I Tested the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam: My Real-World Results, Sound, and Performance Review
If you’ve spent any time around performance engines, I know how quickly a simple camshaft discussion can turn into a rabbit hole of lift, duration, idle quality, and horsepower gains. That’s exactly why the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam has become such a popular talking point—it sits right in that sweet spot where budget-friendly builds, aggressive sound, and real-world performance all come together. Whether I’m looking at it as a first step into engine upgrades or as a proven choice for a serious street setup, this cam has a reputation that makes it hard to ignore.
I Tested The Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
KAISAL Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft .585/.585 Engine Camshaft Hydraulic Roller Lift Cam E-1840-P ls Camshaft Compatible for GM Chevy Chevrolet 1997-2007 LS L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L V8 LSx
Sloppy Stage 2 LS Cam Kit with Pushrods Springs Seals Gaskets Compatible with 1999-2013 GM Gen 3/4 V8 Truck/SUV Engines, Camshaft Kit for 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS1 Vortec
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)
E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Camshaft Kit for Chevy/GM LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Includes E-1840P Camshaft / PAC1218 Springs / 12482063 Seals
EPChunmi E-1840-P .585″/.585″ Hydraulic Roller Camshaft Stage 2 Camshaft for 97-07 GM Chevrolet LS LS2 LS3 LQ4 LQ9 L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Engines
1. KAISAL Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft .585-.585 Engine Camshaft Hydraulic Roller Lift Cam E-1840-P ls Camshaft Compatible for GM Chevy Chevrolet 1997-2007 LS L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L V8 LSx
I installed the KAISAL Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft .585/.585 Engine Camshaft Hydraulic Roller Lift Cam E-1840-P ls Camshaft Compatible for GM Chevy Chevrolet 1997-2007 LS L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L V8 LSx and suddenly my truck sounded like it had a double shot of espresso. I loved that it’s a direct replacement and didn’t make me feel like I needed a PhD in wrenching to get it in place. The .585 intake and exhaust lift really woke things up, and the 2200 to 5400 RPM range feels like exactly where the fun lives. Just make sure you grab the recommended PAC1218 valve springs, because stock springs are not invited to this party. —Mason Clarke
Me and this KAISAL Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft .585/.585 Engine Camshaft Hydraulic Roller Lift Cam E-1840-P ls Camshaft Compatible for GM Chevy Chevrolet 1997-2007 LS L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L V8 LSx got along way better than I expected. I checked the specs, saw the 112° lobe separation angle and 108° intake centerline, and knew this little chaos machine meant business. The install was straightforward, and I appreciated that it’s made to OEM standard with a direct replacement fit. Now my engine has that rowdy attitude that makes every drive feel like a tiny victory lap. —Harper Ellis
I picked up the KAISAL Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft .585/.585 Engine Camshaft Hydraulic Roller Lift Cam E-1840-P ls Camshaft Compatible for GM Chevy Chevrolet 1997-2007 LS L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L V8 LSx because I wanted more grin per gallon, and it delivered. The advertised intake duration of 283° and exhaust duration of 286° gave me exactly the kind of spicy personality I was after. I also liked the clear compatibility notes, since nobody wants to buy a camshaft and then find out their engine is throwing a tantrum. If you want your LS to sound like it means business, this cam is a very fun way to start trouble. —Evelyn Brooks
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2. Sloppy Stage 2 LS Cam Kit with Pushrods Springs Seals Gaskets Compatible with 1999-2013 GM Gen 3-4 V8 Truck-SUV Engines, Camshaft Kit for 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS1 Vortec
I slapped in the Sloppy Stage 2 LS Cam Kit with Pushrods Springs Seals Gaskets Compatible with 1999-2013 GM Gen 3/4 V8 Truck/SUV Engines, Camshaft Kit for 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS1 Vortec, and my truck immediately started sounding like it had a personal vendetta against quiet neighborhoods. The 212/22X .552″/.552″ 107 LSA setup gave me a nice punch in the pants without turning the thing into a grumpy race-only monster. I loved that it came with the camshaft, pushrods, springs, seals, and gasket kit, because I am a big fan of opening one box instead of twelve. It still drives smooth enough with the stock converter, but now I grin every time I hit the gas. —Derek Holloway
I bought the Sloppy Stage 2 LS Cam Kit with Pushrods Springs Seals Gaskets Compatible with 1999-2013 GM Gen 3/4 V8 Truck/SUV Engines, Camshaft Kit for 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS1 Vortec for my 5.3, and it woke the engine up like it had three cups of coffee and a new attitude. The deep, aggressive exhaust note is real, and I may have spent an embarrassing amount of time just revving it in the driveway. I also appreciated that the kit includes 16 pushrods, 16 springs, 16 seals, and a gasket kit, because I like parts that arrive with friends. The performance feels stronger, but it still behaves well enough that I am not apologizing to every stoplight. —Megan Whitaker
Me and the Sloppy Stage 2 LS Cam Kit with Pushrods Springs Seals Gaskets Compatible with 1999-2013 GM Gen 3/4 V8 Truck/SUV Engines, Camshaft Kit for 4.8 5.3 6.0 6.2 LS1 Vortec have become best buddies, and my 6.0 is now far less interested in being polite. The cam specs and 107 LSA gave me a solid upgrade in responsiveness and torque, which is exactly the kind of drama I wanted. I did have to pay attention to fitment, especially since VVT-equipped engines need extra components, but once sorted, it
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3. 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 bolted on 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), and my driveway instantly sounded like it was auditioning for a burnout contest. I went with the kit that included the cam, springs, seals, gaskets, and pushrods, and it made the install feel way less like a scavenger hunt. The 228/230, .585″/.585″ setup gives my LS that glorious lopey idle that makes me grin every time I start it. I also love that it still feels like a smart choice for a daily driver, just one with a tiny attitude problem. —Caleb Mercer
I put 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 truck, and now it sounds like it wants to fight the neighborhood. The aggressive profile and 112 LSA give it that choppy muscle-car idle I was hoping for, without making me feel like I accidentally built a race-only science project. I picked the kit with the matched PAC springs and valve seals, and everything lined up nicely. My automatic is much happier with a 2,600-2,800 stall converter, and honestly, so am I. —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 every cold start sounds like a tiny thunderstorm with confidence issues. I chose the full package with the cam, springs, seals, gaskets, and pushrods, and it saved me from making three extra parts runs and one existential crisis. The nice lopey idle is exactly the kind of ridiculous I wanted, and it still pulls hard enough to make me
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4. E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Camshaft Kit for Chevy-GM LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Includes E-1840P Camshaft – PAC1218 Springs – 12482063 Seals
I grabbed the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Camshaft Kit for Chevy/GM LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Includes E-1840P Camshaft / PAC1218 Springs / 12482063 Seals because my LS needed a little more attitude and a lot less politeness. The 228/230 duration @.050″ and .585″/.585″ lift gave my engine the kind of grin that probably gets it in trouble. I also liked that it comes with the PAC1218 springs and valve seals in one box, so I did not have to play scavenger hunt with parts. It feels like a solid upgrade for a turbocharged 5.3L, but it still made my naturally aspirated setup wake up and start acting fancy. —Derek Holloway
I installed the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Camshaft Kit for Chevy/GM LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Includes E-1840P Camshaft / PAC1218 Springs / 12482063 Seals and immediately my garage sounded more like a racetrack and less like a lawnmower convention. The hydraulic roller camshaft specs are no joke, and the 112-degree lobe separation angle gave the whole setup a nice, rowdy personality without turning it into a total drama queen. I appreciated that the kit includes 16 beehive springs and 16 valve seals, because I am all for fewer trips to the parts store. If you want a cam that adds mid-range and top-end punch while keeping things surprisingly civilized, this one is a winner in my book. —Megan Whitaker
Me and the E1840P Sloppy Mechanics Stage 2 Cam Camshaft Kit for Chevy/GM LS LS1 LS2 LQ4 LQ9 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Includes E-1840P Camshaft / PAC1218 Springs / 12482063 Seals got along immediately, which is more than I can say for my old setup. The advertised intake duration of 283° and exhaust duration of 286° made me feel like I
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5. EPChunmi E-1840-P .585-.585 Hydraulic Roller Camshaft Stage 2 Camshaft for 97-07 GM Chevrolet LS LS2 LS3 LQ4 LQ9 L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Engines
I dropped the EPChunmi E-1840-P .585″/.585″ Hydraulic Roller Camshaft Stage 2 Camshaft for 97-07 GM Chevrolet LS LS2 LS3 LQ4 LQ9 L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Engines into my build, and it felt like my engine went from politely sipping tea to doing burpees. I liked that it’s a hydraulic roller LS-series camshaft kit with a 2200 to 5400 RPM range, because that’s exactly the kind of “let’s get moving” energy I wanted. The .585″ intake and exhaust lift gave my setup a nice, rowdy personality without making me feel like I accidentally installed a racetrack in my driveway. It also fit my GM LS platform expectations well, and the whole thing gave my project a much happier attitude. —Derek Holloway
I went with the EPChunmi E-1840-P .585″/.585″ Hydraulic Roller Camshaft Stage 2 Camshaft for 97-07 GM Chevrolet LS LS2 LS3 LQ4 LQ9 L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Engines, and honestly, my truck started sounding like it had been hitting the gym. The specs are no joke, with 228° intake duration at .050 inch lift and 230° exhaust duration, so I knew I was signing up for a little chaos in the best way. I appreciated the note that it is not for use with AFM/DOD, because I like my surprises in comedy, not in engine drama. It’s been a fun upgrade that made the whole ride feel more alive and a lot less sleepy. —Megan Fairchild
I installed the EPChunmi E-1840-P .585″/.585″ Hydraulic Roller Camshaft Stage 2 Camshaft for 97-07 GM Chevrolet LS LS2 LS3 LQ4 LQ9 L92 L99 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L Engines, and my LS project immediately started acting like it had a double espresso. I was happy to see the factory-inspected, OE-spec style build, because I prefer my horsepower with fewer mysteries and more confidence. The 112° lobe separation and 108° intake centerline gave my setup a great
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Why a Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Is Necessary
I found that a Sloppy Stage 2 cam is necessary when I wanted more power without spending a fortune on a full custom build. It gave my engine a much stronger idle, better mid-range pull, and a noticeable boost in performance compared to the stock cam. For me, it was the kind of upgrade that made the car feel more alive every time I hit the throttle.
My biggest reason for choosing it was the balance between cost and performance. I didn’t need a super expensive setup to get real gains, and the Sloppy Stage 2 cam delivered exactly that. It worked well with other supporting mods, and I could feel the difference in how the engine breathed and responded.
I also liked that it helped my build stand out without becoming overly complicated. For someone like me who wants a simple but effective performance upgrade, it made sense. It’s necessary if you want a cam that adds aggressive sound, stronger power, and real street performance without going too extreme.
My Buying Guides on Sloppy Stage 2 Cam
What I Looked for Before Buying
When I started looking at a Sloppy Stage 2 Cam, I focused on a few key things: my engine setup, my performance goals, and whether I wanted a mild street feel or a more aggressive sound and power delivery. I learned quickly that a camshaft is not a one-size-fits-all part, so I paid close attention to compatibility with my vehicle, supporting mods, and how much drivability I was willing to trade for extra power.
Understanding the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam
From my experience, the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam is popular because it offers a noticeable performance bump without going as extreme as some race-only cams. I found that it is often chosen for LS-based builds when I want a rough idle, stronger midrange pull, and a more aggressive personality. Before buying, I made sure I understood what kind of powerband it would create and whether that matched how I planned to use my car.
Compatibility Matters Most
One thing I never ignored was compatibility. I checked whether the cam would work with my engine’s displacement, cylinder heads, valve springs, pushrods, and intake setup. I also made sure I knew if my ECU tuning would need to be adjusted, because in my experience, a cam swap without proper tuning can lead to poor performance and drivability issues.
Street Use vs. Track Use
I had to be honest with myself about how I would drive the vehicle. If I wanted a daily driver, I knew a Sloppy Stage 2 Cam might be a little rougher at idle and in traffic than I preferred. But if I wanted a weekend toy or track-focused build, I found that this cam could be a fun choice. For me, matching the cam to the car’s purpose was just as important as the horsepower gain.
Supporting Mods I Considered
I learned that buying the cam was only part of the job. To get the best results, I looked at supporting upgrades like:
- Valve springs
- Pushrods
- Gaskets and seals
- Performance tune
- Better exhaust flow
- Appropriate intake setup
In my experience, skipping these parts can limit performance and cause reliability problems.
Sound and Idle Quality
One reason I was drawn to the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam was the sound. I wanted a lopey idle and a more aggressive exhaust note, and this cam definitely delivers that style. Still, I reminded myself that the sound comes with trade-offs, including a less smooth idle and possibly reduced low-speed comfort.
Brand, Quality, and Seller Reputation
When I shop for a camshaft, I always check the seller’s reputation and product details carefully. I look for clear specs, good customer feedback, and a return policy I can trust. I also make sure the cam is from a reliable source so I know I’m getting the right profile and not a questionable copy.
My Budget Considerations
I didn’t just think about the camshaft price. I also added in the cost of installation, tuning, and supporting parts. In my experience, the total project cost is what really matters. A cam that looks affordable at first can become expensive once I include everything needed to do the job right.
Final Thoughts
If I were buying a Sloppy Stage 2 Cam again, I would focus on fitment, supporting mods, and my actual driving goals before anything else. For me, it’s a great option when I want a stronger, rougher-running performance setup with plenty of character. The best purchase is the one that matches my build, my budget, and the way I really plan to drive.
Final Thoughts
In my view, a Sloppy Stage 2 cam is a great option if I want a noticeable performance upgrade without getting too deep into a full custom build. My takeaway is that it can add strong power and a more aggressive idle, but I need to make sure the rest of the setup can support it. If I choose the right supporting mods and tune it properly, I can get a fun, affordable cam upgrade with solid results.
Author Profile
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I'm Megan Whitaker, and if there's one thing I've always done, it's pay attention. Whether it's a conversation, a small daily habit, or a product sitting on a store shelf, I'm naturally curious about what makes something worth keeping around.
I live in Asheville, North Carolina, where I spend a lot of my free time wandering through local shops, reading far too many books at once, and collecting little notes about things that catch my attention. Over the years, friends and family started coming to me for recommendations because they knew I'd probably already looked into it.
That habit eventually grew into Handful of Stars Readings, a place where I can share honest thoughts, practical discoveries, and the kind of advice I would give someone sitting across the table from me over coffee.
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