C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Inexpensive Cam ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 02:26 AM
  #1  
MawneeC5's Avatar
MawneeC5
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 9
From: Springhill FL
Default Inexpensive Cam ?

Is there a Cam that will bolt in without having to spend a fortune on heads/springs/retainers/rods ?

My engine is on a stand at the shop right now about to get a new crank under warranty(spun #5 rod bearing). And it just kills me not to bolt something on it while I have easy access Unfortunately I just got done spending alot of money on the car and the wife is giving me the stink eye if I even mention anymore car parts

A complete cam/heads package would turn me into a monk

So I'm wondering if there are any mild cams out there that I could bolt in without having to upgrade the valvetrain. I"m not expecting monster power gains, I'd be happy with just a tad more agressive tone and idle.
Thanks for any suggestions
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 05:14 AM
  #2  
pewter99's Avatar
pewter99
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Default

Lots of cam packages out there but no way I would put any new cam in without changing springs etc. You can get a cam package installed and tuned for a little under $2500...so if you are a DIY kinda guy it can be done for less without the tuning which you would have to pay for probably save yousrself about $800 or so....
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 05:23 AM
  #3  
Mitch C's Avatar
Mitch C
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Default

Your car is a 98 if your car has anything like the mileage most 8 year old cars have you should replace the valve springs even with a very mild cam. Even the LS6 cam requires a valve spring swap if the swap is done right.

You might want to see if you can pickup a used mild cam. The money you save buying the cam used you can invest in a new set of valve springs.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 08:50 AM
  #4  
Face's Avatar
Face
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 2
From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
Default

I really don't recommend this cam, but it's inexpensive for everything. http://www.paceparts.com/index.asp?P...D&ProdID=73032
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 09:22 AM
  #5  
Ikester's Avatar
Ikester
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

For sale: MTI Stealth I cam
Specs: 220/220 .581-.581@115 LSA (Comp Cams)
Mileage: 9K miles
Price: $200.00 firm+shipping

For anyone who is looking for a cam that has stock idle charactersitics yet makes excellent power, this cam is it! Excellent driveability provided that you have a good tune. Car will drive like stock until you go WOT! I had zero problems with the cam. I decided to go with more duration and a less stealthy cam.

The cam is in excellent condition. I have pictures and original cam card. It is also listed on ebay.

PS- you should get a new set of springs like Comp 918s. For less than 200.00 you have insurance that you wont break a spring and cause 5k engine damage due to a dropped valve.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 09:26 AM
  #6  
kumar75150's Avatar
kumar75150
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,147
Likes: 32
From: Dallas TX
Default

check the boards like ls1tech.com

u can usually find a used ls6 cam with springs
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 11:04 AM
  #7  
miguel98's Avatar
miguel98
Advanced
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Face
I really don't recommend this cam, but it's inexpensive for everything. http://www.paceparts.com/index.asp?P...D&ProdID=73032
I've heard good and bad things about this cam but on my 2000 Z28 it made 25hp or so has any here one put this cam on a C5 ?
Oh ya will a C5 even crank after a cam swap without tuning?
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 12:15 PM
  #8  
FixedRoof's Avatar
FixedRoof
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 9
From: FL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by Ikester
For sale: MTI Stealth I cam
Specs: 220/220 .581-.581@115 LSA (Comp Cams)
Mileage: 9K miles
Price: $200.00 firm+shipping
Ike's car sounded really good with this cam. Not lopey, perfect for someone who wants stealth or like stock drivability. Made good power in his car as well.

Originally Posted by miguel98
I've heard good and bad things about this cam but on my 2000 Z28 it made 25hp or so has any here one put this cam on a C5 ?
The GM Hotcam sucks. I had one in my 01 SS. Made 360-370 rwhp with headers and full bolts ons etc. Drivability sucked, loped and didnt make a ton of power for how it "sounded" My G5X3 is 100x more drivable than the hotcam was.

Originally Posted by miguel98
Oh ya will a C5 even crank after a cam swap without tuning?
Yeah it will start and drive fine. My friend Brian drove his 01 for a few weeks untuned with a 224/228 cam. It was drivable.. but a lil tempermental on a hot start. I even started my G5X3 on a stock tune..lol...
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 12:45 PM
  #9  
John Shiels's Avatar
John Shiels
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Default

Buy some used springs and it may cost you a motor with no warranty.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 12:53 PM
  #10  
AcmeRkt1's Avatar
AcmeRkt1
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth Colorado
Default

I'm about to swap out my cam next weekend, I have all of the other parts but was wondering if I needed to change out my timing chain as well. I remember doing it when I changed the cam in my camaro. Also is a double roller necessary? Thanks.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 12:53 PM
  #11  
runamuk's Avatar
runamuk
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Default

Originally Posted by miguel98
Oh ya will a C5 even crank after a cam swap without tuning?
Of course it'll crank, it'll even run. I put a cam in a friends car last week that had 229 degrees intake duration and 240 something exhaust the car ran and drove for 2 days before he got it tuned albeit pig rich but the car did run and drive.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 01:33 PM
  #12  
miguel98's Avatar
miguel98
Advanced
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by FFR-Z06
Of course it'll crank, it'll even run. I put a cam in a friends car last week that had 229 degrees intake duration and 240 something exhaust the car ran and drove for 2 days before he got it tuned albeit pig rich but the car did run and drive.
Hmmmm had a speed shop tell me with a vette any cam swap had to have a tune but i've been infored you dont need one with an LS6 cam swap.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 01:46 PM
  #13  
runamuk's Avatar
runamuk
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Default

Originally Posted by miguel98
Hmmmm had a speed shop tell me with a vette any cam swap had to have a tune but i've been infored you dont need one with an LS6 cam swap.
A tune and getting a car to run are 2 totally different things, heck even a factory stock Corvette will run and perform better with a little tuning and if you change the airflow thru the engine like when a different cam is installed then it needs to be tuned to maximize the performance gains.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 02:00 PM
  #14  
Tony Mamo @ AFR's Avatar
0Tony Mamo @ AFR
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 7
From: Valencia CA
Default

Originally Posted by Ikester
For sale: MTI Stealth I cam
Specs: 220/220 .581-.581@115 LSA (Comp Cams)
Mileage: 9K miles
Price: $200.00 firm+shipping

For anyone who is looking for a cam that has stock idle charactersitics yet makes excellent power, this cam is it! Excellent driveability provided that you have a good tune. Car will drive like stock until you go WOT! I had zero problems with the cam. I decided to go with more duration and a less stealthy cam.

The cam is in excellent condition. I have pictures and original cam card. It is also listed on ebay.

PS- you should get a new set of springs like Comp 918s. For less than 200.00 you have insurance that you wont break a spring and cause 5k engine damage due to a dropped valve.
Ike's cam + another $250 or so for a new dual valve spring kit good to .600 lift. Money well spent with much better results than the GM cam. Then there's the issue of a competent guy doing the spring install as well (you have to check installed spring heights and add or subtract inexpensive shims as necessary.....also you will need new valve stem seals but they are inexpensive as well).

Good luck....Call me at AFR if I can help you with anything

(818)890-0616 Ext. 109

Tony M.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 02:04 PM
  #15  
MawneeC5's Avatar
MawneeC5
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 9
From: Springhill FL
Default

Good info here, thanks for all the replies gang

Looks like I may just put it off this time and make a weekend project of it in a few months or so
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 02:37 PM
  #16  
93Polo's Avatar
93Polo
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by John Shiels
Buy some used springs and it may cost you a motor with no warranty.
I would buy the springs new and would never trust someone as to the use and mileage on the used springs. Spend a little more for piece of mind.

Plenty of used cams out on ls1tech Then many vendors offer all the parts needed to swap the cam in.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 10:59 PM
  #17  
MawneeC5's Avatar
MawneeC5
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 9
From: Springhill FL
Default

I registered on LS1tech, man..you werent kidding

Also found this kit, what do you guys think of it ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-Pe...ayphotohosting
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Inexpensive Cam ?

Old Oct 9, 2005 | 11:08 PM
  #18  
93Polo's Avatar
93Polo
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Default

I would recommend reading alot on cams and riding in some cars with cams and decide on what your goals are before buying. I'm not a fan of the hot cam but it does have some advantages mostly being cheap and easy on parts. IMHO you can have a cam just as tame with more power for a little more cash but everything is a trade off.

Last edited by 93Polo; Oct 9, 2005 at 11:17 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 12:36 AM
  #19  
MawneeC5's Avatar
MawneeC5
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 9
From: Springhill FL
Default

Originally Posted by 93Polo
I would recommend reading alot on cams and riding in some cars with cams and decide on what your goals are before buying. I'm not a fan of the hot cam but it does have some advantages mostly being cheap and easy on parts. IMHO you can have a cam just as tame with more power for a little more cash but everything is a trade off.
This is a pull the trigger or forget it situation... The engine is going back in the car this week.

As far as what I want from a cam. A little more 'pep' and attitude.

My car is a daily driver. A bit more Low/Medium grunt would be nice. And while I dont want my car to sound like a top fueler a bit of lope for attitude would be great. I have no plans to upgrade heads or do FI in the future. I'm not looking for massive horsepower gains or potential..I already have a 9 second toy in the garage
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 04:29 AM
  #20  
pewter99's Avatar
pewter99
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Default

Originally Posted by MawneeC5
I have no plans to upgrade heads or do FI in the future. ..

famous last words...see sig
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:52 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE