Western Members CA, AZ, NV, UT, CO, NM, HI
View Poll Results: What would you do?
Stick with the bolt ons you have and sell the parts
1
2.56%
Do the H/C/I swap with a decent cam (230's)
29
74.36%
Do the H/C/I swap with a stockish cam (LS6, 220 etc)
9
23.08%
Voters: 39. You may not vote on this poll

getting cold feet...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 01:14 PM
  #1  
primer84z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Default getting cold feet...

I'm a cam selection and pushrods away from having everything needed to do my H/C/I swap (AFR 205's, FAST 90/90, meiling oil pump, LS7 lifters, LS2 timing chain, gasket and bolt kit, LS7 clutch kit, new slave, and probably some other little stuff I forgot). I already installed konis on all 4 corners, strano bars, ARH LT's, lid, and exhaust and the car is running great. I have a bad feeling that If I go through with this its going to screw up the driveability of the car and turn it from a fun car to a pain in the ***. I dont owe anything on the car and paid cash for all the parts, but I do drive it every other week to work. This really isnt about what cam to put in it, but whether or not I should go through with the H/C/I swap.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 01:44 PM
  #2  
myfast70's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (38)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Az
Default

These cars are still pretty damn drivable with a big cam so you shouldn't have any issues so long as your tune is spot on.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 01:56 PM
  #3  
2002t/a06's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: luke AFB, Az houston is home
Default

Originally Posted by myfast70
These cars are still pretty damn drivable with a big cam so you shouldn't have any issues so long as your tune is spot on.
+1. and get a decent size cam, if you get a tiny one you will regret it.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 02:06 PM
  #4  
Pendragon's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Default

my car is pretty close to what you have discribed, parts wise, H/C/I. stage IV spec clutch, and the car can be a dd if gas was not so bad. I have a 229/231 cam and 205 heads. Hell my 105 lb asian wife can drive the car like its a DD.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 02:16 PM
  #5  
nemanracing's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
From: Riverside, CA
Default

Do it with a decent cam, like mentioned above if you go small you will regret it, might as well only do it once. Take the cam you were looking at and consider the next one up...
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 02:42 PM
  #6  
LustrousWS6's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

Dude u already have all the pieces to make the Mamo setup work (I would have Tony Mamo port the FAST though if you want all u can get out of it). Go with the Mamo cam (224/228 cam from AFR) - it's not heuge and has made amazing numbers on a lot of cars. Look it up - pleanty of guys running just that combo (205s, FAST 90, Mamo cam) - it's not rediculously large but it's done surprisingly well again and again.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 02:51 PM
  #7  
SUCK MY SS's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: 626 to the 818
Default

what are your power goals with the car?
m6 or a4?
where would you like your powerband?
final drive ratio? (gears)
full weight?
any future plans of forced induction/nitrous?

fill me in on that info and i can spec you out a cam that will fulfill your needs...
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 03:04 PM
  #8  
primer84z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Default

the car is a m6, 3.42 gears until the 10 bolt goes, full weight (hard top z28). I dont want to spin the crap out of it, probably 62-6500 max rpm. Basically as long as I can smoke my bosses A4 drop top C5, I'll be happy. Honestly reliability is what I'm worried about. The car hasnt given me any problems and doesnt leak a drop of anything right now. I dont want to turn it into a money pit of issues with the swap. Ive got about 9k into it right now, including all the mods on it and the parts sitting in the garage and price of the car.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 03:33 PM
  #9  
Soul TKR's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,543
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
Default

you sound like you want this car to be easy and fun to drive... don't go over 230 and you'll be fine
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 04:21 PM
  #10  
primer84z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Default

yeah, its just that stock cars go to 100k miles easily, yet you dont hear of H/C cars making it that many miles without issues (blown head gaskets, spring failure). I guess I'll find out.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 05:18 PM
  #11  
98catfish's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
Default

228r TSP, This cam is extremely streetable and makes awesome power.
I made 450/440 w/ that exact setup on a conservative tune. The car weighed 3700 w/me in it and ran 7.5x in the 1/8th w/ a 1.65 60.

Doug
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 05:56 PM
  #12  
primer84z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Default

Im going to be putting my FAST on this week, if that goes smoothly, it will probably be the determining factor.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 08:51 PM
  #13  
djsanchez2's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley, CA.
Default

Originally Posted by LustrousWS6
Dude u already have all the pieces to make the Mamo setup work (I would have Tony Mamo port the FAST though if you want all u can get out of it). Go with the Mamo cam (224/228 cam from AFR) - it's not heuge and has made amazing numbers on a lot of cars. Look it up - pleanty of guys running just that combo (205s, FAST 90, Mamo cam) - it's not rediculously large but it's done surprisingly well again and again.
Agreed.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 09:14 PM
  #14  
BigDaddyBry's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 1
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Default

I really think if you're trigger shy, you should avoid a gun.

Saying that, I think with the weapon and ability you have available, you should lay down the pea shooter, and go with the upgrade to the full auto.

I think with your proposed set-up, going with the 10 round clip would be a miscarriage of justice and would make my banana clip shrink to a jalapeno clip.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 09:28 PM
  #15  
MrElectric03's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (71)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,885
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Default

Ummm...I think I agree with Bry

You have the parts for an awesome setup! I would use what you have, get a decent cam (low 230s or high 220s or even the mamo cam) and put it together. Get it tuned right by CMS and it will be very drivable. You dont need to worry about drivability until you step up to a big cam like an MS4 and even that can be very drivable with the right tune.

Not sure if you are planning on doing the swap yourself but having just done it I can tell you that it is cake. I took my time, ran into a couple problems and still had it done in great time. If you have any questions now or during the process let me know and I will do whatever I can to help.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 05:24 AM
  #16  
Ruckus46Gt's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: Avondale, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by 2002t/a06
+1. and get a decent size cam, if you get a tiny one you will regret it.
dude your car barely runs you gotta keep your foot on the brake when your going slow so the car doesnt stall out.

With stock gears dont go over a 230, yea you can get a trex cam put it in but will it be optimal nope. Smaller cam will give you a nice tq curve and more usable power. Sure you can get a 230+ gear and to get the most out of it throw in 4.10s etc but then your right were you dont want to be. Do searches you can find many videos of small cam set ups hading a huge cammed car its ***. I personally would do a vengence vrx3
Smaller cams dumdumdum

Last edited by Ruckus46Gt; Aug 4, 2008 at 05:29 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 08:05 AM
  #17  
2002t/a06's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: luke AFB, Az houston is home
Default

my car is also untuned....sometimes it runs fine, sometimes it doesnt and its a pita. my cam is not that big.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 08:19 AM
  #18  
Ruckus46Gt's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: Avondale, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by 2002t/a06
my car is also untuned....sometimes it runs fine, sometimes it doesnt and its a pita. my cam is not that big.
anything over a 230 duration and 600 lift is a pretty big cam. I would get a motor built and drive it around breaking it in with no tune. Thats just looking for something to go wrong
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 08:51 AM
  #19  
primer84z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Default

Well I got the LS1 intake off easily enough last night, waiting on a couple parts (coolant lines and TB gasket) to put the FAST 90/90 in. On that note I dont see how people break the oil pressure sensor. Seemed like you would have to drag the intake across the heads to hit it.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 09:45 AM
  #20  
dankl's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: South FL
Default

^^^Happens when your lifting the front of the intake to slide it out typically. If you get the front up too high and pull it out, you risk damage to the OPS.

About your cam dilemna, I wouldn't be too worried about reliability and longevity, as long as it's done right. Like most have mentioned, no need to go with a huge cam for your needs. Get something around the 224-228 range, and you should be very happy. It's all in the tune. I have a 222/224 (wish I went a touch bigger, 228...) and other mods, and the car pulls very hard, but is still extremely driveable in all kinds of traffic. I daily drive my car and other than some fuel pump issues (even after the 255 LPH) the car hasn't ever given me a problem. Took a while to finally get the tune on point, but that was because of software issues, a minor vacuum leak in the PCV hose, and a tweak to my PCM "fingers", the car is now running better than ever.

Good Luck, and I say go for it and don't look back!!!
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:49 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE