I have been doing some thinking. If you had to choose between just a performance set of heads and a stock cam or using the stock heads with a performance cam, what would you choose? What would make more power by itself heads or cam?

 

cam by alot and a hell of alot cheaper than any heads. I think a few people on here have made around 420rwhp with a cam, stock heads and all the bolt ons plus a tune. I really wish I could afford a cam and all the supporting mods but times are tough

 

But for a cam wouldn't you have to buy new springs pushrods etc. or will the stock parts hold up to an aftermarket cam?

 

Need at least springs and pushrods. I did a ported oil pump and double roller timing chain which is good but not a must.

 

You can do a GM performance LS6 hotcam without replacing springs and pushrods. It is a very good idea to change your springs though anytime you install a new cam(unless the springs have very little mileage on them). My vote is on the camshaft over heads though. The factory LS heads flow pretty damn good for being factory out of the box. Dont go over a 550 lift cam on stock valve springs(from what I remember anyway).

 

cam before heads. youll still need a tune remember.

 

+1 a tune will definitely gain you the edge when installing a new camshaft. Can you still drive it without a tune? Yes, will it run to its full potential? No. If staying within the lift that your stock valve springs can handle I wouldnt think a tune would be required. In most cases your PCM will compensate to keep your engine safe.

Stephen