How big is to big of a cam in an a4?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Mission Viejo, California.
How big is to big of a cam in an a4? I am interested in swapping out my stock cam for a bigger one, but of course i dont want to sacrafice drivability. Do cams like the B1 and the 224's surge when the convertor locks up at low speeds?
Thanks,
Carl.
Thanks,
Carl.
D(irecto)r Pepper
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Houston Raceway Park...in TEXAS.
Re: How big is to big of a cam in an a4? Well, MY "224" doesnt surge. But I have some pretty extreme lobes. ( which makes the cam seem smaller at lower RPM's)
Be careful you CAN go to big.
Be careful you CAN go to big.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Fort Worth,TX
Re: How big is to big of a cam in an a4? [quote]Originally posted by 2000Z28A4:
<strong>I am interested in swapping out my stock cam for a bigger one, but of course i dont want to sacrafice drivability. Do cams like the B1 and the 224's surge when the convertor locks up at low speeds?
Thanks,
Carl.</strong><hr></blockquote>Hey its only to big when it doesnt fit in the car to take it home.Just kidding seriously though there are a lot of big healthy cams out there that wont compromise drivability.I chose the hammer cam because of Raugh and I see he has already posted here.But listen to some of the veterans they will tell you what you need to go with.I use to be just like you I just wanted a little more speed and next thing you know about a year later well just look at my signature.
<strong>I am interested in swapping out my stock cam for a bigger one, but of course i dont want to sacrafice drivability. Do cams like the B1 and the 224's surge when the convertor locks up at low speeds?
Thanks,
Carl.</strong><hr></blockquote>Hey its only to big when it doesnt fit in the car to take it home.Just kidding seriously though there are a lot of big healthy cams out there that wont compromise drivability.I chose the hammer cam because of Raugh and I see he has already posted here.But listen to some of the veterans they will tell you what you need to go with.I use to be just like you I just wanted a little more speed and next thing you know about a year later well just look at my signature.
Re: How big is to big of a cam in an a4? I disagree about a "too big" concept being limited to A4s. Most of the limitation is motor related as people rarely take the stock short block over 6600 rpm, even with an M6.
If you're running that much cam, you have 3.73 or higher gears and at least 3500 stall. The drivability issue becomes much less with programming. The converter's high stall allows for an 800 - 900 rpm idle without fighting the car at a light. Prior to lock-up, the converter's use of higher rpms keeps you out of the very low rpms where surge occurs. Raise the lock-up speed to 40 mph and lock-up occurs at ~1400 rpm with 3.73s in 4th. 45 mph gets you over 1500 rpm.
224/224 112 gives me no problems 1400 rpms or higher.
If you're running that much cam, you have 3.73 or higher gears and at least 3500 stall. The drivability issue becomes much less with programming. The converter's high stall allows for an 800 - 900 rpm idle without fighting the car at a light. Prior to lock-up, the converter's use of higher rpms keeps you out of the very low rpms where surge occurs. Raise the lock-up speed to 40 mph and lock-up occurs at ~1400 rpm with 3.73s in 4th. 45 mph gets you over 1500 rpm.
224/224 112 gives me no problems 1400 rpms or higher.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Mission Viejo, California.
Re: How big is to big of a cam in an a4? Thx Ragtop99....you answered specificly what i was asking. SO with your current cam, were you to leave lockup speed at 900 (or whatever it actually is from gm) would u experience cam surge?
Re: How big is to big of a cam in an a4? [quote]Originally posted by 2000Z28A4:
<strong>Thx Ragtop99....you answered specificly what i was asking. SO with your current cam, were you to leave lockup speed at 900 (or whatever it actually is from gm) would u experience cam surge?</strong><hr></blockquote>
your question is a bit confusing so I'll answer it 2 ways.
1) I have my idle at 950, 900 was a little too much lope for me, but it may be caused in part by my bad cylinder.
2) Stock lock-up speed would probably be around 30 mph in 4th gear, which is about 1000 - 1100 rpm with 3.73s. I would suspect there would be some surge at that rpm, but can't tell you for sure since I have the programming and don't lock-up that low. A 25 mph lock-up in 3rd would be ok as that would be about 1250 rpm and you might some surge there too. My 3rd gear locks up at 40 mph too.
<strong>Thx Ragtop99....you answered specificly what i was asking. SO with your current cam, were you to leave lockup speed at 900 (or whatever it actually is from gm) would u experience cam surge?</strong><hr></blockquote>
your question is a bit confusing so I'll answer it 2 ways.
1) I have my idle at 950, 900 was a little too much lope for me, but it may be caused in part by my bad cylinder.
2) Stock lock-up speed would probably be around 30 mph in 4th gear, which is about 1000 - 1100 rpm with 3.73s. I would suspect there would be some surge at that rpm, but can't tell you for sure since I have the programming and don't lock-up that low. A 25 mph lock-up in 3rd would be ok as that would be about 1250 rpm and you might some surge there too. My 3rd gear locks up at 40 mph too.
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From: Baton Rouge, La. and sometimes Houston Tx
Re: How big is to big of a cam in an a4? I'm near Thunder Racing and am in and out of the shop everyday. I had a B1 cam and loved it with my A4 back in the day. If I were at that point it would be a no brainer. The Thunder 224 is extremely drivable and puts out incredible power. I'm not knocking the MTI cams but this bad boy is great. They also have a Thunder 220 cam. It put down over 400rwhp on Angie's car with an A4 tranny and LS6 intake and ported heads. More than impressive for a small cam. I don't know here exact numbers.
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Re: How big is to big of a cam in an a4? The Comp 216/220 is making big #'s for such a small cam. With all the bolt ons and heads you can be close to 400 hp. Over 400 in an M6. It will idle good without programming, spring breakage isn't really a problem due to the lower lift, surging shouldn't be a problem. Actually, I haven't heard of anyone have a driveability problem at all. I think it is not more popular because it doesn't lope much. Guys with it say it idles like stock. That's fine with me, I am getting it. Bigger is not always better.
