Camshaft upgrade
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
Camshaft upgrade
Hi folks.
I have a 2013 Grand Sport. Auto trans.
Does it make sense (like in the old days with performance upgrades) to step up to a hotter cam? Nothing crazy where lots of other parts need to be changed out. But simply a bump up from the stock cam.
Thanks. You guys are always so smart and helpful!
Derrick
I have a 2013 Grand Sport. Auto trans.
Does it make sense (like in the old days with performance upgrades) to step up to a hotter cam? Nothing crazy where lots of other parts need to be changed out. But simply a bump up from the stock cam.
Thanks. You guys are always so smart and helpful!
Derrick
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Unfortunately, having the car dyno tuned will more than likely cost you more money than what you paid for the camshaft alone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
If you change the cam, you need to change the valve springs too. Also, I wouldn't do a camshaft upgrade without adding long tube headers. If you want to leave the stock exhaust system, alone and not do springs, just adding a centrifugal blower might be a better route. You can have a very nice power bump while keeping stock like manners with the blower. As mentioned above, you'll need a tune no matter which way you go. Your fuel pump is fine unless you go much over 550 rwhp.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 120
Likes: 17
From: Xenia Ohio
outright cost, big jump yes. dollar per horsepower its cheaper, plus it doesn't impact driveability. just depends what trade offs you're willing to accept.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
Excellent information here.
Now I guess I should talk to a good shop to do the work.
I can have it done in -
Las Vegas
Southern California
Phoenix AZ
Any recommendations for a pro shop?
Thanks
Now I guess I should talk to a good shop to do the work.
I can have it done in -
Las Vegas
Southern California
Phoenix AZ
Any recommendations for a pro shop?
Thanks
Last edited by dkoch; Jul 31, 2020 at 02:39 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
You are going to find that the labor cost is going to be higher than a cam change in many other cars ... Because the power steering rack sits right in front of the harmonic balancer on the C6. And because pulling the steering rack in order to remove the harmonic balancer is very time consuming, the labor cost is high.
As far as parts, you will need:
1. Camshaft
2. 1 Bolt to 3 Bolt Cam Conversion Kit (Most aftermarket cams are a 3-bolt design)
3. Valve Guide Seals
4. Front Cover, Valve Cover and Water Pump Gaskets
5. Front Crankshaft Seal
6. Upgraded Valve Springs
7. Hardened Pushrods
And a word of advice .... Since the harmonic balancer needs to be removed in order to access to camshaft, I would replace your OEM balancer with a good aftermarket balancer when changing the cam ... Why? ... Because the OEM balancer is prone to failure. You may have already heard about the 'woobling' problem with the stock balancer before. Change it out when changing the cam ... If you don't do it then, and have a failure later on, it's going to cost you a bunch of $$$ to replace it then.
As far as parts, you will need:
1. Camshaft
2. 1 Bolt to 3 Bolt Cam Conversion Kit (Most aftermarket cams are a 3-bolt design)
3. Valve Guide Seals
4. Front Cover, Valve Cover and Water Pump Gaskets
5. Front Crankshaft Seal
6. Upgraded Valve Springs
7. Hardened Pushrods
And a word of advice .... Since the harmonic balancer needs to be removed in order to access to camshaft, I would replace your OEM balancer with a good aftermarket balancer when changing the cam ... Why? ... Because the OEM balancer is prone to failure. You may have already heard about the 'woobling' problem with the stock balancer before. Change it out when changing the cam ... If you don't do it then, and have a failure later on, it's going to cost you a bunch of $$$ to replace it then.
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 391
From: Martinez CA
Before you start, I'd suggest your determine exactly what your goals are? Project creep is common, and it's always better to do everything at once to save $$$...once you've established what your goals are. Higher power = stickier tires, etc. You get the idea.
PS As far as bang for the buck, a supercharger is the most efficient way to boost power for the $$$, IMHO
PS As far as bang for the buck, a supercharger is the most efficient way to boost power for the $$$, IMHO
Last edited by Chiselchst; Jul 31, 2020 at 04:34 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 391
From: Martinez CA
Last edited by Chiselchst; Jul 31, 2020 at 04:36 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 903
From: Kentucky
My car is down for a camshaft upgrade currently and I also decided to do some preventative maintenance while they're in there. I'm replacing the harmonic balancer, timing chain, and spark plugs & wires. I'm also having him change and flush the clutch fluid too. Might as well do as much as you can since so much of these cars have to come apart for the camshaft.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
My car is down for a camshaft upgrade currently and I also decided to do some preventative maintenance while they're in there. I'm replacing the harmonic balancer, timing chain, and spark plugs & wires. I'm also having him change and flush the clutch fluid too. Might as well do as much as you can since so much of these cars have to come apart for the camshaft.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 903
From: Kentucky
Bluecat is supposed to be doing the tuning, yes. But he's slammed getting ready for LS Fest and I don't want my car sitting for weeks. So we'll see. He's one of the best in the business so I hope it doesn't take long because I'd like him to do it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Once upon a time he was set to do some work for me but he stopped communicating with me and would answer calls. Don’t know if he underbid the job or what but I don’t want to chase someone to do my work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 903
From: Kentucky
That's basically been my story from the get-go on this whole project. Everyone "wants" to do the work but no one can give you an estimate on anything (labor, time, tune, etc). I finally found a good mechanic who won't take a month to do a cam swap. Next trick will be getting it tuned. If Bluecat don't come through then I'm going the PCM mail-in route because I can have one back to me in a few days. It's risky but the reflash is only $50 if I want to update something. This whole process has been nuts from the start. I'll be happy when it's over haha.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
That's basically been my story from the get-go on this whole project. Everyone "wants" to do the work but no one can give you an estimate on anything (labor, time, tune, etc). I finally found a good mechanic who won't take a month to do a cam swap. Next trick will be getting it tuned. If Bluecat don't come through then I'm going the PCM mail-in route because I can have one back to me in a few days. It's risky but the reflash is only $50 if I want to update something. This whole process has been nuts from the start. I'll be happy when it's over haha.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 903
From: Kentucky
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 391
From: Martinez CA
That's why I went with Joe, at CPR. Estimate up front and no surprises. Plus they do a lot of these and their experience is priceless, IMO...
That's basically been my story from the get-go on this whole project. Everyone "wants" to do the work but no one can give you an estimate on anything (labor, time, tune, etc). I finally found a good mechanic who won't take a month to do a cam swap. Next trick will be getting it tuned. If Bluecat don't come through then I'm going the PCM mail-in route because I can have one back to me in a few days. It's risky but the reflash is only $50 if I want to update something. This whole process has been nuts from the start. I'll be happy when it's over haha.