Should I swap cams?
08-20-2015, 01:33 AM
#1
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Should I swap cams? I currently have a 212/218 .555/.555 cam (was installed by previous owner) in my 6 speed 02 z28 and don't feel that it is making the power it should down low. It traps about 108 on my car with stock manifolds, ported and milled 241's, UD pulley, 4.10 gears, 9" rear, catback exhaust, stock ls6 intake and ported throttle body. From what I read, this cam should be making a lot of torque down low and it doesn't feel that way. I launched the car at 5000 with a quick slip and it did a 1.9 60' on ET Streets and stock suspension which didnt seem right. I was hoping for atleast 1.75 60's and a 114 trap speed.
Would I benefit from going to a bigger cam like a 228r or Torquer V2 provided I get long tubes? How much power and torque do you really loose from stepping up to something in the high 220/ low 230 range. With my 4.10 gears, I believe I can benefit from a cam swap but wanted to get more input.
I have Comp 921 springs and titanium retainers etc.. so swapping the cam itself would be all I need most likely.
Would I benefit from going to a bigger cam like a 228r or Torquer V2 provided I get long tubes? How much power and torque do you really loose from stepping up to something in the high 220/ low 230 range. With my 4.10 gears, I believe I can benefit from a cam swap but wanted to get more input.
I have Comp 921 springs and titanium retainers etc.. so swapping the cam itself would be all I need most likely.
Last edited by nascardude56; 08-20-2015 at 10:07 AM.
08-20-2015, 05:34 AM
#3
Headers and gears first. Then if you do a larger cam new springs because springs are a wear item with an aftermarket cam.
With exhaust manifolds the mph I think looks good, and the talk of swapping to such a big duration in the same breath as complaining about lack of lowend tells me you have a lot to learn before you should be inside the engine.
With exhaust manifolds the mph I think looks good, and the talk of swapping to such a big duration in the same breath as complaining about lack of lowend tells me you have a lot to learn before you should be inside the engine.
08-20-2015, 07:06 AM
#4
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The cam probably does make some decent low-end power, but you aren't going to feel any of it at 5000 RPMs.
I would get a set of headers first. You aren't doing that cam any favors with the factory manifolds.
I would get a set of headers first. You aren't doing that cam any favors with the factory manifolds.
08-20-2015, 09:59 AM
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Should I swap cams? Headers and gears first. Then if you do a larger cam new springs because springs are a wear item with an aftermarket cam.
With exhaust manifolds the mph I think looks good, and the talk of swapping to such a big duration in the same breath as complaining about lack of lowend tells me you have a lot to learn before you should be inside the engine.
With exhaust manifolds the mph I think looks good, and the talk of swapping to such a big duration in the same breath as complaining about lack of lowend tells me you have a lot to learn before you should be inside the engine.
I think due to the gears, im get over 3k rpm quickly when doing a pull which would mean that something with midrange and high end power would be much better for my application.
Last edited by nascardude56; 08-20-2015 at 10:14 AM.
08-20-2015, 10:43 AM
#6
Sounds like the previous owner did a CARB legal type build to avoid emissions headaches which compromised the performance due to being CARB legal ....question you have to answer yourself is how much legality/driveability can you afford to compromise to gain performance?
08-20-2015, 10:50 AM
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Since you have 4.10 gears and a 6-speed I'd personally go with at least a cam the size of the Torquer 2 if not a little bigger yet. With the right tune a big cam can drive pretty damn well, and will have killer mid range and top end with those 4.10s
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08-20-2015, 02:26 PM
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Sounds like the previous owner did a CARB legal type build to avoid emissions headaches which compromised the performance due to being CARB legal ....question you have to answer yourself is how much legality/driveability can you afford to compromise to gain performance?
11-02-2015, 08:53 PM
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With a bigger cam you will benefit in power increase over your current cam. But in order to receive the full benefit you will need the correct supporting mods, ie: longtubes. Your good with the 4:10s as well as the heads; and your intake should be fine being the LS6. I currently have a TSP 228r. If you decide to go bigger you will need to upgrade the valve springs to ones that will be capable of handling the lift of whatever cam you go with.
11-03-2015, 06:46 AM
#13
Was the car ever tuned? If not or if it has a **** tune in it, this could explain the trap speed. What RPM are you shifting at? If you do go through with a cam swap, I would at least pull a couple springs and have them checked.
11-03-2015, 07:58 AM
#15
Headers make a huge difference on a cammed car, get headers over swapping cams.
Although, given you have 4.10s, I'd be swapping cams and doing headers for an even bigger boost in power.
Although, given you have 4.10s, I'd be swapping cams and doing headers for an even bigger boost in power.
11-03-2015, 02:26 PM
#18
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I think you should get some 1.875" headers and a good tune. See how you like it with a spot on tune for the cam you already have, and some headers to help that cam (and any other cam, for that matter) reach its full potential. You will probably be pleasantly surprised.
11-03-2015, 04:30 PM
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I think you should get some 1.875" headers and a good tune. See how you like it with a spot on tune for the cam you already have, and some headers to help that cam (and any other cam, for that matter) reach its full potential. You will probably be pleasantly surprised.