Cam questions

[stevethepirate]

Since my truck is selling tomorrow, and I'm probably not buying another 2nd car, I'm thinking about going cammed. Getting pretty bored of my car.

I have nitrous, but never really spray it, so I am probably just going with an NA cam.
How many of you guys are cammed, with stock heads? Should I plan on at least getting mine P&P'ed?

Other than that, how many of you paid someone to install it for you? I have very limited time, and don't have the time to deal with an installing issue if something was to come up.
How much should I expect to pay to get it installed?

And how susceptible would I be making my car to future problems? If I do only have 1 car, I wouldn't be able to deal with constant problems, especially when I'm up at school.

Sorry if this has been discussed before, I searched and couldn't really find much. Figured I might as well make you guys useful ;)

[jrocstar]

Re: Cam questions

what is your reasoning for going with a n/a cam if you have nitrous? is it the lope you want in the cam or performance? what rpms do you want to run and how streetable do you want this car?

[Nachius]

Re: Cam questions

Since my truck is selling tomorrow, and I'm probably not buying another 2nd car, I'm thinking about going cammed. Getting pretty bored of my car.

I have nitrous, but never really spray it, so I am probably just going with an NA cam.
How many of you guys are cammed, with stock heads? Should I plan on at least getting mine P&P'ed?

- Tons of GP guys get cams while just upgrading springs and retainers, although you won't see as big of gains as if you got your heads ported and polished with a cam it isn't required as long as the lift stays under around .550 I believe. I believe the intense stage 1 N/A cam would be a good fit for what you're looking for it will give you decent N/A gains, but the split duration will also respond to nitrous very well.

Other than that, how many of you paid someone to install it for you? I have very limited time, and don't have the time to deal with an installing issue if something was to come up.
How much should I expect to pay to get it installed?

-Just as a reference a cam install costs about $500 from Intense Racing

And how susceptible would I be making my car to future problems? If I do only have 1 car, I wouldn't be able to deal with constant problems, especially when I'm up at school.

-If you do the upgrades while upgrading the cam such as spring, retainers, etc. you should run into little reliability issues if any!

Sorry if this has been discussed before, I searched and couldn't really find much. Figured I might as well make you guys useful ;)

It wouldn't let me post without 5 additional characters :)

[FloydSummerOf68]

Re: Cam questions

Get the abbott n/a cam.

On an 80 shot I went 12.4 and on a 100 shot I went 7.6 in the 1/8th

[usp55]

Re: Cam questions

I should get my car back today from the shop. 2 days and 600bux for a cam and spring job at my shop. Price is usually anywhere from $500-800 at a shop. I was in the same boat you are in and didnt have the time to do it myself. This car is my daily driver. I wouldnt expect u to have to many problems because u can atleast tune your car.

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Cam questions

How many of you guys are cammed, with stock heads?

me

Should I plan on at least getting mine P&P'ed?

depends on what the specs are on the camshaft you choose

How much should I expect to pay to get it installed?

It's about a 12-hour process when doing it on a stock car, so multiply that by whatever hourly rate shops charge

And how susceptible would I be making my car to future problems?

depends on if the install was done correctly or not

If I do only have 1 car, I wouldn't be able to deal with constant problems, especially when I'm up at school.

I've been DDing my cammed car for nearly two years, and have had no problems relating to the cam.

[usp55]

Re: Cam questions

Get the abbott n/a cam.

On an 80 shot I went 12.4 and on a 100 shot I went 7.6 in the 1/8th

sounds sexy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNhl4...eature=related

[stevethepirate]

Re: Cam questions

Thanks for the responses. This car is technically my DD, although I rarely drive it. I only put ~3800 miles on it last year. The biggest problem is that when I am driving it, it is 450 miles away from home, at college. No garage, no tools, no time.


I'll be calling my guy this week to get a quote and some additional information!

[ssms5411]

Re: Cam questions

Might take a look at the VS cam, thats what I'm running. Runs very well N/A, I have it shifting at 6000 rpms right now and it keeps on pulling. ZZP claims you can go past 6200 rpms with upgraded springs and pushrods. Which I run Comp 105's with modded steel retainers and Comp pushrods. I have spayed it with a 125 wet shot and it likes nitrous very well. It is 206/216 115 LS , so even if you don't tune it, it will not throw any codes. Responds very well with headers and 3" exhaust and as said with nitrous. I hope to go to the track when it gets alittle cooler out. I plan on spraying my .055 jet, 063 jet and maybe .071 if it holds together. I have a dynotune 250 hp nitrous solenoid(its a monster). I would just look at all your options first.

[stevethepirate]

Re: Cam questions

After reading the stickies, I noticed the part about it not being worth it if you don't do it yourself.
Does this mean that most of you did the install yourself?

[lilchubby]

Re: Cam questions

I dont know if i would go as far as to say it isnt worth it if you dont do it urself, but it makes it much more worth it if you do. Me and some buddies did my GT2 ourselves, its a great learning experiance.

[ssms5411]

Re: Cam questions

Mine was put in when I had my engine rebuilt in, I think it was 02'. I had the VS cam put in with Diamond 9:5.1 forged pistons, L32 rods, Comp OER lifters and clev. 77 bearings all around, also replaced misc stuff like water pump, FPR ETC.. This was when my Dad worked for GM and I had it rebuilt at the dealership he was running, it was like 26 hours book time which the mechanic charged 20 hours at my Dads discount of $40 an hour. So it was $1000 for the rebuild including extra parts and misc. stuff the mechanic didn't charge on the paper work. I think I got a great deal out of it. I later with Meatyshells put in Comp 105lb springs, steel modded retainers and Comp pushrods. I have waiting to be installed self ported/polished upper/lower intake. Also self ported/polished heads milled .010 with Viton guides and MLS head gaskets. Just waiting to see if I blow a head gasket when I go to the track then I'll install with Meatyshells help the waiting list. I've never done a cam before but if you can find someone who has then that would be the way to go.

[stevethepirate]

Re: Cam questions

Sorry for the n00bishness, but is there any way that you guys could recommend a full setup for me? I'm not sure if I will be doing heads, all depends on money I guess.

I'm just having a hard time figuring out what works well with what cam, etc.


(2002 camaro, running a 75 wet shot, ngk tr6's, pacesetters, 3" exhaust, lid. Daily driven.... 4-5,000 miles/year, but still need it to be DD friendly)

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Cam questions

do you have access to tuning or not?

EDIT:

Does this mean that most of you did the install yourself?

yes, with the help of forum members

[jrocstar]

Re: Cam questions

buy my port and polished heads and have them redone at a machine shop. you will probably want to do this to yours anyways so why not buy a good set of good flowing heads. buy a cam like the xp cam from zzp or if you want alot of lift get the xpz. then get comp springs retainers pushrods and locks. it is expensive but if you don't want future problems this is sure to keep that from happening