Heads / Cam Project - Input Needed! :)
Heads / Cam Project - Input Needed! :) Hey guys... here's my best attempt at a summary of what I am needing your input on:
First off, I have a minor bolt-on 01 Trans Am, M6 car which had an aftermarket cam installed from a previous owner. After some time of driving it, I've decided that my cam is just not as streetable as I would like it to be (lugs at low rpm, etc), and that it was time to try something a little smaller to enjoy more low end power. The current cam that is in the car is a Comp Cam XE-R Lobe 232/240 .595/.608 on a 114LSA. Anyway... after some research on here, long discussions with some reputable buddies at work, etc I had decided on a Trick Flow 220/224 .575/.575 on a 112 LSA cam to swap out to give it a try. Well in process of my cam swap, I made the mistake of using my shitty homemade lifter holding tool that was too small in diameter, and I dropped the back passenger side lifter onto the windage tray
. Though I had not originally planned on it, I decided to now take this opportunity to go ahead and upgrade heads since I would have to remove them to re-install the lifter that was dropped. After further research, I ended up going with a set of Patriot Predator 2302 heads - these heads should bump up my compression ratio and flow pretty good to offer a decent increase in mid-range power and torque. Now my question is... should I stick with the Trick Flow cam? In the end, I would like to have a nice streetable car with 400+ HP and in the ~400 ft lb range of torque. Is this possible with this heads/cam combo? Anyone have experience with either of the two? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
First off, I have a minor bolt-on 01 Trans Am, M6 car which had an aftermarket cam installed from a previous owner. After some time of driving it, I've decided that my cam is just not as streetable as I would like it to be (lugs at low rpm, etc), and that it was time to try something a little smaller to enjoy more low end power. The current cam that is in the car is a Comp Cam XE-R Lobe 232/240 .595/.608 on a 114LSA. Anyway... after some research on here, long discussions with some reputable buddies at work, etc I had decided on a Trick Flow 220/224 .575/.575 on a 112 LSA cam to swap out to give it a try. Well in process of my cam swap, I made the mistake of using my shitty homemade lifter holding tool that was too small in diameter, and I dropped the back passenger side lifter onto the windage tray
. Though I had not originally planned on it, I decided to now take this opportunity to go ahead and upgrade heads since I would have to remove them to re-install the lifter that was dropped. After further research, I ended up going with a set of Patriot Predator 2302 heads - these heads should bump up my compression ratio and flow pretty good to offer a decent increase in mid-range power and torque. Now my question is... should I stick with the Trick Flow cam? In the end, I would like to have a nice streetable car with 400+ HP and in the ~400 ft lb range of torque. Is this possible with this heads/cam combo? Anyone have experience with either of the two? Any feedback is greatly appreciated! 
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 20
From: Hurley, VA
You can step up a little more on the cam and have good driveability. Something like a 224 or 228 cam. I've read patriot heads tend to under perform but I don't have any experience with them personally. I would imagine you'd be very close to your goal but I'm not sure about having 400 torque but you never know. The bump in compression will help with your driveability and so will a set of gears. But the big factor is the tune. Good luck
Thanks for the response! Looks like I'll be doing some more cam research to step it up a little.... sadly though, I won't be able to return the Trick Flow cam because I've already greased it up and placed it into the motor. Looks like I'll have to make some posts in the classifieds... Thanks
Do some research on the Streetsweeper High Torque (HT) cam. Specs are 228/232 111 LSA. It's a great cam for under the curve power, yet still gives you that high end power as well.
Thank you guys for all of the input thus far! The Trick Flow is up for sale if you know anyone who is interested lol.... If not, it may have to go in the girlfriend's car... we just picked her up a bone stock '98 A4 camaro that is need of some modding... 
Ran a cam from damian. 228-232 .614/.614 113+4 made 450/412 with tfs 220's and a ported fast. Drove great around town pulled hard to 6800rpm. Will be for sale in the next couple weeks. 402 going in needed a bigger cam!
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Awesome.... I'll keep you in mind. Also, I'm not necessarily in a hurry to get the car back together as it's not my DD.. So I have plenty of time.
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Good point... I am honestly not sure how good of a tune the car originally had on it with that cam but I'm sure it could have been improved upon.. Either way, I would like something with much more low end power, and that is not what I experienced with that cam.
