Vrbas

iTrader: (2)

Sup, been doin' research for a new cam and i'm startin' to think, maybe it'd be a good idea to do the heads while i'm at it too (save me another trip to the dyno). I'm lookin' at the TR 230/224 .575/.563 111 LSA (lookin' for low to midrange power and i hear that's a popular one... or maybe it was the 228R from Texas-Speed..... hmmmm).

Anyways, here are my concerns:

- Don't want to spend a ton of money
How much would i be looking for a cam/head package vs. cam only?
- Installin' myself, cam looks fun enough as is
How much harder is it going to be to swap heads while i'm playin' w/ the cam as well?


I'm just brainstormin', what heads would be best for that particular cam? My mods are LID, 3.73 REAR, LT HEADERS (and that's all that's really important) and what would i be lookin' to spend on a decent cam/head package? Thanks for the help.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

Heads and cam will make a good swap. You can do them easily and save time at the same time.

BIG_MIKE2005

iTrader: (116)

^^Agreed. And it's a hell of alot easier with reassembly if you do both at the same time. You won't have to worry about droppin a lifter.

I just did my H/C swap in my buddies garage. My first time & my car had 102,000 miles on the clock. I went with a 224/224 .581/.581 114 cam. It's not as aggressive on the valvatrain, it makes proven power & E.T.'s, runs easily on the stock PCM until you can get a tune & is traffic friendly. I mated it with a set of 5.3L heads port/polished & milled .018" by Bo White w/Patriot Gold Dual spring kit & 2.0 intake valves.

Car idles like stock & fires up very easily. The lope isn't real noticable unless your listening for it or on cold start. Might also be louder if I had duals or just a different exhaust than I do. I also have a Bo White port/polished TB & had him do my Lingenfelter intake. I just need the correct fittings for the intake so I can put it on.

Without a tune & runnin a stock LS1 intake I raced a Formula from a low roll & put 4 cars on him by the time I hit 100. The car feels really strong & I know it'll get even better with the intake & full dyno tune. I'm ready to see what this thing will do at the track.

Vrbas

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the info, anyone else?

Vrbas

iTrader: (2)

Bump

Vrbas

iTrader: (2)

Hmmmmmm....

Soul TKR

iTrader: (4)

from my other thread Tony Mamo suggested his 224/228 cam with his AFR 205 heads... from the looks of it, they perform VERY well!

Vrbas

iTrader: (2)

True, but i need to be very conservative w/ my money. I'm tryin' to decide if i wanna do a combo (cost more) or cam only (cost less). I have enough money for both, i'm just tryin' to decide if it's worth it... not to mention i'm doin' the install myself probably, so adding heads is only going to futher complicate the installation.

ws6_bandit

iTrader: (5)

Im just about to order the TR230 for my car and i have everything priced out. Im buyn the cam, springs, ti retainers, and pushrods from thunder racing and everything else (oil pump, timing chain, gaskets... blah blah) from texas speed. I have everything priced at about $1200 and thats EVERYTHING need to do a cam swap.

I know texas speed sells H/C packages for bout $1800 but you still have to buy gaskets, oil pump, timing chain.... ya kno. So in the end you'll be sittn in the $2100-$2200 range.

Me personally.. im going to do the cam now and in a year or so ill buy a set of AFR 205's with a fast 90/90. Reason being is because i dont have the money to do the whole job now.

Soul TKR

iTrader: (4)

I'm gonna wait and do them both at the same time... from the dyno's i've seen (and they all vary) most get 40hp from each (cam and heads)... that's an 80 HP gain! I'd say it's definately worth it!!!

Vrbas

iTrader: (2)

So that includes all the tools (air compressor, cam install tool from TR, bolt kits, etc), all the peripherals?

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

if you can install a cam you can install the heads. its truely not as horrible as you may think it is. if you have the cash for it, id buy some ported LS6 heads, great bang for the buck

Soul TKR

iTrader: (4)

I would think heads are easier to install than the cam...?

BIG_MIKE2005

iTrader: (116)

Man it's reallt not that hard. And like I said, it's even easier to do the cam with the heads & lifters off. It's really not that much more work to do the heads too.

radkon

iTrader: (2)

Cam only about 30~50 HP
Cam and heads 70~100 HP

You decide

There is a lot of duplicate work that you can eliminate if you do them at the same time. Wish I did.

Vrbas

iTrader: (2)

So does anybody have any suggestions on a package that won't rape my wallet (not including tune)?

BIG_MIKE2005

iTrader: (116)

Here ya go: http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=204&catid=47

I'll even take most the guess work out for you to help save some money.

A) get the GM cam bolt & gasket kit
B) go to Autozone & get the FelPro stock LS1 gaskets
C) go with a LS2 chain on your stock gears
D) add some LS7 lifters (can be had for $100 from SDPC)
E) you'll want the pushrod length 7.4 with your stock rockers

oil pump at your own decision. I have a brand new Melling oil pump I didn't use still sitting here in a box, so if you want it let me know. My stock oil pump was working fine at the time of the swap & is still working fine, so I have no use for it.

ws6_bandit

iTrader: (5)

Um no. you can get a valve spring compressor from autozone.. free to borrow. You dont need a cam install tool.. you can pull the cam using the water pump bolts and as far as an air compressor... youll havta borrow one.

Vrbas

iTrader: (2)

'Cept i don't have stock gears (assuming by gears you mean rear end, i have 3.73). Still should probably get a new timing chain regardless.

As far as the oil pump goes, i won't be making my purchases till around Xmas so i'll hold off for a while. I will let you know and maybe you'll still have it lyin' around, if not it's all good. Thanks for the help bro, im'a read up on that package.

A cam install tool asssuming i may not go w/ heads too (don't feel like doin' the pin magnet method).

BIG_MIKE2005

iTrader: (116)

I mean instead of getting the entire LS2 chain kit only get the chain & use your stock LS1 timing gears as long as they aren't overly worn.

I'd suggest the 224R or 228R for a great street car with nice smooth power curve.