Cam Help
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
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From: Rockwall Tx
Cam Help
Hey everyone. Love the site. Just purchased a 2000 Yellow C5 with 153xxx miles. Great condition car w one owner. So I'm happy. Just got SLP Loudmouth, Z06 Wheels and Pace Setter Long Tubes.
Looking to get a cam but not sure where to begin? Should I do other things to the engine first before putting a cam OR would it be ok? The car is stock.
Any advice will be appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Jack
Looking to get a cam but not sure where to begin? Should I do other things to the engine first before putting a cam OR would it be ok? The car is stock.
Any advice will be appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Jack
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
To REALLY benefit from a cam you're also going to want to upgrade to better flowing heads. You can do it on a budget with some used 243 heads from an LS6/LS2 and depending on your plans and cam choice you can have them ported for even more airflow.
AT MINIMUM you will need to upgrade your valve springs and pushrods and it is highly suggested that you upgrade your lifters, oil pump, and timing chain while you're in there.
If your car is an auto you will ideally was an upgraded stall torque converter if you choose a bigger cam (anything 220-224 you should be fine with stock).
Really though, what are your goals for the car, that will greatly help us give you advice and suggestions.
Most importantly....begin doing A LOT of reading an researching on this topic. Do you plan on doing the work yourself or having a shop do the work. What kind of budget are you working with? etc etc.
First thing though, make sure ALL the maintenance is done on the car and be sure that everything is in tip top shape and running right.
AT MINIMUM you will need to upgrade your valve springs and pushrods and it is highly suggested that you upgrade your lifters, oil pump, and timing chain while you're in there.
If your car is an auto you will ideally was an upgraded stall torque converter if you choose a bigger cam (anything 220-224 you should be fine with stock).
Really though, what are your goals for the car, that will greatly help us give you advice and suggestions.
Most importantly....begin doing A LOT of reading an researching on this topic. Do you plan on doing the work yourself or having a shop do the work. What kind of budget are you working with? etc etc.
First thing though, make sure ALL the maintenance is done on the car and be sure that everything is in tip top shape and running right.
Last edited by dblerman; Nov 21, 2012 at 10:29 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
If you have big power aspirations for the car, it is without a doubt more cost effective to do a supercharger kit. More money up front, but generally in the same area of cost in the long run with allot more power and street-ability with even some kits being 100% emission legal.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
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From: Rockwall Tx
Thanks for the reply. I plan on driving it 3-4 times a week and keeping it garage kept. I do want to make it fast and look great, to take it to car shows, etc.....
I'm looking at a budget of 7-9k, maybe even $10k. I won't be doing the work myself, I will have to take it to a mechanic to do it. I wanted to start off with headers, exhaust, cam and intake.
I'm looking at a budget of 7-9k, maybe even $10k. I won't be doing the work myself, I will have to take it to a mechanic to do it. I wanted to start off with headers, exhaust, cam and intake.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Thanks for the reply. I plan on driving it 3-4 times a week and keeping it garage kept. I do want to make it fast and look great, to take it to car shows, etc.....
I'm looking at a budget of 7-9k, maybe even $10k. I won't be doing the work myself, I will have to take it to a mechanic to do it. I wanted to start off with headers, exhaust, cam and intake.
I'm looking at a budget of 7-9k, maybe even $10k. I won't be doing the work myself, I will have to take it to a mechanic to do it. I wanted to start off with headers, exhaust, cam and intake.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
You can always make a supercharged car better with good heads and a cam plus long tube headers etc. But the kits are designed for a stock LS1. You would not need any internal prep work.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,253
Likes: 222
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
there are many in the US that run 10's and even deep into the 9's on a stock bottom end
I would pull the heads and replace the lifters prior to any cam swap
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 290
From: Pasco WA
With your stated goal and budget a good SC kit and headers is by far the most bang for the buck. A good tune and you're good to go. Just be aware of your drivetrain's weaknesses and be prepared for the extra stress. A good converter and 342s and a tranny brace are good ideas.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 290
From: Pasco WA
I can't advise you on converters; always been a manual trans guy. IMO the best way to help your drivetrain last is a combo of an ECS trans brace and a Pfadt diff. brace. If you already have 315s they would be fine for a SC'd car. Should you decide to remain NA then shorter gears are a good idea.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Engines will vary in life depending on how well they are taken care of. My buddy and I have matching mods and with 70k miles on mine and 180k miles on his, he still put down 3 whp more. Perfect compression, no signs of metal in oil changes, no smoke, etc. I have heard of people running on over 300k with no internal work. I feel that if the car is not beat to death and the maintenance is kept up on, you can do whatever you want to it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
If you just bought the car why don't you just start with the basics. Get a nice intake, Long Tube headers, cat back, and maybe a used Z06 intake. See where you are and how you like it. Your engine may need a rebuild in the near future or it may last a long time. Don't rush it, just enjoy the process. You can take your time and research what you want to do next.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
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From: Rockwall Tx
Already ordered exhaust and intake. I have the money for heads and cam package so I think that's what I'm going to do. Comes with headers as well.....
What do you mean by an engine rebuild?
What do you mean by an engine rebuild?
