AI 226/234 first impressions
08-14-2008, 10:59 PM
#1
AI 226/234 first impressions This thing is practically a straight out of the box performer. when I say that, I mean I have NOT tuned it yet. I have the stock tune with a 650 idle and deleted emissions. I have about 200 miles on it right now. (will be tuning it myself very soon).
Sound: The idle is 9/10, ive gotten a ton of complements. Above idle im not even going to rate because it sounds STOCK. This could easily be a sleeper cam with a 1000RPM idle and good idle tune. It definitely has a nice chop at about my 700 RPM idle, but it really isnt anything too wild. It had more lope when i first started it because of a spark plug wire issue.... wont go there
The car idles fine for 2 minutes or so but then will start to sulk want to die... not sure why but its probably the tune.
Driveability: I am shocked. With milled heads, thinner gaskets, and a 110 LSA cam with as much duration as I have, i expected it to have some kick. I was completely wrong. I have surge between 1000 and 1500 RPM in first gear, and second in very specific conditions. Beyond that, not bad at all! I can cruise at 55 MPH in 6th gear at 1300 RPMs [actual] and be OK! My buddies LS1 cam is only slightly larger (but has more lift) and his car bucked like a bull before we tuned it.
Power: It is there. My buddies cam was dud without a tune. This one is not. The car seems hit or miss right now [seems to depend on air temperature] but when its on... its on. my 275s BARELY hang on in second gear when rolling into full throttle and I have completely blown the tires off 2nd grabbing the shift hard. The car seems to be happy with about a 6K RPM shift. It doesnt seem to want beyond that. I have accidentally hit the rev limiter in first because it gets up there quick. I still seem to have factory torque or better down low... a little over 2000 RPM is all it needs to sink you in the seat.
Consensus: Well, I am very very impressed by this cam so far. but, at this point I am not sure if it is what I wanted. My car is in every sense a toy, so I wanted it to be just a little on the wild side. I am very surprised at how behaved this cam is, but I cannot argue with the results at all. Im sure its gonna scream with a tune, but at this point I feel like i could have gone with the 230/238. That being said I know its better to undercam than overcam. Midrange power was important for me. We'll see!
The startup videos are on youtube under my SN.
dont have any driving videos yet sorry.
Sound: The idle is 9/10, ive gotten a ton of complements. Above idle im not even going to rate because it sounds STOCK. This could easily be a sleeper cam with a 1000RPM idle and good idle tune. It definitely has a nice chop at about my 700 RPM idle, but it really isnt anything too wild. It had more lope when i first started it because of a spark plug wire issue.... wont go there
The car idles fine for 2 minutes or so but then will start to sulk want to die... not sure why but its probably the tune.Driveability: I am shocked. With milled heads, thinner gaskets, and a 110 LSA cam with as much duration as I have, i expected it to have some kick. I was completely wrong. I have surge between 1000 and 1500 RPM in first gear, and second in very specific conditions. Beyond that, not bad at all! I can cruise at 55 MPH in 6th gear at 1300 RPMs [actual] and be OK! My buddies LS1 cam is only slightly larger (but has more lift) and his car bucked like a bull before we tuned it.
Power: It is there. My buddies cam was dud without a tune. This one is not. The car seems hit or miss right now [seems to depend on air temperature] but when its on... its on. my 275s BARELY hang on in second gear when rolling into full throttle and I have completely blown the tires off 2nd grabbing the shift hard. The car seems to be happy with about a 6K RPM shift. It doesnt seem to want beyond that. I have accidentally hit the rev limiter in first because it gets up there quick. I still seem to have factory torque or better down low... a little over 2000 RPM is all it needs to sink you in the seat.
Consensus: Well, I am very very impressed by this cam so far. but, at this point I am not sure if it is what I wanted. My car is in every sense a toy, so I wanted it to be just a little on the wild side. I am very surprised at how behaved this cam is, but I cannot argue with the results at all. Im sure its gonna scream with a tune, but at this point I feel like i could have gone with the 230/238. That being said I know its better to undercam than overcam. Midrange power was important for me. We'll see!
The startup videos are on youtube under my SN.
dont have any driving videos yet sorry. Last edited by JoeliusZ28; 08-14-2008 at 11:09 PM.
08-14-2008, 11:30 PM
#2
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Kind of a misconception to post info on a cam and praise its "untuned" capabilities, in all honesty thats just luck and no one should really rely on that kind of info, as much as i am glad that you are pleased with your cam (i mean hell, i have had pretty much the exact same cam from them for about 2 years now) but untuned performance it pure luck, i've seen hotcam cars not even hold idle without a tune and 847 cars do fine....that and your idle is really low, thats part of the reason it wants to die, doesn't like being that low. Get that thing tuned and really see how it performs 
I've noticed my peak shift point being around 6400-6500, tried pulling her to about 6800 at the track once and lost a mph so i stick around that range for the most part, but i must say that i too am extremely impressed with the driveability of the cam yet the choppy idle at the same time.
I've noticed my peak shift point being around 6400-6500, tried pulling her to about 6800 at the track once and lost a mph so i stick around that range for the most part, but i must say that i too am extremely impressed with the driveability of the cam yet the choppy idle at the same time.
08-14-2008, 11:38 PM
#3
Im not saying anyone should be relying on this information, thats why i was sure to make it clear that it wasnt tuned. This is just an "impression" More or less posting to give others some feedback because you are really the only person I got any from before buying this cam! theres not much out there. I am going to get it tuned ASAP and I will update
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08-15-2008, 12:22 AM
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Its going to like alot more than 6k.... I bet you will see power all the way to 6400-6500, so its going to want to be shifted 6300-6500.
Glad you are happy with your choice though, its a decent cam and you should have some fun.
Glad you are happy with your choice though, its a decent cam and you should have some fun.
08-15-2008, 07:10 AM
#9
im hoping to take it to the track labor day weekend. The 13.56 in my signature was done at a horrible uncertified track that is never prepped and is known for its "speed bumps."
Im pretty sure if I took it to milan as it is now It would pull a mid 12 first try. hoping for low 12s or high 11s after a GOOD tune if im really lucky.
Im pretty sure if I took it to milan as it is now It would pull a mid 12 first try. hoping for low 12s or high 11s after a GOOD tune if im really lucky.
08-15-2008, 09:58 AM
#12
Get it tuned before wanting for more. A tune can be 20rwhp depending how far off it is.
If you don't feel the car is wild enough at that point, call Ai back for some 200cc heads. With a set of Ai heads and a tune, low 400s should be attainable with that cam.
Glad you are happy with your purchase.
If you don't feel the car is wild enough at that point, call Ai back for some 200cc heads. With a set of Ai heads and a tune, low 400s should be attainable with that cam.
Glad you are happy with your purchase.
So time slips it is! 
08-15-2008, 04:21 PM
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I just got done putting that cam, 200cc heads, their ported intake and all supporting mods on two weeks ago. Car dynoed at 263 rwhp before install. It should be between 380 and 400 rwhp now. Will be dynoed soon.
The car was tuned and now it runs like a raped ape. I love the work they did.
The car was tuned and now it runs like a raped ape. I love the work they did.
08-17-2008, 08:29 PM
#18
I just got done putting that cam, 200cc heads, their ported intake and all supporting mods on two weeks ago. Car dynoed at 263 rwhp before install. It should be between 380 and 400 rwhp now. Will be dynoed soon.
The car was tuned and now it runs like a raped ape. I love the work they did.
The car was tuned and now it runs like a raped ape. I love the work they did.
08-18-2008, 10:40 AM
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The friend that helped me do the conversion to the A.I. equipment had a buddy that is a tuner. He and my buddy did a great job to get the best out of the upgrade.
