What would be the cheapest setup for a cam and tune? I want a cam with a good muscle car idle.

 

Cam kit from Texas speed is only $600. Cam, springs, & pushrods. And I think $650 for dual springs. I would recommend putting in a oil pump and timing chain also have to budget for gaskets. You could do it for about right at $1000 + or - a few dollars depending how a tune will run you!

 

That's a good price for a kit. I wouldn't worry about the pump or timing chain though unless the vehicle has very high mileage. The shop I go to makes 6 and 7 hundred horse engines regularly and use stock chains and pumps. Just my opinion.

 

Not trying to be "That guy" but a chain and a pump are CHEAP in comparison to what damage they can cause if they go bad. I learned the hard way. I put a LS2 chain in with my first setup, 50 bucks for a great chain with piece of mind. On the pump, i skimped and left the stocker and it lasted for a while but replacing it is almost as intensive as doing the whole cam job. A lot of things on "overkill" for sure in a lot of "kits" but those are two things i would not skip on.....

Just my two cents.

 

I completely agree with Dnealy! $200 and have a piece of mind about the motor being a little more protected. IMO

 

Cam kit with dual springs is $730 from texas speed right now. Add $60 for bolt/gasket set, you're at $800. Then a tune for $500 puts you at $1300. Ported oil pump and new timing chain will put the total near $1500.

With single spring, and no oil pump or timing chain, you could probably get away with it all at $1200.

 

Lightly used. Check C5 parts.

 

Not sure why everyone chases down cam "KITS"?, I guess it's the easiest way, easy is often the path chosen by many

I prefer to contact your local tuner, they will have experience and often are part of a 'network' of other LS tuners

I have consulted Don Kinder since 2006 on cam selection, I also consult Bret Bradbury(he has built many 800hp C5's and drives a 1200hp C5Z)

COMP cam grinds will run 375-450; the margins are "LITTLE", the margins and power under the curve you could gain from the "OPTIMIZED" grind are HUGE

NEW PARTS:
Crank pulley(how many pulleys have we seen wobble/fail), UD pulley is honest 5-8whp..........how about than nice oil spewing groove that is in 1 of 5 or so??)
CHAIN, LS2/3/7 chain is about $45
OIL PUMP, LS6 pump is about $130
GM Blue O-ring/front crank pulley seal/front cover seal, $40

PUSHRODS, stock can be used pending cam selection(don't quote me, I've seen it firsthand from one of the largest shops on the eastcoast)

Valvesprings, NOT AN OPTION; Pac, PSI, Comp along with new seals

LIFTERS................this is HUGE, I'm seeing more lifters failing now when the cars are getting close to the 100k mark; the replacement is known as the "LS7", but is just the lifter that now supersedes the LS1/2/3/6 lifter..........along with lifter trays($20 for all 4!!!!!!!), mine as well grab some 241 for $100 if you have a 97-00 or some 243's for 4-600(Cyl. head removal IS required for lifter R2)

Bottom Line: do the research, feel free to PM me with any questions

 

That's easy to answer. Because it doesn't require research or thinking. A good cam build usually involves parts from different manufacturers. You buy parts from several vendors who specialize in one or two of the required parts, and not from those who mass produce low-dollar "kits" that don't specialize in anything except selling kits.

At least that's what I was always taught to do.

 

228R Cam Kit Texas Speed CamPkg-2 $665.12
Shipping TSP 1st Order Texas Speed $26.12
LS2 Timing Chain Texas Speed 28-LS2ChainSet $109.99
TSP Ported Oil Pump Texas Speed 25-12586665M $169.99
Shipping TSP 2nd Order Texas Speed $21.84
ARP Crank Bolt Summit Racing 234-2503 $28.95
Valve Spring Compressor Summit Racing Proform 67605 $84.99
Valve Seal Install Tool Summit Racing Comp 5334 $20.95
Air Fitting for Plug Hole Summit Racing Proform 67407 $11.99
Timing Cover Seal Kit Summit Racing FelPro QTCS-45993 $41.95
Valve Cover Gasket Kit Summit Racing FelPro VS-50504R $17.95
Balancer Install Tool 618Hawk $45.00
Air Hose for Plug Hole Summit Racing Moroso 62385 $29.95
Shipping Summit Racing Summit Racing $11.95
Stat & Housing GM 12600172 $46.00
5/16" Alum Rods McMaster Carr 6750K143 $20.28
Harmonic Balancer Schumacher Chevy 12560115 $82.07
Spark Plugs Advance auto NGK TR55 $19.42




Total: $1,454.51

 

 

I have never used this shop but the prices sound good. They include the install. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-delaware.html

 

I'd suggest a water pump at the same time as well

 

I fail to understand the logic that a custom grind camshaft is a "cheap" way to go, nor do I think any additional cost is worth the effort. Most off-the-shelf grinds are designed for bolt on C5s. Odds are, that it won't be the last mod he buys for the car, negating the very small benefit (if any) he got from a custom grind.

 

I agree. Kits are the way to go. Custom grinds bring negligible benefit for the price. Buy the kit because it is pieced together for cheapness already and install it yourself if you are mechanically inclined.

 

Since the only 2 criteria you gave us are "cheap" and "muscle car idle", the LS1 hotcam matches those the best.

Odds are, you probably haven't done all of the research you need to.. and I bet your criteria will change once you do.

 

Yes, you could be more specific in what you are looking for. If you want the cam sound then pay attention to the LSA. You will want at least 112 degrees. 110 is better, but the less you go, the less duration you will be able to use for streetability. Especially if you have emissions where you are. 110 will not be an option. 112 is but you will have to stay at 116 -118 range on duration. with a 114 you can go up to the 224 - 228 range but you will lose the cam sound you are after. Lift is always nice, but the least of my worries when selecting a cam. The most important thing it the rpm range. What do you want? High dyno numbers? you will need a cam that bring the power bad to the 6,000's. Low end? Dont go that high and you will keep the torque up.

Of course there are different theories, but this is a pretty general rule of thumb. Anyone feel free to correct me on anything.

 

A lot parts on that list arent truly necessary. Stock oil pumps are great and a GM high volume pump is $70, I just bought one for my LS3 build. LS2 chain is $45, $110 is the the set with sprockets. Stock sprockets are fine with a good chain, LS2, C5R or IWIS. A GM crank bolt is $5 and does the job. Stuff like plugs and tstat are only if needed. Autozone has a 160* tstat for $35 that works great and is made in Germany. Autozone has the Felpro timing gasket kit for $35 and includes the water pump gaskets and oil pickup oring. Also I havent seen many valve cover gaskets go bad unless you gorilla tighten the valve covers. You can do the cam swap cheaper then $1400. I know, I just bought a lot of these parts for my LS3.

 

This is what Ive bought to assemble my LS3 shortblock,

Texas Speed cam kit with .675 springs and ARP bolts $786
GM high volume oil pump $70
LS2 timing cover $40
IWIS heavy duty timing chain $50
Timing cover gasket set $35
GM crank bolt $5
LS2 chain dampner $10

 

Cheap, dependable, fast... Take your pick,, 2 out of three.. Cheap and fast with no dependable.. Dependable and cheap with no fast.. Fast and dependable with no cheap..