Question about Cams and Big Stalls
Question about Cams and Big Stalls I just got an SS4000 for my bolt on car and it's going to be the first stalled auto I've driven. A little ways down the road I'm going to be doing a cam swap so I'm doing research now. I was looking around the internal gen III section and a lot of people are talking about choosing cams that make good low end power like off idle to 3k RPM or so. While that sounds all nice and good for M6 guys, if I have a 4k stall would low end torque even matter? Would a cam with good low end power make the car any different to drive around town than a cam that's a dog down low and pulls like crazy above 4k RPM?
Last edited by Golf&GM; Feb 27, 2011 at 07:01 PM. Reason: Spelling
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
The torque cams are more important for the M6s. However, with less torque, the stall will stall less. More torque, more stall. There is some reasoning behind cam selection with a stall. Let me give you an example. I ran a 3200 and a stock cam, it was good and the converter helped the dead spots in the powerband. It wasn't all that great to be honest because the top end was still lacking. I then installed a TR224 (a great low/midrange DD cam). This was better, the cam gave it a better pull on the top end. Good off the line, good top end pull, a real winner for a DD combo. I still felt the combo was slightly weak and mushy in the 3200-4000 range. So I upped the converter to a Yank 4k and it was money. The converter blasted you way up into the cam's powerband. Power was literally lacking nowhere. It pulled off idle to redline. I recently wanted a bit more cam then the TR224 was. So I switched it out for a Cam Motion 228/232 and now it retained the same low/midrange but with a harder pull up top. The TR seemed to pull flat after about 5500 rpms. Now it pulls over 6k, and feels good to a 6500 shift.
So, in a nutshell, the TR needed the 3200, but was way happier with the 4k. Moving up in cam size yielded no reduction in loss of low end because the converter was doing the work. I have found that midrange is where it will feel soft. You want the converter to get you way up to where the cam is really starting to bring in the power and it will be a very happy combo....strong everywhere.
So, in a nutshell, the TR needed the 3200, but was way happier with the 4k. Moving up in cam size yielded no reduction in loss of low end because the converter was doing the work. I have found that midrange is where it will feel soft. You want the converter to get you way up to where the cam is really starting to bring in the power and it will be a very happy combo....strong everywhere.
^^ He explained this very well. With the 4k stall, its going to take you straight to the upper rpm's where big cams make their power. I have a 230/236 on my car with a 4k and love it. Whenever I get heads on my car though, I man even go just a little bigger with the cam and keep the same converter.
I agree, but I'm not really interested about performance outside of WOT here..... more about drivability and whether there's an advantage to choosing a cam that makes any kind of decent power under the rated stall speed.
That's interesting about the torque affecting how much the TC will stall. I know weight is a factor but I didn't know torque would play a roll too.
That's interesting about the torque affecting how much the TC will stall. I know weight is a factor but I didn't know torque would play a roll too.
I have a 23x cam and a pt4000 in my car. I still want a car that is enjoyable at some mid throttle points. Im not really worried about it the way a lot of people are but I still enjoy " spirited " driving at times.
The only thing I miss about the smaller stall and cam combos is having that 60-70% throttle feeling if that make sense. Where the car would be over the flash point of a smaller stall and not feel sloppy. Again Im not going back but there are still times I want to just roll around quickly not just light the tires up.
I guess I should have said is getting a cam stall gears etc based on part throttle and spirited get ups around town. I sill care about it.. but will leave it In a second for better wot gains.
