I think I have decided on a cam...

[AZ3.8Camaro]

I think I might use the
220/220 .507/.507 112LS 108IC XTREME 4x4
That people have been talking about.
I may do the same cam as Zach:
216/216 .507/.507 112LS 108IC XTREME 4x4
Also may wait and see how PGriffith does.
Suggestions welcome.
I might go ahead and do some LS1 springs and retainers while the car is apart, even though it might not be neccisary. Dunno yet.

How will those two cams compare as far as ride quality?
Any desktop dyno guys want to give the two a whirl with stock heads?

[slacker69]

I like those cams they sound good. I would be different personnally cause the more people with cams and the more expereinces. with them the better for future people.

[Dominic]

216 is enough!

[camaro_zach]

my cam BARELY idles, when i come off the gas the rpm's drop down to 500 and all my lights dim cause the car is struggling to stay on. i DO NOT reccomend 220 for daily driver, not at all. I like the cam because it makes the car less streetable. Its more like a drag car, haha. I do not see the ls1 springs helping anything. I can tell i have some valve float in the high rpm's but im not sure if this is the exact problem, but i can tell something isnt 100% right, may be injectors. I would hold out on either of thoes cams until i can get some autotap time in (this monday). Either way, both of thoes cams are very extreem, i wanted the 220 but im VERY glad i didnt get it, this 216 has hard enough time idling, i dont think the 220 would idle without pcm work. Also, bigger isnt always better, that may put your powerband too far up, you may not hit your band till 5k, in which case that cam would suck. Im going to get a dyno soon after i autotap and get a few things done. So I would reccomend holding out until more developes. Btw, the car has died on me a few times after hard acceleration and i let off the gas and put the clutch in, it has died a few times.

[camaro_zach]

btw i just looked at your site, you should focus on some other things first imo. since you have a 97 you dont have the tubular manifods even, so headers are a must. you have a stock clutch i assume, it will be slipping bad with this cam and nitrous, this cam is a torque beast. do you have 308's or 342's? just saying that the cam wont be anywhere near as nice if i had stock everything. cam is one of the last things you should do along with heads. i know you want the sound, but it wouldnt be adviseable. also the 97 pcm seems to have issues with the knock sensors, such as magnus is having, which is why hes converting it to the 98 pcm and wireing harness.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

I am getting some headers in about 3 weeks, and a clutch in a few more weeks. I have 3.23s right now. THe wesbite hasn't been updated in a while. I have control arms a fuel pump and a poly trans mount in too. First I am doing the clutch, driveshaft and slicks, then maybe the cam. I will wait to see what devolopes. I would like to have the best cam I can get without issues. So we will see what happens. I was glad to see your cam made some good power one the stock valvtrain. Keep me posted man. Hey, maybe you can help me along in my quest to have a fast manual!

[camaro_zach]

yeah man, drop me an im "camaro zach".

[jersey]

i have a 97 and i don't think i'm going to ever spend 450 for headers. if redbird can trap at 108 mph on a 100 shot with stock manifolds, then they can't be that bad.

[camaro_zach]

ok then, think that if you want. im sitting with magnus right now and he says and i quote "stock manifolds SUCK"

[AZ3.8Camaro]

I am getting the new pacesetters as a beta tester. They won't be too expensive. They look awesome too, so I think the will perform well. they come with a y-pipe as well.
I know the stock manifolds suck. If redbird got headers, his times would probably come down some more. Especially going from the cast manifolds to headers.
I will shoot you an IM sometime zach. Keep me posted on the cam. I always think I have a cam picked out and then there is a problem or something.

[Roy]

zach, i dont think your car idles thats bad at all. you said you didnt even drill the tb hole yet, thats impressive. its starts right up up and doesnt die at stoplights. a manual is a lot easier to get idling than an auto. also helps if you have an alum. flywheel (which you said you didnt). your car lopes hard, but that doesnt mean daily drivabilty is poor. perhaps i was wrong cause i only saw it that one time... i think a 220 might work, just have to raise the idle and maybe drill the tb hole a little. as far as powerband goes, i cant comment on that because i dont know how well the 3.8 heads flow or where you guys want to be revving to.

there was a post on ls1tech about whether stronger springs made more power than stock...i forgot the outcome, might want to do a search for it.

[camaro_zach]

I never said i did or didnt have an aluminum flywheel roy, lol. and no i didnt have to drill holes in the tb, however my car has and does die, VERY seldom but it does happen, as far as cold starts, first time of the day, when i go to class, i gotta hold the pedal half way down for it to start then it "idles" at 2k with the pedal half way to the floor, then the rpms slowly start to rise, and i slowly take my foot out, and finally i can tell it will idle without my help, and i take my foot completely off. That to me is not too streetable. and yes, manuals do idle easier than an auto cause im in neutral at stoplights and what not.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

I think I may still get a cam. Nothing too wild because I drive it everyday.. forgot 220 or 216.. a little much for a daily driver. But I have also decided to replace the valves with stiffer springs and the retainers. I will be doing a LOT of research on what kind of valvesprings to get as I *think* it will reduce the amount of problems I will have. I will also have to invest in autotap to see how it works. I know the 97s have some major issues with cams, but I can't resist :D ... I will do a lot of research on how to prevent issues with a cam... Thanks...

[Roy]

ill bet if you enlarge your hole (that sounds bad) your car will start better. mine was the same way untill i drilled the tb hole bigger. what are you iac's at? everyones view of streetable is different.

[camaro_zach]

Yeah i agree everyones view is diffrent, and i think my view is extreme, as in, not many people would like this car as a daily driver. Im going on the basis that im insane, lol, and i havent gotten a chance to autotap it yet, im positivly doing it this weekend with keith. And i will look into that drilling of the holes in the tb thanks for the advice bro.