Best cam?? Please help??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
Best cam?? Please help??
What would ya'll go with? I'm going to install a cam only on my 00 vert a4. It's only mods are mti ram air and corsa exhaust. I want as much hp as possible. MTI thinks I should go with the b1 cam 221 221 558 ??? 114 with a gain of 25-30 with $500 tuning, while speed demon thinks I should go with a reverse split direction cam 227 224 570 570 112 with a gain of 30-35 with $500 tuning. Speed Demons drive out is about $160 cheaper. Are these #'s correct they seem a little high but for $2000 I'd hope they're correct. Bottom line what cam do I go with to get more hp and what is the most I can hope for? Thanks :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (ericg320)
Are you sure the spec is 112 LSA? I would think Chris would recommend the 114LSA on the A4.
Speed Demon recently installed the TR 227/224 .569/.563 114LSA on my A4 (along with several other mods) and although I can't say how much the cam alone provided, I gained a little over 85rwhp and 75rwtq with my setup.
I'm sure with the tunning you could see a 30rwhp increase with the cam alone.
Speed Demon recently installed the TR 227/224 .569/.563 114LSA on my A4 (along with several other mods) and although I can't say how much the cam alone provided, I gained a little over 85rwhp and 75rwtq with my setup.
I'm sure with the tunning you could see a 30rwhp increase with the cam alone.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (SvenOdin)
Josh actually said the 112 would give me a little more than the 114 and that my a4 could handle it. Does this mean that ya'll think the reverse split cam is the one to go for?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (ericg320)
Go to the LS1 forum and you will see numerous threads concerning these cams. 30rwhp+ is not uncommon for the A4 C5.
You can go with the 112LSA, and they can tune the A4 for this, but I personally wouldn't (and didn't) do it. You would gain a couple more ponies, but IMHO I would stick to the smoother 114 as less issues.
You can go with the 112LSA, and they can tune the A4 for this, but I personally wouldn't (and didn't) do it. You would gain a couple more ponies, but IMHO I would stick to the smoother 114 as less issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (ericg320)
I certainlywouldn't second guess Chris..He's a very knowledgable fella!..BUT..I've been dowen this road before and I know that just installing a cam is only the beginning of the mods to follow to get the best performance.
You will need to change the springs for sure with a cam with that duration and lift and I would also suggest that you strongly consider a set of Long Tube headers . :yesnod: When yo change the cam your also looking for the transfer of that new power to the rear wheels ..or why bother to mod the cam at all,hence you will need a set of a minimum of 3.42 gears AND the stock torque converter is JUNK!..replace it with a higher stall, maybe a Pro Torque 2800 or a Yank 3000 at least. This will at least give you the transfer of power you will produce but more important you will now have optimized the power of the cam.. Oh!..and don't forget the new PCM program to keep that cam from surging or stalling ..I'm guessing you should be at least 800-900 rpms to get the car to idle right...Just my .02:D
FWIW..If your on a budget..Go with a cam like a CompCam 216/220/535-114..That will work very well with the stock parts and you won't have all the upgrades..not to mention the PCM programming required to keep the idle at 500-600 rpms..again..just my .02..Good Luck!
You will need to change the springs for sure with a cam with that duration and lift and I would also suggest that you strongly consider a set of Long Tube headers . :yesnod: When yo change the cam your also looking for the transfer of that new power to the rear wheels ..or why bother to mod the cam at all,hence you will need a set of a minimum of 3.42 gears AND the stock torque converter is JUNK!..replace it with a higher stall, maybe a Pro Torque 2800 or a Yank 3000 at least. This will at least give you the transfer of power you will produce but more important you will now have optimized the power of the cam.. Oh!..and don't forget the new PCM program to keep that cam from surging or stalling ..I'm guessing you should be at least 800-900 rpms to get the car to idle right...Just my .02:D
FWIW..If your on a budget..Go with a cam like a CompCam 216/220/535-114..That will work very well with the stock parts and you won't have all the upgrades..not to mention the PCM programming required to keep the idle at 500-600 rpms..again..just my .02..Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (vstella)
What's the hp gain difference in the reverse split direction cam and the comp cam. And if the split cam is $2000 installed with tuning included how much would the drive out on the comp cam installed be? Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: charlotte NC
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (ericg320)
Thunder racing sells some nice cams. Personally I would go with a 114- but its up to you. If your worried about passing emissions you do need to go with a 114 instead of a 112. I have been quoted about $1600-1800 from 2 different places for a cam install and programing- so $2k seems a little high.
sg
[Modified by zul8r, 5:50 AM 1/30/2003]
sg
[Modified by zul8r, 5:50 AM 1/30/2003]
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (zul8r)
I'm pretty ignorant on the subject. What is the difference in 112 and 114 in drivability and hp gains? And any other differences? I was also told that the b1 cam is out dated and the cam to go with is this reverse split direction cam. Whats the deal? I don't want to spend $2000 or more on this swap and not gain 30 hp. I just want to add as much hp as possible while maintaining a car I can drive 40 miles a day 4-5 days a week. Thanks for your help. :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (ericg320)
I gained about 33rwhp before tuning with the outdated B1 Cam, nice idle with tuning. Cost of the the Cam with the valve train package was $650, installation was $450 and tuning by Steve Cole was gratis! Through in some L/T Header, under drive pulley and the LS6 intake and who knows! :cool: :yesnod:
[Modified by wallstAL, 11:09 PM 1/29/2003]
[Modified by wallstAL, 11:09 PM 1/29/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 51
From: New Milford CT
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (ericg320)
The B-1 cam isn't outdated, its a classic! Picking a cam is very hard! But you are going about it the right way, going through a tuner. Go to the Compcams website, they have a great tutorial on cams. I think that either of those choices are fine, but most A4 people go with 114 lobe sep for drivability.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Grayson Ga.
Re: Best cam?? Please help?? (ericg320)
Vince and Al have very good points.
This is just the start and if you’re going to pay for a cam swap, install a new timing chain and gears, high volume oil pump and underdrive pulley at the same time. This will save money in the long run and the bottom end will be done.
This is just the start and if you’re going to pay for a cam swap, install a new timing chain and gears, high volume oil pump and underdrive pulley at the same time. This will save money in the long run and the bottom end will be done.