Head/Cam reliability
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon CT
Head/Cam reliability
I read a post on here recently about the lack of reliability of the valve train when you add more aggressive heads and cam. They were saying that you will need to replace things in it every year or so. This car is my DD and I was looking to get about 425-450rwhp and I dont want to have to rip the heads off all the time and put more money in with new parts. Is there more info I can get on this to help me decide if this is where I want to go for power mods? Thanks, Patrick
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Lot's of variables here.. what size cam, what car is used for, your driving style. If I were you, I would contact one of the forum Tuners here like ECS, LG, FLP, A&A Corvettes and speak with them on the phone and they will help you out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon CT
Yeah I was planning on contacting ECS but I just wanted to have some good knowlege so I can understand them and communicate better with them. I tried to give a little info on the car. Mainly just street use some strip and road use but not much. Thanks though!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
As power increases reliability decreases, or should I say that regular maintenance becomes more regular. As for your HP goals, an M6 can make that type of power easier than an A4, though 400 -425 RWHP can be made with a mild setup which should increase reliability. I just had to replace my stock tranny at 40K miles, 25K with the heads/Cam. About 5K miles ago I added 3.90's and that most likely shortened the life span. I also broke a valve spring before so reliability is all relative. FYI my last dyno session was 401 RWHP, 367 RWTQ. Hope this helps some.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon CT
Yeah I was thinking a mild cam and heads with full exhaust and maybe a intake mani. No gears or anything. I do have the MN6. I basically just wanted to know if the people in that power range were having to replace andything constistanly in the valve train.
Race Director
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
Originally Posted by FrankTank
Lot's of variables here.. what size cam, what car is used for, your driving style. If I were you, I would contact one of the forum Tuners here like ECS, LG, FLP, A&A Corvettes and speak with them on the phone and they will help you out.
I have a mild cam (see sig) and I was advised im no where near stressing the springs so i can go 30k+ miles on the Patriot gold springs.im going on 2 years + on my H/C, no issues!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Sneaky Patrick! 
Good cams and springs should last a long time...you have a roller cam in there anyway...so its just studs and rockers plus springs to worry about.....all fairly inexpensive compared to a blown bottom end.
Do headers first...then look at that G5x3 cam or whatever it is that everyone is making crazy power with on here. I'm considering the same, so if you do it first, we can learn on your car!
Good cams and springs should last a long time...you have a roller cam in there anyway...so its just studs and rockers plus springs to worry about.....all fairly inexpensive compared to a blown bottom end.
Do headers first...then look at that G5x3 cam or whatever it is that everyone is making crazy power with on here. I'm considering the same, so if you do it first, we can learn on your car!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Originally Posted by patrickC5
Yeah I was thinking a mild cam and heads with full exhaust and maybe a intake mani. No gears or anything.
Want to bet ?? once you get a taste you'll be back for more !
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Camden County NJ
2 yrs on my H/C setup (talk to Chris at ECS) and no issues. If memory serves me, ECS used comp 921 dual springs for my G5X3 cam. I have 15k miles on them, Lou and ECS recommended around 25-30k(max) miles to change them. I plan to have ECS do a 408 if $ allow this yr.
