Z064me2enjoy

I’m in the process of having my Z06 (2010) LS7 heads removed to have the guides addressed by AHP With their Basic Package 4. I don’t plan on ever tracking the car, just spirited drives and hopefully once a year long drives across the country (500-3000 miles). Is it worth the extra cost (parts/labor) to go ahead and upgrade to say their 116 Cam? Might change the intake manifold but no headers etc. I know if I ever thought about adding a cam down the road, nows the time to do it, to go ahead and have some good springs installed to match the cam. I realize most people would also add Moldstar 90 Valve guides, Porting, possibly heavy duty push rods, etc.. I have about 48K miles on the engine and I haven’t ever had any problems out of it. I’m actually doing this like most for peace of mind! I’m also looking at resale value in 3-5 years down the road with these upgrades. Thanks

MTPZ06

Fix the heads, leave everything else alone. Just my 2 cents...

Z064me2enjoy

Thanks for your 2 cents!

SPDKLZ1

Cam all day long! The 116 will make good power and drive nice. I don't think I could go back to the stock cam. The sound alone is damn near worth it to me.

CDNZ

I am in the same position, just want the car for cruising, spirited driving, the odd blast to redline here and there and probably a number of longer trips. I would agree, just fix the heads, although I would opt for the MS90 guides...they are not costly and are premium guides. You may as well do it the best you can based on knowledge available. Good luck

Are you planning to pull the heads yourself?

moose.b3

A 116 cam just wakes the car up, some people want that, some people don't. Also agree with the MS90.

Z064me2enjoy

Thanks for the suggestions. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to pull the heads myself, they have some great step by step instructions for R&R the heads. If I hire it out, it looks like I’m looking at between $1,000.00 - $1,500.00 shop time for just the heads then probably another $500.00 if I include the cam. In a perfect world I would drive the car to AHP headquarters in California and let them do the install for me. Haven't decided yet! I think upgrading to the MS90 guides is a wise move. It would be nice to have a Z available thats had the work done with the 116 cam and see what it sounds and feels like in the seat of the pants! That would probably make it an easier decision. If I don’t install the cam now, I’m sure I will be kicking myself down the road for not doing it at the same time, which would be cheaper than going back later and installing it. I love the sound of a cam with a small lope at idle, sweet! It would be nice to have more midrange and 5th and 6th gear acceleration! The LS7 engine in base form is an amazing engine along with the Z06 drivetrain is a tough act to follow for the investment and pure Adrenalin rush! The cars not perfect but with some common sense and experience it will deliver years of owner satisfaction and enjoyment, that is priceless in my books!

Formula8

x 2

MTPZ06

Yes on MS90, and I also did PSI 1511 beehives. If you’re flipping the car in a few years, why bother with the expense of the cam. I suppose if you do it yourself, you find it more appealing from a cost standpoint.

Z064me2enjoy

Hopefully in 3-5 years I will come to my senses and hang on to the car! I’ve only had one other muscle car that I upgraded the cam, about 25 years ago I had a 67 Corvette 427/435 hp, wow what a ride! Completely different kind of beast! What I wouldn’t give to still have it, especially for those prices back then! Most upgrades we do is personal because usually you wont get your investment back but with the LS7 addressing the heads is just common sense for ease of conscous, anything else is just icing on the cake! Your right if I do the work myself I can justify doing the cam at the same time from a cost standpoint! Thanks

anothertoy

Love the sound of a bigger cam. You can think of it as an exhaust mod with real power gains. That said I live in CA and can't have a big cam without SMOG drama. I'd go for a larger cam with needed upgrades and tune. Look for a used set of LT's and enjoy the car. Lots of people in CA are getting rid of their LT's. It's just a toy, enjoy it!!

Mr. Gizmo

x3. If you ever sell the car stock cam will be easier to sell. With the cam you have to figure out a tune for the ecm and the cars can with a cam will have a tendency to have a stronger fuel smell to them at idle.

Z064me2enjoy

Thanks for the reality check on the cons of adding a cam! I’ve followed several sites on the issue and I’ve decided for my needs I will just have the heads done and pass on the cam upgrade. Will keep the forum posted as I proceed. Thank you again for all your comments, Priceless!.

Unreal

Check out SPS cylinder heads too up in your area. I would use them over many of the other choices posted here. Keep stock cam.

TOM WELCH

I was in the same situation a few years back, My heads needed refurbishing and my engine was totally stock, except for heads that were ported and decked, headers and a Halltech mf103 its still stock, I can daily drive a legit 10 sec street car, that gets almost 30 mpg hiway, Its reliable, too. Im happy with what I have, im almost at 100,000 miles now.

Z064me2enjoy

I will look into SPS cylinder heads and Tom thanks for your 2 cents!

Indepth

This, as someone currently going through some issues with AHP right now, and having talked with Gavin @ SPS, I'd select him over AHP if I were to do it all over again.

slammin86

Same boat here...I ended up with the 116 cam.

Z064me2enjoy

I just got off the phone with Gavin at SPS in Kent, Washington. Great guy, very informative. He had nonthing but good things to say about AHP but he put together a package for me that it would be hard to refuse and they have a shop (TMS Performance) they work with there that will do the labor work for $880.00 (8 hrs @ $110.00) They service your heads, valve job, use powdered guides, polish intake valves, use solid stems, new OEM head-bolts TTY, upgrade to Comp 7228-16 Conical .625 Valve Springs, mill the heads, head gasket, new oil and filter and antifreeze, filter flush, spark plugs for $1,725.00 plus $880.00 labor = $2,605.00. 2-day turn around. Talked about adding a BTR Cam with springs and pushrods with labor would be an additional $2,239.00 includes a tune. They offer pretty much anything you want but he feels comfortable this will meet my needs. I talked to another customer of his who had nonthing but good things to say about there service and parts they use. A+ rating so far! Thanks again for the referral.

Unreal

No problem. Sometimes it pays to get off this board and look elsewhere. The views of vendors on here are drastically different on other places, and there are vendors that are very highly regarded that don't pay to support this site. So it is suggested you ask in more than one place.