
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured

BUTCH
Back in the ’60s, a youthful Barry Wallner was well known in and around Illinois for his modified ’57 sedan delivery. It was a tough competitor at the local dragstrips, but time took its toll, and most of the dragstrips have disappeared, giving way to housing and shopping-center developments and industrial complexes. But this hasn’t stopped Wallner, who was an adept restorer. So, from the late-’60s through the mid-’90s, he has gone on with other ’57 Chevys to win top show awards.


ON BORROWED TIME
When you go looking to make huge power from your 5.0-liter Ford, the limiting factor will always be the weakest link in the chain. In the case of our supercharged 331 stroker buildup, the weakest link turned out to be the production block. Like most enthusiasts, we had no budget for a DART racing block or even a Ford Racing Sportsman block, but we decided to tempt fate nonetheless and go for a big power number on the dyno. Considering that the stock fuel-injected 5.0-liter was rated at a measly 225 hp, even a 300hp buildup would offer a welcome change in performance.
Spotlighter
POPULAR READS
-
Product Spotlight: Bill Mitchell Products Aluminum LS Engine Block
-
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 60-66 Chevy C10 Fresh Air Vent Block Off Plate
-
Product Spotlight: Pyramid Optimized Design Sequential Aurora Taillight for 1964½–1966 Mustang
-
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Cam Covers for GEN/3 Coyote from Pyramid Optimized Design
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BTR’s Red Hot Camshaft
Lighting the Fire in Your LS Build
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos Courtesy of Brian Tooley Racing
The Numbers That Matter
We’re not gonna bury you in flowcharts here. The BTR Red Hot Cam is all about the numbers that count. We’re talking 223/232 duration, .613/.597 lift, and a lobe separation angle of 109. Those specs scream aggression and mean this cam is here to make horsepower, torque, and plenty of noise. If you’ve been dreaming of a cam that pulls hard across the RPM range and leaves no doubt you’ve got something special under the hood, this is it.
Built to Rip, Not Just Talk
A camshaft is more than a part—it’s the heart of your engine’s attitude, and the Red Hot Cam is a straight-up bruiser. Whether you’re launching hard at the drag strip, roasting tires on a backroad, or just trying to wake up that stock LS, this cam delivers a fat, usable powerband that hits hard where it counts. It’s not a one-trick pony, either. This cam pulls clean, keeps building power, and puts a big stupid grin on your face every time you mat the throttle.
Quality You Can Beat On
BTR isn’t messing around when it comes to quality, and they never have. These guys have been at the top of the LS game for a reason, and the Red Hot Cam is proof. Precision-engineered, rigorously tested, and built to take abuse, this cam is ready for whatever you throw at it. Street? Strip? Both? No sweat—the Red Hot Cam handles it all with a “bring it on” attitude.
That Sound? Oh Yeah, That Sound
Let’s be real—the best part of slapping a new cam in your LS is hearing it fire up for the first time. The Red Hot Cam delivers that signature ‘LS camshaft sound’ with an aggressive, lumpy idle and performance exhaust note that’ll have exhaust tones turning heads and setting the tone before you even hit the throttle (check out the video below). Whether it’s the growl at idle or the roar at wide-open throttle, this cam makes sure your LS sounds as mean as it performs. With the Red Hot Cam, you get that unmistakable lope that’ll have your neighbors peeking out their windows and anyone at a stoplight craning their necks. This thing doesn’t just make power—it makes a statement. It’s the kind of idle that says, yeah, I’m faster than you, before you even get out of first gear.
Plays Well With Others
BTR didn’t just make a killer camshaft—they made it versatile, too. The Red Hot Cam works with stock or ported heads and bolts right in alongside a wide range of valve train components. That means whether you’re building mild or wild, this cam slots into your LS build with ease. And if you hit a snag, BTR’s tech support and guides are some of the best in the business, so you’re never left hanging.
Results You Can Measure
At the end of the day, the proof is in the dyno charts—and the Red Hot Cam backs up every bit of its swagger. Horsepower? Expect LS horsepower gains of up to 50 horsepower over stock. Torque? With noticeable LS cam torque improvements, you’re looking at significant midrange increases that will have you glued to the seat. Fun factor? Let’s just say it’ll transform your LS into a tire-roasting beast that delivers power where it counts. This cam has earned its stripes with racers, builders, and LS junkies who know what it takes to make real power.
So here’s the deal: if you’re ready to wake up your LS, turn some heads, and light a fire under your car’s performance, the BTR Red Hot Camshaft needs to be on your list. It’s not just another upgrade—it’s the upgrade. CLICK HERE to head on over to the BTR website and get your TODAY!





