Cam or Heads first
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 132
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From: Rochester New York
Cam or Heads first
Right now I have a limited budget but I'm getting antsy to do something to my 02 LS1. My question is if you had to chose one which would it be? A hotter cam or a set of AR heads(202). Right now I have Dynamax long tube headers w/x pipe, Haltec intake, Borla Stingers, ported throttle body, Ram clutch. I know I should do both at the same time but If you had to chose which one????????? 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,542
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From: Are you fat because you're lazy or lazy because you're fat? San Jose, CA
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
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I know it's hard, but try and save up and do them both at the same time.
If you don't, you'll have to have it tuned twice.
If you don't you'll have to have a lot of labor done, twice.
By doing it once you could be saving yourself over $1000.
Agree with above, heads would be pointless without a bigger cam.
If you don't, you'll have to have it tuned twice.
If you don't you'll have to have a lot of labor done, twice.
By doing it once you could be saving yourself over $1000.
Agree with above, heads would be pointless without a bigger cam.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 351
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From: Louisville Kentucky
If you plan to do both heads and cam but only one at a time, I'd for the heads first. The reason for this is that you'd probably want a different cam for you upgraded heads than for your stock heads. If you do the heads first, you won't have to live with a previously installed cam that is best suited for your stock heads.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Keep in mind that not all cams are best suited for all heads. Some combinations work far better together then other combinations.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Slo C5 (and others) are right. You need to do valvesprings with a cam...so you're already into the heads. Furthermore you usually do the oil pump, underdrive pulley, etc.
Try to do both at once if possible. For the price of the AFR's, you can get some PRC ported 243's AND the install. I haven't seen any definitive proof that AFR's will net you huge hp over other ported heads...usually you're talking 5-10hp at most.
Try to do both at once if possible. For the price of the AFR's, you can get some PRC ported 243's AND the install. I haven't seen any definitive proof that AFR's will net you huge hp over other ported heads...usually you're talking 5-10hp at most.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,170
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From: BROOKLYN PARK MN
do both of them at the same time. you will end up spending more money if you do the cam first. maybe try a more cost effictive head.
Look at these
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=680&catid=47
Look at these
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=680&catid=47
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 593
Likes: 12
From: Maryland Heights MO
If you are paying for the labor to have them installed then definitely do them at the same time. The cost of labor alone the second time around would be enough to pay for the heads themselves on the first engine mod. You can get a nice set of heads for $1500. Analyze the cost.
