I keep seeing cams and heads all over the place posting all kinds of numbers. My knowledge is extremely low ( like none ) when it comes to these specifics. I have wanted to jump on a few deals because they sounded like good deals but got scared because of not knowing if it will be right for me. Would someone mind taking a little time out and explain these numbers like 243 or .060 and stuff like that. I would like to be involved when topics like this come up.

Now what I am looking to do is a cam and head change ( plus a couple of smaller odds and ends like TB etc. ). I would like to get close to 400hp at the wheels with these changes. So:

1) Can I obtain these numbers by changing only the above?
2) Can I do this and still keep the car within CA smog limits?
3) Can someone recommend a good cam/ head combo that will do the above?
4) Any close estimate what I would be looking at including labor?

I figure if I could get about 400 naturally asperated and ad a 150 nitrous shot I would be a good contender to some of that mean muscle out there.

Thanks for taking the time.

Joe

 

man we're on the same boat

 

1st question is, WHY?

Those numbers are the duration or lift of the cams...all a cam does is open and shut the intake and exhaust valves on the car...you want a larger duration of 'open' to allow more fuel/air mix into the chamber. Larger exhaust to exit more used gasses.

Basically the whole thing comes down to getting as much air/fuel..in the proper ratios, into the firing chamber as fast as possible, then igniting it and burning it as completely as possible, then getting it OUT and exhausted from the car as fast as possible, a larger cam allows you to do this...Also, there are cams available that will get you over 400hp, but you need to understand that nitrous opens up a totally different can of worms, you start throwing a lot more power and everything needs to be beefed up to handle it...or parts start breaking...Nitrous can burn a piston top off fast, if you don't do things properly, so be careful!

Hang out and read the topics in the tech area, or ls1tech.com...gradually you'll pick up things here and there that explain little things that seem weird right now, reading is going to be alot easier to understand because it will allow you to go slow where you are confused and blaze along where you do already have a basic understanding

~Maverick

 

Also 243,853, 241, etc are head casting numbers, more info on this can be forund here: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showth...&highlight=706

 

Ahhh....Yes, I DID forget to actually ever 'just answer the questions'!!!!!...ooops...my bad!

~Maverick

 

Lots of good tech info on ls1tech.com. I dont know much about inspection in CA but it wouldn't hurt to call some of the supporting shops in CA to see what you can get away with.

 

Thanks for the insight. I am glad I never made any moves. I am sure I would have been going thru some coin. Not completely up to speed but I will do more research.

Don, That combo you gave me, Can you use Nitrous with it? Nitrous is not very important to me so if it is not I'll go with a set of smog legal headers and call it a day.

 

I would contact TSP and ask them what they recommend for a smog legal cam thats good with nitrous, smog legal headers are shorty headers and not worth the money IMO unless you find them dirt cheap, you will only net about 8 rwhp for $400 (new shorties)

 

Joe, did you ever get the Vararam installed. If you did you should be faily close to the 400 HP mark. Later

 

The biggest cams we can run in CA and still be able to pass is about a 224/228 114, but would need a good tune. You should talk to whoever is doing your install though. The TSP heads would get you there. As far as install cost, here in CA it's around 2 grand installed, although you could save most of that by doing it yourself. Tuning costs are more here on the westcoast, but we do have some of the best shops and tuners!

 

I was thinking about doing it myself but I got 2 problems. The car is my daily driver and the second would be all the time to get it up and running as quickly as possible. I will get with WCC and see since I am now serious about doing this.

Craig, I got the Vram on last week. Very nice. Funny, the faster you go the better it gets.

Thanks for the info guys. I am going to have a working knowledge one day.

 

My .02
I had some work done at L.A.P.D. in Canoga Park and was satisfied with the results. I would stop by there to see how things were going and it seemed every time I would run into CF guys, either getting something done or just hanging out. Their Phone is 818-998-3966 talk to Al. I did and just told him what I wanted to do and not have any smog issues. He recommended a package for me and now it does everything I wanted.
Good Luck with yours

 

I will call them and talk about what I'm looking for. WCC is only 7 miles from me apposed to LAPD being many many a mile away but if there is a difference in pricing I'm game.

 

My car is being done at LAPD! I'm one of those guys who hangs out there on occasion enriching my knowledge. LAPD

 

Yeah I saw your thread. What is that running you if you don't mind my asking.

 

I sent you a pm. As far as shop comparison, you have to compare apples to apples. WCC, if I remember right sells Lingenfelter heads, other shops generaly don't. I have had great service from LAPD, so I wouldn't go anywhere else.

 

How would this cam be for cali smog? It just came up for sale.

1 comp cams camshaft 230 230 591 591 0n a 114lsa

 

I would think that would be too big. Like I said, everyone has pretty much told me a 224/228 114 is the biggest you can get away with. I would pm or call some of the local shops and see what they say. They have the most experience.

 

www.howstuffworks.com

 

Thanks Kami.

Spiral that's what I will look for.