will82

Similar to the other thread, but my situation is slightly different. Still having trouble deciding on a cam.

2002 Corvette
-A4, 2.73 gears, stock torque converter
-B&B Shorty headers and Bullet exhaust
-Intake

I was looking at the following cams:

Comp 212/218 .522/.529 114 LS
Comp 216/220 .525/.532 114 LS
Vinci 210/218 .551/.551 116 LS
Vinci 210/218 .531/.531 114 LS
Vinci 216/224 .551/.551 115 LS
TSP 231/237 .598/.595 114 LS
CheaTR 214/230 .601/.578 117 LS

I will add the TSP LS6 Heads at the same time.

Also, if I go with any cam other than the TSP or CheaTR, would Ls6 springs be fine or should I pay $150 to add 918 springs to the heads?

I don't care about sound or being stealthy, in fact, if anything, I would prefer a more aggressive sound from my car. It's already really loud though.

Also, if anyone can suggest a custom grind, I'm all ears.

I am dead-set against changing stock gearing and/or converter. Don't try persuading me to.

If any more info is needed about the car/my driving habits to diagnose, just ask. (NEVER tracked, street only)

HEEEEELP!!!

Relativelyfast

Do yourself a BIG favor and get a converter.

will82

Forgot to mention that I have a NX MAF kit on the way, will probably run either a 75 or 100 shot, if that has any bearing on cam selection. Probably only 75 shot actually, don't want to exceed 450ish rwhp and toast the A4 tranny.

Joel_SS

iTrader: (8)

I second that.. It is the first mod that should be done on a A4.

johnpate01

iTrader: (3)

Maybe an ls6 cam, but hardly worth the effort. You need to have a stall with anything bigger, or else you will run into problems with not being able to stop at stoplights, unability to get higher into the powerband, it will always be partially engaged, etc.

01TA

iTrader: (7)

Why would you ever want to stay with 2:73 gears? Is this a highway comuter car? What are you setting the car up for?

will82

Out of these, the cam I was most leaning towards was the Comp Cams 212/218 .522/.529 114 LSA

Are you folks telling me this cam is too much for a stock torque converter?

If not, are there any more on the list that would work with the stock TC?

J2Pharren1

iTrader: (1)

Then you are doomed to being slow, and doomed to wasting money on a small cam.

will82

Not everyone wants a cam that will gain 50 hp and have an rpm range that starts after 2000 rpm. As stated, I'll also be doing heads at the same time, and I have a NX kit in the mail. Thanks for the valuable input though.

J2Pharren1

iTrader: (1)

If you are going to spend $2500 on heads and cam, why would you limit yourself to stock stall and gears. THEY SUCK. You don't have to take an LS1 to 7 grand to make a lot of power, hell ported LS6's and an F11 are a great combo, but you cant even run that with stock stall and gears. Even if you don't put in a Trex cam, do you know how much faster you will be with a stall and gears?


Doing a converter...say a 3600 stall, and gears...say 3.73's or even 4.10's, will cost less than this heads/cam swap, and will make you way faster. You are about to tear into a perfectly good engine to gain 40 horsepower by limiting yourself for no reason. Why is it you are so dead set against a stall or gears, yet you want to put in a waste of time cam like an LS6?

WickedC5

iTrader: (3)

If you decide on getting any of those cams, try driving it without a T/C and you will know why we insist you getting one. good luck

will82

$1,500 for heads and cam.

THEY SUCK only for what it is that YOU apparently want out of YOUR car.
I bought an A4, 2.73 geared 'vette. Not a 3.15 geared one and NOT an M6 with 3.42 gears. I didn't put on a blind fold and spin around with my outstretched finger, I picked the car that best suited MY wants and needs.

My Corvette with 2.73s and stock TC that sucks outruns my friend's WS6 with 6-speed and 3.42 gears on the highway, where I do most of my driving and occasional playing. As I stated, I don't track the car. 4.10s do not suit my needs/wants.

I would be perfectly happy with approx 360 to 370 rwhp from the heads/cam along with my exhaust mods and a tune. I would have considerably more fun when driving aggressively with that extra power, while still retaining the civil, cadillac-like feel of an A4, 2.73 'vette under normal driving. Best of both worlds. And if I ever happen to encounter someone who has 400-420 rwhp because they spent the extra $$$ on a torque converter and/or gears and a bigger, rougher cam, well then I guess I'll have to flip the switch mounted on my center console for the 75 or 100 shot I'll be running and pray that I don't suffer a humiliating 10 car length loss as penance for my sinful ways and stubborn refusal to modify MY car to fit YOUR driving wants/needs.

Again, can anyone tell me succinctly, yes or no, if the comp 212/218 is too much for the stock TC? Or perhaps suggest a custom grind?

(p.s. Jperran, please don't take my sarcastic replies personally, it's all in good fun. )

J2Pharren1

iTrader: (1)

You should buy a cadillac.

will82

Maybe so. Been driving 'vettes for 4 years now and my unit still hasn't gotten any bigger.

pekkaz

comp 212/218 is not too much, great low end torque starting below 2000rpm. I run that for a while with stock verter. Then I went to larger cam and 3500 stall, fun for a while but got old and converted the car to M6. I can well understand someone not wanting a stall but personally would change the gears to 3.42 or at least 3.23. 3.23 certainly won't affect comfort.. or is it 3.15 with the vette..

will82

Thanks for the heads up!

Can anyone else confirm that the 212/218 would be OK with stock TC?

Bo White

iTrader: (59)

Im runnin a 218/222/.562/.566 Comp gomer grind and it works great with my stock converter.

PREDATOR-Z

2003 A4, 2.73 gears,stock exhaust, Halltech, ported TB, pulley, tuning via VINCI/Crane handheld, Wideband guage.
My custom grind XE lobes
210/224, .555/.568 115+1 LSA
I'm at 372rwhp/386rwtq, peak at 5900rpm, shift at 6100rpm, 300 rwtrq by 2500rpm
stock verter.
Still sounds stock, acts like stock (just quicker/faster).

After I'm done rebuilding my 6.0 in my Z then I'll slap on a set of AFR 205's to get 400rwhp and over 400 rwtq goal

will82

Who can make this for me? Would they need any more info than this?

CHRISPY

Comp will make any cam you ask for.

XE lobes aren't too aggressive. Spring life should be very good.

210/224, .555/.568 115+1 LSA

I believe he is referring to 1 degree advanced in plus one. So the specs would be:

Comp XE Lobe: 210/224 115LSA 114ICL

Lobe design# intake: 3708
Lobe design# exhaust: 3715
115LSA
114ICL