birdman88

hey guys i finally have got some money saved up after i bought my car and im looking to eventually put a cam in it that will make atleast 400 hp but will still be drivable. the car came with a hooker catback and a volant intake and im going to have headers put on this week. do i need an intake before my came or can it wait until after? also im curious about any other modifications i may need to make before the cam. any advice or help would be greatly appreciated thanks guys

birdman

teke184

iTrader: (5)

the ls6 intake and ported TB will be a benefit now...and even more so with the cam.

i guess do it when you get the $$.

you'll have to either deal with the SES light or have it tuned out. but you could easily just deal with it till the cam and have it all tuned at once.

birdman88

thanks alot teke184

birdman88

anyone else have any suggestions

ibanez7

iTrader: (7)

HEADERS.....HEADERS......HEADERS.....

I highly suggest always installing headers first before a cam upgrade, otherwise you will just choke out the heads, and your gains will be very very minimal.

which you are doing, so that is good.

the only other thing is as stated above, ls6 intake and a ported throttle body, then cam and tune the whole package together!

bigman

iTrader: (1)

Or he can go with the Cheatr cam and not need headers to make awesome power. But if you are already doing headers, I'd say get yourself the cam and get it installed, then check the forums and ebay for a used LS6 intake manifold for cheap. You'd most likely enjoy the cam a whole lot more.

Redlinez

iTrader: (5)

My theory of modificability is do the high dollar stuff first if you have it as it's easier for me that way. It takes me forever to get $1000 up, but 200-400 comes a little easier. Plus there's nothing like rumpity rump at idle. You will realize the most gain from a properly chosen cam as for a single modification. All the other mods will add smaller, but needed gains. Most all of those bolt ons you can do as well.

birdman88

thanks alot redlinez that makes alot of sense and will def. be considered and bigman what exactly is a cheatercam never heard of it thanks for the info

tripps

iTrader: (7)

the CheaTR cam is made by Thunder Racing, and it really reacts well to LSx's with the stock manifolds. Some people go that route whenever they either cant buy headers at the time, or don't want to for some reason. they named it the CheaTR came because at idle it sounds stock. I'm pretty sure they are a sponsor on here. Here's their site: http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...cid=122&sid=88

birdman88

tripps thanks alot just out of curiousity could i get by with headers and get my intake manifold after the cam? and does anyone perfer a specific cam that they have had good luck with in a trans am thanks alot guys

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

My honest advice is to do full bolt on's before the cam. If not chances are you run the risk of being dissapointed with the numbers when you finally do get a cam in the car. Its also smart to get an UD pulley while your doing a cam since your stocker will be off anyways. Having full bolt ons will also allow you to run a smaller cam.

tripps

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, plus you always have to remember to get a good tune after you're done, and you definitely want that with both the headers and cam installed.

birdman88

loud and clear thanks guys

daryl2cb@yahoo.com

iTrader: (2)

also you have a 98, might be cheap insurance to put in the oil pump and new timing set when your in there. definately do all bolt ons first, you may be able to get a more driveable cam that would reach your hp numbers. also I would also get at the very least the 918 springs and the matching 7.400 pushrods. basically you can get headers for about 600 bucks, and if you do the cam right, meaning you do the pushrods,90, 918 springs 100, oil pump, 120, timing set, 100, cam 250^ plus gaskets, your above you header price.

building something that runs WELL and is plan ahead makes a better ride, but it takes time, I have had my ride for about 5 years now, and I am no where near where I want to be, but I know where I will end up, and spending money twice sucks, so full bolt ons then internals. then if there is any cash left then maybe some wheels

birdman88

thanks alot daryl2cb your advice was very useful and deffinately will be considered thanks for your time