Hey guys, i've got kind of a noob question here, but I haven't heard many people talk about it. I've noticed that when upgrading to a high performance cam, heads and exhaust manifold, many people make power at the higher engine speeds but what about the torque at lower engine speeds? I'm talking about 900-1600RPM here. If you've got a mild cam but large heads and headers is it possible to lose bottom end torque vs. bone stock, or is that not possible? Thanks for any input!

 

How often are you between 900-1600 rpm?

 

It wont be affected that much at all. With bigger cams you'll get some serging / bucking, at low rpms (900-1200) but crusing at 1500 rpms in 6th gear I havent had any problem climbing hills or things like that.

 

I have been at 1200 in 6th (with 4.10s) without surging in my MS3 and it isn't fully tuned yet. But like what was said, how often will you need that extreme low end torque. I mean your planning on towing anything in a LS series motor in a car I hope. Basicly bigger the cam gets the more horsepower and the less torque you'll make.

 

You wont notice the surging in 6th gear hardley at all anyway. You'll notice it in 3rd or 4th in 25mph zones. Mine cam has a little surge around 1000rpm in 4th gear but nothing that i would consider undriveable. Mine is also run carbed on a single plane intake and neither the cam nor intake was designed to make any sort of power below 3000rpm and its fine.