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Old Feb 13, 2022 | 11:04 AM
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Default LS1 cam/heads advice

Hey gals and guys it's been a minute and I was hoping for some advice for a friend on his LS1. I previously owned a '00 and had a TR224/224 cam matched with a Texas Speed TSP PRC 5.3 heads milled and I loved the combo although others said it was a little tame. I used it as a DD and the powerband was perfect for me. Now that was 15 yrs ago and I know times have changed and there are a lot more perspectives out there.

My buddy is running an '01 auto TA wihtout a stall converter yet and he has a ton of suspension mods and Pacesetter LT on the car so now he is turning his attention to a heads/cam setup. He won't be tracking the car it'll be for on the street. Have ideas or options changed over the years on what's great for street use and DD? He wants some idle chop but not a total sewing machine effect. I know alot of folks told me to go at least 228 if I was thinking 224 since it wasn't that much of a jump. Also I had a manual he has an auto I think people made different decisions based on that as well especially if he eventually gets a stall added. What is the advice in 2022 for an A4 for heads and cam with and without a stall that's not overly aggressive for the street? Any and ALL opinions are welcome please. Also which manufactorers products would you use and what's the general advice on getting a stall is it still considered a slam dunk mod for an A4 and how would that change your heads/cam choice? THANK YOU!
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Old Feb 13, 2022 | 11:31 AM
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Not the answer you're going to want to hear, but IMO, if he's not going to change the stall, it's not worth changing the cam.
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Old Feb 13, 2022 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob570
Not the answer you're going to want to hear, but IMO, if he's not going to change the stall, it's not worth changing the cam.
Ok.....talk to me about which stall and cam/heads combo? I never had an A4 so I don't know the difference a stall makes I just remember A4 guys loving the mod. Did you also have to add another mod when you added a stall...trans cooler or something or am I misremembering? At this point he's looking for power adders after tightening up the suspension and adding the LT headers. Engine is up next.
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Old Feb 13, 2022 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by hurley711
Hey gals and guys it's been a minute and I was hoping for some advice for a friend on his LS1. I previously owned a '00 and had a TR224/224 cam matched with a Texas Speed TSP PRC 5.3 heads milled and I loved the combo although others said it was a little tame. I used it as a DD and the powerband was perfect for me. Now that was 15 yrs ago and I know times have changed and there are a lot more perspectives out there.
Still a good combo👍. With better tuning abilities of today, possible to get equal driveability with a little more aggressive cam.

My buddy is running an '01 auto TA wihtout a stall converter yet and he has a ton of suspension mods and Pacesetter LT on the car so now he is turning his attention to a heads/cam setup. He What is the advice in 2022 for an A4 for heads and cam with and without a stall that's not overly aggressive for the street?
My opinion, that sort of build is a mismatched mistake, nothing more nothing less.

Single best mod for an A4 Fbody remains a quality aftermarket stall converter like Vigilante, Yank or Circle D etc.

I'd suggest he skip the heads & cam completely if keeping the stock converter and get the car dyno tuned. The tuner should be able to adjust the tune and lower the idle so it "sounds" cam'd and has some lope.

Any and ALL opinions are welcome please. Also which manufactorers products would you use and what's the general advice on getting a stall is it still considered a slam dunk mod for an A4 and how would that change your heads/cam choice? THANK YOU!
If he'll do a quality stall, he'll have a fantastic basis to build on.

Since you liked the Racing Racing TR-224 cam, I suggest talking with Geoff of TR frame at Engine Power Systems aka EPS. He has a sweet 226/230 cam that will drive very similar to former TR-224 but make more power. The EPS 226/234 is also very sweet. Set of Trick Flow heads w/92mm intake manifold and ~450+whp A4 to 470+ whp M6 is very possible with out busting the bank.

Less expensive heads, I'd look at TEA's and TSP or if you're friend likes waiting with poor to zero communication AI.

Have two M6 LS w/strokers etc & an A4 w/bolt on's. Plan is for the A4 is Vigilant 3,200 stall, EPS 226/230 cam my M6 T/A's old TEA S2 5.3 heads. I wanted the EPS 226/234 but P to V will be an issue with my ancient 20 year old heads.

Last edited by 99 Black Bird T/A; Feb 13, 2022 at 01:00 PM.
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Old Feb 13, 2022 | 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by hurley711
Ok.....talk to me about which stall and cam/heads combo? I never had an A4 so I don't know the difference a stall makes I just remember A4 guys loving the mod. Did you also have to add another mod when you added a stall...trans cooler or something or am I misremembering? At this point he's looking for power adders after tightening up the suspension and adding the LT headers. Engine is up next.
Sorry my first post kinda makes me look like an ***. I wasn't going for that lol.

I've only ever messed with manual cars, so I really don't know much about autos, hopefully other members will chime in. Black Bird is pretty knowledgeable,

Your old combo is still pretty good. Everyone has a different idea of what does and doesn't make a good driving car, I tend to be more ok with larger cams than most. That said, Black bird's suggestion of heads cam paired with a Fast intake will make a pretty damn good power and still drive very nicely if the tuner is even remotely competent.
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Old Feb 14, 2022 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob570
Sorry my first post kinda makes me look like an ***. I wasn't going for that lol.

I've only ever messed with manual cars, so I really don't know much about autos, hopefully other members will chime in. Black Bird is pretty knowledgeable,

Your old combo is still pretty good. Everyone has a different idea of what does and doesn't make a good driving car, I tend to be more ok with larger cams than most. That said, Black bird's suggestion of heads cam paired with a Fast intake will make a pretty damn good power and still drive very nicely if the tuner is even remotely competent.
Nah I didn't take it that way at all! Thx for chiming in it's appreciated! All comments are I've been out of the loop for several years so dusting up on this stuff is fun and informative.
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Old Feb 14, 2022 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 99 Black Bird T/A
Still a good combo👍. With better tuning abilities of today, possible to get equal driveability with a little more aggressive cam.



My opinion, that sort of build is a mismatched mistake, nothing more nothing less.

Single best mod for an A4 Fbody remains a quality aftermarket stall converter like Vigilante, Yank or Circle D etc.

I'd suggest he skip the heads & cam completely if keeping the stock converter and get the car dyno tuned. The tuner should be able to adjust the tune and lower the idle so it "sounds" cam'd and has some lope.



If he'll do a quality stall, he'll have a fantastic basis to build on.

Since you liked the Racing Racing TR-224 cam, I suggest talking with Geoff of TR frame at Engine Power Systems aka EPS. He has a sweet 226/230 cam that will drive very similar to former TR-224 but make more power. The EPS 226/234 is also very sweet. Set of Trick Flow heads w/92mm intake manifold and ~450+whp A4 to 470+ whp M6 is very possible with out busting the bank.

Less expensive heads, I'd look at TEA's and TSP or if you're friend likes waiting with poor to zero communication AI.

Have two M6 LS w/strokers etc & an A4 w/bolt on's. Plan is for the A4 is Vigilant 3,200 stall, EPS 226/230 cam my M6 T/A's old TEA S2 5.3 heads. I wanted the EPS 226/234 but P to V will be an issue with my ancient 20 year old heads.
Wowsers thx for this wealth of knowledge. I remember reading your posts back in the day when I was active glad to see that the same folks are holding strong and helpful to others on here in 2022! Always loved this site for the help and brotherhood. I was telling him stall first because I thought I remembered that being a great mod for A4 rides. When you get a stall do I remember something like having to get a mod that helps cool the trans wit the stall or something or am I misremembering? Thanks again for that knowledge. He's already hit the suspension mods at my suggestion. BMR SFC, LCA, torque arm and adjustable PHR and Koni shocks have all been installed tightening up the ride and then he added LT headers I believe Pacesetters and a Hooker CB exhaust. Forgot how much fun these cars are to mod and how well they respond to modifications!
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Old Feb 14, 2022 | 03:23 PM
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Hurley711, thank you for the kind words. Happy to share my little bit of LS experience. Having owned my 99 T/A for 23 years, guess that makes me an old timer now..lol

There's definitely still folks on the forum with a wealth of practical hands on experience.

Your right about how well these car's respond to the badic mod's. I'm happy yor helping you friend with good advice on suspension set up. The factory deal is OK but the factory shocks...SUCK. Those improvements just made for a better all around car that's even more fun.

BTW loved the magnesium Z06's on your T/A! The GT500 & 19 Bullet are pretty sweet as well.
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Old Feb 14, 2022 | 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 99 Black Bird T/A
Hurley711, thank you for the kind words. Happy to share my little bit of LS experience. Having owned my 99 T/A for 23 years, guess that makes me an old timer now..lol

There's definitely still folks on the forum with a wealth of practical hands on experience.

Your right about how well these car's respond to the badic mod's. I'm happy yor helping you friend with good advice on suspension set up. The factory deal is OK but the factory shocks...SUCK. Those improvements just made for a better all around car that's even more fun.

BTW loved the magnesium Z06's on your T/A! The GT500 & 19 Bullet are pretty sweet as well.
I HAD chrome Firehawk rims which were stolen in 2013! Lucky to find the Z06 with tires in Philly the same day for $350 cash. REALLY lucky. Threw some spacers on the rears and had extra meaty 295s out back but those chrome Firehawk rims were badass. You're welcome. I definitely remember your username from years past. I told him from day 1 what I was told about these cars. Ground them first for dirt cheap and then add power. No point in being fast if you can't get it to the pavement and stay on the road. Good to see the classic mods still stand the test of time but why wouldn't they it's been 20 yrs right. I remember getting those suspension mods done and being wowed at how grounded the TA felt.
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