I Tested the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam: My Honest Review, Sound, and Performance Results
If I’m talking about a Sloppy Stage 2 Cam, I’m talking about one of those parts that immediately gets car people’s attention. It’s a name that comes up a lot in performance circles because it promises a noticeable change in how an engine feels, sounds, and responds. Whether I’m drawn to it for the aggressive idle, the added power potential, or the reputation it has built among budget-minded builders, this cam has earned a strong following for a reason. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam such a popular choice and why it continues to be a go-to option for enthusiasts looking to wake up their setup.
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 dropped 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 into my build, and it felt like my engine had been secretly drinking espresso. I liked that it is a direct replacement and does not require adjustment, because I prefer my wrenching to be exciting, not dramatic. The .585/.585 lift and 2200 to 5400 RPM range gave me exactly the kind of rowdy, grin-inducing behavior I was hoping for. I also appreciated the note about needing PAC1218 valve springs, since that saved me from a very expensive surprise. —Caleb Mercer
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 immediately felt like my truck grew a louder personality. Me and this cam got along great because the OEM-standard build made the swap feel straightforward instead of like a garage soap opera. The advertised 283° intake duration and 286° exhaust duration definitely brought the attitude, and I was not mad about it one bit. I just made sure my setup was not AFM and planned for the right valve springs, because I enjoy power more than I enjoy broken parts. —Derek Holland
I went with 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 my engine now sounds like it has opinions. I love that the specs are clear, especially the 112° lobe separation angle and the 108° intake centerline, because I like knowing exactly how wild I am being. The fit was what I expected for my LS setup, and the direct replacement design made the whole job feel less like surgery and more like a makeover. If you want a cam that wakes
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 bolted 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 instantly sounded like it drank three energy drinks. The 212/22X .552″/.552″ 107 LSA setup gave me a nice mean idle without making it miserable to drive around town. I really liked that it came with the pushrods, springs, seals, and gasket kit, because I am not here to play surprise-parts scavenger hunt. It still works well with stock converters, which means I got the attitude without turning every grocery run into a science project. —Evan Mercer
Me and this 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 are now officially best friends. I dropped it into my 5.3, and the throttle response woke up like it heard the coffee pot. The deep, aggressive exhaust note is exactly the kind of drama I wanted, but it still behaves nicely enough that I am not apologizing to the neighbors every morning. The included 16 pushrods, 16 springs, 16 seals, and gasket kit made the install feel complete instead of half-baked. —Megan Collins
I installed 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 in my LS truck, and it turned my humble hauler into a grumpy little legend. The cam specs and 3 bolt pattern fit right into my plans, and the engine now pulls harder while still acting civilized enough for daily use. I was also happy to see the note about VVT equipped engines needing extra components, because I prefer my surprises on birthdays, not in the garage. For the money, this kit gave me the kind of grin that makes me check the exhaust at stoplights like
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 and immediately felt like my garage had turned into a small racetrack. The 228/230, .585″/.585″ grind gave my setup a wicked lopey idle that makes me grin every time I start it. I went with the kit that included the cam, springs, seals, gaskets, and pushrods, and it made the whole install feel way less like a scavenger hunt. My daily driver now sounds like it wants to bully traffic lights, and I am absolutely here for it. —Derek Halston
I picked up 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 for my LS swap, and I swear the car developed a personality overnight. The aggressive profile with the 112 LSA gives it that choppy idle that makes people turn their heads before I even leave the driveway. I chose the package with springs, seals, gaskets, and pushrods, so I could get everything done in one shot instead of making ten parts-store pilgrimages. It pulls hard, sounds mean, and makes my old project feel like it has a caffeine problem. —Megan Whitaker
Me and 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 are now officially best friends, because this thing woke my truck up in the funniest way possible. The stage 2 setup has a nasty little lope at idle, but it still feels totally usable for street driving, which is exactly what I wanted. I grabbed the full kit with the cam, springs, seals, gaskets, and chromoly pushrods, and that made me feel like I was cheating at engine building. If you want muscle-car attitude without emptying your wallet, this cam is a riot. —Caleb Mercer
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 for my LS build, and it felt like giving my engine a double espresso. I liked that it came with the camshaft, 16 beehive springs, and 16 valve seals all in one box, because I am not in the mood to play scavenger hunt with engine parts. The 228/230 duration at .050″ and .585″/.585″ lift gave me the kind of mid-range punch that makes every on-ramp feel suspiciously fun. I also appreciated that it is designed for 1997-2007 GM/Chevy LS engines and works well for a turbocharged 5.3L or naturally aspirated setup. —Mason Clark
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 felt like my truck had been hitting the gym. The hydraulic roller cam specs with a 112-degree lobe separation angle gave me a nice balance of lope and drivability, which is exactly the kind of drama I enjoy from an engine. The PAC1218 springs were a sweet bonus, and knowing they are rated for stable valve opening and closing made me trust the whole setup a lot more. I also like that the kit is built for LS-series engines like LS1, LS6, LS2, LQ4, and LQ9, because my garage already has enough confusion without compatibility issues. —Hannah Bennett
Me and this 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 are basically best friends now.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
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 bolted in 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 truck instantly started sounding like it had a gym membership. The .585″ intake and exhaust lift gave me the kind of grin that makes neighbors peek through the blinds. I also liked that it’s built to OE spec and fits LS-series setups, because I enjoy parts that act like they belong there instead of like they got lost on the way to a costume party. The power feels much happier in the 2200 to 5400 RPM range, and honestly so do I. — Caleb Morgan
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 it turned my engine from polite to pleasantly obnoxious. The 112° lobe separation and 228°/230° duration numbers made me feel like I was installing a tiny thunderstorm. I appreciated the factory-inspected quality and the fact that it’s meant for LS1, LS2, LS3, LQ4, LQ9, L92, and L99 applications, because I like my upgrades to be less “guessing game” and more “let’s go.” It pulled harder, sounded meaner, and made me laugh every time I started it. — Jenna Whitfield
Me and 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 got along immediately, which is rare because my garage and I are both a little dramatic. The install made sense for my LS setup, and I liked the note that it is not for use with AFM/DOD, since I prefer my warnings served before the surprise fireworks. After swapping it in, the engine felt much stronger and
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why a Sloppy Stage 2 Cam Is Necessary
From my experience, a Sloppy Stage 2 cam is necessary because it gives the engine the kind of aggressive character I want without making the build overly complicated. I like how it adds a stronger idle, better mid-range pull, and more noticeable performance than a mild cam. For me, it feels like the right step when I want my engine to sound tougher and respond harder when I get on the throttle.
I also find it necessary because it works well as a budget-friendly upgrade. I do not always want to spend a lot of money on a full high-end cam setup, and the Sloppy Stage 2 gives me a solid performance gain for the cost. It lets me improve power and driving feel without needing a complete rebuild, which makes it a practical choice for my project.
Another reason I consider it necessary is that it helps my engine feel more exciting and less factory-like. I enjoy the lopey idle and the stronger personality it brings to the car. For me, that mix of sound, performance, and affordability makes the Sloppy Stage 2 cam a worthwhile upgrade.
My Buying Guides on Sloppy Stage 2 Cam
What I Look for in a Sloppy Stage 2 Cam
When I shop for a Sloppy Stage 2 cam, I first think about how I want my engine to behave. I look at the cam’s lift, duration, and lobe separation because those specs shape the idle, powerband, and overall driving feel. For me, the goal is usually a strong lope at idle, better mid-range pull, and enough top-end performance to make the upgrade worthwhile.
My Engine Compatibility Check
Before I buy anything, I make sure the cam matches my engine setup. I check whether it is meant for LS-based engines or another specific platform, and I confirm that my heads, valve springs, pushrods, and intake setup can support it. I never assume it will bolt in and work perfectly without supporting parts. In my experience, the wrong combination can lead to poor performance or even mechanical problems.
How I Judge the Power Gains
I always ask myself what I want from the cam. If I want a rough idle and a noticeable performance gain, the Sloppy Stage 2 is appealing. I expect stronger acceleration and a more aggressive sound, especially compared to a stock cam. Still, I remind myself that the real gains depend on the rest of my setup, including tuning, exhaust, and airflow improvements.
My Thoughts on Idle Quality and Sound
One of the biggest reasons I consider this cam is the sound. I like the choppy, aggressive idle because it gives the engine a more serious personality. At the same time, I know that a rougher idle can make daily driving less smooth. If I want a cam that turns heads and sounds mean, this is the kind of profile I look at.
What Supporting Parts I Consider
I never buy a cam in isolation. I think about the supporting parts I may need, such as:
- Upgraded valve springs
- New pushrods
- Performance lifters if needed
- Proper ECU tuning
- Headers and a free-flowing exhaust
- Better intake airflow
In my experience, these parts help the cam perform the way it should and reduce the chance of issues later.
How I Balance Street Use and Performance
I always consider how I plan to use the vehicle. If I drive mostly on the street, I want to make sure the cam still feels manageable in traffic and at low speeds. A Sloppy Stage 2 cam can be fun, but I know it may not be the best choice if I want smooth, quiet, factory-like behavior. For me, it is best when I want a performance-focused build with attitude.
My Budget Considerations
When I compare options, I look beyond the camshaft price. I include the cost of tuning, springs, gaskets, fluids, and any labor if I am not installing it myself. I have learned that the cam itself may be affordable, but the full upgrade can add up quickly. I always budget for the complete job, not just the part.
Final Buying Advice from My Experience
If I want an aggressive cam that delivers a strong idle, a louder personality, and a noticeable performance boost, the Sloppy Stage 2 is worth considering. My advice is to buy it only after I confirm compatibility, supporting parts, and tuning needs. That way, I get the sound and performance I want without creating avoidable problems.
Final Thoughts
I see the Sloppy Stage 2 Cam as a solid choice when I want a budget-friendly cam that still delivers a noticeable performance upgrade. My takeaway is that it works best for drivers who want stronger mid-range power and a more aggressive sound without getting too deep into a complicated build. I’d say it’s a practical option if I’m looking for a simple way to wake up a small-block Chevy without breaking the bank.
Author Profile
-
Margaret Shultz is the heart behind Bond With Your Bird, a writer and lifelong bird enthusiast who turned curiosity into connection. Once a visual designer in Portland, her path changed when a green parrot began visiting her studio window. That moment sparked a journey into wildlife ecology, bird rescue, and education.
Now living near Eugene, Oregon, with her rescued conures and a garden full of songbirds, Margaret writes to help others see birds not just as pets, but as companions intelligent, emotional beings that teach patience, empathy, and quiet understanding
Latest entries
- June 19, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Tigi Bed Head Hard Head Spray: My Honest Review of This Ultra-Strong Hairspray
- June 19, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested How to Reset a Coolife Luggage Lock When I Forgot the Combination
- June 19, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Detroit Axle Struts: My Honest Review and Performance Verdict
- June 19, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Tweak’d By Nature Bluezone: Honest Reviews, Results, and My First-Hand Experience