Simple question, cam or headers?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Simple question, cam or headers?
Looking for opinions on which to do first. Both will be done in time...but since they're about the same cost, which would be better first?
I have heard longtubes are good for approx 30-40rwhp and aggressive cams for 40-50rwhp.
I have heard longtubes are good for approx 30-40rwhp and aggressive cams for 40-50rwhp.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 0
From: I finished a Marathon, did you? Michigan
CI 6-7, 9-10 Veteran
Originally Posted by mdhmi
I would start with the long tube headers. Much easier to swap on and off than pulling the motor apart for a cam swap.
Mark
Mark
and you should know you had your apart a couple of times! 
Just kidding!
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Ikester....any special reason you say cam or is it just because you want to start trouble? 
I did the cam in my truck a few months ago and it really wasn't a horrible project....of course the truck had more room under the hood (I was able to climb in under there).
I'm about to do headers on the truck so I won't know the difference in difficulty but I would guess its going to be easier than the cam.
I did the cam in my truck a few months ago and it really wasn't a horrible project....of course the truck had more room under the hood (I was able to climb in under there).
I'm about to do headers on the truck so I won't know the difference in difficulty but I would guess its going to be easier than the cam.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
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From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by Billdog350
Ikester....any special reason you say cam or is it just because you want to start trouble?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 3
From: Va Beach VA
Did headers first for a couple of reasons
My buddy and I can do it ourselves on a sunny Saturday afternoon, if you dont like it, not hard to reverse and wont run hundreds of dollars in labor if a shop does it(cam)
Its a bolt-on mod vice internal to the engine and wont affect much else if it gets goofed up, and its not hard for a guy whose previous experience was oil changes and spark plugs. (me)
Its been about 8 months since the LT install and I am now ready to do a cam. Did lots of research and consulted a few tuners and guys in the car club for the right grind and any other things that go with it
( springs, rods, new chain, underdrive pulley, etc.)
Hope this helps some
My buddy and I can do it ourselves on a sunny Saturday afternoon, if you dont like it, not hard to reverse and wont run hundreds of dollars in labor if a shop does it(cam)
Its a bolt-on mod vice internal to the engine and wont affect much else if it gets goofed up, and its not hard for a guy whose previous experience was oil changes and spark plugs. (me)
Its been about 8 months since the LT install and I am now ready to do a cam. Did lots of research and consulted a few tuners and guys in the car club for the right grind and any other things that go with it
( springs, rods, new chain, underdrive pulley, etc.)
Hope this helps some
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Ikester, I don't look at them as "votes" as much as "consensus". I value peoples opinions here, even though I can make decisions on my own.
I've done headers (years ago on an old Firebird) and the cam more recently in my truck so I plan on doing both on the Vette.
C5COM had some good reasons behind his LT install...which I will consider.
No way I'm doing shorties, definitely long tubes...either a used set from the forum or a new set from one of the vendors.
Thanks again everyone!
I've done headers (years ago on an old Firebird) and the cam more recently in my truck so I plan on doing both on the Vette.
C5COM had some good reasons behind his LT install...which I will consider.
No way I'm doing shorties, definitely long tubes...either a used set from the forum or a new set from one of the vendors.
Thanks again everyone!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Only if you can afford it. I estimate $1000+- for the headers and $800+- for the cam. My wallet will tell me what I can and can't do. Plus the car is a daily driver and I don't know how long I can go without it.