This winter I plan on swapping out my block and in the process going with a bigger cam. I have Stage II GTP heads(no flow numbers though) and their custom grind 226/230 .534/.544 114 LSA cam Which tells me the exhaust flows pretty well on my heads. Right?

I plan on going with the CC XE 230/236 112 LSA cam and a higher stall of 3800. I already have every bolt on imaginable.

First question am I "over camming" my combo? If so how can you tell?

Secondly what exactly is overcaming your motor? Wouldnt the increased duration and lift only benefit with more flow? Is it dependent on difference between the intake/exhuast flow and peak flow numbers?

Matt: I think its more about compromising driveability. For example:

(M6)Guys go with a 306/stock heads and love it. Other guys go with a 396/hotcam and love it.

You're lucky! You have a couple trustworthy hardcore guys that could really help you with cam selection (Rich/Jason) . Talk to them and they will get you a solid compromise of power/driveability!

Good luck!
Ryan

I actually still have to talk to Rich and Jason and ask their suggestions. The only problem is that Im the only A4 guy. So relating and experience could be the only problem...

Ryan I never really thought about the drivability factor, Ill have to give that some more consideration....

Ever considered a T56 swap? You'd fit right in . j/k

I still think they will probably have a good diea of what to expect, even with the A4. Either way, good luck!

What did you decide to do about the bottom end?

Ryan

If you consider doing a T-56 swap, I know just the guy who can help !!!!

BTW, Ryan is right, Rich and Jason helped when I asked about cams (although not in person, on this board), but they will both have ALOT of good info. And best part is, ones N/A and the other is forced induction (....well, dual power adder ).

Dave

I have thought many times about a T56 conversion, believe me. Im just a little low on cash right now and I need to take care of the bottom end first.

Ryan, it looks like Im just going to get a used shortblock and drop it in. Alot cheaper than reringing mine.

Dave, I might need your help in a couple weeks anyway. I need to take out my TC so I can get it restalled. When the time gets closer Ill email you.

If anything, I think you're UNDER-camming your engine. That is a little cam

F-bud: you are on the right track, but there are details that are pretty important. Call me if you want to talk about cams, or post here if you'd rather discuss it via the board. It might be of some interest to others.

Rich Krause

Rich: I'm interested in what you have to say about this. Also, if you "overcam," couldn't you make up some of the low-end driveability with more gear (specifically an M6)? The main downside (limit) being the increase in rpm needed to take advantage of a bigger cam?


Ryan

But of course. Bigger cams and lower gears are like peas and carrots They work best together. Gears tame the surging and bucking associated with cam lope while crusing at low speed/gears. For example, although my current cam drove well with 3.42's, it still surged/bucked a bit at low speeds. After swapping to 4.11's, it drove like stock

On the other hand, with a lot of gear and a 4", you'll probably go deaf on the freeway spinning 2500+ RPM

Of course with an A4, a looser converter accomplishes the drivability objective as well.

Ryan: you are on the right track by relating gears and the cam. The concept is that the components have to complement each other. You already have goo heads, other wise the 230/236 would be WAY too big. The cam would be choked off by stock heads. And of course, the 230/236 cam will want gearing that allows it to operate in the 3-6,000+ range. You won't have alot of torque below that.

The concept of "too much cam" has vaildity when your gears are too tall, the heads won't flow well enough to feed the motor at high rpm, the rotating assembly won't tolerate the high rpms needed by the cam.

Rich Krause

96z-

You are only running 12.7@108 1.85 60' with your current set-up? What size stall are you running? With your current set-up you should be in the low 12's if not 11's. I really don't see the point in upgrading to a cam that isn't much bigger than you run now.

a_z28_vance.... I know believe me. Those times were run in mid July in 80* weather with high humidity and 17" Nittos. Those were the best times I ran for the year. After that my motor took a turn for the worst. Late september I was trapping ~105. I currently have oil all over the place, most likely blowby being the culprit. And Im pretty sure Ive lost a good deal of compression also. Not to mention I have blinking SES lights all the time and the car idles like I have a huge untuned solid roller in it.

Thats why Im swapping out the bottom end. I was just going to do the cam since Im getting a new shortblock anyway....

I currently have a 2800 stall, a little small compared to others on the board. I too was hoping for low 12's to high 11's... hopefully with this new motor it all comes together.

Rich Ill Private Message you.

Now class, there is to be no passing notes. If you have something to say, share it with the rest of us...especially those of us still trying to decide on what bump stick to use as well!!!!

Dave

Jimbo: That's what I was thinking .

Rich: How do you decide if the heads are a restriction?

Here's what I'm not understanding: Is "overcaming" when you don't make the power (and have horrible driveability) you should, or don't make AS MUCH power as you COULD with a well setup combo?

Ex 1: Say you have a 306 with heads and can make power until 6800rpms. Sub in stock heads and you can only make power until 6400rpms. Is this motor overcammed?

Ex2: Hotcam and ported heads make power until 6200. Hotcam with stock heads still makes power until 6200. Good match? The stock heads are flowing enough to support the cam at its peak... is that a correct assumption?

What keeps thoring me for a loop is the fact that at least one guy ran the cc306 with the stock heads, and stock manifolds! He still had nothing but good things to say about that. Granted you'd make tons more power with a nice set of ported heads, but I'm not understandning what overcaming truly means.

Ryan