knockout_tx

Trying to figure out what would be the right way to go.....Cam, is what I wanted, but now wonder if I would get more bang for the buck with a SC or turbo........?????????



Machine Shop Machine Shop Costs - ARP Head Studs, Stainless Steel
Valves, Titanium Retainers, Push Rods, Dual Valve
Springs, Lifters, Head Gasket, Timing Chain, Timing
Gear, Custom Built Custom Cam
3,700.00

Labor Charge Labor Rate Per Hour book calls for 35 hrs

2,800.00


With all added together to include Dyno time....... 7,107.00 total

lane_change

That is not just a cam upgrade that you are quoting, that would be heads/cam. You can get a cam swap done for far less than that and make around 550whp or so with the cam, intake, headers, and tune. Do you already have headers or intake? My personal preference was Carlos from Vette-Air and his QM cams....but they are in Dallas. But price wise, it was much cheaper than dealing with shops in Houston and his cams work. My cam only Z was a mid 10 sec car and the price for a cam swap with cam, springs, retainers, and tuning is sub $2000.

For heads, factor in another $2000 or so, plus labor...so head/cam/labor/tuning probably in the $4-5k range and that would get you into the high 500's if you have the other supporting mods. I'm a head/cam car right now, never been a fan of s/c cars. I'm in Houston as well, and I priced around down here...wasn't even close.

Unreal

$800-1000

Carlos has nice kits on sale for $750-800. All you need is a cam bolt and some water pump gaskets. It is pretty easy to do yourself.

I'll sell my mamba cam once I pull it out for $250, and you would just have to pick up a spring kit for $200-250 so you could do a cam package for <$500.

VetteVinnie

Shawn David (now of Lethal Racing in Lafayette, LA) does all my motor work and tuning. The quotes you are getting are about right for a heads/cam setup. Cam only I've seen specials below $2000 turnkey from some of the vendors.

But bear in mind that doesn't include any other supporting modifications, like intake (ported), throttle body (ported) or exhaust (headers and X-pipe). That's just a cam swap with dyno tuning. To get the most out of your cam swap, you will want to do all of the supporting modifications.

Unreal, don't forget the cost of tuning. That alone goes for on average $500 for street and dyno tune.

sublime1996525

This is about right. Plus $500 or so for tune.

Unreal, what are your plans for the Z?

Unreal

Tuning is easy. $500 is high. Carlos only charges $150 or so for tuning.

Sublime, nothing. Want to buy my cam and stuff? I'll tune it for free

knockout_tx

I currently have a cold air intake, 102mm NB, 102 mm Fast, long tube B&B, no cats, B&B fusion, Dyno tune. I was looking at England Green as well. So all the help I can get the better. Is it possible to make 600 RWHP with just a cam or do you need heads as well????

saleentim

sent you a pm knockout

Unreal

I've never seen it done and even with heads it isn't easy.

u1arunit

How much power ya making on these parts??

PureSwank

Yes it is possible. Your going to need a BIG cam all the bolt on's and some good flowing heads. Dyno the vette on a good morning when temperatures aren't so hot and you'll hit that power. A good after market clutch would help as well. I dynoed in 565rwhp first time around. (101 Degrees) Re-dynoed a couple months later with cooler weather different tuner and hit 585rwhp (59 degrees) WITHOUT Heads and a further ported ls7 throttle body. Add Heads and a ported TB your looking at 605 rwhp now . It'll basically come down to the size of cam you have. If you want the magical number you gotta go radical. Which is what I did. Then the 200 shot comes in and all hell breaks lose with further modifications

FNQWK

x2. i think carlos has the best deal and is one of the highest regarded people in the corvette community. $2k for cam,springs,installed and tuned-cant beat that

PureSwank

I didnt go with Carlos, but DAYUM!! that's one hell of a deal. Heard excellent things bout my homie Carlos

knockout_tx

Thank you for the PM..........thanks for the great info. It will be a little easier now to make a decision.

VetteVinnie

For a full dyno and street tune? I somehow doubt that. It takes hours to dial in the drivability of big cams for exceptional street manners.

$500 is average for dyno/street tunes in the Houston area. $150 gets you a mail order tune that isn't street tuned with density tuning.

Ask Scott (Lane_change) how nice my car starts and idles. Cruises in 5th and 6th like it's stock.

lane_change

Mine cruises better now with the high compression heads...but man, I need to get my mild2wild working at idle. Car is just stupid loud right now.

rfopt

How long does it take for you to do a cam kit install ? How long would you expect it to take a novice to do the cam kit install?

Unreal

I agree but for most cams if you tuned enough of them them you can get really close. I would trust carlos has some pretty dang close files for all the cams he has done. $500 is normal and a decent price for a full dyno/street tune.

Cam swap is a day job. 8-10 hours.

knockout_tx

do any of you guys have vids or sound bites of your car with the cam??????

PureSwank

What Cam? I'm sure we all have one. You can always you tube it and get a million results on this.