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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 03:21 PM
  #1  
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Default Cam questions.

I've heard that a cam swap can do wonders for performance. I'm thinking of one for my LS1.

Here's what i currently have:

Vararam intake
Borla cat back
ported TB

Future mods include:
Bassini 4-2-1 headers
LS6 intake manifold.
Dyno or Laptop tune

What cams do you reccomend that wouldn't require Head swaps?

thanks.
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by TheRadioFlyer
I've heard that a cam swap can do wonders for performance. I'm thinking of one for my LS1.

Here's what i currently have:

Vararam intake
Borla cat back
ported TB

Future mods include:
Bassini 4-2-1 headers
LS6 intake manifold.
Dyno or Laptop tune

What cams do you reccomend that wouldn't require Head swaps?

thanks.
First off,do you have an A4 or MN6?There's a long list of cams that don't require head changes.What are you going to be doing with the car?strip,streetor cruise?Longtube headers is an ongoing debate but there are alot better out there than Bassani.LS6 intake will be good with your '97 will help with lowend TQ.With these mods you'll absolutely need a dynotune from a good shop,MTI,HPE etc.You'll have to decide how you'll use the car to optimize your cam choice.Jerry
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 04:12 PM
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my car with headers and a cartek 2x cam went 11.40 stock heads
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 09:16 PM
  #4  
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Originally Posted by TheRadioFlyer
I've heard that a cam swap can do wonders for performance. I'm thinking of one for my LS1.
Just wait and do the heads with the cam. I did everything in my sig this winter and it turned my vette in to a MONSTER. What a difference this stuff makes. Totally adds a whole new leval of fun to the car. Money well spent
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Old Apr 5, 2007 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 2000whitec5
my car with headers and a cartek 2x cam went 11.40 stock heads
+1

This would be a good choice. Not aggressive and makes nice power.

Shoot me a PM if you have any questions.

Max
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Old Apr 6, 2007 | 12:48 AM
  #6  
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Cams.....my final frontier.....!!!! ...Then again...that's what I said after the headers....and before the vararam...and before the gears...and right after the stall....geez....this stuff really is addictive....I need to start attending my modoholics meetings again!
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Old Apr 6, 2007 | 11:57 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by lytspeed1
Cams.....my final frontier.....!!!! ...Then again...that's what I said after the headers....and before the vararam...and before the gears...and right after the stall....geez....this stuff really is addictive....I need to start attending my modoholics meetings again!
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Old Apr 6, 2007 | 12:36 PM
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I would suggest some reading first as depending on how you want the car to perform in normal driving vs. all out power, your cam selection has the potential to result in a car you hate.

Start here
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Old Apr 6, 2007 | 01:08 PM
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Read this first...

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=327734
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Old Apr 6, 2007 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Ikester
Great info on the link! Thanks IKESTER!
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Old Apr 6, 2007 | 08:38 PM
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I think it all depends on how much you want to spend and what you want to end up with. You can get a nice 224 cam which will give the car a real kick and not do the heads, headers, or tune. This will cost ~$800 if you get a good deal and do the work (springs, gaskets, cam, chain, oilpump). But if you want more power later you might end up tossing that cam.

If you get a good deal, the heads and headers will run $500 - $800 each. A tune will be $400+. I chose to start with a bit larger cam and hope to phase the heads, headers, and intake in when the money frees up.

But I would enthusiastically encourage getting a cam NOW and enjoy that while you figure out your real plans. I love my cam only 1997 m6.
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Old Apr 7, 2007 | 08:31 PM
  #12  
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Hey bud,

Just to let you know, I'd also suggest a good set of longtubes over the Bassani's... And don't waste money on coating. A good stainless header is all you need.

What cam you want will depend on your goals and aspirations for the car. If you want it to sound radical and make a bunch of power, something like our new S2 cam would be great. It'll work with stock heads, or aftermarket in the future if you chose to get something good like the new Trick Flows...

Along with a the cam you should put on an ASP underdrive pulley while you're at it, new plugs, wires, and 160* thermostat. Cheap little things that will edge up the power output for ya.

The S2 cam along with all these little mods should pick at least 75 rwhp for you and extend your rev limit by 1000 rpm.

Cams work wonders in LS1's! Come by and see us, I promise us to be the best shop in Houston. Our work speaks for itself. And I guarantee our tuning to be better than anyone else's. If it's not, you're money back.

www.horsepowerengineering.com

Chuck @ HPE
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Old Apr 7, 2007 | 09:17 PM
  #13  
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Know your goals before you start the mods and you'll end up with a car you love instead of one you like but want to sell.
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 08:57 AM
  #14  
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PM sent
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 09:22 AM
  #15  
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If i want to go with a mild cam that wont change driveability or kill gas mileage, will I still need to upgrade other parts of the valvetrain like the springs? What are my choices in mild cams? Im new to ls1's

bonus points if it comes in a kit with everything I need
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 10:16 AM
  #16  
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You'll need to replace your springs regardless.
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Old Apr 15, 2007 | 01:24 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Sales@HPE
Hey bud,

Just to let you know, I'd also suggest a good set of longtubes over the Bassani's... And don't waste money on coating. A good stainless header is all you need.

What cam you want will depend on your goals and aspirations for the car. If you want it to sound radical and make a bunch of power, something like our new S2 cam would be great. It'll work with stock heads, or aftermarket in the future if you chose to get something good like the new Trick Flows...

Along with a the cam you should put on an ASP underdrive pulley while you're at it, new plugs, wires, and 160* thermostat. Cheap little things that will edge up the power output for ya.

The S2 cam along with all these little mods should pick at least 75 rwhp for you and extend your rev limit by 1000 rpm.

Cams work wonders in LS1's! Come by and see us, I promise us to be the best shop in Houston. Our work speaks for itself. And I guarantee our tuning to be better than anyone else's. If it's not, you're money back.

www.horsepowerengineering.com

Chuck @ HPE


Just looked at your website, very nice choices. I have a TR 224/224 114. I am looking for something a little more, but will still pass CA smog. Have something along those lines?

Mods I have now:VR, LS6 Intake, High Flow Air Bridge, LT's, X-Pipe, Borla Stingers, Ported TB, NX 150 Wet Shot.

Mods I hope to do:Patriot Stage II 5.3 Heads, 3.90 Gears.

Thanks,
Jason

Last edited by Blown-Interceptor; Apr 15, 2007 at 01:35 AM.
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Old Apr 15, 2007 | 04:02 AM
  #18  
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My '97 A4 is putting down 376 RWHP 350 RWTQ.

I have the Comp Cam 224/224 .567 .567 LSA114. Bassani long tubes, hi-flo cats, x-pipe and Ti cat back. UD pulley, LS6 intake, ported TB, 170* T-stat, LS6 heads, Blackwing with Halltech airbridge, 3:42 diff.

Next mod Patriot heads 243 62cc chambers and Cadillac Racing Lifters.

Going for 400+ RWHP.


Last edited by SLPRC5; Apr 15, 2007 at 04:11 AM.
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Old Apr 15, 2007 | 11:53 AM
  #19  
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Nice numbers.
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Old May 14, 2007 | 07:37 PM
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Nice tq @ 4k

I have a 6sp with all similar mods minus the bump stick and the underdrive and it makes a conservative 333hp at da wheels. That is 43 more than stock (290rwhp) with just intake and exhaust!

I have abused the engine and am thinking of getting a H&C to atone for my misdeeds. Tony, or more accurately his performance guy, Keith says a H&C will net me about 75 to 77 more hp at the rollers.

But, I do not want to loose too much low end tq. One thought is to combat any tq losses with a 3.90 rear. As I heard some people say 4.10 makes the geers too short for daily driving. Any suggestions would be much appriciated.
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