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

To cam or re-stall

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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 08:32 AM
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Default To cam or re-stall

Hey guys Im kinda stuck in the middle of the road here. Car is a full bolt on 94 with 4.10's and a 2800 stall. Car also has Hot Cam kit installed minus the cam. I'm trying to figure out if I should go the cam route or get a Yank 3600 stall. My budget is 2k. I will not be doing the labor ( space and time is the issue there ) I can get the cam installed for $600 or with springs for $800. I understand if I do cam only I can only do the Hot Cam. Which im fine with b/c its a nice proven cam over the years. I have also looked at doing a custom grind to get that extra 15-20hp. Now I could do the stall as Im not super happy with the 2800 fuddle thats in there now. I know its not the most efficient converter.
All said and done the cam will take up 2k budget, I also factored in a extra 500 just incase so budget is really 2500.
Now the converter all said and done will be 1200.( assumeing I dont need madz28 to retune for that converter) I figure 800 for the converter, 200 for install. Then another 200 for fluild and gasket/filter kit.
What do you guys think? Car runs real well as it sits. In cool weather it runs in the 12.80's 107ish mph. A cam should get me solid in the 12's at 109ish where i figure a converter will to with the same mph and power.

A plus for the cam is that it will add power all the time where as the converter will just be a benefit on the track. But at the same time Ill be saving some coin and replacinf that fuddle Im not to in love with.

Why must these choices be so difficult lol
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 09:34 AM
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i would put a cam in it
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 10:00 AM
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You will see more then 2 MPH gain from the cam.

Hell I almost gained 2 MPH from the CAI to the Lid. Personally I think both mods will put you close to the same times and with a stall don't forget the cost of the cooler and such and we did 6AN braided lines but not everyone does that.

Last edited by Lawhead; Jul 30, 2011 at 11:13 AM.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 10:41 AM
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Well more then 2mph would be nice, I wouldn't expect on average from my research that the hot cam would give me more then a 3-4 mph increase.
I already have a nice sized cooler on the car. I keep seeing guys posting similar gains from a CAI to LID. Its really hard to believe but at the same time if guys are seeing the results it must be true. I wanted to cut open the lower air damn where my CAI is located and make a funnel to ram the air to the filter. The car doesn't go out in the rain so Im not worried about water.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 11:14 AM
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Your running good times as is, even though you don't like your stall you still have a stall larger than stock but you don't have a bigger cam. Id say go with the cam, the HOT CAM and your 2800 stall will be a stout performer and when you start saving for the larger stall down the road you'll have to save less vs. if you had to save to finally install the cam. I don't know if that makes sense but what im trying to say is get the more expensive of the two mods out of the way first which would be the cam. I think you'll like hearing the mild chop with the hot cam to
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 11:19 AM
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FWIW talk to Llyod or AI about getting a custom grind I know the subject is beat to death but for what custom grinds go for its probably the best bang for your buck mod when doing a cam swap
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 11:23 AM
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My old cam would work badass in that combo. Gobs of torque, flat powerband and never fell on its face.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 11:24 AM
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I recently just put a cam in my Camaro and was thinking about the stall converter before but now that i've got the cam installed there's nothing better than turning on your car and listing to her chop! So i would say go with you cam you'll have alot more fun with it.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 11:25 AM
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Yea I've talked to both venders on a custom grind cam. Both recommended a few cams. One was a 228/236 .574/.571 110 LSA and the other was 224/230 .560/.544 110 LSA with my 1.6rr of course. The 224/230 seems less radical of the two kinda like a cc503. all thing is Id go on a 112lsa.
I think BL96TA is making me lean more towards the Hot Cam.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 11:26 AM
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Gregrob what cam were you running in your old combo
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 04:06 PM
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XFI baby cam I think???

Not sure about the smaller cam but them lobes are pretty crazy good springs will be a must with that set up
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 04:09 PM
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stall it
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 04:21 PM
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What suspension stuff do you have?

With having a stall def do the cam.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 04:29 PM
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I gained 7mph and 1 full second with the hotcam kit. Ive been happy with it for least 3 yrs now.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 06:38 PM
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I SO FAR have gained 6.3mph in significantly worse weather from a cam. There is much more in it.

But a 2800 stall is a joke. The cam will only make you need a stall MORE. Think about that.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 07:59 PM
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to nitrous2fast, car rides on a Pro kit with bilsteins. Lakewood lower control arms w/ relocastons brackets. Adj panhard bar, sub frame connectors. A and strut bar.

Badazz 97 TA, those are some nice gains. I dont think Ill will get those kind of numbers seeing how I already have the LT4 hotcam valve springs, retainers and locks - ARP 7/16 studs - Trick Flow guideplates - Wysco stainless 1.6 ratio 7/16 stud mount rockers and chromoly pushrods. I know the Hot cam will be a perfect addition. I think Im going with the hot cam. 2800 stall I have already will be fine for awhile till I save up some more car play money. hmm I wonder if I can get a custom grind cam that will work with my springs.
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 10:54 PM
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If you aren't planning a power adder in the future go with a 4k stall.. It will be a night and day difference from what you have now.

If you think you might spray it a 3600 might work a little better

What kind of 60ft times are you currently seeing?
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Old Jul 30, 2011 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Lawhead
XFI baby cam I think???

Not sure about the smaller cam but them lobes are pretty crazy good springs will be a must with that set up
Internet myth.

Mine had tens of thousands of trouble free miles on it.I would take it on 12 hour road trips.

Just patriot gold duals.
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 12:05 AM
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Patriot golds would fall under "good valve springs" lol
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 12:34 AM
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+1 on the cam. As said above, you already have a higher stall, so why not pick up a few more ponies? What kind of tires are you running? Also, what track, Island, Atco, E-town?
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