Which Cam is better?

[Mrfirebird2002]

I have a '02 Pontiac Firebird 3.8 V6. I found two cams that look good but i can not tell which one is better.

Cam 1:
Xtreme Energy L36 Cam:
- Duration at .050 = 191 degree intake/201 degree exhaust
- Intake Lift = .300 (.480 lift with stock 1.6:1 rocker ratio)
- Exhaust Lift = .312 (.496 lift with stock 1.6:1 rocker ratio)
- Lobe Separation = 110.0

Cam 2:
Xtreme Energy L36 Cam:
- Duration at .050 = 201 degree intake/205 degree exhaust
- Intake Lift = .312 (.496 lift with stock 1.6:1 rocker ratio)
- Exhaust Lift = .300 (.480 lift with stock 1.6:1 rocker ratio)
- Lobe Separation = 112.0

Which one of this is a better buy for me?

[Arctc Wolf]

Re: Which Cam is better?

Cam 2 due to the higher possibility of overall power. more love separation moves the powerband lower in the rpm range, while duration will improve upper rpm breathing. the lift will work with stock heads, and u could up the lift later with new rockers if u ever were to but heads to compliment the cam. I'm assuming u have a decent amount of bolt-on's already.

[Mrfirebird2002]

Re: Which Cam is better?

Thank you. I am going to buy new rockers, pushrods, valvesprings with the cam, buy all the parts I need to build the engine during this next year then during next summer rebuild my whole engine.
Some of the mods I have done so far:
clear image Headers, flowmaster cat back system, fast toys Ram air kit, Stealth intake kit.

[Nachius]

Re: Which Cam is better?

If you are looking at a total rebuild you may want to go with a little bigger cam.
Those 2 listed are very mild cams.

Check into www.ftpp.net, www.intense-racing.com, and www.zzperformance.com for some cams that will still work for you and give you a lot more HP than those 2 you listed.

[cam98aro]

Re: Which Cam is better?

cam 2 will give you a bit more low-mid end torque, while cam 1 is better for the higher RPM range

[FloydSummerOf68]

Re: Which Cam is better?

Those are some SMALL cams!

[ssms5411]

Re: Which Cam is better?

I thought my VS cam was small with 206/216 115ls. I would look at some more cams.

[FuryCharger]

Re: Which Cam is better?

he asked which one would be better, out of the ones he listed.

The second one would give you and all around more performance edge.

[FuryCharger]

Re: Which Cam is better?

If you go with that second one, make sure you have an adequate exhaust system cause the looking at those durations, the intake will be pulling more air in then the exhuast port can put out, so ur gonna need a nice exhaust system to help out.

[WickEdSix9838]

Re: Which Cam is better?

We're putting a cam GP on right now and I can sell you a cam that will outrun both of those for a good discount. Check it out here! http://www.fullthrottlev6.com/forums...ad.php?t=19135

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Re: Which Cam is better?

Truthfully, if you can't tell which is better than you shouldn't install a cam.
It takes a lot of knowledge and a lot of work to maintain a cammed car.

I wouldn't install either of those cams, not worth the time IMO.

[cam98aro]

Re: Which Cam is better?

Truthfully, if you can't tell which is better than you shouldn't install a cam.
It takes a lot of knowledge and a lot of work to maintain a cammed car.

I wouldn't install either of those cams, not worth the time IMO.

im going to have to disagree.

just because you dont know what the numbers means doesnt mean you can install the cam, or take care of it.

you dont need to "maintain" a cammed car more than a car with the stock cam

[slow6]

Re: Which Cam is better?

im going to have to disagree.
you dont need to "maintain" a cammed car more than a car with the stock cam

Im going to slightly disagree. I would think a cammed car takes in more air and desbris, therefore, a cammed car is'nt going to last as long. Cammed cars usually run higher RPMs more often. Cammed cars misfire more at idle.... I could be completely wrong though..

[cam98aro]

Re: Which Cam is better?

Im going to slightly disagree. I would think a cammed car takes in more air and desbris, therefore, a cammed car is'nt going to last as long. Cammed cars usually run higher RPMs more often. Cammed cars misfire more at idle.... I could be completely wrong though..

of course it will take in more air, more air=more debree.

are you going to notice this? No. All you would need to do is change your oil anyways.

if a cammed car doesnt last as long as a normal non cammed car, then you did something wrong.

Your right about the RPM, since a cammed car will push up the RPM's of you power band.

Cammed cars do NOT misfire, they just get the code, because the computer thinks it is misfiring. A cam has nothing to do at all with your firing.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Re: Which Cam is better?

im going to have to disagree.

just because you dont know what the numbers means doesnt mean you can install the cam, or take care of it.

you dont need to "maintain" a cammed car more than a car with the stock cam

I am going to have to disagree with your disagreement. Not knowing what "the numbers mean" tells me one of two things:
1) You are not that into cars, or you would have already read about it or learned somehow else.
2) You are new to cars, but you don't want to take the time to learn before you buy, and therefore will not want to take the time to install and maintain the car as it should be.

A cammed car can last as long as a stock car, there are no more "debris" or anything weird like that. The problem is, if you take your car apart, put it back together with non OEM parts, you will have some issues (tuning, leaks, whatever). Its unavoidable.
Ask anyone who actually has a cam, they require more maintenence that simply installing one.

It is pretty much the policy of the Advanced Tech forum to recommend learning before installing. Matt and I both agree and support this view. We are here to help people learn, but not chose for them. It doesn't work well.