BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Since I have began researching for heads, I now have a few questions. It seems that the consensus is that for a truly everyday drivable cam for an automatic is usally at most around a 224/581, is that about as high as we can go if we don't want surges and stalls in traffic? Stepping up to stage 2 heads, I did not know if I should try a different cam, or if I would even see any real gains over the Hammer Cam I have now. I know all cams have there good points, and some just put out awesome power--like the one from Thunder under testing--but they are mostly for M6's it seems...

mr ramair

iTrader: (1)

without the proper cam for a set of stage 2 heads,i don't forsee you seeing the full potential of them.I would go bigger but that's my opinon

WicketMike

iTrader: (13)

i have the TSP 231/237 and the only problem i have with it in my A4 is hard cold starts. i have to give it some gas and let it warm up

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Is the key really a good tune?

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Also, is my stall too low, really at 3200, to go to a bigger cam?

gator's 99TA

iTrader: (2)

the KEY is the tune no DOUBT. a looser convertor will make a big cam easy to drive. i have a 230/230 on 111 lsa cam with a 4000 rpm convertor and i dont have problems starting up. make sure you have no vacume leaks also.

also a 224 duration cam is about perfect for ANY set of heads out there for making the best overall power.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Tuning will make ANY cam more driveable in a A4. But remember, that the bigger the cam the less tuning will be able to help you (unless you don't mind having a pretty high idle). Usually, if you are willing to bump your idle to 900-1000rpm as part of your tuning, just about any cam will run. Personally, I wanted mine to idle well at no higher than 800rpm in park/in gear, and I wanted to be able to tune it myself, so I stayed with a smaller cam.

A friend used to have a 224/228 112lsa cam (which really isn't all that big these days), and after tons of pro tuning (for power and driveablity), he was convinced that the car ran "perfect, like stock" (in his words). I went for one ride in his car and was laughing.... Sure it was pretty decent, but far from "like stock", IMO; but I am VERY picky. Perfect driveabilty is very subjective and will differ from person to person. One man's idea of 'perfect' is another man's idea of 'rough'.

You really have to give yourself an honest answer about how particular you are with your starting/idle/low rpm driving atributes before you go really big. IMO.

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Thanks guys for the input and telling me what to look for. Would I gain greatly going with a bigger cam, something like a 228 or a 231/237 with 5.3 S2 heads over using my present cam with say 5.7 S2 heads milled at 0.05? I don't know if it is worth it. I have seen this cam dyno at 370-390 on here going through back posts of full bolt A4 cars. I intend on adding intake/tb at the time of install.

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

Tuning is important. I use a 900 rpm idle with my 228/228 114. Car fires right up in cold weather, although I give it a minute to warm up in this really cold weather (20*F in the mornings or worse). With your your Vig 2800 an 850 rpm is probably as high you want to go. With the flow on the newer heads, I'll bet you can get a 228/228 to work fine at 850. It will lope, but you can still lock-up in 4th at 1200 rpm w/o problems.

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Would I see noticeable gains going from my cam to the 228/228? Thanks!

foff667

iTrader: (2)

im going with tsp's 231/237 cam in my auto with 3500 stall & 2.73 gearing i know gears and a higher stall would help but i think with the proper tuning I'll be fine

11 Bravo

iTrader: (3)

I think you would see a nice gain. Not just in peak hp, but in your whole powerband. That is what I was going to run until I decided to get a stroker. The cam is in the classifieds btw. Unless it has changed, the guy with the record for a stock headed LS1 runs a 228/228. High 10's. That's actually why I bought the cam, it's track proven.

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Thanks Bravo for the info! This would work fine on my present stall/gears also? Any guess on the gains I would see?

11 Bravo

iTrader: (3)

Dude, maybe it's just me, but I would rethink that. You ought to look at a good combo of gears, stall, cam, heads. If you mismatch it you may be dissapointed. Just buying the latest and greatest big cam because some guys are posting high peak dyno #'s isn't always the best thing to do. That cam with tiny 2.73's would probably suck on the street.

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Also, if it helps, I want to stay with the present stall, and use either TSP S2 5.3 or 5.7 heads (these would be milled) with this setup.

11 Bravo

iTrader: (3)

I was going to run my cam with my Vig 3200 and 3.23's. Though I was planning on going up to 3.73's. Gains? I don't know. I would imagine at least 15-20rwhp peak. That is a tiny cam you have now. But more importantly your whole powerband should go up. I would go to 3.73's if I was you, though.

foff667

iTrader: (2)

dude do you not think ive though about that? lol...i drive less than 2 miles to work so i'll live as far as street use goes...i got to live with a 3500 stall converter and 2.73's ill learn to live with this for now...besides it'll be kewl kinda like a powerglide at the track at some point i plan to step up in gears to either 4.10's or 3.73's depending on where i see myself being et/mph wise at that time...Id rather get these things out of the way first, get the cam i want not settle for something small just for a bit better streetablity and find the weak link...im hoping the rear wont go right away but if thats the way it is so be it then ill upgrade to a 12 bolt. I just really didnt feel like spending $500 for new gears and install and then shear off some splines on my first launch with real tires & a 2.5 str but thanks for your concern

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

So is that about the biggest cam I can go for my stall then?

11 Bravo

iTrader: (3)

I don't know, most guys on here don't run that small of a stall. You may want to search around and see what setups guys are running w/ a 2800. Don't want to give you the wrong info. Personally, I would send the verter back to PI and have them bump up the stall some if I went to a bigger cam. Ideally you want a converter that will stall at an rpm where you are making good power and keep you in the meat of your powerband. But your converter actually stalls at 3200 I think, so you could certainly drive it but you would be leaving some performance on the table. Try asking around in the Auto tranny section.

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Thanks, I will look into that.