Cam and other mods
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 109
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From: Macomb Twp MI
Cam and other mods
I have a 2000 hardtop with Donaldson blackwing and Corsa exhaust. I want to buy a really good cam and have it professionally installed and tuned. Will this do anything by itself? I know everyone says do cam and heads together, but I just can't afford it. These cars cost outrageous amounts to work on. What would work better: cam by itself, heads by themself, or LS6 intake with ported throttle body?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: Cam and other mods (patriot)
Lots of F body guys (same engine as C5) are getting great results with a cam only change, 20-40 rwhp increases with just cam, which requires changing the springs and pushrods. The LS6 intake will cost less, but only net you 15 or so rwhp. The jury is out on ported throttle bodies, not much to gain there. I wouldn't change heads until I had a bigger cam. JMHO :cheers:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Macomb Twp MI
Re: Cam and other mods (6Speeder)
Thanks. Do you know what kind of cam people are getting the best results from? My car is an everyday driver so I want some kind of drivability. It seems like 400 dollars is the average price for a good cam. Do you know the average install price?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Cam and other mods (patriot)
IMO, you should just save your money, drive the car and enjoy it. Many problems come with HP Mods (Mechanical failures, tuning) and if you dont have the money to fix them... I would not even get started. Go with Apperance Mods that will give you no trouble and look good too.
vetterdstr :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 12:47 PM 11/29/2002]
vetterdstr :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 12:47 PM 11/29/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster CA
Re: Cam and other mods (cscollis)
I did cam only and ud pulley, picked up 35rwhp. If u have lt headers its a great mod.
My personal preferance for doing mods on my budget, is to do as much of the bolt on work as I can myself. For example I'd tackle the LS6 manifold but, not a cam. Not all of us are comfortable doing any level of mechanical work. If that's you, your budget will have to dictate how you proceed, however, remember each time you tackle a project, cam, pulley, heads, etc, you should find out the level of effort required by the mechanic doing the work. As I understand it if you do the pulley, you are almost into the cam. If you do both at the same time, you're only paying one time for the labor. LOL
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 0
Re: Cam and other mods (vetterdstr)
IMO, you should just save your money, drive the car and enjoy it. Many problems come with HP Mods (Mechanical failures, tuning) and if you dont have the money to fix them... I would not even get started. Go with Apperance Mods that will give you no trouble and look good too.
vetterdstr :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 12:47 PM 11/29/2002]
vetterdstr :cheers:
[Modified by vetterdstr, 12:47 PM 11/29/2002]
Really though, what power adder are you running now? I met you at the track a few years ago and we talked brielfy.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Cam and other mods (Barely Legal)
You must have a ton of failures with 616 RWHP! :thumbs:
Really though, what power adder are you running now?
Really though, what power adder are you running now?
Mechanical failures are to be expected... You just need to have the money to fix it right when it breaks. :smash: This is why I say if you don't have the money to get started in the 'internal Mod realm" stay out of it all together....
My last trip to the Mod shop was $9,000. Since May I have spent over $30,000.... That gives you an Idea of what it costs to really mod a C5...
vetterdstr :cheers:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 17
Re: Cam and other mods (patriot)
Here is what you should do if you are going to stay away from heads:
1) 220/220 114 or 224/224 114 cam
2) TPIS headers
3) underdrive pulley
If you are not going to do the headers, then forget about the cam......
1) 220/220 114 or 224/224 114 cam
2) TPIS headers
3) underdrive pulley
If you are not going to do the headers, then forget about the cam......
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Re: Cam and other mods (patriot)
I would do gears LONG before I did a cam. You will definately get a more SOTP feel from gears than from a cam. You can buy and have yours swapped out for ~$1600 out the door. Check into it, I've never seen anyone that didn't like new gears :D
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Cam and other mods (patriot)
You have a FRC, therefore you have 3.42 gear, that is more than adequate. I would go with the cam and the under drive pulley, tuning would not be as extensive as the A4 and should result in some health gains! :yesnod: :yesnod: When you have more funds go with the LS6 intake and a set of LT Headers.
[Modified by wallstAL, 12:06 AM 11/30/2002]
[Modified by wallstAL, 12:06 AM 11/30/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Re: Cam and other mods (patriot)
Do a cam, springs, LTH, and a pulley and you will be able to pass a 405 HP ZO6 Vette Doctors did mine in about 3 hrs when I had it done. If done right there will be no problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Grayson Ga.
Re: Cam and other mods (patriot)
My car is an everyday driver so I want some kind of drivability.
[Modified by Wt99C5, 1:21 PM 11/30/2002]
Racer
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Re: Cam and other mods (Wt99C5)
Im interested also...So I see it as a cam/kit, LS-6 Intake, and the LT headers.
How much gain should this net?
BTW What are the numbers on the stock cam?
Thanks....Mark
[Modified by BlackSport95, 7:13 PM 11/30/2002]
How much gain should this net?
BTW What are the numbers on the stock cam?
Thanks....Mark
[Modified by BlackSport95, 7:13 PM 11/30/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 928
Likes: 12
From: Space Coast, FL
Re: Cam and other mods (BlackSport95)
Im interested also...So I see it as a cam/kit, LS-6 Intake, and the LT headers.
How much gain should this net?
BTW What are the numbers on the stock cam?
Thanks....Mark
How much gain should this net?
BTW What are the numbers on the stock cam?
Thanks....Mark
That was done on my 99 6 speed, 20K on the odometer. :thumbs:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 928
Likes: 12
From: Space Coast, FL
Re: Cam and other mods (patriot)
Not sure on the specs. I explained to The Vette Doctors how I drove the car (wanted it very streetable) and this is the cam they matched up for me with the headers. I have little mechanical know-how and cam specs put me over the edge:confused:, so I let them design the package that best fit my desires. There is a nice lope to it that is pleasantly noticable to other C5r's that might only have exhaust mods.
No doubt you can email Carmen at The Vette Doctor's and he can give you all the numbers you need.
I am very pleased with the entire set-up, it fit my performance goals and the pocketbook. There appears to be many good cam/header combo's out there from various vendor's/locations. Keep the forum posted on your choice's. :cheers:
No doubt you can email Carmen at The Vette Doctor's and he can give you all the numbers you need.
I am very pleased with the entire set-up, it fit my performance goals and the pocketbook. There appears to be many good cam/header combo's out there from various vendor's/locations. Keep the forum posted on your choice's. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 0
Re: Cam and other mods (vetterdstr)
highly modified SC package to say the least, I have similar mods but afraid to go high on my boost with the stock bottom end so i'm building a stroker with forged internals, you're running almost a 100 more hp than mine, I assume you have stock displacement. I probably have spent about $30,000 so far and will probably spend at least another $20,000 for the stroker by time it's set up properly if thats possible. No belt slippage? I only run apprx 6# and have had no problem at this boost.