Firehawk#286

My son's '99 Firehawk DD'er needs a couple of things (keeping his tight budget in mind). It is a bone stock LS1 A4 3.23 Hawk right now, but soon to come will be a SLP lid, PS LT's, TSP ORY, cam (w/springs, retainers, and pushrods), and finally a dyno-tune. We anticipate NO other future mods beyond those just listed. Yes, the stock TB, MAF, intake, heads, gears, stall, etc. are staying (no desire, nor $, to change all of those anyway).

So, help us spend our $, what cam should we install? I'm currently thinking on:

2001 LS6 cam
207/217 int/exh @ 0.05" duration
0.525" / 0.525" int/exh lift
116 LSA

2002+ LS6 cam
204/218 int/exh @ 0.05" duration
0.551" / 0.547" int/exh lift
117 LSA

CC XR265HR
212/218 int/exh @ 0.05" duration
0.522" / 0.529" int/exh lift
114 LSA
*Link: http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...en3/index.html

TR214
214/220 int/exh @ .050" duration
0.600" / 0.523" int/exh lift
115 LSA

Any other suggestions on cams?

therobman

iTrader: (39)

honestly i would think a stall would be less money and do more for you than those small cams

00_transam_vert

iTrader: (5)

+1 I've modded more Slushboxes than I have Manuals and can honestly say a stall will please your ****-Dyno more than those Cams, Just my .02

transamfreak01

iTrader: (8)

yeah i would definitly get a converter first. its one of the best mods to do and makes the car a lot of fun to drive. with a cam why not go with something like a 220 or 224

PowerShift408

iTrader: (44)

If you're going to put a cam in it, don't waste your time on those wimp-sticks. I would recommend something along a TR224. If you're going to go to the effort of putting a cam in a car, make sure it's worth it.

Firehawk#286

Well, thx for the suggestions guys, but that wasn't the question. To explain it once, there's no money (nor need in our opinion) for a higher stall. Higher stalls make for more unfriendly street manners, poorer gas mileage, are harder on the rest of the drivetrain, cost $$$ to install (I can't do that myself), and are not necessitated by any of the mods we have chosen to make to our car.

The cams we have chosen can:
1) Utilize the stock stall
2) Do not necessitate other expensive mods (i.e. heads, intake, etc., etc.)
3) Could probably all be installed with or without a tune (depending on our budget)

We're just looking to free up the intake and exhaust a little (for a little seat-of-the-pants) and maybe a little bity bit of lope, not achieve every .01/sec. off our timeslips.

TransFan

you keeping the stock muffler?

Firehawk#286

A 224 cam may not be outta the question, as long as the LSA is not too tight and it can be supported by the stock stall (which I doubt).

As for "wimp-sticks", I guess everything is relative. If you read the link I posted with the XR265 cam specs, in my OP, you'll see a simple cam change with no other mods from the baseline can make some decent numbers. Super Chevy Magazine did just that with the XR265, achieveing a 32hp / 17tq increase from the baseline stock-cammed LS1. The increases were across the entire RPM band and even lowered the peak tq. by 200 rpm.

Firehawk#286

...yep...

TransFan

THat was one of the first things I got rid of on my TA. I guess it's what you want though. You want free flowing I'd get rid of it.

therobman

iTrader: (39)

to be honest you wont gain much at all with any of those cams maybe 10 rwhp a cam is 300 +springs and retainers is 200 + pushrods 150 is around 600 bucks you can buy a used stall in the for sale section for 300 and any tranny shop will do it for less then 300 so it will be cheaper if not the same. and alot of stalls have good street manners mines a 3500 and i cant even tell its there to be honest i know where your comming from its just a waste of time and money to put in any of those cams they wont do anything for you

JScamaro

iTrader: (6)

I would just keep the stock cam and finish all your bolt-ons.

dankl

iTrader: (1)

I went with the comp XR-275HR on a 112 LSA. I have an M6, however, but a DD also. My mechanic originally ordered me the XR-265 you listed, but I wanted a little bigger with slightly more chop. I'll say, this cam I have is extremely streetable (I already kinda wish I went a tad bigger).

You seem to know what you want, so don't let others talk you out of it. However, don't go with a cam that you will be regretting later on (either too small or too big). Everyone on this site has only good things to say about the TR224 cams. You can get the 224/224 .561/.561 (I think) on a 114 LSA. That should do you good. Just make sure the car is inhaling and exhaling the best you can do. Also for the auto, a stall may be necessary, obviously depending on how large of a cam you choose.

Either way, good luck and no matter what you decide on, you will gain power.

s346k

iTrader: (4)

i vote keep the stock cam, as well. i doubt you'd gain 2 mph by adding any of the cams you listed. save the money and buy an underdrive pulley or another bolt-on.

Firehawk#286

I should have listed that as one of the options we're considering.

Now that's some useful information. Someone that has actually experienced these cams. Your M6 may make a big difference in the driveability of the XR275 in your car. My A4, as you mentioned, may want some additional stall for that same cam. I completed a CC "cam recommendtion" form and they responded back recommending the XR265. That doesn't, however, tell me that the XR265 will outperform my stock cam (let's face it, they ARE in the business of SELLING cams)...that's why I was relying on the Super Chevy article results. SC was, however, testing on an engine dyno (i.e. independent of a tranny). Maybe a phone call to CC is warranted here...to see if an A4 will need more stall for a XR275 (and a similar call to TR, about their TR224).

melchoir

iTrader: (4)

Just to clear up any misconception, a bigger stall is actually easier on the rest of the drive train than the tight stock one. Your rear end will feel every shift with the smaller stall, where as the shifts just kinda happen with a big stall. A large stall can "absorb" things that a clutch or tight converter will not. The only difference would be at launch, and since you're not racing anyway...

I run a TR224, I did put a stall in before I put in the cam. I've since went M6 in this car though.

davered00ss

iTrader: (4)

Stock rear end out of an M6 car 3.42 gears, would be cheap (<$200), and an advantage with the cam. I am a huge advocate for not getting too big of a cam, but the cam's you have listed are so small a 10rwhp gain is about what you will see. Doesn't seem worth the effort & cash to me.

If you have your heart set on a cam, call Thunder Racing and see what they reccomend. I know plenty of people who have run a stock stall & small cam (TR224)with good results.

As for the stall, I know you are against it, but a small stall (~2800)converter will give an increas without affecting drivability.

davered00ss

iTrader: (4)

I would post in your local forums and find out who is a good shop local to you. Get their advice, spend some time with them and let them know what you really want and what your goals are.

If the shop is worth dealing with they will spend the time with you to help you achiveve your goals without being dissapointed.

headers & a tune should give you 25-30rwhp gain
LS6 intake can add another 10rwhp ($300 on the board used & 1 hour labor.)

Tune is everything with mods, I can't stress that enough. Even with minor bolt ons.

CAMAROZ28AQUINO

vengeance vrx5

matt1289

I've got a comp XR-275HR I love it. To me the comp XR-265HR was too small. I think you would like the comp XR-275HR a little better. Not really sure how it would do in an A4 without a stall thought.