header-only vs. cam-swap-only...which would you take in a drag race?

 

Depends if your "only one mod" includes a tune.

It is, after all, a modification to the software codes. If not, then headers. Bolting in a cam and not tuning for it would be a nightmare. The car barely idles.

 

tuning permitted on both, but you could throw in a small cam and it would idle fine...besides a drag race isn't won at idle...

 

I'd pick cam. However, this question sucks.

 

why? My point is if you want to go faster, headers AIN'T the best bang for the buck...you can always add headers later...

 

I'll take the headers, A big cam is not going to get air like it needs, plus the Header car will get out and the cammed car might not catch it!
I vote headers

 

who said it had to be a big cam...

 

Ill take headers too, they wont void the warranty, plus the gains would be so close it would be a drivers race.

 

Sounds like you answered your own question.

 

It sucks because it propigates the idea that you can throw a part at a car without thinking about the whole. Common mistake. Is propigate a word by the way its like 6 in the morning here? While I see your intent, I think complimentary, whole picture builds work better.

Also, you left off the best part. Tires. I'd like to compare a stout stock car with tires to a cam only car on runflats. That would be a close race if we had good drivers.

I do motor work so its different for me, but if you are paying headers can be a DIY job while a cam may not. With that factored in I stand by some of my old comments about headers being the best bang for the buck. That statement is a little biased because I absolutely love the sound of a long tube. Sound + 20 rwhp + cost works for me.

I still stand by my pick in relation to your original post. These cars make some decent power stock. The exhaust flows pretty well. I'm not saying headers don't do better, but given the choice between the 2 I'd take the cam and let the stock manifolds try and keep up. It sucks cause it makes ya say a cam is better than headers when for people like me saying that is like blasphemous. Headers do x, cam does y. x is not > y. x+y is > x or y alone. Lol.

 

You are looking for "propagate".

San

 

I agree headers are easier on warranty issues and to install, but some people can't put them on for inspection purposes...they sound good and of course help a cam to make more power, especially if you throw just any cam in there, but if you choose the right cam (which is what it's all about) it could actually help bleed off some low-end torque that'd blow the tires off anyway...shoulda prolly specified whether manual or auto, oh well...I've always been partial to a sleeper

 

lol, yeah that's the one. Nobody ever accused me of being smart.