Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

anyone running a cam WITHOUT a converter?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 12:33 PM
  #1  
SS GIRL's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Texas
Default anyone running a cam WITHOUT a converter?

if so, which cam do you have....

i ordered this cam 224/228 .567/.571 113 LSA and I don't really WANT to get a converter for a couple of months... money is an issue as well....
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 12:53 PM
  #2  
horist's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,036
Likes: 1
From: Lake Zurich, IL
Default

all the 6 speed guys are

w/out a verter though you won't be getting the most outta the cam though
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 01:01 PM
  #3  
foff667's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,986
Likes: 3
From: Clermont, FL
Default

most mid to large cams loose low end tq say to 2500-3000rpms or so...most ls1 aftermarket converters get you to that point and more meaning your never really out of your powerband. Having a converter will also help with the driveability of the car meaning it will stall less and so on...its not a huge cam your getting by an regard but personally would do the vert before or at the same time as the cam.

lata
Bill
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 01:15 PM
  #4  
Brains's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,754
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX
Default

In another thread you said you're just getting the cam mainly for the sound.. Why even bother getting a converter at all?
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 01:26 PM
  #5  
foff667's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,986
Likes: 3
From: Clermont, FL
Default

for that just get a cutout & a converter it'll be about the same effect except you gain 7 tenths in the 1/4 instead of 2 with a cam.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 02:43 PM
  #6  
SS GIRL's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Brains
In another thread you said you're just getting the cam mainly for the sound.. Why even bother getting a converter at all?
someone said the driveability sucks without one
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 02:57 PM
  #7  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

Keep the cam on stand by, gather all parts an go all out. With that cam you'll need minimum a 3800 stall, anything lower, and you'll wish you went BIGGER.
I would recommend SS 4000 by TCI, 2.7 str.

Even if you want to put the cam on you'll need matching valvetrain. Good cam BTW.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 04:06 PM
  #8  
SS GIRL's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Texas
Default

ok well maybe i didnt make this clear... the car isn't going to be raced anytime soon.... not for a couple of months... so if im not racing, do i still need a converter....
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 04:16 PM
  #9  
raceguy333's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by SS GIRL
someone said the driveability sucks without one
heard this also... sounds like a good reason to get one
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 04:49 PM
  #10  
jrp's Avatar
jrp
SN95 Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 7
From: Valencia, Ca
Default

a new stall should be the first mod for an a4 regardless of any future mods. it amazes me how many people seem to be scared or opposed to them.

im an m6 but rode in a stalled a4 , was my reaction.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 04:50 PM
  #11  
JZ'sTA's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 2
From: Ft. Myers Fl
Default

Originally Posted by SS GIRL
ok well maybe i didnt make this clear... the car isn't going to be raced anytime soon.... not for a couple of months... so if im not racing, do i still need a converter....

No you dont need one, it isn't something that is required, just something that is smart to do. I really like that cam as it is very good for almost all your need, and is good for power adders as well. Anyways if you are not racing then you can do the cam but you would be better off doing the converter first. You might want to save some money and do the cam and heads at the same time. Save you some money in the future for labor.
I would defentially not do anything smaller than a 3500 stall and would suggest a 3800 or 4000 as well.
Remember to add this cam you will need springs and a good timing chain would be smart as well.
Good luck
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 04:54 PM
  #12  
SidewayzOZ's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Easley, SC
Default

That cam will probably do a few things for you:

1. Make your car stall quite a bit without tuning.
b. Give you that lopey sound you are probably looking for.
3. Make you really want to do more to your car.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 05:15 PM
  #13  
santino04's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Suburbs
Default

I just recently put on a load of mods including a cam 224/581 without a new convertor the thing runs as smooth as silk no problems, a dyno tune is a must though. Im pulling all out torque 360 or more all the way to about 5 grand, a convertor is not a must unless your racing and need hard *** launches (yes yes we all know it helps a little with the powerband) which like me you are not at the moment. Most convertors like the SLP 2700 2800 or even a TCI 3000 mirror the stocker after about 1500 2000 or even 3000 rpms. Youll be fine!!! Good Luck!
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 05:40 PM
  #14  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

SSgirl,
Let me run you through the progress of my mods in the 1/4
BBK, GMAF, Hooker CB, FIPK = 13.2 sec
above + 3:73 gears + 100 shot dry N2O = 12.5 sec
Above + TCI 3500 = 11.91 sec (Gain of .59)
Above with cutout/ no cats = 11.75 sec
And finally with a wide open shot of dry (No jets) 11.38 sec

Stock cam/ no headers

So .59 seconds with just a converter is the best bang for the money. I challenge any small cam to have done the same without heads.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 06:02 PM
  #15  
Speed2k2z28's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Default

I have the hotcam with the stock converter, it will not idle with stock tuning,in gear. I lost a little lowend torque,but it is not really noticable,except at the track I dropped from a 1.88 60 ft to a 1.93. on the plus side i went from a 12.5@111 to a 12.2@114 running rich,all on street tires.if you get the cam,gonna need some tuning.....

Brian
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 06:09 PM
  #16  
SS GIRL's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Texas
Default

oh i already have tuning on the list... i am one of those nit picky people that lets little things bother them, such as whenever we removed my AIR stuff, that code is driving me absolutly nuts... so i will be getting tuning after the cam and also for those codes to be deleted...

santino04: did you car tune easily?? what is the lsa on your car?
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 06:19 PM
  #17  
maddboost's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,331
Likes: 3
From: Elmhurst, IL
Default

A bigger cam like your planning on running is going to raise your power band. Without a higher stall converter your car off the line is going to feel slower than it did stock, it wont pick up till you get up in the rpms. GET A HIGHER STALL CONVERTER youll wish the car came with one when you bought it. If you just looking for sound though from what I hear you could always get that fake turbo sounding thing that sticks in your exhaust pipe that sounds like a blow off vavle. Then everyone would think you have a turbo LS1.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 06:28 PM
  #18  
SS GIRL's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Texas
Default

Originally Posted by maddboost
If you just looking for sound though from what I hear you could always get that fake turbo sounding thing that sticks in your exhaust pipe that sounds like a blow off vavle. Then everyone would think you have a turbo LS1.
no way......

Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 07:39 PM
  #19  
Brains's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,754
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX
Default

Ditto what other folks in the thread have said -- a higher stall converter isn't required if you're not aiming to go fast. Drivability will be just fine with the stock converter. I've actually driven a car with a very similar cam to the one you're going with, running the stock converter... Not bad at all. The biggest down side is when you mash the gas, it'll feel like it takes forever to really get going, and then once you hit the higher RPM range it'll pull like a bat outta hell. There is one benefit, you'll do well in a freeway race due to the tighter converter
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2004 | 07:42 PM
  #20  
BADFNZ's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 2
From: Dyess AFB, TX
Default

So you want a cam just for the sound? Um ok. Why not just get some cam w/ low duration but a 108-110 LSA? It'll still pass emissions w/o your "catz".
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:23 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE