Some Heads/Cam questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Cameron North Carolina
Some Heads/Cam questions
I have a 99 vert A4 with vararam, LG Pro LT's, high-flow catted-X, and borla stingers. Everything else is stock. I am in the market for doing a head and cam package and know little about them. So, with that said, here's what my goals are. I'd like to find a cam with a power band that begins around 1500 RPM's and peaks around 6000. I'd love to break into the 400+ HP bracket but not sure if possible being that I am also looking to try to keep the MPG's close to what I get now 24-32. I know that there is a lot of work involved and I look forward to attacking this sort of job. I am a DIY guy and don't shy away from complicated jobs. My question to you guys is what sort of cam, heads, underdrive pully's, intake, 160 degree thermostat, ect. should I get in order to achieve my goals. I would love to hear some testimonials from those who have done this job and how things are working out after the swap. Please also direct me to supporting vendors who have good prices and can also provide tips and suggestions as to what I am looking for. Thanks guys and hopefully I'll be on the right track to begin this undertaking very shortly....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
The AFR package is a known producer. AFR 205 heads, 224/228 cam. Good power all the way though the RPM band and good idle. Commonly referred to as the "Mamo" setup, you should be able to find a lot of information on it including magazine articles. Will put you over 400 rwhp.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 300
From: FL
You may be able to get 400rwhp out of just a big cam but I agree with vettenuts, do it right and go with a proven combo from AFR. If done properly you can gain a couple MPG over stock.
- 25% underdrive pulley - good for about 8rwhp, originally designed to slow all the accesories down for racers due to be in the high rpm range for long periods.
- 160 thermo - only worthwhile if you lower your fan turn on temps or get a bigger radiator. IMO the LS series engines were designed to run in the stock heat ranges, just lower your fan temps a little with the stock thermostat.
- Intake - a ported FAST is part of the "Mamo" recipe and should provide an additional 20rwhp up top.
- Cam - you will get a mix of answers here but the "Mamo" recipe calls for a 224 on the intake and a 224 or 228 on the exhaust on a 114 LSA. This results in a broad power band, good idle, etc.
- The AFR heads will come with upgraded valve springs, some also change the rockers for better valvetrain geometry and an additional 5rwhp.
- 25% underdrive pulley - good for about 8rwhp, originally designed to slow all the accesories down for racers due to be in the high rpm range for long periods.
- 160 thermo - only worthwhile if you lower your fan turn on temps or get a bigger radiator. IMO the LS series engines were designed to run in the stock heat ranges, just lower your fan temps a little with the stock thermostat.
- Intake - a ported FAST is part of the "Mamo" recipe and should provide an additional 20rwhp up top.
- Cam - you will get a mix of answers here but the "Mamo" recipe calls for a 224 on the intake and a 224 or 228 on the exhaust on a 114 LSA. This results in a broad power band, good idle, etc.
- The AFR heads will come with upgraded valve springs, some also change the rockers for better valvetrain geometry and an additional 5rwhp.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
The AFR package is a known producer. AFR 205 heads, 224/228 cam. Good power all the way though the RPM band and good idle. Commonly referred to as the "Mamo" setup, you should be able to find a lot of information on it including magazine articles. Will put you over 400 rwhp.
This is good advice. If you use the search function and do a search on cams and heads you will come up with a lot of threads on this subject.Most people when they do a heads/cam also change the timing chain, add a ported oil pump, and install a new pulley.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,405
Likes: 353
From: New Castle Del.
St. Jude Donor '09
Here is a package i just got finished a few weeks ago.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...241&highlight=
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...241&highlight=
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 600
Likes: 11
From: Wilmington NC
I went with the AFR head combo. I went a little more aggressive on the cam than you will want with stock gears (G5X3).
I looked around and just decided that the best priced combo was from LG Motorsports which actually surprised me a little bit.
My car is also an A4 coupe and I recommend sticking to the lower duration cams like the 224 if you keep the stock gears (2.73; 3.15 perf).
Doing the head/cam/intake swap plus a new LS2 bottom end I achieved an additional 130 RWHP for a total of 460/421. I also agree to the upgraded valvetrain parts such as roller rockers and lifters. If your combo keeps making power and you have an upgraded valvetrain you can bump up the rev limiter. Mine is currently set to 7,000 and dyno'd up to 7,300.
The tune will be crutial to getting your desired results with gas mileage, driveability, and idle. My car feels great; only set back is that it lurches forward when you put it into gear so hold onto the brakes!! My torqe conveter now locks out at 35 MPH which is also a gas saver. I just have to say it one more time, automatic transmission cars need more attention to the tune than manual transmission. You will know right away what I'm talking about if you have a bad tune.
Current gas mileage 18-22; 75 MPH cruise @ 2500 RPM
I looked around and just decided that the best priced combo was from LG Motorsports which actually surprised me a little bit.
My car is also an A4 coupe and I recommend sticking to the lower duration cams like the 224 if you keep the stock gears (2.73; 3.15 perf).
Doing the head/cam/intake swap plus a new LS2 bottom end I achieved an additional 130 RWHP for a total of 460/421. I also agree to the upgraded valvetrain parts such as roller rockers and lifters. If your combo keeps making power and you have an upgraded valvetrain you can bump up the rev limiter. Mine is currently set to 7,000 and dyno'd up to 7,300.
The tune will be crutial to getting your desired results with gas mileage, driveability, and idle. My car feels great; only set back is that it lurches forward when you put it into gear so hold onto the brakes!! My torqe conveter now locks out at 35 MPH which is also a gas saver. I just have to say it one more time, automatic transmission cars need more attention to the tune than manual transmission. You will know right away what I'm talking about if you have a bad tune.
Current gas mileage 18-22; 75 MPH cruise @ 2500 RPM
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Heads/cam? Sure. Great idea, but if you stay with the stock converter, and 273s, you'd be negating half of the gains, IMHO. There's lots of AFR cheerleading, and I can't argue the generally good results, but I have and prefer the Trickflow heads as done by TEA for your application. That is, if you've the budget for them, about the same as AFRs. Good thing to be a DIY. I've never tackled as large a job before, and it was really worth doing myself. 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
From: Cranford NJ
We have a very good handle on heads and cam packages. Plus we do plenty of mail order packages... so we are pretty good with the phone support thing. 
Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.
Max
908.317.4496
Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. Max
908.317.4496