Heads/Cam Pros and Cons
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 706
Likes: 46
From: Vienna VA
Heads/Cam Pros and Cons
I want to get the most HP for the buck. Base on my research, seems like Heads/Cam might be the way to go. My question is do heads and cam need to go together? Why would I not just want to go with a cam or heads?
Also, are there any negatives installing Heads/Cam (e.g., engine longevity, gas mileage, etc.)? How much HP might expect from Heads/Cam vs. just a cam? What would be the price difference?
FYI, I have a 97 coupe. Only mods are Hurst, Blackwing and Z06 Ti exhaust.
Also, are there any negatives installing Heads/Cam (e.g., engine longevity, gas mileage, etc.)? How much HP might expect from Heads/Cam vs. just a cam? What would be the price difference?
FYI, I have a 97 coupe. Only mods are Hurst, Blackwing and Z06 Ti exhaust.
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From: Central Jersey
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If you get a chance, feel free to give me a call on Monday and I would be happy to spend some time and go over any questions you might have.. 
609-752-0321
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Home of the Fastest Supercharged C5 8.4 @ 158mph
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,494
Likes: 0
From: McKinney Tx
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '05
The good thing about doing a H/C install is you dont have to do it all at once, but it is cheaper that way. If your wanting to go the budget route then go headers first. After the wow factor has wore off then look at doing a cam. I choose a fairly large cam because I have numerous friends who have cams and told me go bigger then you want because you'll wish you had. Every one of them wishes they had gone just alittle bit bigger 
Anyway my next project is to start doing research on various heads and then clutch and then........
My wife says its never ending and to be honest I dont want it to end
I have excellent drivability considering how big the cam is. It has a nice lope and idles very smooth. The trick is to find a tuner that can tune.
Gas mileage has suffered somewhat because I cant keep my foot out of it. There is nuttin like smahin the pedal and hearing the car roar
I'm putting down pretty good power with just a cam only. Check my sig
Good luck with your choice hope you enjoy as much as I'm enjoying
mine
Anyway my next project is to start doing research on various heads and then clutch and then........My wife says its never ending and to be honest I dont want it to end
I have excellent drivability considering how big the cam is. It has a nice lope and idles very smooth. The trick is to find a tuner that can tune.
Gas mileage has suffered somewhat because I cant keep my foot out of it. There is nuttin like smahin the pedal and hearing the car roar
I'm putting down pretty good power with just a cam only. Check my sig
Good luck with your choice hope you enjoy as much as I'm enjoying
mine
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 44
From: Madison, AL
I live in your neighborhood and would be happy to discuss what I've done (see sig) and tell you what a great job ECS did for me! Chris and Doug are worth the trip from Northern Virginia regardless of which route you go - Heads & Cam or S/C.
Originally Posted by testpros
I want to get the most HP for the buck. Base on my research, seems like Heads/Cam might be the way to go. My question is do heads and cam need to go together? Why would I not just want to go with a cam or heads?
Also, are there any negatives installing Heads/Cam (e.g., engine longevity, gas mileage, etc.)? How much HP might expect from Heads/Cam vs. just a cam? What would be the price difference?
FYI, I have a 97 coupe. Only mods are Hurst, Blackwing and Z06 Ti exhaust.
Also, are there any negatives installing Heads/Cam (e.g., engine longevity, gas mileage, etc.)? How much HP might expect from Heads/Cam vs. just a cam? What would be the price difference?
FYI, I have a 97 coupe. Only mods are Hurst, Blackwing and Z06 Ti exhaust.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,506
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough NJ
Originally Posted by CHRIS NJ C5
If you get a chance, feel free to give me a call on Monday and I would be happy to spend some time and go over any questions you might have..
609-752-0321
609-752-0321
Call me. I taught him all he knows.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 672
Likes: 2
From: Louisiana
Pros:
Lots of power with the right combo. LG's parts worked great for me.
Reliable and stronger if the tuner knows what they are doing (again, LG did a great job for me).
Driveability (in terms of smoothness and daily usability) can easily be maintained.
Less complex overall than using a supercharger (in terms of day to day operation and maintenance).
Cons:
Noisy. The springs/valves/lifters needed for a reliable h/c setup can make a lot of noise. Prepare to lose some refinement from the stock setup.
Obvious. For some this can be also be a pro. But you're not going to sneak a h/c setup by as a sleeper. The car rocks, the engine rumbles, and etc. etc. But damn it's fun!
Mileage goes down the tubes. Even with a great tune you're going to lose a significant % of mileage. Gotta pay to play though.
Also, as mentioned you can do this buildup in stages, but I highly recommend doing as much at once. It's cheaper, requires less tuning, and easier on the car in the long run to do a single buildup. However, if you do plan to do a staged buildup, do the heads last and not first. You won't get as much benefit from the heads without the other elements in place first.
Hope that helps!
Lots of power with the right combo. LG's parts worked great for me.
Reliable and stronger if the tuner knows what they are doing (again, LG did a great job for me).
Driveability (in terms of smoothness and daily usability) can easily be maintained.
Less complex overall than using a supercharger (in terms of day to day operation and maintenance).
Cons:
Noisy. The springs/valves/lifters needed for a reliable h/c setup can make a lot of noise. Prepare to lose some refinement from the stock setup.
Obvious. For some this can be also be a pro. But you're not going to sneak a h/c setup by as a sleeper. The car rocks, the engine rumbles, and etc. etc. But damn it's fun!
Mileage goes down the tubes. Even with a great tune you're going to lose a significant % of mileage. Gotta pay to play though.
Also, as mentioned you can do this buildup in stages, but I highly recommend doing as much at once. It's cheaper, requires less tuning, and easier on the car in the long run to do a single buildup. However, if you do plan to do a staged buildup, do the heads last and not first. You won't get as much benefit from the heads without the other elements in place first.
Hope that helps!
Last edited by SmokeyTirez; Nov 20, 2004 at 04:47 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
Originally Posted by SmokeyTirez
Pros:
Lots of power with the right combo. LG's parts worked great for me.
Reliable and stronger if the tuner knows what they are doing (again, LG did a great job for me).
Driveability (in terms of smoothness and daily usability) can easily be maintained.
Less complex overall than using a supercharger (in terms of day to day operation and maintenance).
Cons:
Noisy. The springs/valves/lifters needed for a reliable h/c setup can make a lot of noise. Prepare to lose some refinement from the stock setup.
Obvious. For some this can be also be a pro. But you're not going to sneak a h/c setup by as a sleeper. The car rocks, the engine rumbles, and etc. etc. But damn it's fun!
Mileage goes down the tubes. Even with a great tune you're going to lose a significant % of mileage. Gotta pay to play though.
Also, as mentioned you can do this buildup in stages, but I highly recommend doing as much at once. It's cheaper, requires less tuning, and easier on the car in the long run to do a single buildup. However, if you do plan to do a staged buildup, do the heads last and not first. You won't get as much benefit from the heads without the other elements in place first.
Hope that helps!
Lots of power with the right combo. LG's parts worked great for me.
Reliable and stronger if the tuner knows what they are doing (again, LG did a great job for me).
Driveability (in terms of smoothness and daily usability) can easily be maintained.
Less complex overall than using a supercharger (in terms of day to day operation and maintenance).
Cons:
Noisy. The springs/valves/lifters needed for a reliable h/c setup can make a lot of noise. Prepare to lose some refinement from the stock setup.
Obvious. For some this can be also be a pro. But you're not going to sneak a h/c setup by as a sleeper. The car rocks, the engine rumbles, and etc. etc. But damn it's fun!
Mileage goes down the tubes. Even with a great tune you're going to lose a significant % of mileage. Gotta pay to play though.
Also, as mentioned you can do this buildup in stages, but I highly recommend doing as much at once. It's cheaper, requires less tuning, and easier on the car in the long run to do a single buildup. However, if you do plan to do a staged buildup, do the heads last and not first. You won't get as much benefit from the heads without the other elements in place first.
Hope that helps!
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