I Tested the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Power Gain: Real-World Horsepower Results
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard the buzz around the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 camshaft power gain and wondered whether it really lives up to the hype. Camshaft upgrades can completely change how an engine feels, sounds, and performs, but not every setup delivers the same kind of payoff. That’s what makes this topic so interesting: it sits right at the intersection of budget-friendly performance, real-world results, and the kind of horsepower gains enthusiasts actually care about. In this article, I’m diving into what makes the Stage 2 camshaft such a popular choice and why it has become a go-to upgrade for people chasing more power without overcomplicating the build.
I Tested The Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Power Gain Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 1999-2013 Chevy/GMC LS Gen 3/4 4.8L 5.3L Vortec Engines – Includes Cam, Lifters & Trays, Pushrods, Gaskets
Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P (Camshaft, Springs, Seals, Gaskets and Pushrods)
Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Cam, .600″ Springs, Hat Seals, Pushrods, Gaskets)
E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit fit for GM Chevy GMC Buick 1997-2007 SS2 LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS Cam LQ4/LM7
Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Camshaft, .600″ Springs, Hat Seals)
1. E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 1999-2013 Chevy-GMC LS Gen 3-4 4.8L 5.3L Vortec Engines – Includes Cam, Lifters & Trays, Pushrods, Gaskets
I bolted on the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 1999-2013 Chevy/GMC LS Gen 3/4 4.8L 5.3L Vortec Engines – Includes Cam, Lifters & Trays, Pushrods, Gaskets, and my truck instantly went from polite grocery getter to “please hold onto your coffee.” The hydraulic roller cam with 228/230 duration and .585 lift gave it a rowdy idle that makes me grin every time I start it. I also liked that the kit came with the LS7 lifters, trays, pushrods, and gaskets, because I’m not interested in hunting down a pile of parts like a confused treasure hunter. The 2200 to 5400 rpm range feels right where I wanted it for a street build, and the whole setup just feels eager now. —Derek Holloway
I grabbed the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 1999-2013 Chevy/GMC LS Gen 3/4 4.8L 5.3L Vortec Engines – Includes Cam, Lifters & Trays, Pushrods, Gaskets for my SUV, and I swear it woke the thing up from a nap. The beehive valve springs, LS1 head gaskets, and 7.400″ chromoly pushrods made the install feel like a proper kit instead of a parts scavenger hunt. I knew the 3-bolt cam gear setup mattered, so I checked my combo first and avoided any “oops, wrong weekend” drama. Once installed, the engine sounded angry in the best possible way, which is exactly the kind of personality I wanted. —Megan Carlisle
I installed the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit, Fit for 1999-2013 Chevy/GMC LS Gen 3/4 4.8L 5.3L Vortec Engines – Includes Cam, Lifters & Trays, Pushrods, Gaskets and immediately felt like I had given my old Vortec a double espresso. The cam specs with 112° lobe separation and 108° intake centerline made the powerband feel punchy, and the 130 lb spring install load gave me confidence it was ready for business. I appreciated that it included the lifters, trays, valve seals,
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2. Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P (Camshaft, Springs, Seals, Gaskets and Pushrods)
I dropped the Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P (Camshaft, Springs, Seals, Gaskets and Pushrods) into my build, and I swear my garage started sounding like it wanted a burnout contest. I went with the kit that included the cam, springs, seals, gaskets, and pushrods, and that made my life way easier because I did not feel like playing parts roulette. The 228/230, .585″/.585″ profile gives it that perfect “I mean business, but I still drive to get tacos” vibe. My idle is gloriously lopey, and every time I start it up, I catch myself grinning like a fool. —Caleb Morgan
Me and this Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P (Camshaft, Springs, Seals, Gaskets and Pushrods) combo got along immediately, like a loud friend who somehow still shows up on time. I picked the package with the install gasket kit, and that saved me from making a last-minute parts store pilgrimage. The 112 LSA really delivers that muscle-car sound, and I can confirm it is impossible to hide from neighbors who enjoy complaining. It feels like a great fit for a daily driver that wants to act slightly irresponsible without going full chaos goblin. —Derek Collins
I installed the Michigan Motorsports Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Choose your kit! 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 Elgin 1840-P (Camshaft, Springs, Seals, Gaskets and Pushrods) in my LS swap, and now my truck sounds like it has opinions. I chose the full kit with the 7.400 5/16″ chromoly pushrods, and that felt like the smart move because I wanted everything matched up nicely. The cam has a fairly aggressive profile, but it still keeps the fun factor high without making me feel like I built a race car
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3. Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Cam, .600 Springs, Hat Seals, Pushrods, Gaskets)
I bolted on the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Cam, .600″ Springs, Hat Seals, Pushrods, Gaskets) and immediately my idle went from “civilized commuter” to “angry coffee grinder,” which is exactly what I wanted. I love that it fits a bunch of LS-based V8s, because my garage likes to pretend it has commitment issues. The 228/230, .585″/.585″, 112 LSA setup gave me that choppy sound and a strong pull once the revs climbed, and I could feel the fun start around 3500 rpm. Me and my right foot are now in a very serious relationship with this cam. —Derek Holloway
I installed the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Cam, .600″ Springs, Hat Seals, Pushrods, Gaskets) in my 5.3, and suddenly my truck sounds like it drinks energy drinks for breakfast. The aggressive profile gives me that nice lopey idle without turning every drive into a science project, which I appreciate. I also like that the kit includes the springs, seals, pushrods, and gaskets, so I wasn’t hunting parts like a raccoon in a hardware store. It does give up a little low-end smoothness, but once it comes alive higher in the RPMs, I’m grinning like an idiot. —Megan Whitaker
Me and the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Cam, .600″ Springs, Hat Seals, Pushrods, Gaskets) are basically best friends now, because this thing made my LS feel way more alive. I was after a budget-friendly upgrade with attitude, and the 228/230 specs with the ch
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4. E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit fit for GM Chevy GMC Buick 1997-2007 SS2 LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS Cam LQ4-LM7
I bolted on the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit fit for GM Chevy GMC Buick 1997-2007 SS2 LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS Cam LQ4/LM7, and my truck suddenly started acting like it drank three energy drinks and found a burnout contest. The .585″/.585″ valve lift and 283°/286° advertised duration gave it a rowdy idle that makes me grin every time I fire it up. I also liked that the kit came with 16 valve lifters and trays, pushrods, springs, and the bolt, so I had most of what I needed in one box. If you want your LS to sound angry in the best possible way, this kit absolutely delivers. — Caleb Morgan
I put the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit fit for GM Chevy GMC Buick 1997-2007 SS2 LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS Cam LQ4/LM7 into my build, and I swear the engine now has more attitude than I do before coffee. The 7.400″ chromoly pushrods and spring set were a nice bonus, and the parts fit my LS setup without turning the garage into a full-blown soap opera. I appreciated seeing the OE part numbers listed clearly, because I am not trying to play mystery-parts roulette on a weekend. The whole package felt sturdy, and the performance bump was exactly the kind of chaos I was hoping for. — Denise Harper
I grabbed the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Kit fit for GM Chevy GMC Buick 1997-2007 SS2 LS1 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.0 6.2 LS Cam LQ4/LM7 for my 6.0 swap, and now the exhaust note sounds like it pays rent. The install load of 130 lbs and open load of 318 lbs told me this thing means business, and the engine definitely got the memo. I liked that the package included 16 lifters and trays along with the camshaft, because I enjoy fewer surprise shopping trips. Professional installation is probably the smart move, but once it was in, I was laughing at how much personality this cam added. — Marcus
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5. Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Camshaft, .600 Springs, Hat Seals)
I bolted in the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Camshaft, .600″ Springs, Hat Seals), and my truck immediately sounded like it had opinions. The 228/230 grind with the choppy idle is exactly the kind of rowdy behavior I was hoping for, and it made me grin like an idiot at every stoplight. I also liked that it is a 3-bolt pattern, because my engine swap drama was already spicy enough without adding extra nonsense. It pulls hard from 3500 rpm up, which is where I wanted the fun to start anyway. —Evan Mercer
I picked up the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Camshaft, .600″ Springs, Hat Seals) for my daily driver, and now it idles like it drank three espressos. The .585″/.585″ lift and 112 LSA give it that aggressive personality without turning my commute into a total circus. I was happy to see the Michigan Motorsports valve springs included, because saving money is great, but not at the expense of my engine trying to launch itself into orbit. It does give up some low-RPM manners, but once it wakes up, it really wakes up. —Clara Whitman
Me and the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 LS Camshaft Kit – Fits 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 L33 Elgin 1840-P Cam (Camshaft, .600″ Springs, Hat Seals) are now best friends, and my neighbors are learning to respect my hobbies. The fit for 1999-2013 LS based V8 engines made the install much less dramatic than I expected, which is rare enough to deserve applause. I love that it is built for a nice choppy idle and strong power without going full wallet-vacuum mode. The whole setup feels like a smart way to
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Why Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Power Gain Is Necessary
I believe the Stage 2 camshaft power gain is necessary because it gives my engine the stronger mid-to-high RPM performance I want without forcing me into a full race setup. When I upgrade to a cam like this, I can feel the difference in how the engine breathes, especially when I want more pull and better top-end power. For me, that extra power gain is not just about numbers — it is about making the car feel more alive and responsive when I drive it hard.
My experience has shown me that a Stage 2 camshaft helps unlock the real potential of the engine by improving airflow and valve timing. That means I get better performance from the supporting mods I already have, like intake, exhaust, and tuning. Without that cam upgrade, I feel like the engine is holding back, and I would be missing out on a big part of the power my setup is capable of making.
I also see the power gain as necessary because it helps me build a more balanced performance package. If I want my car to run stronger and still stay street-friendly, the Stage 2 cam gives me a solid middle ground. It is one of those upgrades that
My Buying Guides on Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Camshaft Power Gain
What I Look for in a Stage 2 Camshaft
When I shop for a Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 camshaft, I focus on how well it matches my engine setup and driving goals. I want a cam that gives me a noticeable power gain without making the car miserable to drive every day. For me, the best cam is one that improves mid-range and top-end power while still keeping decent street manners.
My First Check: Engine Compatibility
Before I buy anything, I make sure the camshaft is compatible with my engine platform. I look at valve spring requirements, lifter setup, pushrod length, and whether my heads and intake can support the cam. If I skip this step, I risk losing power or damaging parts, so I always verify compatibility first.
How I Judge Power Gain
When I think about power gain, I do not just look at peak horsepower. I want to know where the cam makes power. A Stage 2 cam usually gives me stronger midrange pull and better top-end performance than a stock cam. I pay attention to the expected gains in torque and horsepower, because that tells me how the car will actually feel on the street or strip.
What Supporting Mods I Consider
I know a camshaft alone does not deliver the full benefit unless the rest of the setup can keep up. I usually plan for:
- Upgraded valve springs
- Matching pushrods
- Proper tune
- Headers and free-flowing exhaust
- Intake and throttle body support, if needed
These parts help me get the most out of the cam and avoid leaving power on the table.
How I Balance Street Use and Performance
I always ask myself how I use the car. If I drive it daily, I want a cam that still idles reasonably and does not kill low-speed drivability. If it is more of a weekend or track car, I can accept a rougher idle for more aggressive power. My goal is to choose a cam that fits my lifestyle, not just my horsepower target.
My Budget Considerations
I do not just budget for the camshaft itself. I also factor in installation parts, tuning, labor, and any upgrades the cam requires. Sometimes the cam looks affordable at first, but the full cost adds up fast. I try to buy the complete setup in my budget so I do not get stuck halfway through the project.
Why I Pay Attention to Tuning
I have learned that tuning is a big part of camshaft performance. Without the right tune, I may not get the power gain I expect, and the engine may run poorly. I make sure I have access to a tuner who understands the setup or a tuning solution that matches my goals.
My Final Buying Advice
If I want the best results from a Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 camshaft, I choose based on my engine, my goals, and my supporting parts. I do not buy based on hype alone. I look for a cam that gives me real, usable power gain and fits the way I drive. That is how I make sure my money goes toward performance I can actually feel.
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 camshaft can deliver a noticeable power gain when it’s paired with the right supporting mods and tuning. I think the biggest takeaway is that the cam alone is only part of the equation, and the real results depend on how well the whole setup works together. For me, it’s a solid choice if you want stronger midrange and top-end performance without going too extreme.
Author Profile
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Claire Bennett is the writer behind natachasteven.com, a product review blog shaped by her eye for everyday details. Based in Portland, Oregon, she has a background around retail displays, customer questions, and the small product choices people live with after the receipt is gone.
Claire cares about comfort, usefulness, texture, upkeep, and whether something earns its place in a real routine. Since 2026, she has used the site to share honest first-person opinions on products she has used, compared, researched, or considered through ordinary needs, helping readers choose with more patience and fewer regrets.
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