Cam vs 3.90 gear
Thread Starter
Coolest Guy Evar!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 3
From: Fairfax VA
Cam vs 3.90 gear
Hey guys I can't make up my mind.
I am heading back to 21MC for some more work but I can't make up my mind on which "power" enhancement to go with.
I have searched the boards and found that cam only ('02-up) cars without exhaust bolt-ons tend to make about 380-390 rwhp and tq. However, a cam install will very likely void the factory powertrain warranty. I have read a lot of positive feedback on the 3.90:1 gear change and even had the opportunity to go for a spin in a bolt-on Z with that gear. (That car was awesome , by the way. Anyway, as with the cam, the gear change will very likely void my drivetrain warranty.
Normally I wouldn't care about either of those two warranties with a modified car because my opinion is "if you play, you pay". Before I decided to buy my Z, I spent several months researching which owner issues were the most troublesome and all that I could find about Z's included the '01 ring problem, '01 exhaust rattle, the leaky rear seal, bad AGM battery and random electrical gremlins; all of which have been addressed by GM. In reality it seems very unlikely that I would ever need to worry about powertrain or drivetrain problems because the car is so well built in those areas.
So which should I do, please help me decide.
Thanks,
Arthur :flag
I am heading back to 21MC for some more work but I can't make up my mind on which "power" enhancement to go with.
I have searched the boards and found that cam only ('02-up) cars without exhaust bolt-ons tend to make about 380-390 rwhp and tq. However, a cam install will very likely void the factory powertrain warranty. I have read a lot of positive feedback on the 3.90:1 gear change and even had the opportunity to go for a spin in a bolt-on Z with that gear. (That car was awesome , by the way. Anyway, as with the cam, the gear change will very likely void my drivetrain warranty.
Normally I wouldn't care about either of those two warranties with a modified car because my opinion is "if you play, you pay". Before I decided to buy my Z, I spent several months researching which owner issues were the most troublesome and all that I could find about Z's included the '01 ring problem, '01 exhaust rattle, the leaky rear seal, bad AGM battery and random electrical gremlins; all of which have been addressed by GM. In reality it seems very unlikely that I would ever need to worry about powertrain or drivetrain problems because the car is so well built in those areas.
So which should I do, please help me decide.
Thanks,
Arthur :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (roushraven)
Do the 3.90 gears you will get better performance than if you just do a cam without the other bolt on's like headers. Plus depending on how mod friendly your dealer is the gears might not void your power train warranty.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 26,794
Likes: 614
From: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (roushraven)
Cam up that baby with headers, exhaust and air intake and you will be making plenty of power (between 400 and 430rwhp depending on the cam which is 500HP at the crank:D). IF not enuff then in the future throw in a 3.90 or 4.10 gear!:D
[Modified by MTI 427 Roadster, 8:15 AM 1/24/2004]
[Modified by MTI 427 Roadster, 8:15 AM 1/24/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 6
From: Winter Springs Fla
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (roushraven)
I am personaly going to do gears and TC before i do a cam .
You will notice a differance putting a cam in the car , but your going to freek out when you wrap out 3rd gear in a Z06 with a 390 gear .
With todays street condition and traffic problems , its pretty pointless for me to have a car that will run 175-200 mph , so im going to go with the 373 and a SS3000 , maybe even a SS3600 .
You will notice a differance putting a cam in the car , but your going to freek out when you wrap out 3rd gear in a Z06 with a 390 gear .
With todays street condition and traffic problems , its pretty pointless for me to have a car that will run 175-200 mph , so im going to go with the 373 and a SS3000 , maybe even a SS3600 .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 0
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (zoomz)
I doubt the dealer would even notice the rear gear, they look just like any other and if working under your hood I doubt they would even look or make an issue of it, engine mods work best together having a cam that will open the engine up and not having the intake and exhaust to get that mix in and out would limit your gains significantly, but a rear end and TC would be like an instant extra 100rw and it would not affect anything else in the car, you will be very happy with your choice--and there is always later on to find ways to spend more money believe me, you may find that you have more than adequate power with just the drive train changes and I doubt the rearend will affect your topend that much as the gear will let you rev much higher in top gear than you can stock--
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (LittleBoyBlu99)
I did the 3.90's first and now I have both the gears and a cam on a z06. I think they compliment each other well. The good thing is, you can change either of them out if you like. And yes, the dealer didnt know I had 3.90s but he wouldnt miss the cam.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,799
Likes: 11
From: dudley MA
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (MTI 427 Roadster)
Cam up that baby with headers, exhaust and air intake and you will be making plenty of power (between 400 and 430rwhp depending on the cam which is 500HP at the crank:D). IF not enuff then in the future throw in a 3.90 or 4.10 gear!:D
[Modified by MTI 427 Roadster, 8:15 AM 1/24/2004]
[Modified by MTI 427 Roadster, 8:15 AM 1/24/2004]
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 0
From: Loveland CO
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (MC TORCH RED)
I would say gears also. The dealer would be less likely to find out. I went with a cam first because I love the sound of a lopey cam. I am now in the process of getting my gears in. Just waiting for them to arrive. kaley
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Irvine CA
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (2C5only21)
Just make sure you take peek under te rearend after te install of gears. I recently had mine on the lift and noticed that the last shop had written 3.90 in sharpe on the case. Hard to miss that.
Thread Starter
Coolest Guy Evar!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 3
From: Fairfax VA
Re: Cam vs 3.90 gear (MagRed01Atty)
Hey everybody I have decided to go with the gear upgrade. The cam isn't out of the question but I think I need to consider whether or not I want to do heads and headers too or just go for broke and get a 427.
Thanks for all of your input
Arthur :flag
[Modified by roushraven, 7:15 AM 1/25/2004]
Thanks for all of your input
Arthur :flag
[Modified by roushraven, 7:15 AM 1/25/2004]