bigroger

hey guys i live in california where i have to smog my car every 2 years in order to keep my registration current. I own a 98 trans am and i want to add a cam and headers i know i am going to get shorty headers but what is the best shorty headers? also what cam and lifters and all associated with cams what do i get in order to still pass smog?

wildcamaro

iTrader: (15)

I'm not sure of the brand of shorties but summit sells a pair that you can retain the factory cats which is what you want...as far as cam go with a z06 cam, summit has them for $300 and the springs are $65, and either keep your factory lifters or get some ls7 replacements...you could also contact Martin at tick performance and spec a custom cam to beat the sniffer test, good tuning also plays a big role in that

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

JBA shorty headers are CA legal and so are the Pacesetters, the headers must have a CARB EO # otherwise they're not legal. If you budget permits I'd put that money towards either having the factory heads ported and milled or a set of AFR 205s or 210 heads (CA legal) also milled to get the compression up. For cams I'd go with at least a 212/218 114lsa(-13* overlap) cam but no bigger than a 222/230 116lsa(-6* overlap). My preference would be a 216/224 114lsa cam (-8* overlap).

Redfire 03

Years ago when I first bought my F-body it had a 224/224 114 and that cam passed smog. Made good power too, but had ported 853's and longtube headers also.

Zlow28

iTrader: (11)

i think tick performance has some emission friendly cams. Check their site out to see if theyll work.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Yeah, they have a 218/230 117lsa+2(-10* overlap)
http://www.tickperformance.com/tick-...1-ls6-engines/

EPS also has a 214/232 117lsa cam
http://www.engpwrsys.com/index.php?a...od&productId=9

jmargo

iTrader: (10)

Or a TR cheaTR V3. which I happen to be selling....
https://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-cla...tr-v3-cam.html

CaliboyTA

iTrader: (2)

theres a guy on here that has a custom eps grind 222/226 115+3 and he passes smog

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

He really needs a wider int/exh split than that.

bigroger

thanks for all the replies but what is the best cam i can get that is smog friendly but will get me the most power?

PREDATOR-Z

The one that will pass emissions on the ragged edge. That is not how you choose a cam. Be honest, pick a cam that fits your driving needs, not a stupid dyno report.
Also you need to give a bit more info about your setup. Numbers are made in a combination of parts not just by the cam. The cam has a potential but there is no such thing as a XX hp cam.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Do you plan on upgrading to better heads or having the factory heads cnc ported and milled, and do you plan on a intake upgrade, what transmission do you have A4 or M6?
Tell us about your preferred driving habits so we can get a better idea what you're really wanting for a cam up grade.

CaliboyTA

iTrader: (2)

i say ditch the cam and go sts turbo or ati p1sc procharger

bigroger

i use this cars as my dd. it is an automatic but i want it faster and meaner sounding without going the illegal smog way because that would mean more money out of my pocket on the long run. so i need help with this since i dont know much about cams and lifter and all that. but i know i cant go to big or i wont be able to pass smog.

PREDATOR-Z

Meaner sound legally in Cali will only be done trough catback design and idle setting. To pass sniffer, cams will have to be in negative overlap which is pretty much stealth (stock sound). Lopey cams have overlap and that will not pass in Cali.

99 Blue Bird

iTrader: (3)

The cam in my sig passes smog with my ported heads. I have not had it tuned but it makes tons of torque with stock exhaust. Honestly I would not waste my time camming a car here in Cali unless you go big. Get a dirty smog or don't do it at all. It's pointless on the money that will be spent on the gain you will get. If I could do it all over again I would just buy a nitrous kit. And leave my car basically bone stock.


I have a car that does not need to be smogged so I won't be wasting my time with my trans am anymore.

Redfire 03

Meh I don't know about that. As I mentioned above, my old LS1 SS had a TR 224/224 114 LSA grind when I bought it and it passed smog out here in CA. While not the nastiest sounding cam it definitely had a noticeable chop to it. Far from stock, Lol. After I swapped the shorties for LT's, added ported 853's and a Fast 92 it made just a hair over 400whp and had a great low/midrange.

PREDATOR-Z

TR224 114lsa is negative 4 overlap and about on the edge when passing in Cali.

Redfire 03

Yes, you are absolutely correct on that. My point was that you can infact run a cam with a noticeable "chop" and still pass emissions here in CA.

PREDATOR-Z

If you call that chop, I call it burble. Anyways that is not a great cam for stock exhaust or shorties.