HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: WInnipeg Mb
HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!!
I just took my car to the mechanic and dropped it off to get the cam and intake installed. He asked me a few questions that got me thinking about the whole thing. What is the difference between the L-82 cam, and my xe262 comp cam? Is there a significant difference. Also when the engine is apart we were going to do a compression test then get a valve job on the heads. He is also fixing alot of other little things (hoses, seals on the engine etc) Is there else i should tell the mechanic, or anything i should be worried about?!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
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From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Justin79-L-82)
From Comp Cams website - XE262
Gross Lift - .464 intake .470 exhaust
Duration @ .050 lift - 218 intake 224 exhaust
LSA 114
L82 cam (from GM parts website)
Gross Lift - .460 intake .450 exhaust
Duration @ .050 lift - 222 intake 222 exhaust
LSA 114
Not a whole bunch of difference, IMO.
AC
Gross Lift - .464 intake .470 exhaust
Duration @ .050 lift - 218 intake 224 exhaust
LSA 114
L82 cam (from GM parts website)
Gross Lift - .460 intake .450 exhaust
Duration @ .050 lift - 222 intake 222 exhaust
LSA 114
Not a whole bunch of difference, IMO.
AC
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Justin79-L-82)
Other than installing a fresh valve train (cam, push rods, guides, rockers) and like you said maybe a valve job, not much gain from the cam swap. If you do all including the intake etc. there should be a good difference. However, you need to weigh the cost of the project. I would go to a Comp 268 and the manifold. Get others comments also.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: WInnipeg Mb
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Stevo)
Wellll... i already have the weiand intake and xe262 cam here and at the shop so i guess i'll put it in :rolleyes: see how it works out... if it doesn't make much of a difference then hey.. i guess i wasted a grand in parts :lol: plus the labour. oh well
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (A C)
The 78 engineering specs put the L82 as .450/.460.
I think the XE262 would have a slightly broader power band, and would be a marginally better cam. Improvements would be more noticeable w/ a better flowing system.
Since you're pulling the heads, you may as well do the cam. Cheap, and it'll freshen up the valves. With the headwork, headers, and intake, you might expect an extra 5-10 hp over the L-82 cam. Probably more torque as well.
-Steve
I think the XE262 would have a slightly broader power band, and would be a marginally better cam. Improvements would be more noticeable w/ a better flowing system.
Since you're pulling the heads, you may as well do the cam. Cheap, and it'll freshen up the valves. With the headwork, headers, and intake, you might expect an extra 5-10 hp over the L-82 cam. Probably more torque as well.
-Steve
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
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From: San Jose CA
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Justin79-L-82)
Expect a marginal increase from the XE268 over the XE262, another 5-10 hp. But CHP reccommends the XE262 for a daily driven car. Gets better mileage and more lowend.
-Steve
-Steve
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
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From: Stockton Ca
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Justin79-L-82)
I try not to get involved in cam talk. In this case I have the same cam specs. I have CC 218-224 HR. W/1.6 RRs I get .529 in .539 ex. If you are going spend this kind of time/money then change to HR. The TFS heads and Air Gap w/750 Demon vs is very daily drivable. The cam is listed for the limit of stk converter. I have M21 w/3:55s so it doesn't matter. My ONLY complaint is I need a 5th gear! I seldom go above 3500 rpm. At that point things are happening fast! Also your 79 had single ex and cat you will need dual pattern cam. To see the real benifit of changes, ex will need to be improved. This combo is very smooth and easy to drive fast. The next bigger cam would be nice w/mods.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
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From: San Jose CA
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Taijutsu)
HR will cost you a pretty penny, whether you have the block machined or use retrofit lifters. I am going to run HR on mine, but only because I am certifiably insane, and don't have any plans to put money into my 'vette's engine after the "planned" modifications are done. HR are definitely better performance, better economy, and better longevity, but are you willing to spend roughly $600 more?
-Steve
[Modified by Pacin'California, 10:44 PM 7/9/2002]
-Steve
[Modified by Pacin'California, 10:44 PM 7/9/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Justin79-L-82)
Ask your mechanic about performing a back cut on valves and seats, maybe even doing a 'three angle' valve job as long as you have the heads apart. (Doing this should improve low valve lift flow) If your mechanic doesn't know what a three angle valve job is, suggest you find a new mechanic.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: WInnipeg Mb
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (john's '81 mouse)
The mechanic is doing a three angle valve job... Since i'm taking alot of stock parts off and replacing them (exhuast manifold, intake, airbox etc) is there any market for them? Do you think i could sell them on e-bay or or something or are the not worth anything?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City ok
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Justin79-L-82)
I suggest you keep all your old working parts. Someone is always looking.
Not saying this will happen to you.....but I have seen people get valve jobs and blow there rings on a worn motor. Just something to think about. Sorry can't help on the cam stuff....totally clueless here.
Good Luck
Not saying this will happen to you.....but I have seen people get valve jobs and blow there rings on a worn motor. Just something to think about. Sorry can't help on the cam stuff....totally clueless here.
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,044
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From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Justin79-L-82)
when someone says
HELP MY MECHANIC SCARED ME
my first thought is that he pulled down his pants! :lol:
xe262 good for +50-75 hp, pants up. :jester
HELP MY MECHANIC SCARED ME
my first thought is that he pulled down his pants! :lol:
xe262 good for +50-75 hp, pants up. :jester
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Justin79-L-82)
If you are running an automatic, a stock torque converter and a stock rearend, the XE262 is a better choice than the XE268. The XE268's torque and hp come on at higher rpms than the XE262. You'll have more lowend torque with the XE262 and have a much more streetable car.
PS
Replace your valve springs!
[Modified by Smokehouse69, 3:44 PM 7/10/2002]
PS
Replace your valve springs!
[Modified by Smokehouse69, 3:44 PM 7/10/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Smokehouse69)
Lot's of good advice so far. Making power is only part of the deal. Carefully match the power curve to trans and rear gear. Take your time and do your homework! You will be much happier in the long run. The waek link will break first.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 677
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From: WInnipeg Mb
Re: HELP!? MY MECHANIC SCARED ME!!! (Taijutsu)
Well.. i knew the 262 cam was a good choice.. but later on after i get my headers and exhaust installed i was thinging of getting a shift kit, torque converter and new rear gears... what are your thoughts on that... would it still be a good combo?