Custom Grind Cam's over OTS
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Custom Grind Cam's over OTS
I'm pretty new to Corvette and I'm looking to get rid of the factory cam while I swap the Intake Manifold and CIA. Are OTS Cams "worth it" in the Corvette world or is it a better idea to just shell out the couple extra $$$ for a custom Grind?
The car is being build to be a POWERFUL but well mannered N/A street car that will see both Road Course time and the occasional drag, I sit here with ready to order 3.90's, FAST LSX/R w/102mm TB, and new CAI.
Thanks For the Input
The car is being build to be a POWERFUL but well mannered N/A street car that will see both Road Course time and the occasional drag, I sit here with ready to order 3.90's, FAST LSX/R w/102mm TB, and new CAI.
Thanks For the Input
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
There are many available grinds that are proven. Should save a little money by selecting one. A always say a cam in the 224 228 range is a good street/strip cam. This will keep up low end torque and raise hp to as much as stock heads can handle. Best all rounder IMO. Of course you should still change lifters, push rods, rockers, oil pump, timing chain, and the damper while doing this. Id do heads too. But not sure if it's in the budget.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
There are many available grinds that are proven. Should save a little money by selecting one. A always say a cam in the 224 228 range is a good street/strip cam. This will keep up low end torque and raise hp to as much as stock heads can handle. Best all rounder IMO. Of course you should still change lifters, push rods, rockers, oil pump, timing chain, and the damper while doing this. Id do heads too. But not sure if it's in the budget.
I know, I Know... Lots of Rook type Questions from the previous import guy
I didn't even think about the pump, rods, rockers, and damper though. Are these Items Prone to Failure or is just good CYA with Corvette's? As For heads not at the moment. over saved to buy the car by a few $$$$
BUT was told half the cash had to go into "Home related Items" 
Non the less in a yr or 2 when I'm tired of N/A the heads will swap as will a blower.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
The damper is a serious prone to failure item and should defiantly be done. I know it's pricey, but I did an ATI and pinned the crank to never have to worry again. Oil pump is just for good measure. And why not while right in there. The chain is not as prone to failure as the damper, but is under more stress on a built engine. So I wouldn't skip it. Ls7 lifters are the known good replacement for Ls engines. The Ls2 lifter trays are usually done at the same time. Rockers have been known to come apart and drop needle bearings all over the valve train and throughout the engine. There is a trunion or fulcrum upgrade that gets rid of this potential problem. Can't remember who from. I went with all new CHE rockers that are on a bushing instead of bearings. No chance for failure. Push rods may not be necessary if you aren't changing the heads. But stronger ones may be preferred for good measure.
Look at Texas speeds website to get an idea on a lot of this stuff. You will have to hunt around to find pricing etc. You will need the wire harness adapter for the TB if you haven't already. Racetronix or Hinson carries them.
Look at Texas speeds website to get an idea on a lot of this stuff. You will have to hunt around to find pricing etc. You will need the wire harness adapter for the TB if you haven't already. Racetronix or Hinson carries them.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Wow Thanks, that's a ton of usable information! I will surely look at Texas Speed, yes Wiring harness has been acquired. You sir Clearly know your Corvettes So I Must Ask... Here is "the List", with a Quality tune 93+Torco in this great Autom weather what am I looking at? There are a few Bolt on Coyotes in the Area that need to be taken for a walk.
AHR 1 7/8 Long Tubes w/ 3" Catless X - B&B Bullets catback
228 Cam, Vararam RAI w/ Powerduct, LSX/R w/ 102mm TB and of course the 3.90's
Thanks for all the knowledge can't wait to get all of this on
AHR 1 7/8 Long Tubes w/ 3" Catless X - B&B Bullets catback
228 Cam, Vararam RAI w/ Powerduct, LSX/R w/ 102mm TB and of course the 3.90's
Thanks for all the knowledge can't wait to get all of this on
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
My guess without heads is around 380whp. Know that gears make it read a little lower, but not by much.
If you plan on doing the build or even just the intake and headers yourself there are some tricks you can do to get more performance out of the stock heads. When the headers are off, feel inside the exhaust ports. You'll be surprised at the slag and chunks of metal around the ports. I was able to dremel and file out a lot of junk and semi port match the heads to the headers. This was on my stock heads before I had 243 heads professionally ported. If you mess with the intake, be sure to clean up very well.
Also, why 1-7/8 headers? They are designed for 600+whp builds when airflow is at an insane rate. 1-3/4 headers will make better low end torque on a mild built engine. Helps the velocity of the exhaust and the scavenging effect. (Even a full heads and cam job is considered a mild build on these cars).
If you plan on doing the build or even just the intake and headers yourself there are some tricks you can do to get more performance out of the stock heads. When the headers are off, feel inside the exhaust ports. You'll be surprised at the slag and chunks of metal around the ports. I was able to dremel and file out a lot of junk and semi port match the heads to the headers. This was on my stock heads before I had 243 heads professionally ported. If you mess with the intake, be sure to clean up very well.
Also, why 1-7/8 headers? They are designed for 600+whp builds when airflow is at an insane rate. 1-3/4 headers will make better low end torque on a mild built engine. Helps the velocity of the exhaust and the scavenging effect. (Even a full heads and cam job is considered a mild build on these cars).
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
Nuke is spot on the money with his info he has provided
. Except, IMO, you cant go wrong with 1-7/8 headers. That has been an agrument for a few years. Most of the data i have seen only show more improvement, not a loss. I wish i had gone with them instead of the 1-3/4. For the amount of money one spends for headers on these cars
, give yourself a little room to grow. It can only help not hurt. Especially when you add a nice set of heads, ie. Trick Flow or AFR. I have a 418ci LS3 waiting to go under the hood and i wish i had bought the 1-7/8 size years ago when i first bought headers. Im not about to spend another 2g's tho. Just gona suck it up and hope for 500rw with the 1-3/4's.
. Except, IMO, you cant go wrong with 1-7/8 headers. That has been an agrument for a few years. Most of the data i have seen only show more improvement, not a loss. I wish i had gone with them instead of the 1-3/4. For the amount of money one spends for headers on these cars, give yourself a little room to grow. It can only help not hurt. Especially when you add a nice set of heads, ie. Trick Flow or AFR. I have a 418ci LS3 waiting to go under the hood and i wish i had bought the 1-7/8 size years ago when i first bought headers. Im not about to spend another 2g's tho. Just gona suck it up and hope for 500rw with the 1-3/4's.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Nuke is spot on the money with his info he has provided. Except, IMO, you cant go wrong with 1-7/8 headers. That has been an agrument for a few years. Most of the data i have seen only show more improvement, not a loss. I wish i had gone with them instead of the 1-3/4. For the amount of money one spends for headers on these cars, give yourself a little room to grow. It can only help not hurt. Especially when you add a nice set of heads, ie. Trick Flow or AFR. I have a 418ci LS3 waiting to go under the hood and i wish i had bought the 1-7/8 size years ago when i first bought headers. Im not about to spend another 2g's tho. Just gona suck it up and hope for 500rw with the 1-3/4's.
. Except, IMO, you cant go wrong with 1-7/8 headers. That has been an agrument for a few years. Most of the data i have seen only show more improvement, not a loss. I wish i had gone with them instead of the 1-3/4. For the amount of money one spends for headers on these cars, give yourself a little room to grow. It can only help not hurt. Especially when you add a nice set of heads, ie. Trick Flow or AFR. I have a 418ci LS3 waiting to go under the hood and i wish i had bought the 1-7/8 size years ago when i first bought headers. Im not about to spend another 2g's tho. Just gona suck it up and hope for 500rw with the 1-3/4's.Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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