Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

I live in california and i have a 2000 SS A4, i want a CAM but i have NO idea what to chose.. I drive the car everyday. I have A lid, kn filter, cut-out... looking to get headers and a CAM soon.. What combo is the best and what HP numbers am i looking at? I dont care about smog, I know a guy ;)

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

Being in Cali you'll probably not want something too radical. Also, with an automatic car, unless you change your converter and/or gears, you'll pretty much HAVE to stick with something small. I would say, for driveability, the TR224 would be a good choice for you. You can get it on a 114lsa, which would pass emissions easier, or of you want something thats a little more lopey you can get in on a 112lsa. Do you have 2.73 gears or the 3.23 gears?

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

Do a Stall first.

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

Ok i'll start with a converter. How does that help my car? How much? And installation prices? Thanks for all the Info.. Oh yea and i have stock gears

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

What is the ratio? A4 cars could have 2.73's or 3.23's. I agree with doing the converter before you do a cam, if you're going to drive it every day I would say 2800-3600 would be a good choice. It helps your car by snapping you into the powerband faster, and depending on your mechanical abilities, I would either say save your money and do it yourself, or pony up between $300-$500 for an install.

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

California + cams. Try a hotcam or an ls6 cam package. About the only way you'll pass emissions.

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

The TR224 on a 114 is way more likely to pass emissions than a Hotcam.

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

I'm in the same boat as you and from what i've read the TR 224 on 114 wil be the biggest you can pas with. On 112 LSA won't so don't bother cause it has to much overlap and will fail you. As far as hotcam I read one guy saying he passed but have read numerous others saying they couldn't. I'd like to try the hotcam since its cheap and has low lift so you don't have to change the valve springs to often, and it has a nice lope with great power. As far as headers only shorties will pass emissions because the others relocate the cat, even though they will really pass, but the government says you can't move the cats from stock location-pisses me right off! Gears and stall will make a huge difference, the stall can take 5 tenths off your 1/4 mile time and hte gears can take off 2-4 tenths both depend on how wild you go. You could get away with 410 gears if you don't do highway at all, but 373 would be better if you do the highway. THe stall I wouldn't go over 3000 RPM stall, the higher the stall the mushier the throttle response becomes, unless your always at full throttle, and the higher stalls eat more gas since they launch higher at every stop. If you go with a stall get a trans cooler to go with it to save your tranny. I imagine the stall would cost 3-500 dollars to install and the gears 5-600 dollars. Both are great modes

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

Does anyone know a place in the Bay Area that does pretty good work for a decent price. I live in San Francisco.. How much does a stall converter run me?

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

Look for a group buy from a sponser.

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

True enough the hotcam does have a wider LSA, but still definitely emissions passable, and the fact that it's a genuine GM part makes it that much more likely to pass. Just about ANY cam with a 112-114+ LSA can be made passable pretty easily.

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

tr224 w/ a tune will pass or the ls6

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

So an LS6 CAM sounds good. How much and where the cheapest price online? Also whats the HP gain im looking at?

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

And where can i get a good Torque Converter at?

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

Shop around on the supporting vendor's page. not sure who carries an LS6 cam, but they're pretty affordable straight from a dealer window.

As for torque/stall converters, shop around with the supporting vendors, and pick the one that's right for you.

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

I want to get the hotcam for my ride because of its low lift for better spring wear and it has a nice loppy idle, but i thought I read on GM parts websites that it says for offroad use only? Which makes me think it won't pass. How can I find out for sure?

Re: Don't know what kind of CAM I need!!
 

The GM Hotcam could be made to pass emissions with a high idle, but it would be close. The wide split doesn't help matters. We offer a 224/224 camshaft with .568" and .581" lift. I would also recommend the 114 or numerically higher LSA for best results with emissions. The LS6 camshaft will idle like stock and not pick up near as much power. You're looking at an honest 15 RWHP on average from an LS6 camshaft vs. a 224/224 that could pick up 35-40 RWHP. We offer a camshaft package with your choice of camshaft, Comp Cams "918" single valve springs, and TSP 7.40" hardened pushrods for $589.99 + shipping. If you are wanting a little more reassurance from the valve springs, you can go with the camshaft package that includes the Precision Race Components dual valve spring kit. The PRC spring kit comes standard with stock-diameter (i.e. no machining of the heads required!) dual valve springs rated up to .660" lift, titanium retainers, hardened spring seats, and new valve seals. This kit is an additional $100 at $689.99 + shipping.

Feel free to give me a call or e-mail me at trevor@texas-speed.com. I'll be glad to help you select the proper camshaft for your setup. :)

Trevor
Texas Speed & Performance