Is a cam with stock manifolds and heads a bad idea?
12-11-2002, 01:11 PM
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Is a cam with stock manifolds and heads a bad idea? Is it a bad idea to put a cam in a car with stock manifolds and heads? I won't be getting headers for at least a year, but I was thinking a cam could give me a great lopey sound and a decent power increase while I saved for the headers. Would a TR224/112 be too much? Or should I go for something like the Hotcam? I really don't want to switch cams twice, so I want to get a good cam from the start. Would cutouts help at all? Oh yeah, my car is a '99 M6 SS with dual/dual exhaust, and is completely stock, save air lid. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Mike
Mike
12-11-2002, 01:43 PM
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Re: Is a cam with stock manifolds and heads a bad idea? No, its not a bad idea to do a cam with stock heads/manifolds. Most will tell you that you should do the bolt-on's first, but it doesn't have to be done that way. You would be getting more power out of the cam swap if you already had headers or if you were doing heads, but there will be noticeable gains with a cam only as well. Plus the bolt ons you do later will likely produce better numbers with a cam already there.
When my stock oil pump went bad, I replaced it and decided to install a hotcam at the same time. This was with the stock heads and exhaust manifolds. Although I did not dyno the car in this configuration, there was an impressive SOTP power improvement over stock.
I think either of your cam choices would work well, but I'd lean toward the TR 224 since you could easily match a set of GTP or equivalent heads to it later. Plus it seems to be a bit more docile than the hotcam and generally makes more power. If you do the cam and if you haven't done so already, plan on investing in diagnostic software (such as Autotap or the like) and be prepared to do at least a little bit of tuning, either the old fashioned way with MAFT, HPP3, etc., or with LS1Edit. At a minimum you will have to raise the rev limiter and probably drill the throttle body. Neither is a big deal.
HTH
When my stock oil pump went bad, I replaced it and decided to install a hotcam at the same time. This was with the stock heads and exhaust manifolds. Although I did not dyno the car in this configuration, there was an impressive SOTP power improvement over stock.
I think either of your cam choices would work well, but I'd lean toward the TR 224 since you could easily match a set of GTP or equivalent heads to it later. Plus it seems to be a bit more docile than the hotcam and generally makes more power. If you do the cam and if you haven't done so already, plan on investing in diagnostic software (such as Autotap or the like) and be prepared to do at least a little bit of tuning, either the old fashioned way with MAFT, HPP3, etc., or with LS1Edit. At a minimum you will have to raise the rev limiter and probably drill the throttle body. Neither is a big deal.
HTH
12-11-2002, 02:27 PM
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Re: Is a cam with stock manifolds and heads a bad idea? I've read threads that put the TR 224 cam and Hot Cam almost toe to toe in hp. Maybe 5 to 7hp off. Why spend the extra $200 for the TR cam? Heck, if you want the extra ponies then buy a crank pulley, you'll still be saving money by getting the HotCam. And in the long run I think you'll end up with close power readings(I think) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
12-11-2002, 04:29 PM
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Re: Is a cam with stock manifolds and heads a bad idea? Cam with otherwise stock setup is great for stealth power, too. If you keep that 224 on a 114LS it shouldn't lope too hard through your cats and be too detectible. TR220 would be even stealthier. Hot cam lopes like an SOB. 112 LSA, conservative ramps and a wide spread between exhaust and intake durations. <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />
12-11-2002, 05:29 PM
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Re: Is a cam with stock manifolds and heads a bad idea? I appreciate your input, this question has been on my mind for a while. I think I'll go the extra dollar and get the 224, from what I hear I will be happier with that in the end. Thanks again.
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12-11-2002, 06:02 PM
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Re: Is a cam with stock manifolds and heads a bad idea? You will get a lot more under the curve with the TR 224 over the Hotcam. I loved the TR 224 I had in my Trans Am. I put a very small cam in my 2002 SS that was completely stock except the airlid and it made 352 RWHP through an A4. There are definately gains to be had with a cam only.
