camshaft
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From: Žilina
camshaft
Hi everyone, I’ve decided to replace my camshaft and I’m looking for advice on what parts and tools I’ll need for the job so I don’t forget anything. I’d also appreciate any tips or recommendations on what should be replaced or checked during the swap. I’d like to know if anyone here has experience with this specific camshaft and whether you think it’s the right choice. The seller told me that I don’t need to replace the torque converter or reprogram the ECU. My car is a 2001 Corvette C5, 56,000 miles, automatic transmission, base model. My goal is to increase performance, mainly for street driving at low to mid RPMs. The car is currently stock with no modifications. In the future, I plan to upgrade the rear differential, install long-tube headers, and get the car tuned. I’m starting with this camshaft, which was recommended to me by Summit Racing: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-54-103-11 Do you think this is the right choice, or is there something better you’d recommend? Thanks!
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Dyer, IN
Hi everyone, I’ve decided to replace my camshaft and I’m looking for advice on what parts and tools I’ll need for the job so I don’t forget anything. I’d also appreciate any tips or recommendations on what should be replaced or checked during the swap. I’d like to know if anyone here has experience with this specific camshaft and whether you think it’s the right choice. The seller told me that I don’t need to replace the torque converter or reprogram the ECU. My car is a 2001 Corvette C5, 56,000 miles, automatic transmission, base model. My goal is to increase performance, mainly for street driving at low to mid RPMs. The car is currently stock with no modifications. In the future, I plan to upgrade the rear differential, install long-tube headers, and get the car tuned. I’m starting with this camshaft, which was recommended to me by Summit Racing: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-54-103-11 Do you think this is the right choice, or is there something better you’d recommend? Thanks!
You will be underwhelmed with a cam only change. Just not worth cracking the engine open for....in my opinion....especially if you do not plan on upgrading the heads.
You would be better served to add headers, upgrade the trans/TQ, and change the gear.....then get it tuned. Don't change the cam until you can upgrade the heads at the same time.
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From: Žilina
Yes, that’s exactly as you said.
First, I plan to replace the camshaft, and in the future, when maybe other modifications are done as well, I’ll have the ECU tuned.
The seller I mentioned told me that when switching to this camshaft, it’s not necessary to tune the ECU, as it works fine even with the stock tune.
I’m not planning to change the cylinder heads.
The seller told me that the camshaft adds about 30 horsepower and has the potential for up to 90 horsepower (probably with all the other upgrades).
I’d be happy to get advice on what kind of headers I should install.
Thank you.
First, I plan to replace the camshaft, and in the future, when maybe other modifications are done as well, I’ll have the ECU tuned.
The seller I mentioned told me that when switching to this camshaft, it’s not necessary to tune the ECU, as it works fine even with the stock tune.
I’m not planning to change the cylinder heads.
The seller told me that the camshaft adds about 30 horsepower and has the potential for up to 90 horsepower (probably with all the other upgrades).
I’d be happy to get advice on what kind of headers I should install.
Thank you.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
Yes, that’s exactly as you said.
First, I plan to replace the camshaft, and in the future, when maybe other modifications are done as well, I’ll have the ECU tuned.
The seller I mentioned told me that when switching to this camshaft, it’s not necessary to tune the ECU, as it works fine even with the stock tune.
I’m not planning to change the cylinder heads.
The seller told me that the camshaft adds about 30 horsepower and has the potential for up to 90 horsepower (probably with all the other upgrades).
I’d be happy to get advice on what kind of headers I should install.
Thank you.
First, I plan to replace the camshaft, and in the future, when maybe other modifications are done as well, I’ll have the ECU tuned.
The seller I mentioned told me that when switching to this camshaft, it’s not necessary to tune the ECU, as it works fine even with the stock tune.
I’m not planning to change the cylinder heads.
The seller told me that the camshaft adds about 30 horsepower and has the potential for up to 90 horsepower (probably with all the other upgrades).
I’d be happy to get advice on what kind of headers I should install.
Thank you.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2025
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From: Žilina
[QUOTE=lucky131969;1609025920]Ok....you make it sound like you would replace the camshaft, and then get the car tuned sometime in the future...if so....not going to work out well.
Well, you told me that if I just replace the camshaft and don’t have the ECU tuned, it won’t end well.
That’s the exact opposite of what the seller told me. He claimed that there’s no need to adjust the ECU.
That’s why I’m confused now.
I’d also like your advice on which exhaust headers you’d recommend
Well, you told me that if I just replace the camshaft and don’t have the ECU tuned, it won’t end well.
That’s the exact opposite of what the seller told me. He claimed that there’s no need to adjust the ECU.
That’s why I’m confused now.
I’d also like your advice on which exhaust headers you’d recommend
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
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From: Dyer, IN
[QUOTE=Pavolc5;1609026278]
I just have a basic understanding of the C5 platform. You should probably just follow the advice of the seller. Nothing more to offer.
Ok....you make it sound like you would replace the camshaft, and then get the car tuned sometime in the future...if so....not going to work out well.
Well, you told me that if I just replace the camshaft and don’t have the ECU tuned, it won’t end well.
That’s the exact opposite of what the seller told me. He claimed that there’s no need to adjust the ECU.
That’s why I’m confused now.
I’d also like your advice on which exhaust headers you’d recommend
Well, you told me that if I just replace the camshaft and don’t have the ECU tuned, it won’t end well.
That’s the exact opposite of what the seller told me. He claimed that there’s no need to adjust the ECU.
That’s why I’m confused now.
I’d also like your advice on which exhaust headers you’d recommend
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2025
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From: Žilina
). I wanted to know if anyone has experience with this camshaft, if they’d recommend a better or cheaper one from someone else, and what I’ll need for the replacement so I don’t forget anything These are the things I’m curious about.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2020
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At the minimum you'll need a timing cover gasket set, a crank bolt, and cam retainer plate gasket. A lot of other while your in there stuff like timing chain, oil pump etc. Are you reusing the current lifters? If you pull the heads for new lifters then you will add more parts cost.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Mobile
Do you have emissions testing? that per comp cams' site-
50 State Legal grind for the GM GEN III LS1/LS2/LS3 3 bolt engines. Bolt in with stock components and tune, can produce 30+ hp increase in peak power.
Seems if you are planning a tune you could step up to a tune required manf rated cam. They often list it on the listings^
50 State Legal grind for the GM GEN III LS1/LS2/LS3 3 bolt engines. Bolt in with stock components and tune, can produce 30+ hp increase in peak power.
Seems if you are planning a tune you could step up to a tune required manf rated cam. They often list it on the listings^
Last edited by CFight; Aug 14, 2025 at 06:39 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2023
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From: Windsor, CT
While that camshaft is mild, and *maybe* you wouldn't need a tune, it is not the best advice to start your mods with a camshaft. For a larger camshaft to give you good results, it needs to more air (intake and exhaust). While youre stock intake is likely fine, the largest bottleneck (even for a stoc camshaft) is the exhaust, and that starts at the manifolds. You will gain just as much HP with Long Tube Headers as you would with that camshaft, for a lot less work, and money. There is a formula to follow to get the most out of a C5, it's best to follow to tried and true method, rather than sim upstream. Your car will behave better.
Unless you have a different reason altogether to want to change the cam that you have not told us yet, I would recommend to re-evaluate your plan.
Unless you have a different reason altogether to want to change the cam that you have not told us yet, I would recommend to re-evaluate your plan.
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Joined: Jul 2025
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From: Žilina
While that camshaft is mild, and *maybe* you wouldn't need a tune, it is not the best advice to start your mods with a camshaft. For a larger camshaft to give you good results, it needs to more air (intake and exhaust). While youre stock intake is likely fine, the largest bottleneck (even for a stoc camshaft) is the exhaust, and that starts at the manifolds. You will gain just as much HP with Long Tube Headers as you would with that camshaft, for a lot less work, and money. There is a formula to follow to get the most out of a C5, it's best to follow to tried and true method, rather than sim upstream. Your car will behave better.
Unless you have a different reason altogether to want to change the cam that you have not told us yet, I would recommend to re-evaluate your plan.
Unless you have a different reason altogether to want to change the cam that you have not told us yet, I would recommend to re-evaluate your plan.
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Pavolc5, Lucky is trying to tell you if you install a cam, you should get a tune. Even a stock car can gain power with a good tune. I don't care how mild your "mild" cam is, you'll never get the potential power level it can provide without a tune......
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From: Žilina
– nobody tunes Corvettes here. I have to find someone over there who can do it for me, and I want to have all the parts replaced first and only then get it tuned. Not like: change the camshaft – tune it, change the headers – tune it, change the differential – tune it.You see what I mean? (I’m translating this with ChatGPT ). I was also looking at those headers. The Kook’s are quite expensive. Do any of you have good experience with the Speed Engineering ones?
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If you change the cam, and change the exhaust system (LT headers, axle back, etc.) along with other supporting mods WITHOUT tuning, you could also risk damaging the engine. The computer can only adjust so much and so far. I have seen motorcycle engines hole a piston due to guys that didn't know what they were doing re-jetting the carbs incorrectly. You state there aren't many tuners there, then say you'll find one after all the mods are done. So there must be a tuner around somewhere. If you're not going to drive the car while modding it, then that's the smart thing to do. If you tune and retune along the way, you'll be buying multiple tunes, which can get MIGHTY expensive. If youre going to do these mods and keep driving (if it even runs) it without a tune, you're asking for trouble. My .02, and good luck......
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Joined: Jul 2025
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From: Žilina
If you change the cam, and change the exhaust system (LT headers, axle back, etc.) along with other supporting mods WITHOUT tuning, you could also risk damaging the engine. The computer can only adjust so much and so far. I have seen motorcycle engines hole a piston due to guys that didn't know what they were doing re-jetting the carbs incorrectly. You state there aren't many tuners there, then say you'll find one after all the mods are done. So there must be a tuner around somewhere. If you're not going to drive the car while modding it, then that's the smart thing to do. If you tune and retune along the way, you'll be buying multiple tunes, which can get MIGHTY expensive. If youre going to do these mods and keep driving (if it even runs) it without a tune, you're asking for trouble. My .02, and good luck......