy and went with this setup from talking with SMC. Thanks

Yes you are correct on the cams

Here are the dyno sheets for both comparison. The torque for the 525 is higher across the curve

I also installed a 480 in a friends 69 and he loves it. If you look at the dyno sheets it appears the 480 dynoed closer to 500 hp at 6000 rpm and I believe I'm now seeing it marketed as Chevrolet Performance LS376/480 LS3 6.2L 495HP Engine

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Perf...01358/10002/-1

Different curves with different result here:

http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/1...ight-LS3-crate

I'm going to guess the 480 produces more torque down at 2000 rpm....

Don