do I need a cam change?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
do I need a cam change?
Background:
- ZZ4 crate motor
- TPIS long tube headers
- highflow cat
- magnaflow catback
- 52mm TB
- ported maf
- cut air lid
- TPIS stage 4 tune
- tranny has the stock 2000 stall (will be rebuilding it soon)
I currently have the edelbrock highflow base, runners and a ported plenium. I'm changing direction to go from a stop light killer to more of a highway play toy so I'm swaping over to the miniram. The car has the zz4 cam in it now. Since I'm pulling the intake I thought I would take this time to see if it would be worth while to swap cams out. The wife would like more lope to the car but I'm really looking to see if their are any real gains to have now that I'm swapping to a higher reving set-up.
Also - any ballparks on what my power numbers may be with the miniram?
- ZZ4 crate motor
- TPIS long tube headers
- highflow cat
- magnaflow catback
- 52mm TB
- ported maf
- cut air lid
- TPIS stage 4 tune
- tranny has the stock 2000 stall (will be rebuilding it soon)
I currently have the edelbrock highflow base, runners and a ported plenium. I'm changing direction to go from a stop light killer to more of a highway play toy so I'm swaping over to the miniram. The car has the zz4 cam in it now. Since I'm pulling the intake I thought I would take this time to see if it would be worth while to swap cams out. The wife would like more lope to the car but I'm really looking to see if their are any real gains to have now that I'm swapping to a higher reving set-up.
Also - any ballparks on what my power numbers may be with the miniram?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,145
Likes: 1,730
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I would definitely change the camshaft out. You can use any hydraulic roller since you've switched out to a ZZ4 crate, and I would not look at anything smaller than a LT4 Hotcam.
ZZ-409 would be my personal pick for a basic MR cam as well. It would have a small lope that you could tinker with in the tune.
Anything bigger will depend on exactly how much drivability and power youre looking to get here.
ZZ-409 would be my personal pick for a basic MR cam as well. It would have a small lope that you could tinker with in the tune.
Anything bigger will depend on exactly how much drivability and power youre looking to get here.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
The Thumpr series cams offered by CompCams would be the perfect compliment of lopey idle and mid-upper RPM increase in power that the miniram is good at flowing.
Nothing against the ZZ409 cam, it has some nice #s, but this thumpr cam has the same intake lift, slightly less exhaust, but overall more duration on both - which gives a higher powerband and that lumpy idle that everyone loves. As always, disregard summit's powerband figures - I believe the cam will make power up to and possibly exceed 6500.
I would've personally chosen a thumpr cam if I knew they made a flat tappet series, but I went with performer RPM instead.
Nothing against the ZZ409 cam, it has some nice #s, but this thumpr cam has the same intake lift, slightly less exhaust, but overall more duration on both - which gives a higher powerband and that lumpy idle that everyone loves. As always, disregard summit's powerband figures - I believe the cam will make power up to and possibly exceed 6500.
I would've personally chosen a thumpr cam if I knew they made a flat tappet series, but I went with performer RPM instead.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 2
From: High Ridge Missouri
The Thumpr series cams offered by CompCams would be the perfect compliment of lopey idle and mid-upper RPM increase in power that the miniram is good at flowing.
Nothing against the ZZ409 cam, it has some nice #s, but this thumpr cam has the same intake lift, slightly less exhaust, but overall more duration on both - which gives a higher powerband and that lumpy idle that everyone loves. As always, disregard summit's powerband figures - I believe the cam will make power up to and possibly exceed 6500.
I would've personally chosen a thumpr cam if I knew they made a flat tappet series, but I went with performer RPM instead.
Nothing against the ZZ409 cam, it has some nice #s, but this thumpr cam has the same intake lift, slightly less exhaust, but overall more duration on both - which gives a higher powerband and that lumpy idle that everyone loves. As always, disregard summit's powerband figures - I believe the cam will make power up to and possibly exceed 6500.
I would've personally chosen a thumpr cam if I knew they made a flat tappet series, but I went with performer RPM instead.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I think the suggestion for a bigger cam is a good one. 218 duration (like a hotcam) is a good choice. That'll give a good bit more room for the MR to breath vs the ZZ4 duration. With the motor torn apart, you might also want to consider porting your heads.
I wish I could remember for sure but I think there's a good bit of room for improvement with the ZZ4 alum heads. If so, a cam + porting would provide maximum hwy fun!
gp
Last edited by GREGGPENN; May 27, 2009 at 01:30 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
For as long as I've looked at cams for my own car, I excluded the thought of LSA as it never came to mind.
You may want to consider a higher duration than the hotcam since the MR will make more power the higher you rev. The XR276HR or XR282HR grinds from compcams offer a nice amount of lift and duration that will compliment the MR buildup but not over-rev the ZZ4 powertrain, all while offering the correct LSA for the EFI setup.
You may want to consider a higher duration than the hotcam since the MR will make more power the higher you rev. The XR276HR or XR282HR grinds from compcams offer a nice amount of lift and duration that will compliment the MR buildup but not over-rev the ZZ4 powertrain, all while offering the correct LSA for the EFI setup.
