Have no clu about Cams
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: Deer Park, Tx
Have no clu about Cams ok I have a 99 Trans am, its almost bone stock except for a flowtech cutout. i want a more aggressive idle sound and most people told me that a cam should do it....keep in mind i plan to put a Lid, Headers, 3.73 rear-end, and get it hypertech programmed before i do anything with cams. My question is when your gonna get a more aggressive cam what else do u have to do or is that it. Im not lookin to run a in the 11s or nothin i just want a mean *** sound at idle and running
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 9
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: Have no clu about Cams Hey man, yep a cam will do it. Definately go with the headers first though, they will increase the sound department as well. The main thing that affects idle on a came is Lobe Separation (LSA). The lower the number the more radical the cam. If you want a lumpy idle that is still streetable I would go for a cam on a 112 LSA. The GM hotcam would be a good choice for you.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: McKinney, TX
Re: Have no clu about Cams i asked almost the same question. i knew that it would be better to change the pushrods, but i didnt know what else. so here is what they told me. new hardened pushrods (same length), new rocker springs, and also a new timing chain. im not sure that the chain is a must but you might as well change it while your in the engine. hope this helps. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> josh
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Heights, IL
Re: Have no clu about Cams Definitely do the headers first. Then when youre doing the heads, make sure you replace the pushrods, valve springs, and definitely do the timing chain. The stock timing chain is only good up to the stock rev limiter, once you start raising your rev limiter, you risk the chance of breaking the chain, and since you have to take it off anyways to do a cam swap, you might as well replace it.
You'll also need a cam swap gasket set and new crank bolt, most of our sponsors sell them in sets so you can get it from them for a decent price.
If you decide to do the cam swap without pulling the heads, its strongly advised you buy a bunch of pen magnets to hold the lifters up, so they dont fall into the block (which if they do, you'll have to pull the heads and the oil pan to get them out).
Good luck.
You'll also need a cam swap gasket set and new crank bolt, most of our sponsors sell them in sets so you can get it from them for a decent price.
If you decide to do the cam swap without pulling the heads, its strongly advised you buy a bunch of pen magnets to hold the lifters up, so they dont fall into the block (which if they do, you'll have to pull the heads and the oil pan to get them out).
Good luck.
