Cam Only Firehawk Question???????
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Freedom, Pa
Cam Only Firehawk Question??????? Hi, I have a "rescue" Firehawk, a 96 Comp T/A with 103K miles, M6 Trans, 3.42 Gears & 2OTL exhaust. I got it running with a tank pump/filter & Injectors. It actually runs pretty good. I have have bought Strano Springs, Koni 4/4 Shocks, Brake Lines, New Rotors & Pads. I will address the suspension components as I run into them. I would like to install a performance cam without spending a lot of money. I don't want to go to headers as it seems like a "PIA" without a lot of gain. I have no problems gutting the cats. I don't think I would run the GM Hot Cam, I think there are better alternatives. Please let me know your thoughts & input. This is not a "Ultimate" build.....just something to preserve & hammer. Thanks in advance.
The Comp 07-503-8 would be about the most aggressive level you could do with good driveability on stock unported heads. Springs are mandatory for any rplacement cam above .470" lift. PAC 1215 or 1218 are good options. Headers aren't that bad. Pacesetter long tubes or the stainless copies of them from speed-engineering.com would be the most economical way to go if you considered that in the future. With the y-pipe for either headers you could keep the 2OTL.
Tuning with that 96 OBD2 PCM will be a pain but it can be done. Do not assume you can let it roll without a tune...
Tuning with that 96 OBD2 PCM will be a pain but it can be done. Do not assume you can let it roll without a tune...
I "Firehawk" Comp T/A...? Wow... Talk about a rare cool 4th gen....
I recently found a 96 Formula WS6 (Black w Red interior) that is pretty rare... Its fully built.. Heads,Cam,12bolt and all of the goodies for the suspension... Snap a pic of the Comp TA.. Love those cars... I'll be you stole that thing!!
I recently found a 96 Formula WS6 (Black w Red interior) that is pretty rare... Its fully built.. Heads,Cam,12bolt and all of the goodies for the suspension... Snap a pic of the Comp TA.. Love those cars... I'll be you stole that thing!!
Hi, I have a "rescue" Firehawk, a 96 Comp T/A with 103K miles, M6 Trans, 3.42 Gears & 2OTL exhaust. I got it running with a tank pump/filter & Injectors. It actually runs pretty good. I have have bought Strano Springs, Koni 4/4 Shocks, Brake Lines, New Rotors & Pads. I will address the suspension components as I run into them. I would like to install a performance cam without spending a lot of money. I don't want to go to headers as it seems like a "PIA" without a lot of gain. I have no problems gutting the cats. I don't think I would run the GM Hot Cam, I think there are better alternatives. Please let me know your thoughts & input. This is not a "Ultimate" build.....just something to preserve & hammer. Thanks in advance.
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 91
Likes: 14
From: STL
Nice find, post some pics of it.
As already mentioned long tubes aren't bad to do and you'll feel the gains. They will perform even better if you are doing a cam. The cc503 is a good choice. Don't forget about all the extra's. If doing a cam swap you might as well replace the water pump since it's coming off. Be careful with the Opti, valve springs are a must, pushrods, you can keep factory lifters but for peace of mind you are in there so might as well upgrade, timing chain, roller rockers, tuning is a must, all gaskets, etc.... It can be a snowball, but if you can do the work yourself it makes it much more affordable.
As already mentioned long tubes aren't bad to do and you'll feel the gains. They will perform even better if you are doing a cam. The cc503 is a good choice. Don't forget about all the extra's. If doing a cam swap you might as well replace the water pump since it's coming off. Be careful with the Opti, valve springs are a must, pushrods, you can keep factory lifters but for peace of mind you are in there so might as well upgrade, timing chain, roller rockers, tuning is a must, all gaskets, etc.... It can be a snowball, but if you can do the work yourself it makes it much more affordable.
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Gutting the cats would make it sound like a bucket of whistling ********, however there will be gains to be made. The cam of choice for stock heads has been the 503 or LT4. They are virtuatlly the same profile and they both perform pretty much the same. Makes no sense you think installing headers is any less of a pita than installing a cam. Honestly you should do both and an off road y-pipe if emissions are not a concern. It'll wake it right up. You'll also want to go with a 3.73 or 4.10 if you're a manual car. leave the 3.42's or go to 3.73's if an auto and you'll want a 2800 stall.
Last edited by SS RRR; Dec 10, 2021 at 05:29 PM.
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If you can find some MAC mid lengths I'd go with those over LT. They fit good, great ground clearance and if you are going cam only, you shouldn't be giving up much if any power going with the mid lengths.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 853
Likes: 32
From: Kernersville, NC
You need to rethink the headers. I did all the below while keeping the stock exhaust....then I went to Kooks longtubes. The drastic change in 1/8 mile track numbers show how choked the exhaust was with the stock manifolds.
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/exh...0/#post6905815
10/03/08
CC503, 1.6 NSA Pro Mag Roller rockers, PAC 1518 springs, 10* retainers/locks, Trickflow guideplates, 7.2" Comp hardened pushrods, stock heads, stock exhaust manifolds, catback exhaust, K&N CAI, FMS 30# Injectors.
Warmed up:8.882@83.770mph
No full cool down run.
2/19/11
Added Kooks Long tube headers(1 3/4" x 3") and dual cat y-pipe.
Warmed up:8.437@87.88mph
Partial cool down:8.389@88.354mph
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/exh...0/#post6905815
10/03/08
CC503, 1.6 NSA Pro Mag Roller rockers, PAC 1518 springs, 10* retainers/locks, Trickflow guideplates, 7.2" Comp hardened pushrods, stock heads, stock exhaust manifolds, catback exhaust, K&N CAI, FMS 30# Injectors.
Warmed up:8.882@83.770mph
No full cool down run.
2/19/11
Added Kooks Long tube headers(1 3/4" x 3") and dual cat y-pipe.
Warmed up:8.437@87.88mph
Partial cool down:8.389@88.354mph