Cam help
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Cam help
I was looking into a cam setup for my 2003 C5, which has 115,000k on it. I was looking at Comp Cam's xr259hr and xr265hr's. The car's s a daily driver for me and I was concerned about the mileage. Someone suggested looking into Comp's xr273hr, but Idk if that cam would be too big, plus I believe it requires a computer modification. Besides a cold intake, she's completely stock. Any suggestions would be a great help!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
I've had the vette for a while now, and with a new daily drivier I decided more power at the low end would be something different/fun.. so that's why I was looking into cams.
I really just want some power above stock, without breaking bank. This car was my daily driver for a while, and now I don't drive it as often, but when I do, I'm looking at around 45-60 mile trips at one time. Ideally, I want reasonable drivability (I understand it wont be as reliable as stock), but a bit more torque of the line. One of my buddies swapped comps 259hr cam, in place of stock, but like you said, he was looking at the 1000$$ range, and that was a weekend car. It idled great though, and had noticeable pick up (at least to me). Given all this, is cam swap worth it, or should I just stick to stock?
I really just want some power above stock, without breaking bank. This car was my daily driver for a while, and now I don't drive it as often, but when I do, I'm looking at around 45-60 mile trips at one time. Ideally, I want reasonable drivability (I understand it wont be as reliable as stock), but a bit more torque of the line. One of my buddies swapped comps 259hr cam, in place of stock, but like you said, he was looking at the 1000$$ range, and that was a weekend car. It idled great though, and had noticeable pick up (at least to me). Given all this, is cam swap worth it, or should I just stick to stock?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
some of the smaller cams from vendors like TSP, thunder racing, or EPS offer smaller cams that will give you a nice increase in power and if installed correctly will still be a daily driver, easy going, with a minimal decrease i n mileage (gotta pay a price for the more power somewhere) the issue though is the money. cam kits are going to run around 1K for everything you need, (cam, gaskets, springs, pushrods, etc) plus another 4-500 for a tune. If you want a nice bump in power without having to go into the engine look at long tubes and a mail in tune.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
Only you can decide what worth it to you. As saying goes, "Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?"
With 115,000 miles on the engine you are talking about close to $2000 or so to make it as reliable as stock. The valve train would need to be updated and it will need a tune.
You may / should need to replace:
Cam
lifters / trays
Springs / retainers
Seals
Timing chain
Oil pump
Gaskets / bolts
Push rods
Trunion upgrade
Tune
And thats assuming you can do the work yourself.
With 115,000 miles on the engine you are talking about close to $2000 or so to make it as reliable as stock. The valve train would need to be updated and it will need a tune.
You may / should need to replace:
Cam
lifters / trays
Springs / retainers
Seals
Timing chain
Oil pump
Gaskets / bolts
Push rods
Trunion upgrade
Tune
And thats assuming you can do the work yourself.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12,331
Likes: 139
Only you can decide what worth it to you. As saying goes, "Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?"
With 115,000 miles on the engine you are talking about close to $2000 or so to make it as reliable as stock. The valve train would need to be updated and it will need a tune.
You may / should need to replace:
Cam
lifters / trays
Springs / retainers
Seals
Timing chain
Oil pump
Gaskets / bolts
Push rods
Trunion upgrade
Tune
And thats assuming you can do the work yourself.
With 115,000 miles on the engine you are talking about close to $2000 or so to make it as reliable as stock. The valve train would need to be updated and it will need a tune.
You may / should need to replace:
Cam
lifters / trays
Springs / retainers
Seals
Timing chain
Oil pump
Gaskets / bolts
Push rods
Trunion upgrade
Tune
And thats assuming you can do the work yourself.
some people think that a cam upgrade is just the cam, but there are so many other things that need to be done to make sure your car runs reliably its not funny.
to the OP think of how long you are going to keep this car. think of what your future plans are and think of how much money your going to invest in it. with a 115K miles I would keep it stock and drive it for another 100K miles and then get a C6 with a lot lower miles and do your upgrades, or get a new short block or refurbished one and do your upgrades. Your window for upgrades really past at around 80K miles.
Last edited by 02*C5; May 7, 2012 at 03:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Thanks for all the input. After considering what you all said, and considering expenses and maintenance, I think I'm gna keep it stock. I enjoy driving it frequently without the headaches. A cam, with lifters, rods, and retainers alone is looking close to 1000$ and that's without the tune, or timing chain etc...so I'm thinking it ain't worth it considering the 115,000 miles. Prob put that money into making it run for another 115,000 miles strong.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
Likes: 311
From: Lino Lakes MN
Thanks for all the input. After considering what you all said, and considering expenses and maintenance, I think I'm gna keep it stock. I enjoy driving it frequently without the headaches. A cam, with lifters, rods, and retainers alone is looking close to 1000$ and that's without the tune, or timing chain etc...so I'm thinking it ain't worth it considering the 115,000 miles. Prob put that money into making it run for another 115,000 miles strong.
wise choice
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Change the rear end ratio if you want an increase in the seat of the pant's feeling. Go to a 3:42 if you have an a4 or 3:90s-4:10s if you have a 6 speed. Mileage will not be a lot different and you will gain good acceleration. 