Brian Tooley Racing Camshaft Guide: LS & LT Cam Selection Explained
Brian Tooley Racing built its reputation on LS and LT camshafts that deliver real power gains without turning a daily driver into something undrivable. With dozens of grinds across stages and applications, here's how to figure out which one fits your combination.
Naturally Aspirated vs. Boosted Grinds
BTR camshafts are generally optimized for either naturally aspirated or forced-induction applications, and the two aren't interchangeable if you want the best results. A cam ground for a boosted or nitrous application typically uses less overlap to control cylinder pressure and reduce the chance of reversion, while N/A-focused grinds lean on more overlap and duration to maximize cylinder filling at higher RPM.
Stage Numbers Are a Starting Point, Not a Rule
BTR's stage system (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and so on) roughly corresponds to increasing lift, duration, and the RPM range where the cam makes its power. Lower stages keep a stock-like idle and strong low-end torque — good for daily drivers and trucks. Higher stages shift the powerband up and trade away some low-RPM manners for peak output, which suits dedicated performance builds better than commuters.
Match the Cam to Your Valvetrain
A more aggressive cam needs valvetrain components that can keep up — stiffer valve springs, trunnion upgrades, and in some cases beehive or dual spring setups. BTR sells matched spring and retainer kits specifically to pair with their cam stages, which takes the guesswork out of valvetrain compatibility.
Transmission and Torque Converter Matter Too
A cam with a lot of overlap loses low-end vacuum and torque, which can make an automatic feel sluggish off the line without a converter change. If you're running an automatic behind a more aggressive cam, plan on a matched torque converter to keep the power usable in daily driving.
Don't Forget the Pushrods
Changing lift and duration often changes pushrod length requirements, especially with aftermarket heads or a different lifter. BTR's extensive pushrod catalog covers the small length and diameter increments that matter for proper geometry — don't skip this step just because it feels like a minor detail.
Shop the full Brian Tooley Racing camshaft, valvetrain, and pushrod lineup at Hypermotive Performance, and reach out if you want help matching a cam to your specific combination.