Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Good before and after headers cam?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 10:25 AM
  #1  
fasteddyss's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Arrow Good before and after headers cam?

I am looking at putting in a cam this winter. I would like to do headers at the same time but cannot spend the money all at once. I plan on putting in QTP's with a catted y-pipe next winter. I drive my car all summer for work so driveability is #1 priority.

I don't have a lot of cash now so I can't do the headers first.

I am looking for a cam recommendation that would give me good gains now and not make me wish I put in a different one in whan I put headers on next winter.

I will also be putting on an LS6 intake at the same time.

From my research here I am leaning towards the Lingenfelter GT2-3.

Does this sound like a good choice for what I want to do??
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 10:52 AM
  #2  
Checkmate's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Front Royal, VA
Default

Do the headers first.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 03:26 PM
  #3  
AN1313's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
Default

I'm hardly an expert, but I will give you my 2 cents.

If you want to go to a big cam, you will have to do the headers first. Maybe you could hold off on the LS6 intake and just get the headers and a Y-pipe for now.

If you are interested in a smaller cam (up to a 224/224 [?]), do it now but you may not get the full benefit. My guess is that your engine will have trouble breathing, especially at the upper RPM range resulting in lower HP/TQ numbers than the cam's true potential. Drivability may suffer somewhat with this approach. Hopefully, someone else can comment who may have actually attempted this.

Last edited by AN1313; Dec 21, 2004 at 05:12 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 03:32 PM
  #4  
blkZ28spt's Avatar
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,524
Likes: 1
From: The South
Default

Do headers first, then the cam. You can always hold off on the LS6 intake and do it last if you can't afford it all. (that is what I'm doing)
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 05:47 PM
  #5  
DaleMX's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia!
Default

YAK recommended this to me a few posts’ back. Go to about the 6th post down and read the recommendation.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...aust+cam+power

Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 05:47 PM
  #6  
fasteddyss's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

Thanks for the input, But I have the intake, which I got for next to nothing. I cannot do the headers this year. I don't have the cash. I can do a cam.

Does the GT2-3 give good gains without headers?
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 05:48 PM
  #7  
DaleMX's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia!
Default

Oops, 6th post down.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...aust+cam+power
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 05:55 PM
  #8  
fasteddyss's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

Thanks Dale, this is the kind of info I am looking for!!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 08:24 PM
  #9  
Rudolph's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Mexico City
Default

Agree. Headers go first! :yup:
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 09:05 PM
  #10  
jz06man's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Default

You're not letting the engine breath without the headers.. Do the headers, if you can..... Save the cam money and wait...
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 09:33 PM
  #11  
93octane's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
Default

Look at the Pacesetter coated headers. They aren't going to break the bank, and they fit well.

I know, you want to do the cam first, but you will thank yourself later on when you put the headers on first. You should also tune the car when you start bolting things onto the motor. Atleast get the car on the dyno and check out the a/f ratio after you install the cam/headers.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 09:43 PM
  #12  
BoomerSooner's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default what to do first?

I have some christmas money to spend, thanks to my financial advisor (wife). I cant make my mind up, cam first or longtubes? I am looking real hard into the stealth 2 cam(MTI) and pullies. I know this cam neeeds longtubes to make power, but will the cam make power with my Hooker shorties, and Random Tech. Y-and cat setup, I know I am leaving power on the table, but just can do one thing at a time, I know with a this cam, and longtubes, tuning will be required, just dont have the fundage as of yet. what would you do?



99 T/A 6 spd.
full boltons, BMR suspension
4:11 gears
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 10:05 PM
  #13  
SouthFL.02.SS's Avatar
!LS1 11 Second Club
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,133
Likes: 2
From: Miami
Default

Headers first!!!!
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 10:08 PM
  #14  
01_SuperSlow's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Default

Another vote for headers first
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 10:17 PM
  #15  
fasteddyss's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

Surely someone has had good results with a cam and no headers??
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2004 | 10:29 PM
  #16  
jrp's Avatar
jrp
SN95 Director
20 Year Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,755
Likes: 7
From: Valencia, Ca
Default

Originally Posted by fasteddyss
Surely someone has had good results with a cam and no headers??
results yes, good results, far and few

the masses dont lie, get the headers first. i remember a while back a post about a dude who installed a tr224 cam and had minor bolt ons sans headers and he was pissed because he didnt make dick for power. then installed some jet hots and ORY and picked up like 43rwhp after tune
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 03:38 AM
  #17  
DaleMX's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia!
Default

Anyway the cam is actually more expensive than the headers by the time you consider the springs, retainers, pushrods, gaskets, and bolts. And while you have it apart you should also change out the timming chain, and oil pump.

I was considering a different cam for mine (my earlier post) but I'm going to try to fabricate headers just so I can have the cam I want (no room for headers in a 280Z). I really think that is instrumental for good power.

That doesn't mean you can't cam first, it just means you wont have the potental. Plus you'll have to tune twice. It makes alot of sense to go headers and intake, then cam.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 06:54 PM
  #18  
fasteddyss's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Default

O.K. I get the point . Thanks for the input. I have come up with a way to get some QTP's. I may have 140k on the car by next winter and decide to go through the whole motor anyway.

I should feel the power with the headers, which should get me by for a while!!
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:53 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE