School me on camming
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 68
From: Cincinnati OH
You'll get many varying opinions on this one especially in terms of preferred brands and tuning.
I bought my 2016 Z51 A8 earlier this year, 5000 miles so far without any issue. I love the handling but I’d also love some additional 150 horses without having to deal with forced injection. I won't be tracking it but drive pretty hard when nobody is around.
1.) Can I do the camming (and headers) in my garage? Without a lift, only tall jacks?
You could, but it would be a bitch.
2.) Would it be easier to pull the engine?
Vengeance Racing pulled mine when they installed the cam.
3.) How good will the A8 be able to deal with 500 – 550 RWHP? Should I upgrade right away?
The stock A8 will be fine. With an aggressive cam to achieve these numbers you'll definitely need a converter though.
4.) What the best cams and header combo out there?
I have VR Stage II cam and TSP headers. Again, personal preference will need to be applied here.
5.) What tuner will fit the bill?
Definitely seek references here and don't be afraid to do a bit of travel to get things right the first time instead of someone using your car as a learning tool to stay local.
6.) Any good dynos around Tampa Bay?
Can't help here.
Thanks guys.
1.) Can I do the camming (and headers) in my garage? Without a lift, only tall jacks?
You could, but it would be a bitch.
2.) Would it be easier to pull the engine?
Vengeance Racing pulled mine when they installed the cam.
3.) How good will the A8 be able to deal with 500 – 550 RWHP? Should I upgrade right away?
The stock A8 will be fine. With an aggressive cam to achieve these numbers you'll definitely need a converter though.
4.) What the best cams and header combo out there?
I have VR Stage II cam and TSP headers. Again, personal preference will need to be applied here.
5.) What tuner will fit the bill?
Definitely seek references here and don't be afraid to do a bit of travel to get things right the first time instead of someone using your car as a learning tool to stay local.
6.) Any good dynos around Tampa Bay?
Can't help here.
Thanks guys.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Max HP with camming an LT1 engine depends on a couple things
IF you retain AFM you are very limited to cam choices---Even Comp Cams largest grind that is AFM friendly will limit you to about a 35-40 HP gain---These cams also require a VVT limiter kit
NOW If you chose to delete AFM--the cam choices become unlimited !!!They also require a VVT limiter kit----Texas Speed and Weapon X have cam kits that will add an easy 80 RWHP----Adding LT headers will push it to apprx 100 RWHP
And finally adding a basic set of C n C'd heads will push it to about 125 RWHP
They even have a set of better heads foe not much more $$ that will put you into the additional 150 RWHP that you seek----Plus even this max effort kit is still 1000's of dollars LESS than an installed SC kit
PS You can Google search "installing a cam on a C7 Corvette" and there are several sites thst go thru the procedure in detail----It is rather difficult as you have to remove the electric steering and many components in the front---Do-able on jack stands ?? Yes just more difficult---Deleting the AFM is somewhat complex as is installing the VVT limiter
IF you retain AFM you are very limited to cam choices---Even Comp Cams largest grind that is AFM friendly will limit you to about a 35-40 HP gain---These cams also require a VVT limiter kit
NOW If you chose to delete AFM--the cam choices become unlimited !!!They also require a VVT limiter kit----Texas Speed and Weapon X have cam kits that will add an easy 80 RWHP----Adding LT headers will push it to apprx 100 RWHP
And finally adding a basic set of C n C'd heads will push it to about 125 RWHP
They even have a set of better heads foe not much more $$ that will put you into the additional 150 RWHP that you seek----Plus even this max effort kit is still 1000's of dollars LESS than an installed SC kit
PS You can Google search "installing a cam on a C7 Corvette" and there are several sites thst go thru the procedure in detail----It is rather difficult as you have to remove the electric steering and many components in the front---Do-able on jack stands ?? Yes just more difficult---Deleting the AFM is somewhat complex as is installing the VVT limiter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
What about forced induction are you worried about "dealing with" vs pulling your motor, taking half of it apart, changing cam to something that is going to be louder, idle like ****, be more stinky, make less power than a blower, etc etc. A cam is a huge compromise. A cam is 20 hrs of labor. A blower is about 6.
What makes you want a cam and what makes you not want a blower?
What makes you want a cam and what makes you not want a blower?
Last edited by Higgs Boson; Oct 25, 2016 at 09:21 PM.
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,803
Likes: 2,232
From: Sammamish, WA
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Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
Likes: 329
From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 317
Cam swap in c7z = 19hrs of knowing what you are doing, with a 2-post lift AND a means to support the short block in the car while it's in the air and the front cradle is out.
Do not skimp on valve springs and retainers, buy proven and tested
John
Do not skimp on valve springs and retainers, buy proven and tested
John
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 203
From: MI
a lot of work and parts go into a cam swap. After having a cam in the past, i would go with a less aggressive cam. The car will drive better, and have less wear on the valve train.
I also would never dream of doing my own work.
I also would never dream of doing my own work.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
I had no idea installing a cam in these cars was so labor-intensive. I was thinking I'd be doing myself a favor going for a cam or a cam/heads setup vs. just adding a Procharger kit and living happily ever after
Last edited by Kracka; Oct 26, 2016 at 10:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 317
It can still be tuned, unless your running 40deg overlap on a tiny motor....proper tuning goes a long way. We can even do the opposite and make a small cam sound big. If you installed a cam and just got a dyno tune for WOT you would in fact be only about 10-20% tuned. There is so much more than timing and fueling at WOT to make it drive happy on the street. Find a GREAT tuner and pay him well, you won't regret it.
John
John
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
Luckily, I knew my way around that ECU very well, and eventually supplied my tables (which I continued to work on after the professional dyno tune) to a lot of shops and tuners once I was able to get it dialed in as much as possible 
Regardless, not the point of this thread... The ECU on the C7 I have not a clue about! Not something I would attempt on my own with how complex everything has become.
Regardless, not the point of this thread... The ECU on the C7 I have not a clue about! Not something I would attempt on my own with how complex everything has become.
Last edited by Kracka; Oct 26, 2016 at 03:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 83
From: Arkansas
It can still be tuned, unless your running 40deg overlap on a tiny motor....proper tuning goes a long way. We can even do the opposite and make a small cam sound big. If you installed a cam and just got a dyno tune for WOT you would in fact be only about 10-20% tuned. There is so much more than timing and fueling at WOT to make it drive happy on the street. Find a GREAT tuner and pay him well, you won't regret it.
John
John
.....with you and Higgs. The cam is exactly why I miss my C6 GS. Even though this new Z car is boosted, it just doesn't have the character the GS had. After driving both cars now I think the GS was faster. 