Headers or Cam, which to do next.
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From: Walcott ND
Headers or Cam, which to do next.
I'm lookin to do my next mod on my '93 but am not sure which I should do. I've currently got a hypertech chip, flowmaster exhaust and k&n. Would headers give me much of an increase? What kind of cam would be best to go with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Scarborough ONTARIO
How about both LT4 hotcam, Hooker coated headers 2151 (no smog) or 2149 (with smog).
As nathan said Lt4 hotcam loves headers.
Check his website he got Lt4 hotcam and hooker 2151 headers
flowmaster 40"s with X-cross exhaust, u can listen to his
engine exhaust sound too.
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/htmls/corvette.html
As nathan said Lt4 hotcam loves headers.
Check his website he got Lt4 hotcam and hooker 2151 headers
flowmaster 40"s with X-cross exhaust, u can listen to his
engine exhaust sound too.
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/htmls/corvette.html
Race Director
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by sterjess
I'm lookin to do my next mod on my '93 but am not sure which I should do. I've currently got a hypertech chip, flowmaster exhaust and k&n. Would headers give me much of an increase? What kind of cam would be best to go with.
Just putting on headers can reduce your low end torque if nothing else is done, but you'll feel an increase in the top end. Just putting in a cam will give you increased performance, but at a gas mileage drop without anything else done.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, wait until you have all the pieces (good heads matched to your intake, roller rockers-1.6s, springs, cam, headers, and a good tune). I guess they call it a top end upgrade.
The only thing stopping me is MONEY
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If you are only going to do one or the other, do the cam.
Headers on a stock car really aren't worth a whole lot, the cam is. Cam and headers would be best though. I used to think that headers were the best bang for the buck mod, they gave me the greatest seat of the pants increase in power. They did, but I already had the cam. My friend Brian put headers on his car with stock cam and it just really didn't make all that much difference.
Headers on a stock car really aren't worth a whole lot, the cam is. Cam and headers would be best though. I used to think that headers were the best bang for the buck mod, they gave me the greatest seat of the pants increase in power. They did, but I already had the cam. My friend Brian put headers on his car with stock cam and it just really didn't make all that much difference.
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From: Athens AL
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Yeah, if you have to pick one, do the camshaft.
If you can do both, go ahead and do the headers first and save up for the cam install if you can't do it yourself. If you could afford to have the heads ported while thats done, even better.
But, as soon as you change cams, you must get a custom chip.
If you can do both, go ahead and do the headers first and save up for the cam install if you can't do it yourself. If you could afford to have the heads ported while thats done, even better.
But, as soon as you change cams, you must get a custom chip.
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From: Walcott ND
Thanks for the input, I think I'm gonna go with a new cam. Sucks that I have to get a new chip then too. Can I just get this one reprogrammed? I still have the factory chip too, can I put that back in? Anyone know of a place to get a LT4 cam and rollers?
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From: VA
Originally Posted by REDC4CORVETTE
You have an LT motor the LT4 cam will bring it alive.
The factory uses the same stock exaust with that cam.
I think the relults speak for themself.
Roller rockers and springs cam it will fly.
The factory uses the same stock exaust with that cam.
I think the relults speak for themself.
Roller rockers and springs cam it will fly.
If you mean the LT4 hotcam, the factory didn't use the stock exhaust with it - hotcam is not a factory option.
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From: Walcott ND
So going with a stock LT4 cam wouldn't be worth it then? Would the LT4 hotcam be a considerable increase? Also, what's all involved with replacing the cam? Just remove the water pump, opti, timing cover, valve covers, rockers and pushrods or is there more to it? Thanks again for the replies.
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Originally Posted by sterjess
So going with a stock LT4 cam wouldn't be worth it then? Would the LT4 hotcam be a considerable increase? Also, what's all involved with replacing the cam? Just remove the water pump, opti, timing cover, valve covers, rockers and pushrods or is there more to it? Thanks again for the replies.
The LT4 hot cam, rockers, electric water pump and chip on my car picked up some 44 horsepower over stock. That chip was a mail order job and it ran very rich. There was probably another 10 horses or so left in a better tune.
You can see my progression of modifications here and the corresponding power increases, or lack thereof, on my web page here http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/h..._corvette.html
It should be very informative for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Green Bay WI
I'm lookin to do my next mod on my '93 but am not sure which I should do.
If you're looking for true performance, do youself one favor. Save your money and build a 383/396 forged stroker motor built for boost (8.5:1 to 9.0:1 compression) and throw a Vortech S-Trim or T-Trim at it.
You'll have more power than you know what to do with! If you're going down the path of power, you might as well do it right.
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From: Walcott ND
The 383 sounds awesome but I also want to keep the good mpg I'm gettin with it now. I know some bolt ons aren't going to help with mpg but I don't think it would suffer as much as it would with goin all out on the 383. Even though I'd love the power it produced, that's for sure. You wouldn't happen to have some of those bolt-on's you had on yours layin around yet would ya?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Green Bay WI
Originally Posted by sterjess
The 383 sounds awesome but I also want to keep the good mpg I'm gettin with it now. I know some bolt ons aren't going to help with mpg but I don't think it would suffer as much as it would with goin all out on the 383. Even though I'd love the power it produced, that's for sure. You wouldn't happen to have some of those bolt-on's you had on yours layin around yet would ya?
BTW - I get 25+ mpg in my blown 383. That's with 3.45 gears in 6th of course...
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From: Walcott ND
What all is involved with building up a 383? Are you still using the stock intake, heads, etc? How much $$ is involved in building one up as well and how much $$ is the supercharger? I might have to look into this a little more because you're right, once I start modding I probably wouldn't stop. And after doing so would still want more power.
Le Mans Master
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From: Scarborough ONTARIO
Originally Posted by sterjess
What all is involved with building up a 383? Are you still using the stock intake, heads, etc? How much $$ is involved in building one up as well and how much $$ is the supercharger? I might have to look into this a little more because you're right, once I start modding I probably wouldn't stop. And after doing so would still want more power.
Stock LT1 intake is pretty good breathable item just keep it like that
or u might light port it.
Heads definetly needs stage 2 porting and valve job.
just the block and all internals will cost around 3 grand for 383
(if u want all good quality forged parts and arp bolts).
Dont have much knowledge in SC.
Once u built this monster motor than u sure have to look on tranny and
radaitor and other little bity stuff to go smooth along with 400 hp.
u r looking around 14 grand atleast by the time u finish bottom end/cam/heads/headers,....blah blah... unless u want to turn wrenches
urself.
Iam beyond that still have not 383 (i wish i would have do that for a little extra penny).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Green Bay WI
Originally Posted by sterjess
What all is involved with building up a 383? Are you still using the stock intake, heads, etc? How much $$ is involved in building one up as well and how much $$ is the supercharger? I might have to look into this a little more because you're right, once I start modding I probably wouldn't stop. And after doing so would still want more power.
Your engine needs to be completely disassebled for starters. Your favorite performance center or machine shop will prep/clean the block and make sure everything is true.I would advise against using the stock heads/intake. I would use competition ported AFR or Stage III LT4 heads (ported for boost). If you decide to stick with the LT1 intake, do not get it ported. If you go with an LT4 intake, definitely get it ported.
Go with a cam designed to meet the flow characteristics of your heads (which should be a blower grind).
Don't sacrifice on the small stuff - build everything forged (callies/eagle) crank, forged connecting rods (pro-mods come to mind), JE forged blower pistons.
Are you sitting down? If not, please do so. The engine alone can cost 10k. The blower will cost around 5k. It all depends on how much "elbow-grease" you're willing to contribute to the cause.
In the final analysis, you'll spend around 15k but you won't be able to wipe the grin off of your face when you put your foot into it!
