Cam Swap #2... asking for help this time...
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Cam Swap #2... asking for help this time... I have a 04 A4 GTO with TEA Stage 2 heads, Pacestter LT's, Custom 3" exhaust, 3k Stall, and (dont ask me why) a cam 236/242 .580 .590 and about 110 LSA (supposed to be 114, but tuner STRONGLY disagrees)... I have it at DRM and he has my enging making 425 crank hp.... He said my cam is WAY too big and killing me... I am probably gonna do another cam swap (have it professionally done) and was wondering what i should get... i wanted to hit 415rwhp... any suggestions and or comments? My car is a daily driver in the summer. what would you guys recomend...? thanks again for all the help!
I don't think your cam is THAT big. I spoke with TEA last week actually and they said with their 5.3 heads and a cam around 230 on the intake they see between 430-450rwhp.
Since you have their heads I would call and talk to them. Those guys really know their ****.
Since you have their heads I would call and talk to them. Those guys really know their ****.
You don't need a cam swap, you need a tuner swap. Even if that cam was on a 110LSA versus a 114 it would make good power. The idle may be a tad rougher but the 110LSA would bring torque in sooner. Power between the 110 and 114 would be nearly identical, where it peaks is the variable here. The 110LSA is a better choice for your heavy car so if your tuner is correct then you are better off. How does he know the cam is on a 110? Is it because he was unable to tune the last 110 cam that he attempted? The cam choice is fine, all you need now is someone that can actually tune it.
BTW my cam is a 239/242 on a 111LSA and my car made 450RWHP. That cam is not killing you.
BTW my cam is a 239/242 on a 111LSA and my car made 450RWHP. That cam is not killing you.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 5
From: Oklahoma
You don't need a cam swap, you need a tuner swap. Even if that cam was on a 110LSA versus a 114 it would make good power. The idle may be a tad rougher but the 110LSA would bring torque in sooner. Power between the 110 and 114 would be nearly identical, where it peaks is the variable here. The 110LSA is a better choice for your heavy car so if your tuner is correct then you are better off. How does he know the cam is on a 110? Is it because he was unable to tune the last 110 cam that he attempted? The cam choice is fine, all you need now is someone that can actually tune it.
BTW my cam is a 239/242 on a 111LSA and my car made 450RWHP. That cam is not killing you.
BTW my cam is a 239/242 on a 111LSA and my car made 450RWHP. That cam is not killing you.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
The tuner is doug rippie, of doug rippie motorsports... he gets corvettes shipped to him from EVERYWHERE.... i definitely dont think its him... (he had numerous corvettes probably pushing close to 100k)
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Cam just has 8° of over lap on a 110 than a 114.
That doesnt mean they run well because they cost 100k.
You laugh, but I have seen it before.
That doesnt mean they run well because they cost 100k.
You laugh, but I have seen it before.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
i have a hard time thinking its him-i was referred to him by numerous weekend drag racers... well that and my cam was put in by someone less respectable... just try another swap and see what happens? this kind of power is frustrating-def not what i was expecting
If the cam install was done by someone "less respectable" then perhaps it is not properly installed. If the timing chain is off a tooth that would be killing you.
I have a 04 A4 GTO with TEA Stage 2 heads, Pacestter LT's, Custom 3" exhaust, 3k Stall, and (dont ask me why) a cam 236/242 .580 .590 and about 110 LSA (supposed to be 114, but tuner STRONGLY disagrees)... I have it at DRM and he has my enging making 425 crank hp.... He said my cam is WAY too big and killing me... I am probably gonna do another cam swap (have it professionally done) and was wondering what i should get... i wanted to hit 415rwhp... any suggestions and or comments? My car is a daily driver in the summer. what would you guys recomend...? thanks again for all the help!
Teching In
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
PokerFreak,
I will give you a call when the white car starts (head and 224 cam) You are more then welcome to be here for the dyno, test drive and other. In my 15 years working around here I know you will be much happier with a setup closer to this then what you have.
We have no idea if mechanically the car is right, induction work is very needed......
Over cam is the number one problem with street cars today.......
DRM's race stuff is in 101-106 LSA range, installed 98-104. Don't think that is the issue.
Wider LSA broadens the torque, tighter LSA more peak HP very picky about the rest of the package.
Randy
I will give you a call when the white car starts (head and 224 cam) You are more then welcome to be here for the dyno, test drive and other. In my 15 years working around here I know you will be much happier with a setup closer to this then what you have.
We have no idea if mechanically the car is right, induction work is very needed......
Over cam is the number one problem with street cars today.......
DRM's race stuff is in 101-106 LSA range, installed 98-104. Don't think that is the issue.
Wider LSA broadens the torque, tighter LSA more peak HP very picky about the rest of the package.
Randy
LMAO, your problem is doug rippie. I have him to thank for teaching me how to tune. No, he didn't teach me directly. His tuning abilities are so **** poor that I forced myself to learn how to tune. It's too bad that he borrows his buddies laptop to do tunes on his customers vehicles. (at least for my truck anyways). At any rate, I would steer clear of his shop and get your car back ASAP before he wrecks it. Also, do not go to hitech motorsports either. Brian used to work for Doug Rippie years ago and had a falling out. He opened his own shop and does the same quality work.
Doug may be decent at working on the OLDER smallblock chevy's but I don't think he's up to snuff on the lsx platforms. He has over $300 of my money for this so call "tuning" as well. Also, the "ls6 cam and springs" I bought from him actually turned out to be a ls1 cam. He had no interest in exchanging it out. Oh well, it made for a good table lamp.
Doug may be decent at working on the OLDER smallblock chevy's but I don't think he's up to snuff on the lsx platforms. He has over $300 of my money for this so call "tuning" as well. Also, the "ls6 cam and springs" I bought from him actually turned out to be a ls1 cam. He had no interest in exchanging it out. Oh well, it made for a good table lamp.
Last edited by hirdlej; Mar 25, 2010 at 07:41 PM.
There is a cam designer that does a lot of GTO work who may be able to help. One issue is that with a heavier car such as a GTO you setup may need a little less cam. I know nothing of DRM tuning capabilities but if you talk to the right people they may be able to provide some guidance.
Teching In
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Head over to the mile and watch a Orange Z run with a black hood. He has many road racing miles, street, and drag miles on that car. Not bad power for a pump gas engine.
Thanks for the blistering PM Randy 
Does your dad want my old drivers side seat cover back that he put cigarette burns in while smoking in my truck? Do the corvette's get the same special treatment as well?
Does your dad want my old drivers side seat cover back that he put cigarette burns in while smoking in my truck? Do the corvette's get the same special treatment as well? he smoked in my car as well! I was thinking WTF who is this guy...