your thoughts on the 216/220 cam?
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
your thoughts on the 216/220 cam? im looking for a good CA cam! im looking for a torque monster not a 6500 rpm cam!
at first i was thinking a 222/222 .563/.563 114 or a 224/224 114.
but i heard that they are pretty short on low end torque!
so how would that 216/220 .525/.532 114 compare?
does anyone know the power band on this cam or know the charactoristics on it?
please help ! 216/220 or 224/224?
at first i was thinking a 222/222 .563/.563 114 or a 224/224 114.
but i heard that they are pretty short on low end torque!
so how would that 216/220 .525/.532 114 compare?
does anyone know the power band on this cam or know the charactoristics on it?
please help ! 216/220 or 224/224?
I had the comp 216/220 in my 99 and swapped it out for the T/R 220. I noticed very little difference and the car did not pick up much in the 1/4 after the swap. It is a good torque cam and the power does not fall off clear up to 6500 on the dyno. It sets misfire codes in a A4 car with their lower idle speeds. You can use the cheaper LS6 springs with it also.
I think the comp 216/220 is a great little cam. If you do a search you'll find lots of info on it. I struggled hard with the decision to put the 216/220 cam in my car or the TR220. I ultimately went with the TR220 but I think I would be equally happy with the 216/220 cam. The 216/220 makes good power and is easy on the springs.
I chose the TR220 because the TR cams have pretty agressive lobe profiles / ramp rates. This allows the TR cams to idle well and make some monster low end torque. If you look at the TR220 or TR224 cam dyno sheets you'll see these cams give up very little to smaller cams in regards to low end torque. I didn't want the choppy idle of the TR224 (too choppy for me anyway), so I went with the TR220. The TR cams make some great torque
If you go with the 216/220 would suggest using the comp 918 spring instead of the LS6 springs. Springs are such cheap insurance that it is silly not to. The 216/220 cam w/ the 918 springs would make a bullet proof combo.
I chose the TR220 because the TR cams have pretty agressive lobe profiles / ramp rates. This allows the TR cams to idle well and make some monster low end torque. If you look at the TR220 or TR224 cam dyno sheets you'll see these cams give up very little to smaller cams in regards to low end torque. I didn't want the choppy idle of the TR224 (too choppy for me anyway), so I went with the TR220. The TR cams make some great torque
If you go with the 216/220 would suggest using the comp 918 spring instead of the LS6 springs. Springs are such cheap insurance that it is silly not to. The 216/220 cam w/ the 918 springs would make a bullet proof combo.
Last edited by equandt; Apr 2, 2004 at 06:20 AM.
I've got a 216/220 cam only car, runs 12.1's @ 113 3750 Raceweight. I daily drive mine 120 miles/day perfect drivability, a real sleeper cam (you can barely hear it). I've got about 45K on mine with a set of 918's. It's not the torquest cam it dyno'd 382/37x through a 10-bolt with all boltons.
Personally I wish I had went bigger now, but this cam has PERFECT drivability, which is why I havn't swapped it out yet. I can leave the car sitting overnight in the cold, next morning 30 degrees fire it right up and drive instantly *NO WAITING like a 224 or bigger cam+.
Cam Specs: 216/220 .579 .589 114 +4 Comp Cam
Cheers.
Personally I wish I had went bigger now, but this cam has PERFECT drivability, which is why I havn't swapped it out yet. I can leave the car sitting overnight in the cold, next morning 30 degrees fire it right up and drive instantly *NO WAITING like a 224 or bigger cam+.
Cam Specs: 216/220 .579 .589 114 +4 Comp Cam
Cheers.
Trending Topics
TECH Fanatic
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 1
From: CT,
I currently have the 216/220 cam with the lower lift of 525/532 on a 114 LSA, decided on this cam because I wanted it to be easier on the valve springs. Im pretty happy with the cam for its size , very well rounded but as some have said you will need a tune , I had misfire codes and idleing issues. My car ran a 12.18 , 12.19 at 111mph 1.70 60ft with 2800 stall, ls1 intake I was having some horsepower loss issues from something in my car at the time (Dynoed after track and HP was down to 327) and I still have the same problem with the new mods I did over the winter.
1. Graph 2800 stall ls1 intake 216/220 cam Pic
2. After track day with problems Dyno Pic
3. After new manley valvesprings , Hardened pushrods , LS6 intake , TCI 3800 stall , Trans pak , Pic
I do like the cam it has alittle lope to it and its a great performer, Ijust have to get my problems fixed . By the way my baseline before cam was 311/333 on the same dyno and my car ran 12.40s at 110 mph with 273 gears so my car has always dynoed low.
I need to get it to the track soon and see what it runs, I know that the TCI 3800 is taken away some of the RWHP so we will have to see what times it puts down before I start swearing again. LOL
If i were in your position , I would do the 224/224 . Great cam and proven performer, you have 410 in your car I dont think you will feel like you lose RWT.
1. Graph 2800 stall ls1 intake 216/220 cam Pic
2. After track day with problems Dyno Pic
3. After new manley valvesprings , Hardened pushrods , LS6 intake , TCI 3800 stall , Trans pak , Pic
I do like the cam it has alittle lope to it and its a great performer, Ijust have to get my problems fixed . By the way my baseline before cam was 311/333 on the same dyno and my car ran 12.40s at 110 mph with 273 gears so my car has always dynoed low.
I need to get it to the track soon and see what it runs, I know that the TCI 3800 is taken away some of the RWHP so we will have to see what times it puts down before I start swearing again. LOL
If i were in your position , I would do the 224/224 . Great cam and proven performer, you have 410 in your car I dont think you will feel like you lose RWT.
Last edited by boomcase; Apr 2, 2004 at 11:05 AM.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
nice numbers SOLARI !
good torque! so should i go with a 224/224? is that the best all around cam?
any other cams that would make more TQ down low?
and since i want a lower power band shouldnt i go with less duration> like a 220 or a 222...........how much power would i lose and where would the power band be brought down too? i plan on doing stage 2 5.3 heads with a 10.8:1 CR if that helps!
good torque! so should i go with a 224/224? is that the best all around cam?
any other cams that would make more TQ down low?
and since i want a lower power band shouldnt i go with less duration> like a 220 or a 222...........how much power would i lose and where would the power band be brought down too? i plan on doing stage 2 5.3 heads with a 10.8:1 CR if that helps!
Originally Posted by soliari
I have a comp cams 216/216 XE-R... not bad huh?
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
Originally Posted by Carvinta
Wow that has an impressive curve with relatively small dimensions. I guess those lobes are special after all. It looks like it would make over 300 lb/ft at 2k, now that's something.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Give the guys at Thunder a call. I was having the exact same discussion with them - 216/220, TR220, TR224?
We talked about lobe profiles, spring life, low end torque, and power under the curve. They said 216/220 =20 to 30HP, TR220=30 to 40HP, TR224=40 +.
I went with the TR220 in the end to be conservative on spring life and lope. Car runs great, I picked up 30 HP, and the torque curve picks up over the stock cam right at 2000 (where the dyno starts recording).
We talked about lobe profiles, spring life, low end torque, and power under the curve. They said 216/220 =20 to 30HP, TR220=30 to 40HP, TR224=40 +.
I went with the TR220 in the end to be conservative on spring life and lope. Car runs great, I picked up 30 HP, and the torque curve picks up over the stock cam right at 2000 (where the dyno starts recording).
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by soliari
I have a comp cams 216/216 XE-R. I think it makes great low end torque and pulls hard clear up to 6500. Power was 397/391 SAE but it gets over 350 RWTQ at 3k ... not bad huh?
Here's the dyno
Here's the dyno
-Jake
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
Originally Posted by JakeL
What is the lift/LSA on that cam? I haven't seen that one before. How's the idle and valvetrain noise?
-Jake
-Jake
216/216 @ .050
.588/.588 w/ 1.7 rr
114+2 LSA
112 intake center line
It idles very, very smoothly at ~850 rpm (stealth - stock like). Most don't know I have a cam except for the light valvetrain noise. Around town driving is a dream and I usually get 20+ city mpg with 29+ hiway mpg.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Originally Posted by soliari
The cam is a Comp Cam XE-R
216/216 @ .050
.588/.588 w/ 1.7 rr
114+2 LSA
112 intake center line
It idles very, very smoothly at ~850 rpm (stealth - stock like). Most don't know I have a cam except for the light valvetrain noise. Around town driving is a dream and I usually get 20+ city mpg with 29+ hiway mpg.
216/216 @ .050
.588/.588 w/ 1.7 rr
114+2 LSA
112 intake center line
It idles very, very smoothly at ~850 rpm (stealth - stock like). Most don't know I have a cam except for the light valvetrain noise. Around town driving is a dream and I usually get 20+ city mpg with 29+ hiway mpg.
Any TR220 or TR224 guys getting anywhere near that gas mileage?