well im looking to take my mods a little farther with a cam... current set up, bbk shorties, gutted cat, magnaflow catback, k&n cold air, and a chip... im thinking maybe a cam and a TB would increase the power a bit... any advice as to whether this is a good idea or not... if so what cam should i look into getting...

thanks, rob

 

skimp on the TB, not necessary for a cam only setup.

Cam is a very good idea.. for off the shelf cams I'm a big fan of the 224/230 cc503.

 

If you're on a budget, GM's Hotcam kit is a good deal, since it includes cam, roller rockers, and springs. The Comp Cams 503 (XE-224/230) is a good choice (I have it in my engine)... but you'll need to upgrade your valvetrain components in order to use it ($$$).

Also plan for another chip to allow the engine to take full advantage of the new cam.

As Javier97Z28 said, you don't need a TB at this point.

 

I wouldn't go any bigger than a cc305 with stock heads, it won't be able to breath and you'll just be restricted on power.

 

auto or 6 speed?

 

If it's a DD go with something tame. Weekend only car? Go radical. 240 duration

 

well to answer a few questions it is an auto, and yeah it is a daily summer driver... and i am on a bit of a budget, but from what it seems i dont need to get a TB therefor i have more money to play around with. some of the setups suggested sound good, i was looking toward the LT-4 hotcam, but ive heard that it isnt very much of a difference from the stock cam... maybe a little bit of a milder cam, not to heavy though... going to be mostly for street application. definatly looking towards comp cams. ive only heard great things about their products, if i do go with a cc, what else would i need for the valvetrain upgrades.

thanks, rob

 

to take full advantage of the 503 cam you should get a converter or some gears

 

I didnt see you list an aftermarket torque converter, which is going to be essential with a larger aftermarket camshaft and valvetrain. 2800-3200 is a good area to stay in. I recommend Vigilante first, Edge second, and Fuddle third [mostly for price].

Gears [3.73] are a good idea, but if you have 3.23's those are too terrible depending on the cam size.

Cam size wise should depend on how high you want to rev, how fast you want to go, drivibilty, emissions, etc.

You have alot to consider above before getting into cam size and what valvetrain you need.

As far as nothin bigger than a CC305 on stock heads, I seriously oppose that view.

-Dustin-

 

If you don't already have a Vig 3200. It should be your next mod

 

The CC503 aka XE224/230-112 despite being a daily-driveable cam ("small" by many people's standards) is a lot "bigger" than stock. The XE cams were designed to make the power of a "bigger" cam with the driveability of a "smaller" cam. In order to do this, Comp designed the lobes to have very fast ramp rates. The problem with that is that the cam ends up being hard on valvetrain components. As an example of whats needed to use an XE cam, here's my valvetrain setup:

Comp Cams 503 (XE224/230-112)
Comp Pro Magnum lifters
Comp chromemoly pushrods
Crane Gold roller rockers
Comp 918 "beehive" springs

There are lots of available choices for parts - that's just an example.

I like the CC503 - that's what I'm running in my 383 for good power and manners. I just want you to know that there are some needed upgrades when you go to that cam.

 

Yeah definately dont agree with the statement you shouldn't go over a cc305with stock heads. A lot of guys go bigger because they don't have aftermarket heads. You kind of make up for it with the bigger cam. But yeah man, finding a cam that fits you is a real pain in the *** and there are just way to many out there. You just need to kind of look around and do a lot of searches. If you can get a hold of Joe Overton, which is sometimes nearly impossible, that would be your best bet. He can custom grind you a cam for around $350. Thats pretty cheap, and he knows his ****. Or get a hold of Lloyd Elliot who does great work and is very easy to get a hold of. Very good guy. I see your running shorties. Thats a huge mistake especially with a cammed car. If you want to take full advantage of a cam, you gotta get some longtubes. Also I wouldn't necessarily agree with you not needing a TB, depending what cam you end up running. Also might need to do injectors. Mine as well do a timing chain. If your going to do that you mine as well run the Cloyes Double Roller. And if you run that, you mine as well run an electric waterpump lol. Also will need to do new pushrods, lifters, springs, RR's, gaskets. **** adds up. If I were you, while your sort of short on cash, take the time to really find out what you need and at the same time save up some more cash. If your going to do it make sure you do it right, and the way you want it. Lloyds LE1 package actually sounds pretty good for you. -Matt

 

give lloyd elliot a call he can set you up real nice car will make tons of torque with one of his or brett bauers cams

 

Just installed hotcam and I love it. I cant image not having a cam that is not tame. People say that the hot cam idles close to stock , people say that the hot cam does not make enough power , all i can say is that im smokin 315's until i let out of it (with 3.23 gears). And i have lca's.

Going about 15 to 20 i can hit it and it nothing but smoke to 50, and thats with an opti cutting out at about 5 grand. I love my hotcam, dont think I would go any bigger. Idle is set at a thousand, and still has a mean lope. I hardly pull up to a stop light or gas station with out someone asking what I've got done to it.

BTW, on the spray it scares me. I've only done it twice because of opti, but , 400+ to the wheels is crazy.

ps 310 hp 325 tq on hot cam with bad opti, through an a4.

 

^ Your tires just suck. lol.

Get some 555's on there.