Need experienced advice, PLEASE!!!
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Need experienced advice, PLEASE!!! I've been doing searches till my fingers are sore!!! I still have questions! These are especially important cause I'm getting ready to pull the trigger.
I've been talking with a well know forum tuner about having him install a mild cam in my corvette c5 automatic. He says I'd be better off having him install a 2800 tc while I'm having him install the cam. I'm putting on the longtube headers myself before I take it down there. Here's the dimensions of the cam I'm thinking of: 210/218 @ .050 531/531 114 LSA. A Crane cam, (so called; "accelerated lift" cam). I want a really stock idle, and streetable car, with lots of lowend torque. This cam is supposed to deliver it. Would I have to have a stall converter with this cam, if I want stock-like characteristics? He, of course, is going to dyno-tune after the installation. If I later installed ported heads, would I have to retune? If I installed heads before I drove, (about 1500 miles) down there to have the cam installed, without a tune, would the car run alright? I know, after as much searching as I've done on this forum, I should know some of this. I know these are common questions, but I just don't seem to have the answers straight in my mind, and I want to know what you guys think, before I make a mistake. PLEASE let me know what you all think!
I've been talking with a well know forum tuner about having him install a mild cam in my corvette c5 automatic. He says I'd be better off having him install a 2800 tc while I'm having him install the cam. I'm putting on the longtube headers myself before I take it down there. Here's the dimensions of the cam I'm thinking of: 210/218 @ .050 531/531 114 LSA. A Crane cam, (so called; "accelerated lift" cam). I want a really stock idle, and streetable car, with lots of lowend torque. This cam is supposed to deliver it. Would I have to have a stall converter with this cam, if I want stock-like characteristics? He, of course, is going to dyno-tune after the installation. If I later installed ported heads, would I have to retune? If I installed heads before I drove, (about 1500 miles) down there to have the cam installed, without a tune, would the car run alright? I know, after as much searching as I've done on this forum, I should know some of this. I know these are common questions, but I just don't seem to have the answers straight in my mind, and I want to know what you guys think, before I make a mistake. PLEASE let me know what you all think!
Your car should idle and drive very close to stock with that cam tuned properly. The torque converter seems to be one of the most recommended mods for an auto, cammed or not, although that one is on the smaller side of what I usually see around here but seems to be a good match for your cam. As far as your heads, you need to tell us what kind they are, but you should be fine driving on the stock tune. Many people around here drive cars with fairly large cams and heads for a while without tuning. Good luck, let us know how it all turns out. 
That cam is small alright. Might want to consider getting an AFR Combo. Idles very smooth and loads of power.
Yes that small of a TC will benefit you quite well. Will only take a little driving to get used to but definatley worth every penny. My 3000 stall on stock everything else was a dramatic improvement, going with a cam at the same time would be sweet! I say do it.
Depending on the heads I am sure a retune would be minimal adjustments, but yield great results. Looking at all the posts I would go with the AFR Combo again.
Wouldnt hurt it driving sans tune after install to get tuned at all. That small of a cam shouldnt be a problem either while waiting for a tune.
Good luck
Charlie
Yes that small of a TC will benefit you quite well. Will only take a little driving to get used to but definatley worth every penny. My 3000 stall on stock everything else was a dramatic improvement, going with a cam at the same time would be sweet! I say do it.
Depending on the heads I am sure a retune would be minimal adjustments, but yield great results. Looking at all the posts I would go with the AFR Combo again.
Wouldnt hurt it driving sans tune after install to get tuned at all. That small of a cam shouldnt be a problem either while waiting for a tune.
Good luck
Charlie
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Originally Posted by LSUxBlake
Your car should idle and drive very close to stock with that cam tuned properly. The torque converter seems to be one of the most recommended mods for an auto, cammed or not, although that one is on the smaller side of what I usually see around here but seems to be a good match for your cam. As far as your heads, you need to tell us what kind they are, but you should be fine driving on the stock tune. Many people around here drive cars with fairly large cams and heads for a while without tuning. Good luck, let us know how it all turns out.
I think after a short time you will wish you got a bigger cam than that, but who knows, to each his own. I believe that cam is smaller than a stock Z06 cam; wouldn't you like a cam that's at least a little bigger than what another stock vette has? You really have to go very big before you start losing low end torque in a LS1.
For you, I sugest a TR224 114 LSA or some other 224 cam on 114. With tuning, the idle is not much worse than stock. But with this cam, you will feel a definite increase in power at all rpm's over the stock cam. I ran this cam for two years and loved it.
For you, I sugest a TR224 114 LSA or some other 224 cam on 114. With tuning, the idle is not much worse than stock. But with this cam, you will feel a definite increase in power at all rpm's over the stock cam. I ran this cam for two years and loved it.
Originally Posted by loudsam
I had originally thought that cam would be good without a new torque converter. What do you think?
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Originally Posted by Cal
Yes it would. But as others have said, even the stock cam is better with a high stall converter.
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I just had to quickly chime in here....
With all the emphasis you are looking to place on low RPM power, street manners, torque, etc., you would be crazy not to consider the AFR 205....it's practically made for what you are looking for and will also help boost power everywhere else. You want a small high flowing cylinder head if you are truly after what you have inquired about...not to mention the additional fuel economy it will help generate as well. Educate yourself on what type of cylinder head can help you achieve your goals and I'm confident you will see why the 205 is such a perfect fit.
Tony M.
With all the emphasis you are looking to place on low RPM power, street manners, torque, etc., you would be crazy not to consider the AFR 205....it's practically made for what you are looking for and will also help boost power everywhere else. You want a small high flowing cylinder head if you are truly after what you have inquired about...not to mention the additional fuel economy it will help generate as well. Educate yourself on what type of cylinder head can help you achieve your goals and I'm confident you will see why the 205 is such a perfect fit.
Tony M.
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Brett Foote Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by Tony Mamo @ AFR
I just had to quickly chime in here....
With all the emphasis you are looking to place on low RPM power, street manners, torque, etc., you would be crazy not to consider the AFR 205....it's practically made for what you are looking for and will also help boost power everywhere else. You want a small high flowing cylinder head if you are truly after what you have inquired about...not to mention the additional fuel economy it will help generate as well. Educate yourself on what type of cylinder head can help you achieve your goals and I'm confident you will see why the 205 is such a perfect fit.
Tony M.
With all the emphasis you are looking to place on low RPM power, street manners, torque, etc., you would be crazy not to consider the AFR 205....it's practically made for what you are looking for and will also help boost power everywhere else. You want a small high flowing cylinder head if you are truly after what you have inquired about...not to mention the additional fuel economy it will help generate as well. Educate yourself on what type of cylinder head can help you achieve your goals and I'm confident you will see why the 205 is such a perfect fit.
Tony M.
Well, now look what you've gotten yourself into! H/C, bolt-ons which one, help, help. Ok for real. You know should have a good idea of what your final goals are, and make sure your not lying to yourself, I did
So, there are many paths to take grasshopper, choose your path wisely!
For the record I am not any way affiliated with AFR, I just research a helluva lot before making any more mods, and seeing the real world results, it tough to think about anything else. It is a PROVEN combo. At the power your looking for, which isnt a tremondous amount, all the bolt-ons might be more PITA then what its worth. Add the heads and cam and if you want more, get the LGM Headers, FAST Intake etc. I went the opposite of Predators recommendation and in a way I am glad I did. I went with suspension first with a 3000 stall TC, then cam, then headers, later finally got an LS6 intake. I have always 60' better then my buddies due to the suspension so in at the finish line I could always be close with less power. Now I am stepping it up another notch. It can be as addicitive as tattoo's, only you know the inner SpeedRacerX you can be
Good luck and most improtantly, have fun with your ride!
Charlie
So, there are many paths to take grasshopper, choose your path wisely!
For the record I am not any way affiliated with AFR, I just research a helluva lot before making any more mods, and seeing the real world results, it tough to think about anything else. It is a PROVEN combo. At the power your looking for, which isnt a tremondous amount, all the bolt-ons might be more PITA then what its worth. Add the heads and cam and if you want more, get the LGM Headers, FAST Intake etc. I went the opposite of Predators recommendation and in a way I am glad I did. I went with suspension first with a 3000 stall TC, then cam, then headers, later finally got an LS6 intake. I have always 60' better then my buddies due to the suspension so in at the finish line I could always be close with less power. Now I am stepping it up another notch. It can be as addicitive as tattoo's, only you know the inner SpeedRacerX you can be
Good luck and most improtantly, have fun with your ride!
Charlie
Originally Posted by loudsam
I heard a guy on the corvetteforum say he got just about 50rwhp with those heads alone! If I could get close to that, with maybe a set of Crane 1.8 rocker arms, I would seriously consider giving up the idea of another cam!!! I'm really not hard-core with my car. BTW, the guy I mentioned above said he was running through stock exhaust on his z06 corvette. He didn't have much in the way of mods, and was putting out something like 410rwhp, and alot of torque, (can't remember)! I imagine with headers he would have gotten 425 or so rwhp. The torque he got was down low, as I recall. This was after a dyno-tune.
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Originally Posted by smask04C5
If you have the $, doug, do it all at once. AFR heads, cam, valvetrain upgrades and converter are sure to put a smile on your face. don't forget about exhaust
Doug
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Thanks for all the advice/info guys!!! It sure helps to have people to ask advice from, and just kind of bounce ideas onto. I never belonged to a forum, till I bought this car. Sometimes I wonder if it won't be my downfall!!! Oh well, who really gives a s*%^!!! 
No, going to Jax this weekend to put a 396 together for someone. May get it done next week, if I can find time. Remember that all VHP cams are designed for Crane rockers and they work
