Should I do heads or a cam?
This is a tough question...But if heads are not in the future, then cam for sure! BUT if you want heads in the future, the cam will be a waste because it probably be not the best for the new heads. I vote both at the same time.
EDIT....After looking at the kit, doesnt that seem a little pricey for what you get? Correct me I'm wrong here but you can get the cam/springs/push rods for $600-700, that means the 5.3 heads are $1100 with no springs? The thats alot of $$ for stock heads. What kind of horsepower is there to gain for the investment?
I would consider finding #799 or #243 heads and run them cleaned up or as it and a cam. That would keep you at $1000 if you got a good set of heads at $350-$500
Last edited by badazz81z28; Mar 8, 2012 at 10:12 PM.
Does that kit come with the springs, bolts, and gaskets?
This is a tough question...But if heads are not in the future, then cam for sure! BUT if you want heads in the future, the cam will be a waste because it probably be not the best for the new heads. I vote both at the same time.
EDIT....After looking at the kit, doesnt that seem a little pricey for what you get? Correct me I'm wrong here but you can get the cam/springs/push rods for $600-700, that means the 5.3 heads are $1100 with no springs? The thats alot of $$ for stock heads. What kind of horsepower is there to gain for the investment?
I would consider finding #799 or #243 heads and run them cleaned up or as it and a cam. That would keep you at $1000 if you got a good set of heads at $350-$500
This is a tough question...But if heads are not in the future, then cam for sure! BUT if you want heads in the future, the cam will be a waste because it probably be not the best for the new heads. I vote both at the same time.
EDIT....After looking at the kit, doesnt that seem a little pricey for what you get? Correct me I'm wrong here but you can get the cam/springs/push rods for $600-700, that means the 5.3 heads are $1100 with no springs? The thats alot of $$ for stock heads. What kind of horsepower is there to gain for the investment?
I would consider finding #799 or #243 heads and run them cleaned up or as it and a cam. That would keep you at $1000 if you got a good set of heads at $350-$500
http://www.texas-speed.com/p-1159-pr...m-package.aspx
Are you guys kidding me? I had my first lt1 camaro when I was 16 and did a cam swap 100% by myself. You can get a valve spring compressor tool for $20 and do them in an hour or so. Just don't drop the lock in your engine!
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If you plan to mod your car learn how to do things yourself. There were things I paid to have done when I should of just had the ***** to do.then later I find out these ls motors are really easy to work on. Just think you pay for parts then pay more for labor. You can build twice the car if you do the labor yourself. Get a buddy and some beer and go to town. Just think once you do it once you know how to do it.I see to many people get killed by there local shop.
and yea install yourself. It'll save so much money then you'll have more to play with. 
For a car that never sees the track why that cam? Just curious. But yeah like already said, cam first. Best way is to do both at the same time since no one wants to dyno tune twice (if you're going to do heads eventually...do both).
I would do the cam first..I am right now aswell.Then do a set of heads that will compliment the cam later.Then a decent exhaust and call it a day for a nice street car.I dont get the feeling you are after a high horse car or a dyno queen of some sort.For sotp..cam is going to deliver that more imo than a set of heads,and a cam will lope and be noticeable at idle.There are alot more cam only cars doing very well both on and off the track on here with stock heads and free flowing exhaust that will be exact what you are asking for.Do it yourself..its not as hard as it seems and the spring tool can be had anywhere for cheap.Take a weekend at the most in your driveway to do the cam with lots of breaks for a beer lol...beer makes the job go easier.
I'll throw my 2 cents in...the old adage goes, a good set of heads with even the worst cam will still perform, but an awesome cam with a shitty set of heads will be a turd.
My advice is to save up for when you can buy the heads and cam together so they are matched. Or pick out your heads, and have a custom cam ground around the heads and other mods. You will thank yourself later on when your running circles around people that took the other route.
My advice is to save up for when you can buy the heads and cam together so they are matched. Or pick out your heads, and have a custom cam ground around the heads and other mods. You will thank yourself later on when your running circles around people that took the other route.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 35
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From: Oxford, CT
Infront is right the car is a M6, thanks for the comments guys, I decided I will wait and just do the heads and cam myself when I can afford both at the same time. Reason why I was looking into the Torquer V3 is, I went for a ride in a regular cam 1500 with on installed on stock heads and that truck impressed me with how well it moved (I have never been in a cammed fbody) it sounded good, and as far as I could tell it made decent power everywhere I am still open to suggestions on other cams though. I was also thinking if I did 1 or the other, I would have a better chance at keeping the stock 10 bolt alive. Seni and Greg come on over and lend a hand with the install!
I found a new I box eps cam in the foresale section. I was gonna go cam only with it but I just said hell with it and bought heads. Just seems better to tear this down once and have a kick *** street car when I'm done. That's what I would do. I have $1335 in new heads. Gave $350 for the cam. Now I'm gonna grab some lifters bolts trays and gaskets to finish it off before I bolt this stuff down.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
Save your money and buy both together - if you get a cam now, might not be the best match for ported heads later. A 100 shot of N2O would get you sotp feeling for less than either heads or cam and could work with both in the future.