Hello all, I am trying to find out some information on cams. I have an 04 a4 c5 2.73. I have a Blackwing filter and GHL magnum exhaust. I want/need more power. I am on a budget; I just turned 21 last week. I’m figuring either headers or camshaft. This is my daily driver and do not want to affect gas mileage (which is why I do not want bigger gears). I would like my car to be louder as well. I don’t care if the car is jumpy or makes a boat sound, actually I prefer the louder and dirtier the better. I understand that both the cam and the headers would greatly benefit from a tune, but as you well know tunes are very expensive. Are they absolutely necessary? I see that there are used cams on the forum for like 250-300. What else would I need to get. How much would install typically cost? How much power can I expect, what is the biggest cam I can get that will leave my car streatable, I use it to go to school and work. I don’t drag, I just want it to be faster on the street when I see these stupid ricers (I actually saw one’s license plate “V8EATER”). I know its stupid to street race, I just want to be able to speak loudly and carry a big stick. After all this is a Corvette. I am hoping/praying that it is possible to do cams for under 1000 installed (buying used parts?) with all necessary parts, I have no idea what the headers would cost since the part alone is over a thousand. Any recommendations would greatly be appreciated. Thanks –Mike

 

Headers would be less intrusive then a cam. Bolt on versus removal of heads etc. Plus if you are still under warrenty, headers will not negate that warrenty while cam replacement will.
Cost is in the area of 2 thousand, plus or minus.
I put headers from QTP on my 04 and gained over 32 hp on the dyno.
Check out their web site at www.quicktimeperformance.com

 

Michael,

I don't feel a bigger cam and 2.73 gears will mix to well. Once you "cam up", Your power band will move up some what. The bigger the cam, the higher your power band, the higher your convertor has to be. If you swap convertors, you may as well swap gears..

Headers are a good start though.. Most sound great.

JMHO

 

It wouldent make sense at all, is there any way i could do cam only for 1000-1500 (used parts) and pick up like 30-50rwhp. Headers are quite expensive especially if I have to tune after.

 

IMHO, gears will get you where you want to go. A lot of it is in the combination. We have a guy up here with a stock (Motor) A4 with gears and converter, headers and with DR's on the car he runs 11's. A lot is in the set up. With a cam your gas mileage will suffer also to an extent. I have 4:10's in my car now and I still average around 23 to 28 mpg Hwy when not beating on it. If it were my car I would go with a set of 3:42's or 3:73s.

 

fixed

 

Your in Cal? go with gears first then headers and then cam and converter.

 

I agree, but would change the order to gears/converter first. Since you have to pull the back end apart for the gears, might as well hit the converter at the same time. I wouldn't go too wild to keep it streetable.