REDc5_VETTE

I have a stock c5 I was thinking about a cam only package from cartek but now Im wondering if I should do head and cam package. Im new to this corvette world ..

Pros/cons ..
Cost difference ..
HP / TQ increase...

Whats the best route? What do you think ?

Current Mods are Monster clutch stage 2 (550 hp tq rating) 18lb flywheel remote bleeder
Vararam intake
Long tube headers hi flo cats
MDW shifter

silver408z

The only con is cost lol. If you do heads you will make more power all thru your power band. Depending on what heads you go with you can expect 20-50 rwhp. You can do cnc/ported factory heads and be cheaper but will make less power. You do aftermarket castings like afr or trickflow you will make more power. I have heard good stuff about cartek 4x heads or something like that but they are ported factory castings. Talking to a shop with a good reputation and let them help you decide on what to buy will get you best results. How much you can spend will be the major factor in how much hp/trq you make lol.

chaase

It comes down to how much HP you want and how much you want to spend.

zeevette

A cam only upgrade will be the single biggest gain (depending on choice) that you will get NA. That said, doing quality heads, and matching the right cam for your driving needs, will really lay your head back. I suggest Trickflow 215s from TEA. They're about 2400 for the heads only. Pretty easy to install heads, but the cam is a little more work, IMO.

REDc5_VETTE

Thanks for all your input !! zeevette chaase silver408z

blacknyellow

Id supercharged a car for the price of a heads and cam.

A big cammed car sucks to drive. But nothing gets me going like a the sound of a big cam
Sounds just like popcorn

REDc5_VETTE

Agreed ! I would like to supercharge im kind of on the fence due to my monster stage 2 clutch is rated for 550 hp tq Not planning on changing it again. Do you think it will hold ? Low boost conservative tune?

zeevette

You don't need a big, undrivable cam for a great lopey sound. However, I do miss the lope because I went with a blower cam that's on 116 LSA, when I installed my SC. I would have kept the 228-232@112 that I had, if I could go back in time. Now, unless I have to crack the front cover again, it'll have to do.

blacknyellow

Well a few z06s I know made over 600rwhp with stock heads but z06s come with 243s vs. A base model which is 241.
Your clutch may have to get stronger depending on what supercharger you go with.

I think my friends had a p1.

zeevette

The only thing holding back big numbers, is the amount of boost you're able/willing to use. My SC setup would max out at about 12-14 lbs, if I did different pulley/s and cut down the radiator for a unrestricted intake. But other head units are capable of lots more boost. Until I have to replace my original shortblock, which I hope is never, 7.5 is more than enough.

blacknyellow

What did you dyno at?

zeevette

Last time was about 3 years ago, it was 606/495 SAE on a Dynojet. Very little timing, and only revved to 6200. Was still climbing fast, but ran out of fuel pressure, with a Lingenfelter pump, and Magnaspark BAP. After living with this much power, I broke my diff, and have since gone with a Rkt56 built one that's braced up. It's so friggin' fast now, that I finally said, "enough".

Bluefire

OP:
I went with:
Stock 243 heads.
Cam 224/230, .585/.588 113 LSA.

I had an LS6 intake.

Made 420 RWHP, 392 RWTQ (on a Mustang dyno).

It's a slightly lumpy idle.
It is my DD/track car.

The beotch screams at WOT.

With an SC you'll be pushing 560 - 570 RWHP.

blacknyellow

I love the sound of a trex cam though>>>>>

Scorch

If you don't mind sharing, roughly how much did you spend on this setup?

SteveDoten

learn a bit about duration/lift/LSA

You most likely won't find anything less than 224/.580 and most cams are on a 114 LSA

ALSO........and this is HUGE, what does the curve look like? Why do buy the glory/internet cam that makes an 10whp up top but lacks 15-20whp compared to a milder cam below 5000rpm???

Cam, 400
Brian Tooley dual springs, 280
pushrods, 90
IWIS C5R timing chain, 150 (or LS7 chain 40)
Gaskets, Dexcool, 80
New Crank pulley (60-200)
Oil pump, NEW LS6, 90
Install 450
Tune 500

1350 is my pricing installed (Tune is outsourced, oil pump and pulley optional)

It's an extremely simple swap once you've done a few dozen.

Bluefire

Parts/labor ~$5K.

Bonnetts02Vette

I have brand new Livernois stage 2 CNC ported 243's and a 232/240 cam kit with BTR dual platinum .660" valve springs, titanium retainers, locks, seats, seals, etc and hardened 7.400" pushrods. All brand new in box and are an extra 100 rwhp on an LS1. I'm letting them go for $2000 shipped for both. All you'd need are gaskets, LS7 lifters, trunion upgrade, C5R chain and oil.

zeevette

If you're gonna spend $5k, then just SC it, and get way more power than a H/C, and it'll drive like stock.