Heads/Cam vs. Cam only
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 156
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From: Suwanee GA
Heads/Cam vs. Cam only
What benefits can be obtained with going for a Cam only vs. H/C package? How much labor would you save by doing both at once as opposed to opening the motor twice? And finally, what is the average cost to go Cam only....install and Tune? This is for a daily driver.
Thanks for your help.
[Modified by mgora1, 10:48 PM 5/17/2004]
[Modified by mgora1, 11:15 PM 5/17/2004]
Thanks for your help.
[Modified by mgora1, 10:48 PM 5/17/2004]
[Modified by mgora1, 11:15 PM 5/17/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
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From: Detroit
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (mgora1)
Cam and headers is considered better bang for the buck than heads and cam. With heads and cam as opposed to just cam figure you can get an additional 10 - 25 hp depending on how much $$ you spend. As for cost..
Cam -- 400
Install -- 1000
Tuning -- 500
Misc Valvetrain / bolts / etc -- 500
Total -- $2,400.
Or
2,400 + 1300 (heads) + 1500 (headers) + 1000 (clutch) = 6200 which is why I'm looking at a super charger instead of H/C.
Cheers,
Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,834
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From: California
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (mdhmi)
2,400 + 1300 (heads) + 1500 (headers) + 1000 (clutch) = 6200 which is why I'm looking at a super charger instead of H/C.
Cheers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 156
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From: Suwanee GA
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (Tony_C5_04)
2,400 + 1300 (heads) + 1500 (headers) + 1000 (clutch) = 6200 which is why I'm looking at a super charger instead of H/C.
FYI: In any case, you'll still want headers, and you will still need a clutch sooner than later. You can only get as much air into the motor (makes the power) as you can get out of the motor. A blower on a car with factory exhaust is like an olympic runner with a splint on his leg when compared to a setup with good headers and exhaust.
Cheers.
FYI: In any case, you'll still want headers, and you will still need a clutch sooner than later. You can only get as much air into the motor (makes the power) as you can get out of the motor. A blower on a car with factory exhaust is like an olympic runner with a splint on his leg when compared to a setup with good headers and exhaust.
Cheers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 281
From: Tulsa OK
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (mgora1)
If you already have headers, I recommending going with heads and cam versus cam only. There is a lot more than an additional 10-25 hp with good flowing heads. In my previous LS1 car, I picked up 50 rwhp by adding cam and headers, with no tuning. In my current car, I pickup 123 rwhp by adding heads, cam, headers, and tuning. The cam in this setup is slightly more aggressive than the previous car I'm referring to, but not much. Also, tuning helped quite a bit, too. Even with all that considered, good heads are worth about 50 rwhp when combined with a performance cam and headers over just the cam and headers. I think this will pretty much hold true for any cam you pick.
Keep in mind, if you had a Z06, then you wouldn't see quite as big a jump from the heads, since you would already have the LS6 heads.
As far as cost, you can talk to some of the tuners here, but you are probably looking at around $3500 to $6000 for heads, cam, install, tuning....depending on which vendor and which parts you choose. I just had an excellent experience with Texas Speed doing my setup, so you might talk to them and see what kind of a deal they can work out for you.
Hope that helps.
Keep in mind, if you had a Z06, then you wouldn't see quite as big a jump from the heads, since you would already have the LS6 heads.
As far as cost, you can talk to some of the tuners here, but you are probably looking at around $3500 to $6000 for heads, cam, install, tuning....depending on which vendor and which parts you choose. I just had an excellent experience with Texas Speed doing my setup, so you might talk to them and see what kind of a deal they can work out for you.
Hope that helps.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (mgora1)
Drove my H&C to work today and yesterday and could be a daily if asked. Just trying to keep some miles off.
[Modified by 93Polo, 11:25 AM 5/18/2004]
[Modified by 93Polo, 11:25 AM 5/18/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 281
From: Tulsa OK
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (mgora1)
My setup would be perfect for a daily driver, even though it isn't my daily driver. The street manners of the car are just as good as when stock. There is a little more valvetrain noise, but it isn't even noticeable when the radio is on. I wouldn't hesitate to put this setup in a daily driver. Give TSP a call. :thumbs:
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Florida Treasure Coast
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (RobWilson)
My setup would be perfect for a daily driver, even though it isn't my daily driver. The street manners of the car are just as good as when stock. There is a little more valvetrain noise, but it isn't even noticeable when the radio is on. I wouldn't hesitate to put this setup in a daily driver. Give TSP a call. :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 35
From: Sunshine State, USA
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (mgora1)
Heads and cam gets my vote. I would recommend you give Norris Motorsports a call. Mike is one of the Forum supporting tuners, and he has always done a great job on my Vette and lots of my friend's Vettes as well. He has a great reputation on the Forum. He just did a head/cam package on my Vette and picked up over 85RWHP, and that was with a fairly mild cam as mine is a daily driver so I wanted something very streetable and not to agressive. I am putting out over 418RWHP and 397ft/lbs of torque now. He was running a special for $4,595 for the Heads/cam package, and since you live in Georgia, he is not to far away from you. He would be even closer to you if he would just move up to Jacksonville like I keep begging him too :lol:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee GA
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (IMQUIK)
Thanks to all. Now I just need to decide on which heads and cam for a daily driver.
I am watching you! :lol:
I am watching you! :lol:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: Troy MI
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (IMQUIK)
Another good consideration is cam and gears.
You can pick up an "effective" 20% gain in RWTQ by upping your gears.
I haven't done heads yet, but with my cam and bolt ons I am at 400 at the wheels.
I am waiting to see how the compatibility with new C6 parts works before doing the heads. I also think a good bang for the buck would be to go to stock LS6 heads.
You can pick up an "effective" 20% gain in RWTQ by upping your gears.
I haven't done heads yet, but with my cam and bolt ons I am at 400 at the wheels.
I am waiting to see how the compatibility with new C6 parts works before doing the heads. I also think a good bang for the buck would be to go to stock LS6 heads.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Florida Treasure Coast
Re: Heads/Cam vs. Cam only (msuc5vette)
From my research and personal experience 93Polo and RobWilson are pointing you in the right direction. A "Stage II" Heads and 224 or 225 cam with 560 to 570 lift will be very streetable, but REALLY rock when you want it to. You'll want a 114 LSA with an A4. You already have the bolt-ons to fully take advantage of the setup. With your TC and new gears you must be tuning already, so if you hve LS1 edit, it shoud be a snap. :cheers: