Heads cam setup help
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Heads cam setup help
Recentley purchased 2004 c5 m6 and want to do some upgrades. I have vararam cai kooks full length headers with cats, and borla stingers. Looking to purchase afr heads but i honestly do not know anything about cam numbers. I want the cam wake up the engine but not to loose drivability as daily driver if needed. Any recommendations for cam?
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,753
Likes: 587
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Recentley purchased 2004 c5 m6 and want to do some upgrades. I have vararam cai kooks full length headers with cats, and borla stingers. Looking to purchase afr heads but i honestly do not know anything about cam numbers. I want the cam wake up the engine but not to loose drivability as daily driver if needed. Any recommendations for cam?
The best mods I ever did to my 04 was headers and 4.10 gears. You've already got the headers, so install the gears. It will completely change the personality of your car without affecting the drivability at all.
Changing the cam and heads can get quite involved and you'll need tuning too. You're looking at probably $4,000 or so.
If you do want to change heads/cam, definitely call Brian Tooley. He'll set you straight on what you'll need.
Best of success to you with your goals.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 524
Likes: 48
From: Allenspark Colorado
I bought similar mods as you & found a local builder/tuner and had him do a head/cam pkg and dyno tune for me last fall. I wanted a small cam (226/228 .60/.60 114) and supporting upgrades (timing chain, oil pump, trunion, etc). Got 405 RWHP for about $3800 total out the door. I love it and would highly suggest you find a great tuner close to you and talk to them about your goals. A good shop stands behind their work so do some research before pulling the trigger!
Good luck with your build
Good luck with your build
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
A good plan is what is important when choosing a cam. What one person considers "drivable" is another's' unbearable. Be careful when looking at power numbers as well. My car makes 435 and 391 to the wheels with a fairly large cam and stock 243's. I consider it very drivable. That said, bottom end torque was sacrificed for power on the top end with room to grow later on. I would give England Green or Brian Tooley (or several other sponsoring vendors) a call and let them know what you are looking for. Get several opinions before making your decision. Were I to do it again, my cam specs would be somewhat more mild. As already stated, something in the mid to high 220's 590-600 lift. Icl of 108 and an lsa of 113 (114 or 115 with better flowing heads) would fit the bill nicely on a stock displacement setup. Just don't forget to invest in the best springs possible. BTR .660's are the way to go.
