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Is a cam worth it?

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Old 04-20-2018, 03:04 AM
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SteveSierra
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Default Is a cam worth it?

hi all looks like I’m going to have to replace the harmonic balancer.
Question is while the garage is doing that is it really worth changing the cam? Looking a at a btr turbo stage 2 as I’m fitting a single turbo kit very soon.
I don’t want to do rods as garage said that will be a much bigger job but would the cam involve a lot more work also and is it worth doing if it’s just the cam without rods?
Old 04-20-2018, 10:12 AM
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schpenxel
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St. Jude Donor '15

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Goals?
Old 04-20-2018, 10:21 AM
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SteveSierra
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At first I want to get to around 700whp but the only reason I mention a cam is because the balancer is being replaced so would save time/money if I ever decide to cam in the future
Old 04-20-2018, 10:24 AM
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schpenxel
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Don’t need a cam at all for that goal, up to you if you want to do it now while it’s easier to get at. Def better to do now vs later. But isn’t necessary at all.
Old 04-20-2018, 12:35 PM
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SteveSierra
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Can a cam be installed on its own or do you have to do springs and rods also?
Old 04-20-2018, 12:37 PM
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schpenxel
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Depends on the cam. You keep saying rods, I’m assuming you mean push rods? They take 5 mins to install. I’d change them and springs while you’re at it if you do cam
Old 04-20-2018, 12:39 PM
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SteveSierra
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That’s what I thought but the garage I asked said it’s an engine out/rebuild to do the rods
Old 04-20-2018, 12:40 PM
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schpenxel
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Then quit calling them rods and call them push rods so they know what you’re talking about

Rods do require engine out. Push rods don’t.

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Old 04-22-2018, 01:30 PM
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Unreal
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Worth it is always a personal thing. That is a financial decision if the rewards are worth the cost. Only you can answer that.

For most people, yes a cam is worth it.

Typical cam kit should contain
Cam
Springs, Retainers, seats, locks, seals, shims, etc
Push Rods
Timing Chain
Gaskets
Possibly oil pump, tensioner, gears, ARP bolts, seals.

No idea why you are talking about rods unless it is push rods. Rods are not an issue, as pistons, heads, etc all fail before rods.
Old 04-22-2018, 03:41 PM
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Blk 08 C6
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do the cam your in there.stage2 blower cam here.
Old 04-22-2018, 08:43 PM
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Do the cam and lifters. Check pushrod length
Btr stage 2 here
Old 04-23-2018, 09:18 AM
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BT03mach-1
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getting the balancer off is most of the hard work installing a cam.
Old 04-24-2018, 12:51 PM
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0Billy@MTI
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We can build you a custom profile for your setup. Don't just pick a off the shelf cam.
Old 05-21-2018, 06:52 AM
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SteveSierra
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Any rough ideas how much extra hp a cam would produce?
Old 05-21-2018, 04:08 PM
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vrybad
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Totally depends on the cam.
Old 05-24-2018, 06:00 PM
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SteveSierra
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Was looking at either a btr stage 2 turbo cam or an mti cam
Old 06-01-2018, 01:01 PM
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SteveSierra
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Right I’ve found s good garage now that will do the balancer/cam/turbo install
Can anyone help with the spec of cam that would work for my setup please
BW 369sxe turbo
80lb injectors
bap
de cat
stock ls2 engine
fuel 93 pump gas

would like stockish idle, not a fan of the massive choppy cams but a tiny bits fine.

Thanks

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Old 06-02-2018, 10:39 AM
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C U IN REARVEIW
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Originally Posted by SteveSierra
Right I’ve found s good garage now that will do the balancer/cam/turbo install
Can anyone help with the spec of cam that would work for my setup please
BW 369sxe turbo
80lb injectors
bap
de cat
stock ls2 engine
fuel 93 pump gas

would like stockish idle, not a fan of the massive choppy cams but a tiny bits fine.

Thanks

Put in a phone call to Brian Tooley
Old 06-02-2018, 03:24 PM
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Pete2k_Z28
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IMO springs are always a good idea when going FI. If you're doing springs, you need hardened pushrods. And if you already have the balancer off, pushrods out, and springs in, you're probably better than half way on the labor anyway. So for 400 bucks for a cam and a few bucks more labor, you have a cam. There, I just gave you your justification
Old 06-12-2018, 04:32 AM
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SteveSierra
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Lol thanks.
Move spoken to tick performance and they’ve suggested their stage 1 cam, 227/231 .625"/.605" LSA114+4. I suppose the only slight frustration is the stage 1 is only rated to give 35-55whp, not massive gains for what will cost around $2000 all in.


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