I keep seeing where guys say the 1.6's make a big difference. Right now the car only has full exhaust and a PCM tune. Theoretically what HP would 1.6's gain on my setup?

I really want a lumpy cam. Always loved that sound. So I'm under the assumption I'll be needing some valve springs and new RR's to utilize a bigger cam. Car has 140k hard miles on it, has been drag raced and AutoX'd A LOT. It is an M6 so I don't want anything to create stalling.

So I guess what I'm really wanting out of this thread is some recommendations. How cheap can cam/valvetrain be done and still be reliable/beneficial? What's a good budget setup? Will it need retuned? Who makes good 1.6's?


Sorry if this looks like the same thread someone just had asking about daily driver Cam upgrades... I didn't intend for that.

Thanks

 

IMO the gains with 1.6 rockers are at least as much from new springs which are needed as they are from the rockers. Stock springs especially 18yo ones are a bit low on pressure and let the valves float at high rpm.

For cheap you could throw a set of LT4 springs at it.
Far as rockers you will save a lot of money in the long run by doing it ONCE which IMO means at least strongly considering 7/16" studs Isky adjustable guideplates and a steel full roller rocker.

Springs it is OK to "cheap out on" now because the LT4s are reliable and would compliment 1.6 rockers with the stock cam very well. For springs you do not buy vast overkill early on like I am advocating for the rockers because springs need to match the cam and springs become a maintenance/tuneup type item once you get into bigger aftermarket cams. So if you bought a more expensive spring now it would be half worn out by the time you did a cam later and might not even be right for whatever cam you choose then.

Really though gears should be at the top of your wish list.

 

Sorry for the hijack, trying not to start another new thread!

So if I wanted to use the LT4 springs to simply replace my worn out stockers, what else would I need for the install - shims, seats, retainers, seals? Are any of the stock LT1 pieces safe to reuse?

 

They're all safe to reuse if they're not damaged.

But if I have stock heads and a stock or mild cam, I'd pass on the LT4 springs and go with these

But hell.....that's just me.

KW

 

An option that is price comparable to the LT4s and use all the LT1 retainers, etc is bullet racing vs574, more open and closed pressure than the LT4 so does a better job controlling the valve as well as more lift.