We will present results discussing the performance of the spectral element dynamical core in a variety of configurations. More specifically, we have implemented in CAM-SE the specified flows from Lauritzen et al. (2014) and evaluated its performance against other dynamical cores, including CAM-FV. We have also implemented the Polvani and Esler (2007) development of baroclinic waves in both CAM-FV and CAM-SE, looking at the dependence on horizontal and vertical resolutions. Finally, we will discuss the successful implementation of specified dynamics (through nudging and relaxation) in CAM-SE, enabling the simulations of chemistry for specific field campaigns. References Lauritzen, P.H., P.A.Ullrich, C. Jablonowski, P.A. Bosler, D. Calhoun, A.J. Conley, T. Enomoto, L. Dong, S. Dubey, O. Guba, A.B. Hansen, E. Kaas, J. Kent, J.-F. Lamarque, M.J. Prather, D. Reinert, V.V. Shashkin, W.C. Skamarock, B. SÌürensen, M.A. Taylor, and M.A. Tolstykh, A standard test case suite for two-dimensional linear transport on the sphere: results from a collection of state-of-the-art schemes. Geosci. Mod. Dev., 7, 105-145, doi:10.5194/gmd-7-105-2014, 2014. Polvani, L. M., and J. G. Esler, Transport and mixing of chemical air masses in idealized baroclinic life cycles, J. Geophys. Res., 112, D23102, doi:10.1029/2007JD008555, 2007.