Can Upgrading??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Can Upgrading??
I was talking to a local tuning shop that my buddy works at about upgrading Headers n Cam here soon, and I just wanted to get everyone's opinion what they said.
"A lot of engines can take a mild cam upgrade while retaining a lot of the stock valve train components. Unfortunately your engine is not one of them. The stock valve train components are pretty much at their limit with the stock cam. To upgrade to even a mild cam would require new pushrods, valve springs, etc. Which would drive the cost way out of range if we are trying to keep cost down. Nitrous and a tune seem like the best bang for the buck to start off with and wait a bit on the cam."
"A lot of engines can take a mild cam upgrade while retaining a lot of the stock valve train components. Unfortunately your engine is not one of them. The stock valve train components are pretty much at their limit with the stock cam. To upgrade to even a mild cam would require new pushrods, valve springs, etc. Which would drive the cost way out of range if we are trying to keep cost down. Nitrous and a tune seem like the best bang for the buck to start off with and wait a bit on the cam."
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
I cannot confirm nor deny what your shop is tell you. With that said, when I did a cam swap I also did the complete package (pushrods/springs, etc) as it is better to be safe than sorry. I don’t know what your budget is or what you are looking for out of your corvette, but I would think a super/turbo charger would be the best bang for the buck. Especially if you worried about changing out the internals.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
My budget was around 2-2.5k. I wanted to get Headers n Cam done. What did it run you if you dont mind me asking for your full package upgrade?
Yea of course supercharger/turbo best bang for your buck, but in my budget area NOS probably is more realistic.
Just realized title is "Can" stupid spell check on phone....
Yea of course supercharger/turbo best bang for your buck, but in my budget area NOS probably is more realistic.
Just realized title is "Can" stupid spell check on phone....
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 84
From: Woodlands (houston) TX
not possible headers and cam $2500. any good reputable shop will be right at $2500 just for the cam job and tuning. yes springs, pushrods, etc NEED to be changed. sounds like you need to do headers now and cam later.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
I did not replace the timing chain on my 2005 and was fine.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 626
Likes: 1
From: San Angelo Tx
Getting some spray would still be out of the budget for a safe and complete kit installed, have you looked into buying used parts and the OBX headers?! Depending on the brands you go with will determine if it can be done on your budget!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
If you can do the installation yourself, and you only want a mild cam, by far the cheapest option would be to install an LS9 cam ($130 vs. like $450 for a custom cam), LS9 springs (~$70) or Comp 26918 "beehive" springs (~$190) - (either of which would allow you to keep the stock retainers). You would also need the 3-bolt timing gear kit (~$70).
This will not net you as significant a gain in hp (I would guess around 25-35 RWHP) as a custom cam would though, and unless you are going to put a blower in it at some point, with 122.5 * of LSA, it's not the best cam for N/A power. And it's a lot of work, so I would make sure that the right cam goes in the first time.
The same applies for the headers. I did mine myself in my garage on jack stands, without any help, so I know it's doable, provided you don't have any fitment issues. Maybe you can convince your buddy to give you a hand on weekends etc? You could get yourself a set of OBX headers and install those with his help. If you can save the cost of installation, that's probably a 50% savings right there.
Having said that, I agree with your shop: there is simply no easier and cheaper way to get hp that nitrous.
This will not net you as significant a gain in hp (I would guess around 25-35 RWHP) as a custom cam would though, and unless you are going to put a blower in it at some point, with 122.5 * of LSA, it's not the best cam for N/A power. And it's a lot of work, so I would make sure that the right cam goes in the first time.
The same applies for the headers. I did mine myself in my garage on jack stands, without any help, so I know it's doable, provided you don't have any fitment issues. Maybe you can convince your buddy to give you a hand on weekends etc? You could get yourself a set of OBX headers and install those with his help. If you can save the cost of installation, that's probably a 50% savings right there.
Having said that, I agree with your shop: there is simply no easier and cheaper way to get hp that nitrous.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 471
Likes: 62
From: Caliente Houston Tejas
Why not do the installation yourself? It's not aeronautical engineering ... it's literally unbolting - cleaning - installing - check - bolt on and go. 
Shop around and if necessary/possible, get a set of used headers and that should allow you stay in your allotted budget for a complete cam package and headers.
If you can't budget a cam install ... there is no way you can not afford to use N20 (nor any damage that could possibly result).
Shop around and if necessary/possible, get a set of used headers and that should allow you stay in your allotted budget for a complete cam package and headers.
Yea of course supercharger/turbo best bang for your buck, but in my budget area NOS probably is more realistic.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 121
Yes but unless it is an older vehicle he will need a tune and from my experience with tunes is if someone doesn't know what they are doing they can easily mess it up
Last edited by lbzraptor; Mar 7, 2014 at 09:57 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 83
From: Arkansas
The GM LSx series engines are near bullet proof. You can go as high as a 580 lift cam on the stock valvetrain without any issues. I wouldn't, but some have. You can get a complete kit for less than $700.00 and do the install yourself. It will require a tune so anticipate $500.00 +/- for dyno time.
IMHO! Go big or go home..........I always say. A lot of guys are pushing close to 700rwhp on the stock LS bottom ends. Your power gains are only limited by your wallet, not your imagination.
BTW! I recommend BTR for all of your parts needs or you can source them here.
IMHO! Go big or go home..........I always say. A lot of guys are pushing close to 700rwhp on the stock LS bottom ends. Your power gains are only limited by your wallet, not your imagination.
BTW! I recommend BTR for all of your parts needs or you can source them here.
Last edited by Speedforhire; Mar 7, 2014 at 12:13 PM.