cam mod...how much ? input wanted!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 864
Likes: 2
From: Jax FL
cam mod...how much ? input wanted!!
I am will be having LT's&X-pipe installed on my 02 coupe very soon and I will also be deleting the cats and AIR system and have a ti catback& blackwing.
My question or need for guidance/input is for the next mod. which I would like to install all the cam possible "without" getting a torque convertor installed...I would like to be able to just have the cam itself installed but I have been told that the stock springs are at their capacity-I don't know.....I will never race it anywhere but I want some cam but I don't have a fortune to spend....so if any of you can chime in I thank you in advance.......do I need heads,rockers,lifters.....what is most economical? what makes since? costs?..... I welcome input from all you forum vendors also-thanks again!
My question or need for guidance/input is for the next mod. which I would like to install all the cam possible "without" getting a torque convertor installed...I would like to be able to just have the cam itself installed but I have been told that the stock springs are at their capacity-I don't know.....I will never race it anywhere but I want some cam but I don't have a fortune to spend....so if any of you can chime in I thank you in advance.......do I need heads,rockers,lifters.....what is most economical? what makes since? costs?..... I welcome input from all you forum vendors also-thanks again!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood Colorado
I started with a 228/230 588/591 113 lsa installed with duel springs and ti retainers (stock heads) and 160 stat. It ran me installed and tuned just over 2K. My car is a 6sp btw....
At time of install I had headers / cat back / ls6 intake / and BPP air intake the car put down just under 400 rwhp.
Standard install for any lsx shop....
At time of install I had headers / cat back / ls6 intake / and BPP air intake the car put down just under 400 rwhp.
Standard install for any lsx shop....
Last edited by Cornfed; Jan 17, 2008 at 12:10 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 864
Likes: 2
From: Jax FL
Hey forum friends I really need the wealth of knowledge and expierance that a lot of you out there have to help me make the right decisions withthis mod.......and will this cam&spring kit work with my stock auto tranny?
TPIS Z-11 215/220 .559/.557 112LSA comes with Manley dual springs, titanium retainers and new valve seals
thanks for your help and guidance 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
what are your goals for the car?
to be honest, that cam you picked is a sissy cam. you will regret wasting the money on a cam that small. i am currently having the FM13 installed on a 110LSA in my Z.
for me personally(your costs will vary)
this is how much it cost:
cam- 413 shipped
dual patriot gold springs .650 lift rated - 250 shipped
powerbond harmonic balancer pulley - 210 shipped plus 20 for new belt
gasket kit for cam - 50 shipped
labor for cam install, 310(this is where your cost WILL increase by at least 100% unless you live near me and have damian from ls1tech do the install. he is doing mine.
on top of that, you WILL need to get tuned. so add 500 for a tune, of 650 for hptuners. i have hptuners.
ontop of THOSE, you are going to need exhaust. you will choke any kind of decent cam with the stock exhaust. so figure longtubes, x pipe and you can probably live with the stock catback, especially if you have a Z.
i got ebay headers, so 400 for those plus 125 for midpipe to be fabbed up.
also, if you are going to tune your car by yourself, get a wideband. 225 for the plx kit shipped.
unless you go with a super low end power cam, you will need a stall or its going to feel like dog crap. i have a 6 speed, so i dont know all that much about auto tranny's.
hope that helps, its NOT cheap and dont cheap out. you have a vette, not a civic.
to be honest, that cam you picked is a sissy cam. you will regret wasting the money on a cam that small. i am currently having the FM13 installed on a 110LSA in my Z.
for me personally(your costs will vary)
this is how much it cost:
cam- 413 shipped
dual patriot gold springs .650 lift rated - 250 shipped
powerbond harmonic balancer pulley - 210 shipped plus 20 for new belt
gasket kit for cam - 50 shipped
labor for cam install, 310(this is where your cost WILL increase by at least 100% unless you live near me and have damian from ls1tech do the install. he is doing mine.
on top of that, you WILL need to get tuned. so add 500 for a tune, of 650 for hptuners. i have hptuners.
ontop of THOSE, you are going to need exhaust. you will choke any kind of decent cam with the stock exhaust. so figure longtubes, x pipe and you can probably live with the stock catback, especially if you have a Z.
i got ebay headers, so 400 for those plus 125 for midpipe to be fabbed up.
also, if you are going to tune your car by yourself, get a wideband. 225 for the plx kit shipped.
unless you go with a super low end power cam, you will need a stall or its going to feel like dog crap. i have a 6 speed, so i dont know all that much about auto tranny's.
hope that helps, its NOT cheap and dont cheap out. you have a vette, not a civic.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 864
Likes: 2
From: Jax FL
what are your goals for the car?
to be honest, that cam you picked is a sissy cam. you will regret wasting the money on a cam that small. i am currently having the FM13 installed on a 110LSA in my Z.
for me personally(your costs will vary)
this is how much it cost:
cam- 413 shipped
dual patriot gold springs .650 lift rated - 250 shipped
powerbond harmonic balancer pulley - 210 shipped plus 20 for new belt
gasket kit for cam - 50 shipped
labor for cam install, 310(this is where your cost WILL increase by at least 100% unless you live near me and have damian from ls1tech do the install. he is doing mine.
on top of that, you WILL need to get tuned. so add 500 for a tune, of 650 for hptuners. i have hptuners.
ontop of THOSE, you are going to need exhaust. you will choke any kind of decent cam with the stock exhaust. so figure longtubes, x pipe and you can probably live with the stock catback, especially if you have a Z.
i got ebay headers, so 400 for those plus 125 for midpipe to be fabbed up.
also, if you are going to tune your car by yourself, get a wideband. 225 for the plx kit shipped.
unless you go with a super low end power cam, you will need a stall or its going to feel like dog crap. i have a 6 speed, so i dont know all that much about auto tranny's.
hope that helps, its NOT cheap and dont cheap out. you have a vette, not a civic.
to be honest, that cam you picked is a sissy cam. you will regret wasting the money on a cam that small. i am currently having the FM13 installed on a 110LSA in my Z.
for me personally(your costs will vary)
this is how much it cost:
cam- 413 shipped
dual patriot gold springs .650 lift rated - 250 shipped
powerbond harmonic balancer pulley - 210 shipped plus 20 for new belt
gasket kit for cam - 50 shipped
labor for cam install, 310(this is where your cost WILL increase by at least 100% unless you live near me and have damian from ls1tech do the install. he is doing mine.
on top of that, you WILL need to get tuned. so add 500 for a tune, of 650 for hptuners. i have hptuners.
ontop of THOSE, you are going to need exhaust. you will choke any kind of decent cam with the stock exhaust. so figure longtubes, x pipe and you can probably live with the stock catback, especially if you have a Z.
i got ebay headers, so 400 for those plus 125 for midpipe to be fabbed up.
also, if you are going to tune your car by yourself, get a wideband. 225 for the plx kit shipped.
unless you go with a super low end power cam, you will need a stall or its going to feel like dog crap. i have a 6 speed, so i dont know all that much about auto tranny's.
hope that helps, its NOT cheap and dont cheap out. you have a vette, not a civic.
but that is not the cam I picked, it is one that another forum member offered to sell me......I do not and will not altar my stock auto but I would love to have all the cam I can get and maintain that stock tranny and it will have LT's and x-pipe by then......I was hoping that some of the forum tuners/vendors would offer some tech. help/ guidance
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
what size cam are you going with then? check out the Futral line of cams, they make good low end power and dont peak too high. or go with a custom grind, but either way its going to be $$$$$$$$
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
If you are going to change cams you NEED to upgrade the valve springs.
You do not need higher stall TC if you don't go crazy with a cam that won''t idle smooth under 1K.
With your A4 I would stay around 224/224 .575 114. Good low/mid power nice lumpy idle at about 650/700 rpm.
Still need headers to make it all work.
You do not need higher stall TC if you don't go crazy with a cam that won''t idle smooth under 1K.
With your A4 I would stay around 224/224 .575 114. Good low/mid power nice lumpy idle at about 650/700 rpm.
Still need headers to make it all work.