VCM Performance offers a diverse range of camshafts. Their range cover all bases from stealth & stock variants, mid-range/ street friendly grinds & their Heavy Hitter larger spec camshafts. (see image below)

We get asked on a daily basis which is the best cam in their range & reality is that answer varies between each person & their application. As you will see on the graph the VCM range has a number of larger spec camshafts however they each have very different characteristics, but what does it all mean & what is the difference?
Basically, the easiest way to work this out is to simply compare the options.

Note: If you are looking for something to suit a stock stall converter or something that doesn't attract attention then this is not the article for you!

Let's start with one of the early VCM originals.

VCM 710 Camshaft:

This is one of their most popular camshaft grinds by far.
Almost every Cam manufacturer has made a version of a 232/234 duration camshaft for an LS for a reason.
It simply works.
The VCM 710 camshaft is a great all-rounder cam that gives you exactly what you would want from a cam upgrade.
Lumpy Idle (VCM rate the idle at 9 out of 10), solid mid-range that carries up into the top end. This camshaft unlike its VCM 7 predecessor doesn't sacrifice a great deal down low however it does like an upgraded diff ratio in manual applications.
This cam is an excellent choice for engines using a cathedral port head such as an LS1 or LS2 engine as the close duration split & tight lobe separation angle responds really well to this.
This grind also responds really well to CNC Ported Heads for not only the increased flow but the increased compression!

Next up,

VCM 713 Camshaft:

This is quite a bit of a jump in terms of camshaft size. This cam as you can see by the graph is larger all around in terms of duration, valve lift & even the operating range.
Although this camshaft tends to make more horsepower & torque in the upper rpm range this does come at a sacrifice in the lower rpm range as it shifts the power & torque to come in a little later by on average 600rpm!
They rate the idle on this camshaft at 9 out of 10 also however very different in terms of the actual sound and chop it produces. A slower lumpier idle compared to the 710s faster overlapping angry chop.

We have had a tonne of success running this camshaft in cars that are street cars that want to also hit the track or simply like to take a beating in the upper rpm range.

This cam is great in rectangle port cylinder head engines like the L98, L77/L76 & even LS3.
CNC Porting of the heads on these engines is not exactly necessary however it does offer a nice gain on top of an already well performing camshaft.

VCM 122 Camshaft:

This cam is one of their more recent camshaft profiles and has already proven to be a stout all round performer.
As you can see by the graph this camshaft comes on earlier than the VCM 713 & makes power much further than both the VCM 710 & VCM 713. What does this mean? When comparing two identical engines with the camshaft being the only difference, this results in a combo that makes more power earlier in the RPM range that carries right through until the top-end which results in a faster car. We've tested this & found a solid 10kw gain throughout the range & a final 15rwkw overall gain over the 710 on the same engine! 

VCM rates the idle at a hefty 9.5 out of 10 which could be a touch understated in our opinion. 

This camshaft has proven to work extremely well in pretty much all LS variants.
LS1 & LS2 Engines respond extremely well as they like a revvy/ snappy type camshaft that generates its torque early & allows the engine to really stretch its legs. CNC Porting on these with this cam offers huge gains in both HP & Torque!
The rectangle port L98, L77/L76 & LS3 engines really come alive with this grind as they already produce a lot of down low torque, so this cam compliments them across the board. CNC porting also responds well as it benefits the upper RPM range but also the cam profile allows the heads to be decked to increase compression which helps the downlow & midrange even further!

This is by far one of our favorites!

VCM 13 Camshaft:

Finally, the largest & the oldest cam profile in their range. The VCM 13 is by far the most notable VCM original.

This camshaft as just nasty! They rate the idle a solid 10 out of 10 & that is no understatement. It is an angry midrange to top-end camshaft designed to maximize the engine combo & produce numbers.
This camshaft comes in the latest in their RPM range with an operating range of 4,500 - 7,200+. This one definitely needs a diff ratio upgrade & a large converter in auto applications. Due to this it gets their lowest rating in fuel economy but despite not being intended as a daily driver it definitely has its place. If you are wanting something that will come alive in the top end with no regard for how it drives in traffic this one should be considered. 
It is strongly recommended to combine CNC Ported heads in LS1 & LS2 applications to increase compression, bring on the torque earlier which results in a hard-hitting torque curve once this grind brings the power on!

Rectangle port engines will also respond well with CNC Porting however this cam will not leave much piston to valve clearance if the heads are decked so that needs to be kept in mind!

If you want all out power. This is the option for you.

Out of all of the above options it really is hard to say which camshaft is best however we find the most popular option for the customers wanting that grind that ticks all of the boxes the VCM 122 tends to be the winning choice. Offering a lumpy idle with decent street manners & an operating range that is extremely wide delivers a guaranteed happy customer with a pretty solid street car! 

If you are looking for a camshaft upgrade for your LS engine, definitely check out our VCM Camshaft Range.

Camshaft Packages - LSX Performance Parts

If you are unsure what will work best for you, get in touch & our LS experts will help you decide.