Im not super seriously thinking about it this second, but can a cam be used with stock everything to get 400hp? Im in a super tight budget, and i want some power than wont damage the engine.

 

i wouldnt trust springs, pushrods, etc. with it, but you don't have to do heads or anything

 

Not for very long ... To get to 400rwhp on just a cam requires an agressive cam and an agressive tune. Both of which will be tough on a stock valve train.

Realistically your're looking at over $1000 to get to 400rwhp on just a cam ... after cam, valve train and tuning. This is assuming you already have long tubes.

And once you get there it isn't going to do you much good if you don't have the suspension and tires to handle it.

If you have an A4 you will need a stall to handle an agressive cam ... if you have an M6 ... the sequence of 400rwhp destruction is rearend, then clutch and then your tranny.

 

400hp at the engine is probably atainable relatively easily. that is only about 360hp to the wheels.

a mild cam, with a tune should get you there.

maybe look into the LS6 camshaft or the LS1 Hotcam

summit sells the hotcam with springs for $410, which i would say is all you'd need (bare bones) would be better to upgrade some other stuff though.

if you wanted 400hp to the wheels that is a different story

 

My roomate is putting down 387/381 with the hotcam on stock heads with a tune. He is getting ready to pull it though, my FMS11 is a much bigger cam and has better driveablility than the hotcam, futral said its mainly because the hotcam uses so much total duration and has no midrange. I know for a fact that people are putting down 410 rwhp on just FMS cam with no heads. He is also having a sale right now with a cam for like 360 bucks.

 

FWIW: I made 419rwhp cam only through a 12 bolt (~430 through a 10 bolt)

If by exhaust you mean you have headers.. I like the 228/230 that the above member is using

Good Luck,
Josh

 

Lets see....400 Hp at the motor would mean you are looking for 350 RWHP. My 2002 Camaro SS M6 makes 347RWHP/340RWTQ through stock manifolds, cats, and y-pipe. The mods consist of ZERO Free mods (ie.free ram air, etc..), Whisper Carbon-fiber Lid, B&B Performance Cat-back exhaust, an 02 LS6 cam, Comp-cams 918 springs, LS1 Edit TUNED. I bought the cam for $75 off a ZO6 website with only 5K miles of use and $170 for the springs. So to answer your question, Yes you can get the physical components involving a cam change for under $400 dollars, but it needs to be tuned to get close to 350 RWHP. Without tuning the numbers were 335 RWHP/338 RWTQ not quite 400 HP.