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is it worth it to install a bigger cam?

Old Jan 9, 2005 | 12:32 PM
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Default is it worth it to install a bigger cam?

Currently i have a 224/228 114 lsa cam in my 98 z. my mods list is quite short

98z m6 ~60k miles on it
Pacesetter lts and ory
hooker catback w/ cut out
jantzer p&p tb
lid
918 springs, cm pushrods, titanium retainers/seats
224/228 cam

I got a great deal on a 232/232 112lsa cam (comp cams), and ill be replacing the springs within the next month or so (car wont be seeing any road time in the mean time cuz ill be driving the beater for a while).

Im going to be picking up a ls6 intake when i get the tuning, and hopefully a asp crank pulley.

my question is will i see a nice improvement upgrading to a 232/232 cam over mine? untuned i made 370 rwhp (around the same in torque-dont have my dyno sheet with me unfortunately) with the 224/228. with a good tune and the ls6 intake where do you suppose i'll be with the 232? will it be enough of a power increase to go through the "fun" of replacing my cam again...or will it just be a little louder with minimal hp/tq gains?

Thanks fellas.
Travis

Last edited by slik98z; Jan 9, 2005 at 12:54 PM.
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Old Jan 9, 2005 | 02:54 PM
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you could probably pick up 15 rwhp and a little more torque probably 7-8 lbs. the intake will probably give you the breathing room that you'll need as the new cam would fall over after 5500 rpm's with the stocker. so figure with the new cam, intake and pulley, you should be over 400 rwhp and about 390 rwtq.

Nate
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Old Jan 9, 2005 | 03:30 PM
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i would agree... will prolly give up some tq way down low, but u prolly already new that. what u didn't mention is what gear ur running. if ur running a 3.42 or 3.23, u might wanna go with a 3.73, some bigger cams make enuff lowend to get by, but the 3.73's will keep u in the powerband better while ur heading down the 1/4 mile i would imagine.

also it says ur spraying, a split duration cam, like 230/232 would be better, i dunno how much u will pick up on the dyno over ur cam you have now spraying, which looks great for spray.
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Old Jan 9, 2005 | 04:04 PM
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oh i do need to correct my sig, no n2o now. going all motor, heads are in my scopes for the near future.

I currently have stock 3.42's. summer time ill be getting a new rear end and i'll be going with 4.10's. trying to decide between the 12 bolt or the ford 9inch rear end, not sure which way to go yet though.

my goal is to break into the 11's. which will take time through the summer to get all the parts necessary (ie rear end, better clutch, fuel pumps, tires, get my race weight down some etc etc) but for now im just looking to get a bit more out of having a cammed ls1. plus igotta smokin deal on the cam
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Old Jan 9, 2005 | 05:31 PM
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go for it
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Old Jan 9, 2005 | 05:49 PM
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The bigger the cam:

- The more driveability goes down
- Harder to tune
- More exhaust smell
- Lose a little torque down low
- You gain more top end HP


I'd keep what you have and do other mods...
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Old Jan 9, 2005 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Billiumss
The bigger the cam:

- The more driveability goes down
- Harder to tune
- More exhaust smell
- Lose a little torque down low
- You gain more top end HP


I'd keep what you have and do other mods...

tuning and driveability go hand in hand. Grannsshiften will be tuning this for me and he's pretty darn good from what i hear locally.

exhaust smell doesnt bother me

gaining hp/losing torque down low...thats usually what happens when you change the power band. As long as teh torque curve is steady im not too worried about where i make my power.

im actually looking for more up top. but if the gains would be minimal, i wouldn't do it but if i could see a 10-15 rwhp gain up top, thats smokin good enough for me
thanks for the replies!
Travis
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Old Jan 9, 2005 | 06:08 PM
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Have you thought about 1.8 rockers? It would bring your lift up on the cam you already have.
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Old Jan 9, 2005 | 08:59 PM
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hmm rockers would be ag ood idea, except rocker arms are like 400 bucks, the cam i got was less than half of that with merely 2k miles on it.

which ill be making money off the sale of my old cam then i can put that money towards rocker arms and raise the lift on the new cam good idea

btw crazy man..i see you have flowmaster in your sig. i've been thinking about swaping my muffler to it cause im not worried about peak numbers cause i have a cut out...how do you liek the sound? i have a hooker catback and its just a bit too high pitched for me.

Thanks again guys
Travis
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Old Jan 10, 2005 | 07:23 AM
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I think you are answering your own questions!!! lol
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Old Jan 10, 2005 | 04:11 PM
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if it's a comp grind dont get rocker arms. you'll be breaking valvesprings all day from the xe-r lobes.

with the new cam and supporting mods you should be over 400 rwhp.
just do it
go crazy
oh shady.


j/k

Nate
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