Cam vs Headers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Va, Beach VA
Cam vs Headers
I was reading the post of a fellow modoholic and I am tossed between headers or cam first. If I remember correctly some one on here posted a tr220 cam I think that put out 40 hp from a cam only install versus headers
being in the vacinity of 20 to35 tops. Dollar for dollar the cam seems like the better choice for 1000.00 or less complete with install(maybe a little over) where as a good quality header at this reading is 9xx.xx not including install.
Any input on this and why you choosed the one you did???? see sig . car is still relatively stock.
being in the vacinity of 20 to35 tops. Dollar for dollar the cam seems like the better choice for 1000.00 or less complete with install(maybe a little over) where as a good quality header at this reading is 9xx.xx not including install.
Any input on this and why you choosed the one you did???? see sig . car is still relatively stock.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: highland village texas
Re: Cam vs Headers (Rays Vet)
problem with cam and stock exhaust manifold is cam will not perform up to expectation...expect only about 20rwhp from cam without headers...but when you do add the LT headers then get hp from cam plus the lost hp from cam running thru stock exhaust....
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 35
From: Fairview Hts. IL
Re: Cam vs Headers (C5 CU)
You will get better results from the cam and no headers INSTEAD of Headers and no cam.
Of course, the real downside = more labor $ and you are now into the engine! Headers are a real bolt-on upgrade.
FWIW :cheers:
Of course, the real downside = more labor $ and you are now into the engine! Headers are a real bolt-on upgrade.
FWIW :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 0
From: Tyler TX
Re: Cam vs Headers (hogurt)
You will get better results from the cam and no headers INSTEAD of Headers and no cam.
Of course, the real downside = more labor $ and you are now into the engine! Headers are a real bolt-on upgrade.
FWIW :cheers:
Of course, the real downside = more labor $ and you are now into the engine! Headers are a real bolt-on upgrade.
FWIW :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: miami Fl
Re: Cam vs Headers (Rays Vet)
Headers will accent all mods you do in the future ( no matter weather you go N/A or superchargered, Nitrous, etc..) A cam depends on weather you have heads, What stage, compression, N/A, Superchargerd, etc.....
So I would say do headers first, Do cam WITH the heads unless you only plan to do the headers and cam :party:
So I would say do headers first, Do cam WITH the heads unless you only plan to do the headers and cam :party:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 0
From: Roswell New Mexico
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Re: Cam vs Headers (C5 CU)
problem with cam and stock exhaust manifold is cam will not perform up to expectation...expect only about 20rwhp from cam without headers...but when you do add the LT headers then get hp from cam plus the lost hp from cam running thru stock exhaust....
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 644
Likes: 10
From: st. cloud mn
Re: Cam vs Headers (C5 CU)
problem with cam and stock exhaust manifold is cam will not perform up to expectation...expect only about 20rwhp from cam without headers...but when you do add the LT headers then get hp from cam plus the lost hp from cam running thru stock exhaust.... :iagree:
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Ca
Re: Cam vs Headers (Mr. Big)
I say it depends on what you want to do. If you are really looking to get as much horsepower as possible or you want to run it at the strip, then you will have to do both eventually. If you just want a little more kick in your seat than do the cam. Dollar for dollar its better. I have talked to many people that did a 220 cam only and got 40rwhp with a tune. I have yet to see any headers put that sort of power out. Personally I feel better spending the money on the cam. $1500 on pieces of metal is absurd. It should tell you something that a cam plus install, which requires you to get into the engine, costs the same as a set of headers, not installed.
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Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 0
From: Loveland CO
Re: Cam vs Headers (ddv005)
I would go with a cam first if you plan on doing headers in the future. If you are only planning one or two mods then I would do the headers and leave the motor alone. A cam makes the car sound so much better. Good luck with your decision. Kaley
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,298
Likes: 0
From: Tyler TX
Re: Cam vs Headers (BlkThunder)
I say it depends on what you want to do. If you are really looking to get as much horsepower as possible or you want to run it at the strip, then you will have to do both eventually. If you just want a little more kick in your seat than do the cam. Dollar for dollar its better. I have talked to many people that did a 220 cam only and got 40rwhp with a tune. I have yet to see any headers put that sort of power out. Personally I feel better spending the money on the cam. $1500 on pieces of metal is absurd. It should tell you something that a cam plus install, which requires you to get into the engine, costs the same as a set of headers, not installed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: Cam vs Headers (C5 CU)
problem with cam and stock exhaust manifold is cam will not perform up to expectation...expect only about 20rwhp from cam without headers...but when you do add the LT headers then get hp from cam plus the lost hp from cam running thru stock exhaust....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Va, Beach VA
Re: Cam vs Headers (BlkThunder)
Thanks fellows !!!! I know headers would only enhance the cam but dollar for dollar the cam still wins.And it's a given that eventually I would install headers and do cam first but either way you look at it they would enhance each other :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: Btw the tr220 would that be too much with the 2.73 gears and 3200(2.5) stall?? I'm still on the fence hoping for a deciding factor from you guys.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: Cam vs Headers (Rays Vet)
Btw the tr220 would that be too much with the 2.73 gears and 3200(2.5) stall?? I'm still on the fence hoping for a deciding factor from you guys.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: highland village texas
Re: Cam vs Headers (Rays Vet)
dang...2:73 gears!, 3200TC and then a cam or headers...spend some time thinking about what you want to end up with (goal) you want to make sure mods match up and compliment one-another...other wise you will find yourself replacing existing mods with "upgrades".... consider 3:42 or at least 3:15 gears, not sure cam and 3200 TC will match to good with 2:73s????
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
Re: Cam vs Headers (2C5only21)
One other thing to consider is your warranty. If your car is still under warranty the headers will not void your engine. But, as soon as you add the cam your engine warranty is gone.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: KS
Re: Cam vs Headers (Z06ufgrad2002)
Really depends on what you want to do. Gears (not the subject of your post) will make a real SOTP difference. Bang for buck, I think the cam is the way to go. Headers can certainly accent most engine mods, but I am pretty happy with the H/C system I selected through stock exhaust manifolds.
Good luck with whatever you choose. :cheers:
Good luck with whatever you choose. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '05
Re: Cam vs Headers (C5 CU)
dang...2:73 gears!, 3200TC and then a cam or headers...spend some time thinking about what you want to end up with (goal) you want to make sure mods match up and compliment one-another...other wise you will find yourself replacing existing mods with "upgrades".... consider 3:42 or at least 3:15 gears, not sure cam and 3200 TC will match to good with 2:73s????