hp gain
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 850
Likes: 15
From: Vero Beach Florida
You can get gains from a cam only swap, but what you really want is a cam/heads swap. They will work together to get the most out of each other. Don't forget you'll need to get nice cold air in easier(cai), and out(headers/X-pipe/free flowing mufflers). All of these things, plus plenty of others, if combined properly will bring great gains to your engine.
What you need to do is determine what your plans are for the car. Street only, track only, combo of both, daily driver, etc. Once you know that, then members can offer you advice on how to set your car up.Mike
What you need to do is determine what your plans are for the car. Street only, track only, combo of both, daily driver, etc. Once you know that, then members can offer you advice on how to set your car up.Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 850
Likes: 15
From: Vero Beach Florida
That shouldn't be too hard at all. Start with a Vararam vrb2 cold air intake. Next a set of longtube headers/X-pipe, with a good flowing muffler system. Then take it to a tuner, or get yourself a Diablo Predator handheld tuner, or equivalent, and add a performance tune, and then dial in your fuel trims, etc.. Those things alone will take your base 345hp ls1 to around the 400hp+ area. Next you would most likely want to upgrade heads/cam plus at least a ls6 intake. There are plenty of combinations, and when you are ready for specific part numbers, etc., go to the "Tech forum" and ask some of the guys there. They can give you tons of info on making your decision.
Just keep in mind, that once you start making 400/500 hp and torque, you better be sure that you upgrade your drivetrain to handle the extra power. Mike
Just keep in mind, that once you start making 400/500 hp and torque, you better be sure that you upgrade your drivetrain to handle the extra power. Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Roselle IL
I gained about 20 rwhp with a very mild cam only - with stock heads.
Went from 343 rwhp to 363 rwhp, nice sound too - a bit lopey
It all depends on how much cash you have to spend.
Went from 343 rwhp to 363 rwhp, nice sound too - a bit lopey
It all depends on how much cash you have to spend.
Last edited by 1998whitecoupe-a4; Apr 11, 2009 at 02:20 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 12
From: allentown nj
That shouldn't be too hard at all. Start with a Vararam vrb2 cold air intake. Next a set of longtube headers/X-pipe, with a good flowing muffler system. Then take it to a tuner, or get yourself a Diablo Predator handheld tuner, or equivalent, and add a performance tune, and then dial in your fuel trims, etc.. Those things alone will take your base 345hp ls1 to around the 400hp+ area. Next you would most likely want to upgrade heads/cam plus at least a ls6 intake. There are plenty of combinations, and when you are ready for specific part numbers, etc., go to the "Tech forum" and ask some of the guys there. They can give you tons of info on making your decision.
Just keep in mind, that once you start making 400/500 hp and torque, you better be sure that you upgrade your drivetrain to handle the extra power. Mike
Just keep in mind, that once you start making 400/500 hp and torque, you better be sure that you upgrade your drivetrain to handle the extra power. Mike
lol not going to get to 400 rwhp on a ls1 with those mods very very wishful thinking 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 850
Likes: 15
From: Vero Beach Florida
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
IMHO your best bet for a bone stock C5 would be to add long tube headers with hi- flow cats and a cold air intake such as a vararam ($300) or a Calloway Honker ($500) plus a street tune. This will get you 40+ hp at the wheel and will help get max power from a cam should you decide to add on in the future. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 4
From: Nouvelle Ecosse
IMHO your best bet for a bone stock C5 would be to add long tube headers with hi- flow cats and a cold air intake such as a vararam ($300) or a Calloway Honker ($500) plus a street tune. This will get you 40+ hp at the wheel and will help get max power from a cam should you decide to add on in the future.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 850
Likes: 15
From: Vero Beach Florida
My advice exactly.IMHO your best bet for a bone stock C5 would be to add long tube headers with hi- flow cats and a cold air intake such as a vararam ($300) or a Calloway Honker ($500) plus a street tune. This will get you 40+ hp at the wheel and will help get max power from a cam should you decide to add on in the future.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Taking it in small steps makes it a very affordable way to do it. I started with simple bolt ons. Cold air intake, cat back exhaust. I then did the cam with tune (not dynoed) and other associated mods that are usually done at the time of a cam swap. ie: oil pump, pushrods, springs, timing chain, and other misc. When I did run on the dyno at a later date my RWHP was 348HP/358TQ my airflow ratio was still pretty rich which means there was still some horsepower left on the table. The cam is somewhat mild but very driveable, (220/220, .581/.581, 112). I recently added the Dynatech headers with cats. this has made a substantial seat of the pants feel. I would say worth 20RWHP with the other mods combined. My next step is to get heads and new intake manifold. since my car is a 99 i'm still running the non LS6 manifold which became standard in 01 I think. I intend to get AFR heads 92mm fast with LS2 throttle body. That plus a tune on the dyno should net around 420-430 RWHP. Good luck with what ever direction you go. The most important thing you can do is to go with a good performance shop, that will make all the difference, and make it very enjoyable, which is why your doing it in the first place.
