LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Torn between 2 cams

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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 01:12 PM
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Question Torn between 2 cams

Ok heres the deal looking to cam only setup - due to intake reseal and the quest for more power.
Looking into the CC 503 which is a known good grind with excellent power
also looking into A.I. 226/234 cam

cams pulls
CC 503 = says 1,800 - 5,800 rpm but know its higher
A.I. 226/234 = says 2,000-6300 but is that higher?

Now for the price difference CC503 $259 / A.I. $395
Is it really worth $140 more for say 15 hp? I don't want what everyone settles for, but maybe it's due to the proven ouput. Is it worth $140 to be different?

Let me know what you guys think!!!
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 01:15 PM
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Well, look at it this way, a new CAI is like 200 bucks and its like 10-20 hp gain. Go AI, I think its gonna be the new trend because in my opinion, its about the perfect size.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 01:16 PM
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billet cam over a not so billet cam
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 01:37 PM
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I'd go with the AI or A Lloyd custom grind
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 02:45 PM
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I have an AI cam right now that is similar to the CC503 but I would love to upgrade to their new 226/234
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 03:05 PM
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agreed, that AI cam looks like the perfect cam only cam for most people. but what are your goals? daily driver? weekend racer? gotta match the cam to the rest of your mods, future mods, driving style, goals, etc... and as for the billet cam, do you really plan on leaving that cam in your car forever? most people on here will change cams anyways down the road. and a not so aggressive cam that uses tame valve springs really doesnt benefit from being billet IMHO. now a nasty cam with .650 lift and massive springs pushing on it a diff. story. cant AI get a cam thats not billet for the normal cam price? if not Id just call comp cams and have them make you a custom cam similar to those specs. no extra charge for custom cam orders.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 03:10 PM
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I don't know much about the AI cam, but if it is made for a cam only car then by all means it is the better choice.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 03:15 PM
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If it were me and stuck between those two I would spring for the Ai grind. I loved my cc503 and I only imagine the Ai grind to be a tad better yet. I would also look at LE's 228/235 cam which is billet like the Ai grind and I think costs only $300, just another option.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 03:46 PM
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From: Oregon Grown
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^^ Yup Yup!! Give Lloyd a call he will get you well taken care of.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 04:51 PM
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def not a DD, more like aggressive street/ very spirited driving
I def don't plan an running this cam in say 2/3 years when I plan on heads/intake/cam.
Now on the Comp Cams custom grinds do you only need the specs to grind that cam- seems to easy
I already have
Pac-Alloy 1218 springs
CC seats/retainers/10 locks
ARP 7/16 rocker studs
CC 1.6 Pro Mag
TF guideplates/pushrods
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 10:39 PM
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thats how I got the cam for my dads TA. just called up TSP (they can custom order for you) and told them I wanted X specs cause I couldnt decide between an MS4 and the G5X3 cams. like you. but yeah, Id call them, tell them what spring you got, and see what they can work out for you as for highest lift, most aggressive cam lobe profile to grind it on, and if they recomend tweaking the duration #s from where you think they should be. also, they can advance the cam to your liking too. advanceing the cam will lower the power band, produce a lopier idle, and make more average usable power. which will beef up your midrange and lose a couple HP off the top end compared to same cam not advanced. alot of cams are advanced 2 degrees and people dont even realize it. 112+2 is a very popular LSA/ICL.

if you dont know what those acronyms mean, I suggest you do some research on the subject. or just call a pro. get ahold of PredatorZ on this site. he helped me come up with my grind, and Im very happy with it. it was obviously for an LS1 (dads TA) but Im sure he would be willing to give you a good recomendation.
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 02:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Elliott's94Z
^^ Yup Yup!! Give Lloyd a call he will get you well taken care of.
I agree, for 300.00, Lloyd will grind you a cam, & it is a true Billet, he spec'd one out for me, & it makes 10 & 10 over the cc503.
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by StealthFormula
If it were me and stuck between those two I would spring for the Ai grind. I loved my cc503 and I only imagine the Ai grind to be a tad better yet. I would also look at LE's 228/235 cam which is billet like the Ai grind and I think costs only $300, just another option.
anyone running this cam with stock heads? Whats the powerband?
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by HottestZ28
anyone running this cam with stock heads? Whats the powerband?
His web site says 1900-6200..
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 05:38 PM
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"Is it really worth $140 more for say 15 hp? "

lol.. umm if i can add 15 more hp for every $140 i spend sign me the hell up. ill take 150 more horsepower for 1400 please
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by sn8ke eatr
"Is it really worth $140 more for say 15 hp? "

lol.. umm if i can add 15 more hp for every $140 i spend sign me the hell up. ill take 150 more horsepower for 1400 please
Get a nitrous kit...
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 06:27 PM
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One of the biggies that Comp misses in their cams is that they grind them on wider LSA's. Usually 113 or 114. Go look at the Ai cams or the LE cams. They are all tighter. This will help out in the upper rpm range. Most of us that swap cams, or build fresh mototrs are running big stalls, or are spirited M6 drivers. Sacrificing a little botoom end power for some more up top is almost always a benefit to us. Ask yourself if you could benefit from some added top-end power.

Go with the Ai cam.
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 06:32 PM
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I'd get Lloyd's 232/240 cam myself... thinking about this with his LE2 heads right now...
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 09:32 PM
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My AI 226/234 is in the mail and will be here monday, i cannot wait to get the motor back together once i get headers, never heard anything bad about AI so that was my choice. The powerband is what made me choose this cam and of course all of AI's products are top notch
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by joelster
One of the biggies that Comp misses in their cams is that they grind them on wider LSA's. Usually 113 or 114. Go look at the Ai cams or the LE cams. They are all tighter. This will help out in the upper rpm range. Most of us that swap cams, or build fresh mototrs are running big stalls, or are spirited M6 drivers. Sacrificing a little botoom end power for some more up top is almost always a benefit to us. Ask yourself if you could benefit from some added top-end power.

Go with the Ai cam.
A tighter LSA doesn't hurt low-end torque.
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