Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema I am getting ready to start installing the mods on my 2000 C5 A4. Plans include SLP Headers, X-Pipe, B&B PRT, 3:42 rear, yank converter, volant cold air induction, These are the for sures.
Question is with these mods which will get me better performance stage 2 heads with stock cam or stock heads with performance cam.
Thanks for your help
Question is with these mods which will get me better performance stage 2 heads with stock cam or stock heads with performance cam.
Thanks for your help
Re: Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema In the newest issue of GMHTP, they have a complete rundown on Gen III heads. From the Vortec truck motors, up to (i believe) its the GMPP C5R heads. Thats a good lil tid-bit of info to just look over.
But, the LS1 heads will still be a good bet even w/ a "beefier" cam. They flow amazingly well. Thunder Racing has some good cams, always heard high accolades (sp?) w/ their work. And yeah, a better set of valve springs will be insurance in the long run, same w/ pushrods. As to the rollers, thats up to you.
My vote is for the cam right now, then heads later.
But, the LS1 heads will still be a good bet even w/ a "beefier" cam. They flow amazingly well. Thunder Racing has some good cams, always heard high accolades (sp?) w/ their work. And yeah, a better set of valve springs will be insurance in the long run, same w/ pushrods. As to the rollers, thats up to you.
My vote is for the cam right now, then heads later.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Objects in mirror may disappear quickly!
Re: Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema If you want the car to sound mean at idle , do a cam. If you want it to sound and feel stock (except faster) do the heads. You can get 30-40 rwhp with either mod on an LS1 , it's just a matter of preference. I would do the heads , but that's just me. Either way you should change the valve springs and pushrods. If you put a good cam in , you'll probably have to get your PCM re-tuned. I've had a couple of sets of heads done by CNC Cylinder Heads in Florida , they were one of the best mods I've made to any car.
TECH Junkie
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From: Los Angeles
Re: Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema I agree with what was said above.
To me its best to do heads/cam BEFORE headers (which are expensive). That way you get the stock idle and drivability along with loads of power. Its like driving a stock car that has 380rwhp.
But, since you already got headers, cam for most power or heads for best drivability.
To me its best to do heads/cam BEFORE headers (which are expensive). That way you get the stock idle and drivability along with loads of power. Its like driving a stock car that has 380rwhp.
But, since you already got headers, cam for most power or heads for best drivability.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Wilkes-Barre, Pa
Re: Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema How about both? I'm going Stage 2 GTP's with probably the LS6 cam. In my eyes.. It's just a waste doing the Cam then doing the heads down the road. Good Luck.
Ron
Ron
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Verdad Gallardo Re: Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema Well, both "does" make sense, but in the end, it all comes down to dinero. Some people dont have enough to do the install on both the heads and the cam @ the same time, so they opt for one or the other.
Also, what if you put the heads on, and feel the cam is obsolete? (yeah right <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> ) But, im sure it happens. Its just maybe one or the other will do it for him, and he wont need the other...who knows. But all in all it comes down to how deep the wallet is.
It does make sense however to install both @ the same time. Esp being the parts are already going to be dismantled and it'd be easier to install @ one point.
My vote is cam now, heads later. Altho almost all the Gen III heads flow "roughly" the same, i think w/ the cam on stock heads, your not going to see that much of a downfall, but (and yet again, this is strictly my opinion...) w/ better heads on a stock cam, your not going to optimize them as much.
Also, what if you put the heads on, and feel the cam is obsolete? (yeah right <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> ) But, im sure it happens. Its just maybe one or the other will do it for him, and he wont need the other...who knows. But all in all it comes down to how deep the wallet is.
It does make sense however to install both @ the same time. Esp being the parts are already going to be dismantled and it'd be easier to install @ one point.
My vote is cam now, heads later. Altho almost all the Gen III heads flow "roughly" the same, i think w/ the cam on stock heads, your not going to see that much of a downfall, but (and yet again, this is strictly my opinion...) w/ better heads on a stock cam, your not going to optimize them as much.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Bklyn. N.Y. U.S.A.
Re: Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema Do the cam, you will not get the full potential of Stage 2 heads with the very mild stock cam. With a good cam you can approach 380 RWHP with stock heads if you have all of the bolt ons.
98 A4
Cartek Stage 2 Heads, Cartek M Cam, LS6 Intake
TPIS Headers, Underdrive Pulley, Comp Push Rods,
Rev 1116 Dual valve Springs, Borla Exhaust, ST3500
3.73 gears, B&M Trans Cooler, Hurst Line Lock
<small>[ February 26, 2003, 12:32 PM: Message edited by: Mitch ]</small>
98 A4
Cartek Stage 2 Heads, Cartek M Cam, LS6 Intake
TPIS Headers, Underdrive Pulley, Comp Push Rods,
Rev 1116 Dual valve Springs, Borla Exhaust, ST3500
3.73 gears, B&M Trans Cooler, Hurst Line Lock
<small>[ February 26, 2003, 12:32 PM: Message edited by: Mitch ]</small>
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2003
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Re: Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema Thanks for all the advice. Start installing the cam, heads and headers next week, once the little but really scrappy women finds out what I gonna spend I know I'll have plenty of time to do the work since the garage will be my new bedroom for a while. Good thing the seats recline in the car.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: everywhere
Re: Cam or Heads First, Oh The Dillema The reason why "I" would say both is it will be cheaper down the road. Whats $300 extra bucks? They cannot charge that that much more to install the cam while they have the heads out..It will be like paying TWICE if you do it the other way, unless of course you do the install yourself.
