what size cam?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Red Oak Texas
what size cam?
I know this is probably a stupid question, but I need help on this one. I didn't realize how inexpensive a cam was until I was looking in my summitt racing book. My question is what kind of cam do I want to look for??? I have a stock C5 with only my mufflers cut off. I was looking at all the cams and don't understand what all those numbers mean as far as the revs and the lobes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
What are you going to use your car for? Not all cams are for all things.
Drag racing
road racing
just some extra power and maybe a few weekend trips to the stip
or??
that is the place to start
Drag racing
road racing
just some extra power and maybe a few weekend trips to the stip
or??
that is the place to start
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 260
From: Jamison Pa
St. Jude Donor '11-'25
LS1 Cam Install = Easy Button
There not too hard to install. I found the hardest thing was removing the steering rack.
Make sure that you get the lifters up in the retainers and then put a dowel in place on both sides or you will need to pull the oil pan if a lifter falls down. Not fun in a C5.
Removing and installing the dampner is my 2nd least favorite task. I recommend either making a tool or getting the one from 618Hawk on
LS1Tech (I got the one from 618 Hawk and have used it 4 times so far.)
You might want to think about new valve springs depending on the cam you choose.
Bob K.
Make sure that you get the lifters up in the retainers and then put a dowel in place on both sides or you will need to pull the oil pan if a lifter falls down. Not fun in a C5.
Removing and installing the dampner is my 2nd least favorite task. I recommend either making a tool or getting the one from 618Hawk on
LS1Tech (I got the one from 618 Hawk and have used it 4 times so far.)
You might want to think about new valve springs depending on the cam you choose.
Bob K.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Cam with 224-228 or 228-232 with mild lift and middle of road split should do the trick. Go with the bigger one if you plan on heads in the future. Also consider under drive pulley since you will have to pull your old one off for the cam swap. As posted above you will have to have a tune and with the extra parts-gaskets, etc, cost could be up $1500. The oil pump will be accessible also and would be a good time to upgrade it. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: Norwich NY
More info is needed like ..... What year is your car? 2000 and erlier have **** intakes. 6 speed or auto?? A bigger cam and a A4 w/o a higher stall convertor is NO fun..
a 224 /580/114 cam is a nice all around with an A4.. Will need a convertor to really enjoy it though . Again, 6 speeds they are no problem..
If you are gonna do a cam, swap the balancer at the same time. If you are a mechanic, they are not bad. If you are the average "car guy", they are alot of work IMHO.
Lets see.
Cam.. $400
Lifters $200
Gaskets $100
Thermostat $60
Oil pump $100
Oil/Filter $45
Antifreeze $25
Stuff you will break. $50
Tune.. $300- $600.
I padded the prices on the high side a little..
Taking the rack out is easy. Loosen the 4 bolts that hold up the cradle. This will let the rack will slide right out!!
Remember,, speed is a drug!! Once you start,,, you better have deep pockets or a rich lady!!!!!
JMHO
a 224 /580/114 cam is a nice all around with an A4.. Will need a convertor to really enjoy it though . Again, 6 speeds they are no problem..
If you are gonna do a cam, swap the balancer at the same time. If you are a mechanic, they are not bad. If you are the average "car guy", they are alot of work IMHO.
Lets see.
Cam.. $400
Lifters $200
Gaskets $100
Thermostat $60
Oil pump $100
Oil/Filter $45
Antifreeze $25
Stuff you will break. $50
Tune.. $300- $600.
I padded the prices on the high side a little..
Taking the rack out is easy. Loosen the 4 bolts that hold up the cradle. This will let the rack will slide right out!!
Remember,, speed is a drug!! Once you start,,, you better have deep pockets or a rich lady!!!!!
JMHO
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
^ Don't forget valvespring kit and timing chain.
For just a cam swap, I wouldn't pull the heads just to change the lifters out. The stock lifters should be fine, and if/when a head swap happens in the future, than change the lifters and guides at that time.
For just a cam swap, I wouldn't pull the heads just to change the lifters out. The stock lifters should be fine, and if/when a head swap happens in the future, than change the lifters and guides at that time.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: Norwich NY
LMAOBut again, using a new cam thru stock heads is like breathin thru a straw.. I did a cam only swap at first. The car did run better. Heads and headers really woke it up though..
JHHO
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
I agree. I did the usual progression too...headers, then cam, then heads.
Each added considerably to the hp output, but in context of this thread, with all that, you're talking $6k+ to get to that point, which is probably a bit overwhelming to the OP who's thinking how inexpensive the cost of a cam is.
IMO, If his mods right now are limited to the modded catback he stated, he's better off at this point spending his money on an air filter system first, then headers. Both are definite "pre-requisites" to a cam install.
As stated before, the cam itself is cheap, but by the time you get done buying all that really should go with it, it's not.
Each added considerably to the hp output, but in context of this thread, with all that, you're talking $6k+ to get to that point, which is probably a bit overwhelming to the OP who's thinking how inexpensive the cost of a cam is.
IMO, If his mods right now are limited to the modded catback he stated, he's better off at this point spending his money on an air filter system first, then headers. Both are definite "pre-requisites" to a cam install.
As stated before, the cam itself is cheap, but by the time you get done buying all that really should go with it, it's not.
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
More info is needed like ..... What year is your car? 2000 and erlier have **** intakes. 6 speed or auto?? A bigger cam and a A4 w/o a higher stall convertor is NO fun..
a 224 /580/114 cam is a nice all around with an A4.. Will need a convertor to really enjoy it though . Again, 6 speeds they are no problem..
If you are gonna do a cam, swap the balancer at the same time. If you are a mechanic, they are not bad. If you are the average "car guy", they are alot of work IMHO.
Lets see.
Cam.. $400
Lifters $200
Gaskets $100
Thermostat $60
Oil pump $100
Oil/Filter $45
Antifreeze $25
Stuff you will break. $50
Tune.. $300- $600.
I padded the prices on the high side a little..
Taking the rack out is easy. Loosen the 4 bolts that hold up the cradle. This will let the rack will slide right out!!
Remember,, speed is a drug!! Once you start,,, you better have deep pockets or a rich lady!!!!!
JMHO
a 224 /580/114 cam is a nice all around with an A4.. Will need a convertor to really enjoy it though . Again, 6 speeds they are no problem..
If you are gonna do a cam, swap the balancer at the same time. If you are a mechanic, they are not bad. If you are the average "car guy", they are alot of work IMHO.
Lets see.
Cam.. $400
Lifters $200
Gaskets $100
Thermostat $60
Oil pump $100
Oil/Filter $45
Antifreeze $25
Stuff you will break. $50
Tune.. $300- $600.
I padded the prices on the high side a little..
Taking the rack out is easy. Loosen the 4 bolts that hold up the cradle. This will let the rack will slide right out!!
Remember,, speed is a drug!! Once you start,,, you better have deep pockets or a rich lady!!!!!
JMHO
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Contact Tony and get in on this deal. He will answer all of your questions, is super responsive and you will not beat these prices
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1787785
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1787785