Upgrading from stock cam.. Good choice?
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From: Columbus,Georgia
Upgrading from stock cam.. Good choice? Basically my car is stock aside from a 2800 stall and aftermarket ramair. Its a 99 A4
The cam im looking at is a Thunder Racing cam 224/224 and .561/.561 on a 112 LSA.
How much hp could I expect to see? Is this cam or should I go with something more aggressive?!
Thanks guys
The cam im looking at is a Thunder Racing cam 224/224 and .561/.561 on a 112 LSA.
How much hp could I expect to see? Is this cam or should I go with something more aggressive?!
Thanks guys
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Palmetto, GA
It is a sweel deal.. and as long as you add long tube headers to the mix you'd be fine. As far as a bigger stall, everyones not in this game for track times and power numbers... I think you'd be happy with the cam.. the only other NECCESSARY mod to go along with the cam would be long tube headers, you won't see half of the cams potential without them.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
You'll need to add:
1- timing chain
2- gaskets
3- oil pump
4- tune
5- oil/filter
6- lubricants and sealers
7- coolant
8- push rods.
9- valve springs
So all together, it is way more than $200
A set of headers, ported TB, LS6 intake will get you more power before you think cam.
I had all the bolt ons before I ventured into the cam thing.
Still cost me over $800 in parts and 3 days part time install.
1- timing chain
2- gaskets
3- oil pump
4- tune
5- oil/filter
6- lubricants and sealers
7- coolant
8- push rods.
9- valve springs
So all together, it is way more than $200
A set of headers, ported TB, LS6 intake will get you more power before you think cam.
I had all the bolt ons before I ventured into the cam thing.
Still cost me over $800 in parts and 3 days part time install.
If you don't want to spend a fortune you dont need to do #1, 2, 3 & 8. The rest I wouldnt skimp on though, but gaskets are reusable, pushrods are fine to reuse on small cam, timing chain is fine even if it looks loose thats how the stock chains are, oil pump you dont need to change unless its not doing its good and you need a replacement.
Why spend unnecessary $$ for no HP improvement, there is other internal parts weaker in the engine so if your going to do things for added insurance rebuild the whole engine.
Why spend unnecessary $$ for no HP improvement, there is other internal parts weaker in the engine so if your going to do things for added insurance rebuild the whole engine.
Originally Posted by PREDATOR-Z
You'll need to add:
1- timing chain
2- gaskets
3- oil pump
4- tune
5- oil/filter
6- lubricants and sealers
7- coolant
8- push rods.
9- valve springs
So all together, it is way more than $200
A set of headers, ported TB, LS6 intake will get you more power before you think cam.
I had all the bolt ons before I ventured into the cam thing.
Still cost me over $800 in parts and 3 days part time install.
1- timing chain
2- gaskets
3- oil pump
4- tune
5- oil/filter
6- lubricants and sealers
7- coolant
8- push rods.
9- valve springs
So all together, it is way more than $200
A set of headers, ported TB, LS6 intake will get you more power before you think cam.
I had all the bolt ons before I ventured into the cam thing.
Still cost me over $800 in parts and 3 days part time install.
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TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
>Timing chain is necessary unless you have a 01/02 with less than 35 k. (with small cam) LS2 chain is only $35
>Gaskets are $35>40 /kit so why skimp and risk a leak.
>Oil pump on pre- 01 are prawn to failure; from 01/02 they put in LS6 pumps.
>Push rods are not fuses and will flex with any non stock cam. Also stock p-rods are 7.38 and aftermarket cam lobe centerlines are .030 smaller than stock. So you end up .05 short on valvetrain geometry and stock rockers are non adjustable so you mess your lifter preload.
But hey, what do i know.
Good luck with your decision.
>Gaskets are $35>40 /kit so why skimp and risk a leak.
>Oil pump on pre- 01 are prawn to failure; from 01/02 they put in LS6 pumps.
>Push rods are not fuses and will flex with any non stock cam. Also stock p-rods are 7.38 and aftermarket cam lobe centerlines are .030 smaller than stock. So you end up .05 short on valvetrain geometry and stock rockers are non adjustable so you mess your lifter preload.
But hey, what do i know.
Good luck with your decision.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Ga
Originally Posted by GTS346
If you don't want to spend a fortune you dont need to do #1, 2, 3 & 8. The rest I wouldnt skimp on though, but gaskets are reusable, pushrods are fine to reuse on small cam, timing chain is fine even if it looks loose thats how the stock chains are, oil pump you dont need to change unless its not doing its good and you need a replacement.
Why spend unnecessary $$ for no HP improvement, there is other internal parts weaker in the engine so if your going to do things for added insurance rebuild the whole engine.
Why spend unnecessary $$ for no HP improvement, there is other internal parts weaker in the engine so if your going to do things for added insurance rebuild the whole engine.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Originally Posted by ZR2877
You answered my question before I even asked it. I was going to ask is a timing chain and oil pump a must when doing a cam. I getting a F10 put in my 98 this weekend. Not doing chain or pump. My car has 100,000 miles on it. I hope nothing fails after I put all this money in it.
No flame but I cannot understand guys like you.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
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From: BFE
Originally Posted by SS346Ls1
Since when is a timing chain a must on a cam swap? Have we ever REALLY heard of a timing chain breaking on these cars?
For gods sake its the same one they put on the c5r's...
For gods sake its the same one they put on the c5r's...
LS2 is a cheap option $32>35 at dealership.
You simply do not put an agressive cam profile on a 100K stock chain. at least get a NEW stock chain (which BTW is an LS2> replacement chain as per GM) as of this year.
Why do you think most modders do the double roller swap if stock chains would handle it?? (high miles stock at that)
Originally Posted by PREDATOR-Z
No flame but I cannot understand guys like you.
Last edited by jrp; Jan 22, 2005 at 10:55 AM.
Originally Posted by 98A4LS1
Just to make sure I understand correctly, are you saying an LS2 timing chain will work on a 1998 LS1?
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 509
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From: Palmetto, GA
Originally Posted by PREDATOR-Z
Nope, the one they put on a C5R is a J-WIS chain and cost $150.00.
LS2 is a cheap option $32>35 at dealership.
You simply do not put an agressive cam profile on a 100K stock chain. at least get a NEW stock chain (which BTW is an LS2> replacement chain as per GM) as of this year.
Why do you think most modders do the double roller swap if stock chains would handle it?? (high miles stock at that)
LS2 is a cheap option $32>35 at dealership.
You simply do not put an agressive cam profile on a 100K stock chain. at least get a NEW stock chain (which BTW is an LS2> replacement chain as per GM) as of this year.
Why do you think most modders do the double roller swap if stock chains would handle it?? (high miles stock at that)
Hmm... sponsors making money wouldn't have anything to do with that huh?
Show me a thread where someones timing chain broke... please.
Originally Posted by fivepointseven
so as of now, the cam wouldnt show much gain?
$200 for cam and retainers is a pretty sweet deal, correct?
$200 for cam and retainers is a pretty sweet deal, correct?
Some guys find it difficult to give advise without flaming
, but with 100,000 miles, don't skimp, do it right (as mentioned by Pred Z). You'll be happy that you did. BTW $200 for that cam and retainers (titanium?) is a good deal. There's nothing wrong with letting it sit in a box until you've managed to compile what else you need (perhaps at a good price as well)
Originally Posted by SS346Ls1
Hmm... sponsors making money wouldn't have anything to do with that huh?
Show me a thread where someones timing chain broke... please.
Show me a thread where someones timing chain broke... please.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...70#post1639370
You don't hear about it much but it does happen.~$30 for a stronger chain is good insurance. BTW part # on the LS2 chain is 12586482
