Cam as a first mod?

['97RedBird]

Let me start by saying that I'm just throwing the idea around and getting some information. I've been reading and searching but I'm still a complete n00b as far as engines go.

My rear main seal is leaking oil and I'm thinking of taking it to a shop to get it fixed. Now I was thinking maybe they would cut me a deal on a cam install if they already had to tear apart the engine. Now knowing nothing about engines, I don't even know if the two are anywhere near each other to even make the job easier.

I have a 97 Firebird with a posi, and an aluminum driveshaft that just hit 150k miles. That's all that is done to my car performance wise. I don't have an intake or an exhaust. I'm pretty sure that because of that I wouldn't get all of the performance increase from a cam.

I'm not looking to throw an huge cam in the car, just a GT1 or maybe GT2. Is this even feasible? I would probably get an exhaust / intake at a later date but this oil leak is annoying and I thought this might be a good chance to kill two birds with one stone.

Thanks for any help.

[rdrr96]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

cam = pointless install on bonestock car.

rear seal isnt anywhere near the cam.

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

Now knowing nothing about engines, I don't even know if the two are anywhere near each other to even make the job easier.

they aren't

I'm pretty sure that because of that I wouldn't get all of the performance increase from a cam.

you won't get any gains at all

I'm not looking to throw an huge cam in the car, just a GT1 or maybe GT2.

What? GT2 is a "huge" cam

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

you won't get any gains at all

Im sure there are some gains to be had, but as stated, no where near the full potential...but every mod has a gain some way or another....

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

You'll want some other supporting mods before you just go and cam the car. And the GT2 is a rather "large" cam.

[97rs4life]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

Im sure there are some gains to be had, but as stated, no where near the full potential...but every mod has a gain some way or another....

not every mod has a gain, you can mod a car the wrong way and hurt performance

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

Im sure there are some gains to be had, but as stated, no where near the full potential...but every mod has a gain some way or another....

No. I know of a kid that slapped a abbott cam in his bolt-on car, and dyno'd it..made a whopping 181.9 rwhp. And guess how much power other bolt-on 3800s typically make? Cams are a bit more complicated than an intake or a muffler

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

No. I know of a kid that slapped a abbott cam in his bolt-on car, and dyno'd it..made a whopping 181.9 rwhp. And guess how much power other bolt-on 3800s typically make? Cams are a bit more complicated than an intake or a muffler

That could have been due to tunning though....but I do agree that the op should get some basic bolt ons before or while doing the cam...

He said hes having work done on the engine right now so it is convient (even though the rear main seal is not near anything to do with the cam, you need to pull the tranny to get to it)
It may be beneficial for him to install a cam now instead of later if he is going to be replacing the intake gaskets and head gaskets or what not...Then just work backwards. Remember, sometimes we gotta do things in an order that may not be what we want, but will save money in the long run....

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

That could have been due to tunning though

he had the same tune the OP would have, if he installed a cam with his current gameplan

It may be beneficial for him to install a cam now instead of later if he is going to be replacing the intake gaskets and head gaskets or what not

and the OP made mention of doing ANY of that, where?

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

and the OP made mention of doing ANY of that, where?

when he said...

Now I was thinking maybe they would cut me a deal on a cam install if they already had to tear apart the engine.

anyways, all I am saying is that if he is going to tear into the engine for whatever reason now, it is better to get the cam now as he will save money in labour costs...but if and only if he is tearing into the engine....otherwise he is better off getting some bolt ons first...

and I said intake/head gaskets because that is labour already required when taking out a cam....not doing the rear main seal....I figured I would mention that because he said he doesnt know much about engines, and it is something for him to chew on when the time comes...or maybe they need to be changed now, I dont know?

[cam98aro]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

when he said...



anyways, all I am saying is that if he is going to tear into the engine for whatever reason now, it is better to get the cam now as he will save money in labour costs...but if and only if he is tearing into the engine....otherwise he is better off getting some bolt ons first...

and I said intake/head gaskets because that is labour already required when taking out a cam....not doing the rear main seal....I figured I would mention that because he said he doesnt know much about engines, and it is something for him to chew on when the time comes...or maybe they need to be changed now, I dont know?

the thread starter doesnt understand that the only thing that needs to come off to replace the rear main is the transmission/flywheel there is no tearing apart the engine required, it would be stupid to do a cam install IMO

[FadeToBlak121]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

rear main seal involves no engine disassembly at all.

[lubsvitek]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

and I said intake/head gaskets because that is labour already required when taking out a cam....

You don't need to change the head gaskets for a cam install, or take off the heads for that matter (unless you drop a valve or something).

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

You don't need to change the head gaskets for a cam install, or take off the heads for that matter (unless you drop a valve or something).

I know...I was thinking if you wanted to do heads as well...but either way, if you are replacing a headgasket you are more then half way to replacing a cam anyways....

and I know the rear main seal is not near any of those...I said to get to the rear main seal you need to pull the tranny...I said for like a future reference, if he had to do an intake, or head gasket then he should think about a cam

[David8399]

Re: Cam as a first mod?

this could be a good time for a stall converter or shift kit. wouldn't necessarily call a stall converter a good first mod but transmission is out anyway.