Cam only or heads only?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 38
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Cam only or heads only? Hey guys..
Well.. I need more.. This 364rwhp ain't cutting it.. I yanked the headers after springing a leak, and instead of going through hell and back for 385rwhp and spending another $1400, I was thinking about either installing heads or.. a cam only since I already have upgraded springs..
I have a vararam, and a set of dual springs & ti retainers from crane cams(which are good for a .650 lift).. The springs were installed after breaking a stocker..
Budget is.... $1200... no nitrious.. and Im looking for a min of 400rwhp.. I don't want a ridiculously lopey cam.. Just something that will get me passed the 400mark.. Is it possible with just a cam, intake and tune?
Could I get over 400rwhp by installing a set of better flowing heads & the stock cam???
Advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated..
Thanks,
John
Well.. I need more.. This 364rwhp ain't cutting it.. I yanked the headers after springing a leak, and instead of going through hell and back for 385rwhp and spending another $1400, I was thinking about either installing heads or.. a cam only since I already have upgraded springs..
I have a vararam, and a set of dual springs & ti retainers from crane cams(which are good for a .650 lift).. The springs were installed after breaking a stocker..
Budget is.... $1200... no nitrious.. and Im looking for a min of 400rwhp.. I don't want a ridiculously lopey cam.. Just something that will get me passed the 400mark.. Is it possible with just a cam, intake and tune?
Could I get over 400rwhp by installing a set of better flowing heads & the stock cam???
Advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated..
Thanks,
John
I definately would change the cam if you put better flowing heads on, it just wouldn't make sense to not put a different cam in...you could still put in a cam that has good street manners. Typically 400rwhp+ cam only cars have some lobe in them but as others will tell you, you can get a bigger cam as long as you have someone who knows how to tune it really well and try and hide the lobe that you don't want
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Ill do one or the other (for now at least)... I was thinking about doing the heads first as its an easier install, and less to worry about.. if I do an aggressive cam I have to rely heavily on a good tune to take care of the driveability.. If I do heads, driveability won't be a huge issues.. right? Plus I can sell my stock heads, and it won't be a huge cost... It just seems like this is cheaper then doing headers again, and will get more bang...
Main question is.. Can I get over 400 with a simple heads swap on an LS6 motor with the stock cam?
Main question is.. Can I get over 400 with a simple heads swap on an LS6 motor with the stock cam?
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I am cam and bolt ons only and i broke the 400 mark pretty easiely. I do have a cam that has a good lope to it. I also have a very good tune so it is my DD as well. Heads and bolt ons won't get you over 400. you would need a cam+ bolt ons.
Just pick up a cheap set of used headers off the board if possible and then get a good sized cam, maybe an FM13 or FM14, or any custom grind cam with a 230+/230+ intake and exhaust duration with around .590+ lift and on a 114 lsa, should be good for about 400 rwhp and have good driveability, however you will be choking out the cam with the stock manifolds.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 38
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Reason I don't want headers is because the install is a pain in the ***.. After doing it 3 times on my car, I never want to do it again.. I know a cam/heads install isn't all that much better but, its new for me.. I also feel like the gain isn't worth the money.. With the headers and a good tune, im lucky if I could get 385rwhp... Ive never seen any cam only results but someone on the Z06 board claims that LAPD put down 409rwhp with an intake, cat back, AFR 205 heads and tuning.. IMO.. Thats not bad.. Pickup the heads for about $2200.. Sell the stockers for $650... And after about $1600 Im walking away with over 400rwhp.. If I get the headers that I want (American racing which are really easy to install) Ill get about 385rwhp and spend $1500..
Now, if I could get a different set of heads for around 1500, and get the same kind of power there is no question that-that is a sick deal.. but everyone seems to say its not possible.. Has anyone even tried it? I know this isn't a normal route, but after reading about that guy putting down 409rwhp I figured it was worth some investigating..
Now, if I could get a different set of heads for around 1500, and get the same kind of power there is no question that-that is a sick deal.. but everyone seems to say its not possible.. Has anyone even tried it? I know this isn't a normal route, but after reading about that guy putting down 409rwhp I figured it was worth some investigating..
Originally Posted by TheAngryTitty
Reason I don't want headers is because the install is a pain in the ***.. After doing it 3 times on my car, I never want to do it again.. I know a cam/heads install isn't all that much better but, its new for me.. I also feel like the gain isn't worth the money.. With the headers and a good tune, im lucky if I could get 385rwhp... Ive never seen any cam only results but someone on the Z06 board claims that LAPD put down 409rwhp with an intake, cat back, AFR 205 heads and tuning.. IMO.. Thats not bad.. Pickup the heads for about $2200.. Sell the stockers for $650... And after about $1600 Im walking away with over 400rwhp.. If I get the headers that I want (American racing which are really easy to install) Ill get about 385rwhp and spend $1500..
Now, if I could get a different set of heads for around 1500, and get the same kind of power there is no question that-that is a sick deal.. but everyone seems to say its not possible.. Has anyone even tried it? I know this isn't a normal route, but after reading about that guy putting down 409rwhp I figured it was worth some investigating..
Now, if I could get a different set of heads for around 1500, and get the same kind of power there is no question that-that is a sick deal.. but everyone seems to say its not possible.. Has anyone even tried it? I know this isn't a normal route, but after reading about that guy putting down 409rwhp I figured it was worth some investigating..
FWIW, you have to take the headers off to install the heads. In fact, that's one of the easier parts of the process.
Then, of course, you have to reinstall the headers afterwards.
Also, there is no "cheap" way to do anything. If you want to make good power, it's gonna cost money.
To make good power, if you do a cam ($500), you need headers ($500-1200) and a tune ($500).
Once you're making good power, your clutch will be very unhappy ($800).
Your tires will be even MORE unhappy ($300 drag radials).
Then when you have good power, a good clutch, and good traction, your rear end could start getting upset ($?).
And on and on......
Step 1. for right now, get a cam. If you plan on doing heads eventually, just wait, save your $$ and install both at the same time.
Step 2. You're going to need to get headers again. In fact, you may want to do these first.
Good luck.
To answer the simple question, if you only have money RIGHT NOW for one mod, do a cam over just heads.
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 270
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Geez, I put LGs on my ZO6, on jackstands in the garage. It wasn't difficult, just time consuming. Installing a cam is lots more work. As said above, if you do heads, the headers come off anyway. There must be something else going on?
I'd get headers and a cam. If you don't like a header install, you're really not going to like doing heads or cam..
You aren't going to get 650 for used LS6 heads anymore either, you can get new GM casing fully CNC ported for <$1000.
You aren't going to get 650 for used LS6 heads anymore either, you can get new GM casing fully CNC ported for <$1000.