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small cam advice needed!!

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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 11:38 AM
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Default small cam advice needed!!

Alright, a few "small cam" questions. I've done some research and searching and it's obvious that tons of people LOVE the TR224 cam. I however DO NOT want to spin my motor past 6200rpms. I will say it again, I DO NOT want to spin my motor past 6200 rpms! What is a good cam that will give me the best results and peak around 6000 (so I'd shift at 6200). If you say go custom, then that is not necessarily bad advice.

ALSO, I MAY want to add some ported stock heads in the future, how much would that raise my powerband?? Oh and one more thing, I am in Ca so don't recommend me anything larger than the TR224 cam. I also don't want to be replacing springs or adjusting **** every 10k miles so don't tell me to get a cam with rediculous lift. I want to install it, and run it for a long time withough added maintenance. And yes I should have shorties by the time I do all this (shorties because I'm in Ca, remember). Thanks in advance guys!
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 11:56 AM
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Like you said the tr224 is proven cam & would work well.. You might also check out some of the Vinci cams like #55 & #62.


-Mike
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 11:58 AM
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I had the same starting point as you, I picked the VHP_056 (Vinci>>>>) cam. Makes power all the way up from idle, peaks about 5,900 RPM and carries to rev limiter of 6,200 RPM. Initial installation was good for 40 rwhp. Recently added a FAST 90 and found that the power was still peaking at 6,200 RPM so the intake actually carries the cam up a little higher. Cam specs are 216/224 0.551/0.551 115LSA with 5* advance ground in.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 12:37 PM
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^ that looks like a agreat cam for my application, but I am unfamiliar with the advance ground in. Not sure how that affects the cam. Also, that cam should pass the sniffer in Ca right? Looks like it should, but again, I am not cam expert and have no idea how the 5* advance ground in would affect it.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 12:42 PM
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Im going to go with the tony mamo 224/228 .581/.588 @ 114 + 1

Gonna put some patriot stage 2 59cc heads with my ls6 intake and full exhaust and hope for 390hp
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 01:01 PM
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The 5* of advance will bring on the powerband of the cam early in the rpm range.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 01:59 PM
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but won't make the exhaust any "dirtier" for smog right??
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 02:22 PM
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Birdman, I'm in the same boat as you.....Fresno too. I too would like to know what options there are for a small cam for Cali smog.

Ive got stage 1 livernois CNC heads & an LS6 intake ready to bolt on but want the cam in at the same time so keep the info comin' guys.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 02:25 PM
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how about this slp cam (218/224 .555/.556 115+4 LSA)

That looks pretty good too right??

If I bought this cam, what springs should I go with. Remember, I'm on a budget here
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 02:45 PM
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Would basically any spring kit that handles .600 lift be fine? The 918's I can find for cheap...
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 02:50 PM
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I personally went with the following:

224/.581 114 Comp Cam
Bo White 5.3 heads port/polished & milled .018
Thunder Racing 7.400" Chromemoly pushrods
FelPro stock replacement head gaskets(can be had at Autozone for about $18 each)
LS7 lifters
Patriot Dual Spring kit
stock rockers

I also had Bo White do my TB & port/polish my Lingenfelter intake, but it isn't installed yet. So far I have been very happy with my combo. With the heads it is right at 10.9-11:1 compression & perfectly safe on pump gas as far as my DCR/SCR is concerned.

We are hoiping to hit about 400-420 RWHP & my car is daily driven year round.

If you don't want to mess with heads you might be able to pick up a reverse split cam which is designed to work better with stock heads & might even be able to pass a sniffer.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 03:15 PM
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I think the only part of your equation that you aren't taking seriously is the lack of maintenance on your valvetrain.

If you go with aftermarket springs other than LS6 springs, it would be recommended to check the valvesprings (ie, take off car to measure length and pressure) every 15k or so miles.

If you don't, you are seriously neglecting the car and might one day wonder why you dropped a valve...
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by BIG_MIKE2005
I personally went with the following:

224/.581 114 Comp Cam
Bo White 5.3 heads port/polished & milled .018
Thunder Racing 7.400" Chromemoly pushrods
FelPro stock replacement head gaskets(can be had at Autozone for about $18 each)
LS7 lifters
Patriot Dual Spring kit
stock rockers

I also had Bo White do my TB & port/polish my Lingenfelter intake, but it isn't installed yet. So far I have been very happy with my combo. With the heads it is right at 10.9-11:1 compression & perfectly safe on pump gas as far as my DCR/SCR is concerned.

We are hoiping to hit about 400-420 RWHP & my car is daily driven year round.

If you don't want to mess with heads you might be able to pick up a reverse split cam which is designed to work better with stock heads & might even be able to pass a sniffer.
Do you have an idle clip with that cam bc I have the exact same cam nib in my garage and waiting to put it in when I decide on what heads I'll run. Either ported 5.3's or LS6's and have them milled for CR around yours. My only question is if I should go tighter on the LSA or a different cam all together in order to move the power band down a bit and have some lope mostly
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 04:01 PM
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No idle clip yet, but without a tune it idles perfect even with the A/C on. Right about 900 RPM's. I even get the exact same gas mileage as before the mods. So that tells me after my tune I'll be getting better MPG & more power. It's runnin rich right now without the tune. You can smell it & see the black unspent fuel comming out my exhaust if I go WOT.

Right now I just drive it to work & home mostly. Not really beating on it yet.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 05:03 PM
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I have a Thunder Racing TR220 cam that I like alot. It was actually 221/221 551 551 on a 114 LSA according to the cam card. With a SLP LM and Dynatech LT's it sounded mean. I now have a GMMG chambered and it sounds a little tamer. Dynoed at 345rwhp and 380rwtq. My car is an A4 with a Yank SS3600 and 3:73's though. I also have an LS1 intake and stock 98 heads with mild porting and decking. So I am giving up ALOT.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 93redBIRDman
how about this slp cam (218/224 .555/.556 115+4 LSA)

That looks pretty good too right??

If I bought this cam, what springs should I go with. Remember, I'm on a budget here
I am running a simular cam. My cam has more lift. See specs in my sign.The car idles like stock(600RPM in a A4) and pulls stong right up to 6500 RPM.No dyno numbers but I picked up .7 sec and 9mph when I installed this cam and PP Stage II LS6 heads. I am using the PP gold springs.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 05:27 PM
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Well this is good to hear, I am not upset that I chose my cam initially for a S/C, I kow it will perform good N/A. I jsut want to have some lope to it, its sounds so sweet
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 93redBIRDman
^ that looks like a agreat cam for my application, but I am unfamiliar with the advance ground in. Not sure how that affects the cam. Also, that cam should pass the sniffer in Ca right? Looks like it should, but again, I am not cam expert and have no idea how the 5* advance ground in would affect it.
As previously answered, the 5* advance will push the power to a lower RPM. As for emissions, I would contact Vinci directly and speak with them. They do a lot of the R&D for Crane cams and will likely be able to help you out. Either Joe or Roger Vinci.
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Old Sep 17, 2007 | 10:38 PM
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I ran a 218/222-.562/.566-115+4 in my A4 Z28 and it sounded near stock and worked well with my stock converter. Gained 25rwhp off the cam. If I had to do it all over again I woulda ran something bigger.....
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Old Sep 18, 2007 | 02:26 AM
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I got one i put together with IVC of 38* @.050 and a IVO of 47*. 216/222 Comp XE lobes at .561/.566 lift. I am running stock exhaust manifolds. DCR at 8.32 with .041 head gaskets, plenty safe for my nitrous shot. Overlap at -7*, again at .050, for emissions.
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