To cam or not to cam? That's the MF question.
08-26-2010, 06:01 PM
#1
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: AZ
Posts: 54
To cam or not to cam? That's the MF question.
OK kids, and I only say that because I just turned 45, and this is my first chance in a decade to mod my own car.
Parts installed:
BBK CAI
Auburn Posi
FRPP 3.73s
Parts on the way:
BBK 78MM TB/Plenum
BBK UDPs
BBK Longtubes
BBK catted X
Flowmaster Catback (I'm old, I don't like too much noise)
SCT Tuner from AM with free Bama tunes
I've looked high and low for a set of cams. But the question I have is, would it make that much of a difference for the money? After reading a few posts, it looks like I'll only get about 15 to 20 HP out of a set without any PTV clearance issues, and realistically, it will cost close to a grand when install and degreeing are done.
Based on the articles I've read, (and trust me, I've Googled it 500 times at least) I should be close to 260 - 275 at the wheels with the bolt-ons and tune I've already purchased.
I've read posts pro and anti cam, but I'm looking for direct feedback from people out there that have done it, to see if $850+ is worth 15 - 20 HP.
I don't race. This is effectively my daily driver. It's the closest thing I've ever going to have to a GT500 or GT40 replica. I'll probably own this car for the rest of my life.
Thanks, and flame away if we've already covered this 500 times.
G
Parts installed:
BBK CAI
Auburn Posi
FRPP 3.73s
Parts on the way:
BBK 78MM TB/Plenum
BBK UDPs
BBK Longtubes
BBK catted X
Flowmaster Catback (I'm old, I don't like too much noise)
SCT Tuner from AM with free Bama tunes
I've looked high and low for a set of cams. But the question I have is, would it make that much of a difference for the money? After reading a few posts, it looks like I'll only get about 15 to 20 HP out of a set without any PTV clearance issues, and realistically, it will cost close to a grand when install and degreeing are done.
Based on the articles I've read, (and trust me, I've Googled it 500 times at least) I should be close to 260 - 275 at the wheels with the bolt-ons and tune I've already purchased.
I've read posts pro and anti cam, but I'm looking for direct feedback from people out there that have done it, to see if $850+ is worth 15 - 20 HP.
I don't race. This is effectively my daily driver. It's the closest thing I've ever going to have to a GT500 or GT40 replica. I'll probably own this car for the rest of my life.
Thanks, and flame away if we've already covered this 500 times.
G
08-26-2010, 07:21 PM
#3
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 570
Its 15-20RWHP at the peak, but the upper rev limit is moved another 500-1000RPM higher. Stock cams the motor turns into a turd above 5500RPM which sucks at the track as shifting here puts you too far below the torque peak.
08-27-2010, 02:49 AM
#5
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 4,039
A good set of cams are well worth it even if you are basically stock. And coupled with a good custom tune, you will be very happy with the gains and increase in usable rpm range. As Nick pointed out above, the stock heads/cam combo falls on it's face after 5500.
08-27-2010, 07:34 AM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location:
Posts: 870
I'm sorta in same boat as the OP as far as what I use the car for..i dont race, etc. So I don't know, I've thought about cams myself...seems the cams are roughly $550..intall for me on the places I've called has been consistenly $1200-1300 with a dyno tune, so this basically tallied up to nearly a $2K mod. For me, I just can't shell that out for 20hp. Now if I raced and needed the extra umph above 5500 rpm it might be worth it, but I dont.
