cam regrets?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
cam regrets?
I had a cammed Z28 for a long time a while ago. I love the sound of a cammed car and would love for my car to be cammed but part of me just wants to be happy with the way it is and enjoy it. I have had several modded cars through the years and I have liked the mods but then hate all the up keep or repairs. I want to be able to drive the car and not worry about problems or drivability. I know I will get crap for this but I do like the fuel mileage I am getting. I am not sure how much a cam will affect my gas mileage. I like taking the car on trips and it is really nice not having to always know where the next gas station is.
Anyone have any regrets putting a nice sounding cam in their car?
Anyone have any regrets putting a nice sounding cam in their car?
#2
Instructor
Thread Starter
I should also add that my trips are sometimes 100-300+ mile trips one way. One thing i love about the car is the comfort on the longer drives and i don't want it too loud and that is why i did ZR1 manifolds and a Z06 H pipe instead of headers in anticipation of a cam. I don't race the car. Just drive around and get on it sometimes. I love the cam sound but will it take away the pleasure of a somewhat relaxing long distance cruise?
Thanks
Thanks
#3
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Dec 2014
Location: Bossier City Louisiana
Posts: 2,257
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I just did a small stock converter cam on my full bolt on Ls2 A4. My guy tuned in a nice lope at idle while sitting at 675 rpm. Gave great torque under the curve for the street. Havnt noticed a change in mpg but also have not been on a long trip yet either. Specs are 224r, 600 lift with a 113 lsa. I am extremely pleased.
#4
If you want a long distance cruise kinda car then a cam probably isnt for you. Just throw an exhaust on it to liven up the sound and enjoy the car. I have a BTR stage 3 cammed Z06 and my fuel mileage did go down, but nothing crazy. She still drives great and has more power which was my goal.
#5
Melting Slicks
There are plenty of small cams out there that will still drive like stock and give you a power boost. I know you're not doing headers, but a small cam on that LS3 with a good tune can probably get you 430-440 RWHP.
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
If you want a long distance cruise kinda car then a cam probably isnt for you. Just throw an exhaust on it to liven up the sound and enjoy the car. I have a BTR stage 3 cammed Z06 and my fuel mileage did go down, but nothing crazy. She still drives great and has more power which was my goal.
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
I was thinking the BTR stage 3.
w
With just a CAI and axle back on a Mustang dyno a few years ago i put down 397hp to the wheels. No tune and had just put on the CAI. Since then i put on the ZR1 manifolds Z06 H pipe and upgraded my B&B PRT from the 2.5" to the 3" for the ZR1 Z06 to smooth it out and not reduce to 2.5".
w
With just a CAI and axle back on a Mustang dyno a few years ago i put down 397hp to the wheels. No tune and had just put on the CAI. Since then i put on the ZR1 manifolds Z06 H pipe and upgraded my B&B PRT from the 2.5" to the 3" for the ZR1 Z06 to smooth it out and not reduce to 2.5".
#8
Inside didnt get louder, exhaust got louder with the cam, but I also added 2" LGs and offroad X-pipe. I like loud cars so I cant really say much, but as far as drivability just takes a little more off the start to get her going. I do know that I need tires that will hook because she breaks loose pretty easily. My car is a fun/go cruise and race setup, so gas mileage to me went out the door.
#9
Drifting
I have a BTR stage 2 on my daily driver. We take regular long trips, just drove 8 hours on Saturday to pick up a part from a fellow member.. No problems at all. It did hurt my gas mileage though.
I sit in daily rush hour and it doesn't bother me, though I do have to clutch more than a stock cam.
The cam made the car considerably louder at high RPM in my case.
I sit in daily rush hour and it doesn't bother me, though I do have to clutch more than a stock cam.
The cam made the car considerably louder at high RPM in my case.
#10
Burning Brakes
I live close by. I have a small to medium cam in mine. The lobe profile is not aggressive...which the valve train likes I do have ARH with cats, NPP and a 3200 stall. If you want to take it for spin you are welcome to it.
Last edited by Curt D; 04-25-2018 at 01:46 AM.
#11
Le Mans Master
Specs on your cam? I'll probably do a mild cam and long tubes on my 2013 coupe. Kinda know what I want spec wise. Doesn't hurt to hear others opinions, likes, and dislikes in relation to cam specs.
#12
Burning Brakes
230/246 621/603 116+4. It's a 6 overlap. It has a slight surge around 50-58 when the ss3200 converter locks out in 6th. Ill just use paddles if im hanging around that speed. Around town it is super smooth.
I went with this in case I decided to add a maggie.
#13
Burning Brakes
I was thinking the BTR stage 3.
w
With just a CAI and axle back on a Mustang dyno a few years ago i put down 397hp to the wheels. No tune and had just put on the CAI. Since then i put on the ZR1 manifolds Z06 H pipe and upgraded my B&B PRT from the 2.5" to the 3" for the ZR1 Z06 to smooth it out and not reduce to 2.5".
w
With just a CAI and axle back on a Mustang dyno a few years ago i put down 397hp to the wheels. No tune and had just put on the CAI. Since then i put on the ZR1 manifolds Z06 H pipe and upgraded my B&B PRT from the 2.5" to the 3" for the ZR1 Z06 to smooth it out and not reduce to 2.5".
#14
Le Mans Master
Since I've already had my last cam that's caused behavioral issues, I'm going very low overlap. Either a 226/234 114+3 or a 226/232 115+4. Leaning towards the latter. Custom Cam Motion grind with about .615 lift on each side. Either will work fine if I lose my mind (again) and add a blower.
#15
Safety Car
With a small cam like previous post along with long tubes, you're looking at about 50-60 more rwhp. Still mild manered. A Yank 3200 or 3600 converter for an A6 car and you will have a friendly, fun and very fast ride.
#16
If you have an auto trans. most aftermarket cams are going to make the car kinda jerky when coming to a stop. If it's a manual trans car this can be overcome by just pushing the clutch in. Mine is a manual trans car. I had a BTR Stage 2 cam installed along with the recommended valvetrain upgrades, and a harmonic balancer replacement at the same time since it cost no more in labor. Idles at 750rpm, has a good lope, and gained about 12-15% in HP. I recently took it on a 525 mile round trip and while I didn't actually do a check for fuel mileage I can say that it was unnoticeable. So, I'd say a 1-3 mpg difference, if I had to guess. I can direct you to a video on the installer's website of it on the dyno that shows the idle lope as well as the pull.
#18
no regrets with a cam at all. depending on the cam you might of a lopey idle which is sometimes fun ( i enjoy it) but once you are moving it goes away. the ls3 responds amazingly to a good cam.