Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out?
Which will produce more power:
1. A big, quality cam
2. Headers back to a stock Ti
What kind of HP/TQ gains will they both yeild (roughly)?
Assume everything else is stock, except some type of cold air intake...
1. A big, quality cam
2. Headers back to a stock Ti
What kind of HP/TQ gains will they both yeild (roughly)?
Assume everything else is stock, except some type of cold air intake...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 32
From: Central Florida
Re: Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out? (Weedo)
Weedo,
You might want to build a signature that will enable members to know what car you are currently thinking about modding. Your avatar says FRC. But I think you are going to mod an 03 Z06. Correct? The answer will affect the suggestions you are seeking.
Ranger
You might want to build a signature that will enable members to know what car you are currently thinking about modding. Your avatar says FRC. But I think you are going to mod an 03 Z06. Correct? The answer will affect the suggestions you are seeking.
Ranger
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Re: Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out? (Weedo)
Ranger is correct. What car are we talking about??
Assuming its an 03 Z:
Putting a BIG cam in without headers and heads would not be recommended anyway.
Get the headers, then the heads/cam
Although the ls6 heads breath reasonably well, a big cam will starve the engine for air at high rpms without heads. I've seen this in person on a dyno, at about 4800 rpm the HP dropped off severly.
Headers are a great precurser for a cam/heads.
If you have an LS1, then the above scenerio will be even worse.
Headers should be good for about 20HP
A big cam and heads should get you at least 75-125HP depending if you have the headers and a free-flowing exhaust
A medium cam by itself about 25-30 HP
I still think you should open up your exhaust first, hopefully you already have an intake.
Option #2 is to learn how to drive like Ranger and run mid 11's with an intake. Horsepower is an expensive substitute for learning how to run down the quarter efficiently.
Assuming its an 03 Z:
Putting a BIG cam in without headers and heads would not be recommended anyway.
Get the headers, then the heads/cam
Although the ls6 heads breath reasonably well, a big cam will starve the engine for air at high rpms without heads. I've seen this in person on a dyno, at about 4800 rpm the HP dropped off severly.
Headers are a great precurser for a cam/heads.
If you have an LS1, then the above scenerio will be even worse.
Headers should be good for about 20HP
A big cam and heads should get you at least 75-125HP depending if you have the headers and a free-flowing exhaust
A medium cam by itself about 25-30 HP
I still think you should open up your exhaust first, hopefully you already have an intake.
Option #2 is to learn how to drive like Ranger and run mid 11's with an intake. Horsepower is an expensive substitute for learning how to run down the quarter efficiently.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Re: Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out? (CYA-Vett)
Sorry, here's the signature, I usually check it off so I don't take up a bunch of space on the server...
I've been down the 1/4 mile too many times, well, not really, but I've been doing it for years now. I'm not an expert, but I'm ready to focus on getting more power down than my '00 FRC did. It's great to be fast in the 1/4 mile, but the other side is to have HP/TQ when you want it on the street or freeway.
I talked a big with Xtreme today, they also recommended the headers first but admitted that headers back might gain 15-20rwhp where a nice cam could gain in the 40rwhp range with the stock exhaust back.
Another option could be just AFR heads.?.?.?
At this point I may just stick with an intake and enjoy the car. But after having 402rwhp on my FRC, I'm just not sure if I can live with "only" 350 or so...
I've been down the 1/4 mile too many times, well, not really, but I've been doing it for years now. I'm not an expert, but I'm ready to focus on getting more power down than my '00 FRC did. It's great to be fast in the 1/4 mile, but the other side is to have HP/TQ when you want it on the street or freeway.
I talked a big with Xtreme today, they also recommended the headers first but admitted that headers back might gain 15-20rwhp where a nice cam could gain in the 40rwhp range with the stock exhaust back.
Another option could be just AFR heads.?.?.?
At this point I may just stick with an intake and enjoy the car. But after having 402rwhp on my FRC, I'm just not sure if I can live with "only" 350 or so...
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Kansas
Re: Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out? (Weedo)
As a comparison, a buddy down the street and I both have 02Z06's and he installed a G5X3cam at the same time I installed a TRex cam and 1 7/8" Kooks hdrs., x-pipe, and off road pipe (no cats). We both already had a Vararam V1B system, both installed underdrive pulleys, and I already had the Borla 4-tip Stingers.
We both tuned and dynoed at the same shop, with his (cam only) pulling 404rwhp and mine pulling 451rwhp. The Trex cam may be a little more radical than the G5X3, so I'd say the complete exhaust system was worth around 30rwhp, more or less.
The key is the whole system; more air in, aggressive cam, more exhaust out. Not sure each component would have similar results if done separately.
My $0.02 worth.
Steve
We both tuned and dynoed at the same shop, with his (cam only) pulling 404rwhp and mine pulling 451rwhp. The Trex cam may be a little more radical than the G5X3, so I'd say the complete exhaust system was worth around 30rwhp, more or less.
The key is the whole system; more air in, aggressive cam, more exhaust out. Not sure each component would have similar results if done separately.
My $0.02 worth.
Steve
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Re: Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out? (KCZ)
Wow, that's a healthy gain from the headers back! My issue is that I'm trying to stay within a $2500 installed budget... 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
Re: Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out? (Weedo)
OK, knowing the budget heads are out!
Get the headers, hi flow cats, x-pipe ($1500), exhaust ($700) and tune ($350). I bet you pick up at least 30HP.
Save up for the (AFR) heads and cam, and be sure to do them at the same time unless you never plan on doing both. You will save over a grand doing them at the same time. 90% of the disassembly is done for the cam when they do the heads and vise versa.
Get the headers, hi flow cats, x-pipe ($1500), exhaust ($700) and tune ($350). I bet you pick up at least 30HP.
Save up for the (AFR) heads and cam, and be sure to do them at the same time unless you never plan on doing both. You will save over a grand doing them at the same time. 90% of the disassembly is done for the cam when they do the heads and vise versa.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Re: Cam vs. Headers back - what power would each put out? (CYA-Vett)
OK, knowing the budget heads are out!
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