LM7 LS2 Cam Swap Questions

[izzy_Britton]

O.k. So i have been reading up on all sorts of stuff, here there and everywhere. A lot of the info makes sense, and some leaves me scratching my head.

Like this one, As the topic states LM7 LS2 swap.

I had not really considered any sort of performance enhancements for my LM7 swap into my 86 C-10. but after reading another build and swap thread as well as an article on cams, I have reconsidered the non-enhanced stance in favor of a LS2 cam swap. By all initial reports it is a simple cam swap that adds a little performance at a best bang for the buck el-cheapo price. But a few things just dont ad up for me. So here are the questions. please straighten out my wonky way of thinking here.


LM7 is a gen 3/III while the LS2 is a gen 4/IV. It is my understanding that the gen 3 is a single bolt timing gear cam while the gen 4 requires 3 bolts for the timing gear? and that the two are NOT compatible. so how do you install a 3 bolt cam into a one bolt engine?

The other half of this issue is that the gen 3 is a rear mounted cam sensor while the gen 4 is a front mounted sensor. obviously you cant install the cam backwards so how the heck does this work?

now assuming that i could indeed install a (at first glance) incompatible cam into my engine, do the valve springs and pushrods require changing? or is it a drop in item?

thanks in advance.

-Izzy