Cam decision and questions
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 4
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Cam decision and questions
I have a c5 that is bone stock(automatic). I order the speed engineering long tube headers and x pipes but my question is on the cam. I drive my car daily and want to cam it soon. I was looking at the Texas speed 228 but might as well get my money’s worth so I looked at a Btr Stage 3. My question is, is the stage 3 too much for just daily driven? Also I want to know if I have to do anything to the tranny? I’m new to all this.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Honestly, you should just call the cam manufacturer. Call a few of them. Talk to the tech line people. They will spend the time to help you pick a combo that meets your goals.
Texas Speed and BTR are both great - I have cams from each in different cars I own. They can set you up with everything you need to do a cam swap. Cam, springs, pushrods, etc. etc. etc.
What rear gear do you have? Are you planning on changing it? Do you plan on doing a torque converter as well? Are you comfortable with idle surge? Are you pulling the heads off the car to go aftermarket? Just a few questions I can think of off the top of my head that often get lost in online cam discussions, because 90% of the replies are happy with "HAHAHA BIG CAM GO CHOP CHOP CHOP" or "LOL IT MADE 450RWHP" and forget that all that power came in at 6500+ RPM where it'll be relatively useless on the street. Or, even worse, "IT SOUNDS AWESOME IN THIS VIDEO I SAW ON YOUTUBE AND I WANT MY CAR TO DO THAT!"
Sorry, I'm being salty at this point.... but either way. 30 minutes on the phone will get you waaaaaaaaaaay more info than polling a forum, IMO.
Texas Speed and BTR are both great - I have cams from each in different cars I own. They can set you up with everything you need to do a cam swap. Cam, springs, pushrods, etc. etc. etc.
What rear gear do you have? Are you planning on changing it? Do you plan on doing a torque converter as well? Are you comfortable with idle surge? Are you pulling the heads off the car to go aftermarket? Just a few questions I can think of off the top of my head that often get lost in online cam discussions, because 90% of the replies are happy with "HAHAHA BIG CAM GO CHOP CHOP CHOP" or "LOL IT MADE 450RWHP" and forget that all that power came in at 6500+ RPM where it'll be relatively useless on the street. Or, even worse, "IT SOUNDS AWESOME IN THIS VIDEO I SAW ON YOUTUBE AND I WANT MY CAR TO DO THAT!"
Sorry, I'm being salty at this point.... but either way. 30 minutes on the phone will get you waaaaaaaaaaay more info than polling a forum, IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
I have a c5 that is bone stock(automatic). I order the speed engineering long tube headers and x pipes but my question is on the cam. I drive my car daily and want to cam it soon. I was looking at the Texas speed 228 but might as well get my money’s worth so I looked at a Btr Stage 3. My question is, is the stage 3 too much for just daily driven? Also I want to know if I have to do anything to the tranny? I’m new to all this.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 113
Likes: 28
The BTR III isn't too big per se. A lot of people DD bigger cams than that. It all depends on what you determine as good manners. It will surge a little in parking lots and such but with an auto, it shouldn't be as bad. If I remember right, the Tooley website recommends at least a 3200 stall with that cam. Don't quote me on that, it's been a while since I looked. There have been a bunch of people make good numbers with the 228R from TSP though. Call BTR and see what they say.
