chae

iTrader: (8)

I am saving up for a heads/cam package and will most likely have enough money at the end of July (around $3500). I am looking into doing a heads/cam buildup on my 1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28.

These are the modifications done to the car so far:
-air lid
-air filter
-ported/polished throttle body
-fernco (smooth bellow)
-ls6 intake manifold
-jet hot ceramic coated 1-3/4" headers
-air/egr delete
-texas speed 3" true duals (sweet thunder mufflers)
-pro 5.0 shifter
-bf goodrich g-force t/a kdw (P245/50ZR16)
-msd super conductor wires
-ac delco iridium plugs
-castrol synthetic 10w-30
-mobil 1 oil filter
-180* thermostat w/ re-programmed fans (also fresh dex-cool)
-throttle body coolant bypass
-!cags
-!rear seats
-!spare tire/jack
-optima red top battery
-harlan engineering shift light

[Looking into an underdrive pulley (25%), but that is not a priority at this time.]

I have almost made up my mind on the PRC 5.3L stage 2.5 heads from Texas Speed. They can be had new for just under $1200. I wondered what cam you guys might suggest. I am looking for something more radical than the typical 224/224 duration cam that many guys run on here. The car is a street/strip car and is driven only in the summer months on the weekends and a couple of times during the week for cruising/going to the track. I have looked into cams from the following companies:

- Texas Speed Torquer v2 - 232/234 - .595"/.598" - 112 LSA
- Texas Speed Torquer v3 - 231/234 - .643"/.598" - 112 LSA
- Texas Speed XS Series - 233/239 - .595"/.603" - 112 LSA
- Texas Speed Magic Stick v3 - 237/242 - .603"/.609" - 112 LSA
- Texas Speed Magic Stick v4 - 239/242 - .649"/.609" - 112 LSa
- MTI R1 - 232/236 - .575"/.578" - 114 LSA
- MTI Z1 - 236/236 - .585"/.585" - 112 LSA
- MTI S1 - 244/244 - .612"/.612" - 112 LSA
- Thunder Racing TRAK - 231/234 - .640"/.590" - 112 LSA
- Thunder Racing TREX - 242/248 - .608"/.612" - 110 LSA
- New Era Performance Hellion Cam - 244/248 - .630"/.630" - 112 LSA

Anyone with experience or advice concerning these camshafts, I would greatly appreciate it. I will do more research on my own and make a few calls to these companies, but your input is invaluable to me. Thanks.

The following parts would also be on my list:
- ported ls6 oil pump
- double roller adjustable timing chain / ls2 timing chain
- titanium retainers
- double valve springs (w/ new seats, seals)
- hardened pushrods
- gaskets
- walbro 255lph fuel pump
- fuel injectors (30lb./hr. or 42 lb./hr.)
- tuning

Most of these cams go for around $400 or $500 as a package w/ hardened pushrods (note: heads come with double valve springs, titanium retainers already installed). Price is really not an issue (up to a point). I don't think I'll be able to afford the best $2500 heads or anything of that nature, but in the same regards don't want to skimp out on something important. I wondered what you guys would suggest as far as my goals. Remember the car will be driven on the street sometimes, not just at the strip. I would be getting the car tuned afterwards.

Price breakdown:
- PRC 5.3L stage 2.5 heads (inc. double valve spring, titanium retainers) - $1200
- camshaft, hardened pushrods - $500
- timing chain - $36/$130
- ported ls6 oil pimp - $140
- gaskets - $150-$200
- walbro 255lph fuel pump - $100
- fuel injectors (30lb./hr. or 42 lb./hr.) - $300
- tuning - $275

Total: $2700+ in parts

How much would the install run? Hopefully I could get the entire set-up, parts and installation, for under $4000. Thanks for all your help.

*Updated Goals*:
If I can only afford cam only ($1700 plus install) by the end of July/beginning of August I hope to achieve 400+ rwhp and 375+ rwtq.

If I can afford the heads and cam ($2700 plus install) by the end of July/beginning of August I hope to achieve 450+ rwhp and 425+ rwtq.

WKMCD

iTrader: (2)

I ran those heads on my 346 with a 230-236 112 XE-R cam and loved it. Ported FAST, UD pulley, etc,etc, and I made 460RWHP and the car was super drivable with an SD tune.

My $.02

chae

iTrader: (8)

That is an awesome number! These heads must flow very well. That is right around the intake/exhaust duration that I would like to run on a 112 LSA

Z28/2002

iTrader: (27)

The MS3/5.3 combo is a proven power maker and it is also what's on my TA. It depends on what you want to do with the car which cam to choose. PM Patrickg or Predator-Z they will be able to help you out

NC98Z

iTrader: (1)

Talk to TSP. If you buy everthing from them sometimes they can cut you a deal! If you can't reach them by phone send them an email. They just might be getting ready to throw a July special. You can't go wrong with any of the sponcers you listed and you got a month to shop around.

chae

iTrader: (8)

I will do that. Too bad New Era charges more to install if you don't buy the parts from them. Maybe I will install the heads myself, but the cam looks like it would be a lot harder to install, degree, etc.

studderin

iTrader: (28)

Hey chae.
hellion specs, are right on the site I dont know who told you there secret?

http://www.neweraperformanceparts.com/default.asp?S=503&A=E&PKV=fthelcamfb|0

copy/paste for it to work

We have them in stock right now

04gtoBMXracer

iTrader: (26)

anyone know if you have to flycut with these heads and the trex? or will the prc ls6 heads be better

blu1

just a heads up, the springs and retainers come assembled with the heads. So drop that number to $500 or so for cam and hardened pushrods.

I myself was so close to ordering the PRC 5.3/TV3 cam package but some things came up around the house that needed to be taken care of so the mod money was spent on that.

To the poster above, yes you will have to flycut on the stage 2.5/5.3L combo with anything above the MS3.

chae

iTrader: (8)

Why the hell didn't I see that on their site . Well anyways I stopped down there and asked for specs on some of their cams and they were hesitant on giving them out. At least I know about the hellion now. Is that their most aggressive cam? Thanks.

Mike @ New Era

iTrader: (10)

That is our most aggresive grind we offer without getting into a bigger cubic inch engine .

Mike

1WICKDZ

iTrader: (2)

I'm really thinking about buying these heads for my Torquer 2.

chae

iTrader: (8)

Thanks. I will be in touch with you in a few weeks once I do some research on street manners/gains with various cams. How far are you guys backed up with installs? Are things freeing up around the end of July/early August? Thanks

-Mike

NviouSS

iTrader: (8)

i have a brand new f13 230/232 112 if that's the range your looking for. it's listed in the FS section.

chae

iTrader: (8)

Anyone know how long it takes to get the heads from Texas Speed? I am assuming it will be a few weeks. This will help me gauge when to place the order in July so that it can be installed at the end of July/early August.

chae

iTrader: (8)

I am not sure yet what I am looking for exactly, but that is in the range. I will keep it in mind. Thanks.

SSDriver

iTrader: (2)

I just got the PRC 5.3 stage 2.5 heads from TSP. The heads and cam was deliver a week and a half after I placed my order.

chae

iTrader: (8)

That's a pretty quick turnaround. Thank you very much for the information. That gives me quite a while to save up some dough for this build-up.

Mike @ New Era

iTrader: (10)

We should be able to get it in end of July/early August as of right now .

Mike

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

Ms4 And Terminator Heads