I currently own a stock 2002 Trans Am and I want to throw a cam in there since I'm replacing my timing cover gasket and crank seal....but my question is about a street legal cam I want to get. It's a Tsp 224R/224 and they replied that I can pass emissions and so it's the highest I can go....but my brother disagrees. He claims he had that cam in a z28 he had and said he still failed emissions even with the code tuned out....so what is the big deal? I want to get it but I'm scared of not being able to use it as a daily.

 

What was his reason for failing. Also, what was his lsa on his 224/224?

 

Sniffer failure? Visual failure?

Typically in California (Strict Emissions) a 224/224 "should" pass. I've seen many pass. I personally have a 221/221 so not to worry.

It could be possible the 224/224 -TUNE- they have is not correct and what caused the issue of failing.

 

Might want to call Tony Mamo up. He lives in CA and deals with this a lot. He will probably have a very good idea of what you can do that will pass.

 

According to my brother, his lsa was 114...he recalls (this was years ago) that even though the check engine light was tuned out, when plugged into obd II like two codes would pop out....something that the "sensor may not be ready" even though he drove it hundreds of miles...it was a strange case.

 

Your location says Texas. If you're in Texas it doesn't really matter. No sniffer test on your year model. As long as you are not throwing codes you should be good.

 

Yeah if they don't do a sniffer test, you can put any cam you want in it and you'll pass emissions. When you get it tuned your tuner will tune the emissions crap you don't need out, so when they plug it up it'll basically tell the computer that your car never came with the stuff and it won't test for it.

I had a tsp 233/239 cam, tsp long tube 1 7/8" headers, tsp off road y pipe, going through my borla with no plate in it. The cam was a 112 lsa and had a pretty nasty lope to it idling at around 750rpm's. You could tell by the look on the two guys faces when I pulled up that they were obviously thinking, "There's no way this guys car is passing". It was priceless to see the look on their faces when "Passed" popped up across the computer screen lol. You'll be fine man, get the cam you want and enjoy it.

Edit: It doesn't say if your car is a m6 or an a4. If it's an a4 then I wouldn't go any bigger than the 224r unless you plan on getting a stall because that's the biggest cam (and it's pushing it) that you can have with a stock stall converter. If it's a stick then you'll be fine with any sized cam you want, just throw some gears in and start braking rear ends lol.

Also, make sure you upgrade your springs and pushrods with your cam. You didn't mention anything about long tube headers or y pipe and I noticed you're bone stock. You will be choking that cam out without long tubes/y pipe and would probably be disappointed with it until you got them. They're a must when upgrading to a better cam like that.....not trying to be the bearer of bad news, I just want to make sure you know what you're getting into.

 

Usually any cam with -2-3* overlap or less will pass the sniffer. Assuming a good tuner. I have a 225/227-114 and it passed the sniffer here(barely).

 

Sound like your brothers tuner didn't set the codes correctly to pass. As far as i know Texas doesn't use a sniffer.

 

In addition to the "cam card", you also need to get your cam a "green card" in order to make it "legal". I kid, I kid. Do you have a guy who could pass it for you, or know anyone who knows someone who knows someone?

 

Tuned properly, our 224R cam on a 114° LSA should pass a sniffer test.

Lonnie

 

Haven't been on here due to work....but I appreciate the feedback really. I might just fix the leak and call it a day because my brother really brought down my hype by the possibility that the "best tuner" we have in town (performance wise at least he does a very good job) can't make it street legal. And you guys are right, I would need a stall to handle that cam. My brother once again told me those stories lol I guess I'll just do basic bolt on in the mean time, thanks!

 

You can make a pretty quick bolt-on car. I'd do a 3600 stall, lid, long tubes with catted y pipe and you'll have a mid 12 second car. The stall will net you gains equivalent to the cam, headers and y pipe alone at the track. People usually get .05-.08 tenths from a stall so I'd try to make that one of your first upgrades if you can swing it.

Good luck on your build man and have fun with it, because that's what it's all about.