km9v

What is a good cam for a 2000 z28 to increase low end torque? This is a daily driver, I don't race it. I'm looking for better power below 3K rpms. Nothing too crazy. With a mild cam upgrade do I HAVE to upgrade the valve train?

darrens99formul

Check this place out.

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/cate...MID=1&catid=44

I would consider either the 220/220 (good low end) or the 224/224 (decent low end and good mid range power). They sell cam packages that include the cam, rods and springs. For those cams I believe that's all you need. But if you give those guys a call they'll hook you up right.

teke184

i agree...the 224 is a good street cam with good power and good drivability.

and the cam kits really help out.

some other things worth upgrading while the engine is apart is the ls6 oil pump and the timing chain. the pump will give better pressure. you can use an ls2 chain without problems, and its only about $35

km9v

Thanks for the info. Looks like i'd need a tune as well.

How long of a job is this for a guy who is mech. inclined but never swapped a cam/springs before???

slayer6x6

I bought my car with a hotcam kit. It sounds really nice, and its totally streetable. I do kind of wish it was a bit more on the wild side.

darrens99formul

You would definately want to get a Dyno-tune so figure another $500 for that. Cam by itself takes alot less time then heads and cam so I'm guessing 6 hours maybe.

Here is a decent writeup on installs. Most people with the right tools can handle this job. But you will probably want to drive it to a tuner as soon as possible.

http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=2

Just skip part 5 on heads swap

Good luck.

Will_Die_Trying

Dang........400 for a cam upgrade with texas speed.........thats it........i figured it be double that.....

Will_Die_Trying

Do you have to pull the motor to awap cams?!!!!!

SUTTERERMAN85

i like this idea here and feel the same way

teke184

that price from TSP...that is just the cam right...

the kit is more, since you need springs and pushrods for most cam upgrades.

and yes the cam can be done with the engine in the car...

darrens99formul

That is correct. The first link was cam only. This link is for the kits which are $599 or $689.

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/cate...MID=1&catid=49

Greed4Speed

Research and get a custom grind. It usually costs as much as a shop grind. There are guys getting some very nice numbers out of smaller cams with tight LSAs. How does 400 hp by 6k rpm sound? Its been done with a tight LSA short duration cam.

darrens99formul

Here's another install link. This one might be better then the first one I gave you because it deals with the cam only. That first install guide was really more geared for doing a heads/cam package install and includes extra steps for that purpose.

http://www.houston-f-body.org/tech/LS1Cam/cam.html

km9v

Thanks for all the info. This looks like a job I could do if I had enough time (which i don't). Given that this is my daily driver, I might consider having a shop do it. Any thoughts on how much labor would cost?

darrens99formul

In the neighborhood of $500-600 is what I hear. I have heard alot of people pay $1000-1200 for install + tune. If you get the $600 kit and add another $1,100 for install and tune then you could be looking at $1700 give or take.

I see you have an A4. I would be looking at investing in a torque converter. It'll knock a half second off your 1/4 mile time and make the car a whole lot more fun to drive. Plus it could cost less then the Cam kit/install/tune. If you went with TCI or Fuddle the converter, cooler, install and pcm tune can be done for about $925. Add a pair of Nitto drag radials and you're still only around $1050.

Just something to think about.