giant016

iTrader: (4)

Hi All,

I've got a bit of a dilemma. I've had my ~150,000 mile 2000 SS A4 off the road for some time and had plans of DD'ing it this summer. I kind of need to. Ran out of time to get it up to snuff myself so I brought it to my mechanic to diagnose the engine tick. Turns out it's a lifter/roller that failed and with it managed to damage the cam. GREAT time to do an upgrade right? There's already going to be lots sunk into labor at this point, what's the cost of a little more in parts?

Except between the new cam (I was thinking 220/220 with 114LSA), hardened pushrods, new springs, and the cost of tuning I'm looking at about $1,000. To get what, maybe 20rwhp considering I've got stock intake and exhaust manifolds? So I'm considering doing the unthinkable and putting in a stock cam. Am I wrong?

Also GM no longer makes/sells the original camshaft. P/N is 12560965. I found one place online that has a new OEM one for $310 plus shipping. That's bananas on a part that was $180 from GM. Anybody have any good ideas where else to look? GMPartsDirect doesn't have them either. How dumb would it be to get a used camshaft? Even those, the only one on ebay is $120 shipped.

I'm open to other opinions/options. The car has a lot of sentimental value and still looks better than any 150,000 mile car I've seen, so one way or another it's getting back on the road. I'm just a bit shellshocked after adding up the real cost of a mild cam. Maybe get it back together reliably/cheaply, and when the money is there get a proper torque converter, LS6 intake, and then take advantage of a real cam....

What would you guys do, keeping in mind cost is a big factor?

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

With your budget in mind, I’d look into Summits new camshaft line along with lifters, pushrods, gaskets, etc.
Mavn on here recently installed their ghost camshaft and made great power. Your not going to save very much money at all, going back with stock cam. Can you do any of this work yourself?

Majestic9C1

iTrader: (19)

you can get an LS6 camshaft for around $200 bucks or less

G Atsma

Try Summit #8719 209/217, .550/.550, 112LSA +1 -10 degrees O/L. Almost same as the LS6 cam (204/218, .555/.551, 117.5LSA, -24 degrees O/L) but with much tighter LSA. Slight lope.

giant016

iTrader: (4)

TSP had a pretty reasonable price on the components, but I'll check Summit too. It was just all the supporting stuff that added up. With shipping a tune was something like $350 alone. Then pushrods, springs, etc.

I brought the car to my mechanic as my personal time is at a premium. The cost to have him button it back up and a tow to my garage doesn't make a ton of sense. I also know that with 150k on it, and knowing me, I'd lose a lot of time and patience in regards to EZ outs and exhaust manifolds.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Under that set of circumstances, I'd probably look for a nice used GT2-3 cam from Lingenfelter. It's like a big LS6 cam designed to work with stock manifolds. It can usexLS6 valve springs per Lingenfelter.

207/220 .571/.576 lift on a 118.5 LSA

Typically good for ~25 hp with manifolds and ~ 35 hp with quality headers.

BTW - while into the engine it's probably a good idea to replaced valve stem seals since they have ~150,000 miles and a lot of age on them. Likewise with a new set of intake manifold gaskets. After 18 years the ones on my 99TA were getting compressed and less flexible. I think they weren't too far from having a vacuum leak or letting rain water in. Good news they are pretty inexpensive.

madmann26

You can also scout the FB pages for a used cam.

YMMV.

giant016

iTrader: (4)

I'm liking the LS6 cam idea. It would still need all new valvesprings. Anyone run it without a tune? Dumb idea?

Blackbird, thanks for the tip on the valve stem seals and manifold gasket. Cheap insurance.

Mavn

iTrader: (3)

Btr makes a drop in cam . No springs needed . It's their drop in truck cam. It's only like $200. I've always wanted to try it in something.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

I could always sell you the stock cam outta my 02 WS6.....cheap !

giant016

iTrader: (4)

EDIT:

I just called up BTR and they said they don't have any drop-ins for my engine. Bummer, that would have been slick.

sjsingle, thanks, I may take you up on that.

I called up Scoggins Dickey about their OEM LS6 cam and they said it would run real nice with my stock converter. If I can put off a tune and drive it, that seems like a perfect middleground. NEW cam, a little more performance, good streetability and reliability, no need for bigger upgrades yet. I will eventually get a tune, but at least it sounds like I can drive it around in the meantime.

G Atsma

Cam Motion, TSP, and Summit ALL have drop-in cams that would work nicely for you. Summit would be least expensive.

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

Summit has the market cornered on budget options. That being said I wouldn't change cams and not change valve springs,lifters, push rods, timing chain, and oil pump with that age/ mileage.

Tuskyz28

Everybody forgets that TFS make cams and they are not on a comp core yet they are inexpensive.

G Atsma

Very few if any TFS cams are of the drop in variety. Most are 220 duration or better

mintws6

OP if your looking for stock LS1 cam I have a 2002 cam with lifters just removed from my car, has 55k miles, perfect condition. 100 bucks plus shipping they are yours. PM me if you are interested.

93Polo

iTrader: (5)

Disclaimer: I have no connection or knowledge of the seller

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...2-ls6-cam.html