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Cam without Headers??

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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 05:05 PM
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Default Cam without Headers??

I have a 2001 Z06.
Would it be foolish to install a cam without first doing a set of long tube headers?

Thanks
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by skeeters65
I have a 2001 Z06.
Would it be foolish to install a cam without first doing a set of long tube headers?

Thanks
IMHO yes it would. If you're planning to do both and don't absolutely have to have one of them right now I'd go ahead and buy one or the other then save for the other one and install them both at the same time. Then you only have to dyno tune once...

If you're only going to do one and absolutely have to do one right now I'd go with headers first but make sure you at least factor a mail order tune into the budget. If you don't tune your car after headers you're leaving a chitload of power on the table and the car will be running ridiculously rich...

Last edited by cdkcorvette7; Feb 6, 2012 at 08:56 PM. Reason: typo
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by cdkcorvette7
IMHO yes it would. If you're planning to do both and don't absolutely have to have one of them right now I'd go ahead and buy one or the other then save for the other one and install them both at the same time. Then you only have to dyno tune once...

If you're only going to do one and absolutely have to do one right now I'd go with headers first but make sure you at least factor a mail order tune into the budget. If you don't tune your car after headers you're living a chitload of power on the table and the car will be running ridiculously rich...


Definately headers first. If you can't do both at the same time.
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Old Feb 7, 2012 | 02:15 PM
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Also bear in mind that a cam install is usually the next step up in price for a tune. A "street tune" for bolts ons like headers and a manifold may be one price and once you get a cam, its considered an internal mod and it can be a much higher price.

Best to call the place you will get it tuned and ask.
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Old Feb 7, 2012 | 02:30 PM
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243 heads and a aftermarket cam do need different push rods.

Remember stock 2001 243 heads do not flow to well above .575 valve lift. and springs are only good for about the same.

they do flow very well from a .200 to .550 lift.
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Old Feb 7, 2012 | 04:17 PM
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I did a cam only on my 02 Z06 and pulled 404 rwhp. Well it did also have a Vararam, ported tb and underdrive pulley...


I wouldn't try it with an 01 because the exhaust is more restrictive due to the pre-cat/cat setup. I wouldn't worry about the cat-back however, the Ti exhaust flows very well...
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Old Feb 7, 2012 | 10:51 PM
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Always keep in mind that an internal combustion engine for all intents and purposes is an air pump. If youre going to alter the pump to suck more air in (cam) youll need to be able to get that air out (exhaust).
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Old Feb 8, 2012 | 02:30 PM
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The early Z's have an excellent stock exh. manifold--It is much sought after by F-body and LS1 retrofit guys---Although it is cast iron---it looks like a "shorty" header--The collector is the best cast iron one I've ever seen--each cylinder has it's unique separate runner
So i think it would work fine with a "cam only " mod---Of course some HP would be left on the table but even with a mild cam you should see another 30-35 RWHP
Before I got my own LT's I bought and installed a set of the Z06 manifolds for $25--
With bolt ons--cam only-- LS6 intake and an A4-- it made 325 RWHP-- thats about 390 -crank HP---45 crank HP over stock-----Cam-CAI-Catback-LS6 intake-Z06 exh.manifolds
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Old Feb 8, 2012 | 04:34 PM
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Default cam only

I have a 99 coupe I did a cam only on. With everything stock except the valve springs and pushrods it mad 357hp to the wheels. I installed the K&N open element filter, underdrive pully and xs power longtubes into the modded TI's and now puts down 404hp to the wheels. I am running the 853 heads not the 241,or 243.
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