Heads and cam installed
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Canadian West Coast
Heads and cam installed
Don't have any sound clips yet, but the install is complete (as of Sunday afternoon). 
A lengthy process as some of you know, but not that bad. Cory was a big help and many litres of beer were consumed at the Big Ridge as a result. 
Zedzag was nice enough to come by and turn a few wrenches for an afternoon and lend a book to me. Its nice having useful friends who are quite willing to get their hands dirty.
First impressions are that the valvetrain with the dual springs is definitely louder, noticable in the cabin depending on the rpms, but more than acceptable IMO. All aluminium and palstic... LS1 guys get very used to engine noise.
Though the cam isn't too loud. Its decent.
There were a few stubborn bolts and other minor issues, but the only real problem was that one of the Comp Cam lifters (high energy, not Comp r's) was defective from the factory and would not slide into place. It had one minor nick in it, and when I used a micrometer I found that it was oblong-shaped, out of whack by 5/1000ths. That was brutal and set me back a day as I had Comp Fed ex overnight a new lifter to me. That sucked.
I haven't gone for a hard rip yet, but I'll have to soon. I put a fairly conservative tune on there until I run ATAP (or get to the dyno) to heck the KR and timing. I actually pulled a degree of timing relative to stock for the beginning just to see how it is. I'll likely have to raise it above stock to get some more 'umph' out of it. But I'll play with that when the weather warms up the roads some more.
A lengthy process as some of you know, but not that bad. Cory was a big help and many litres of beer were consumed at the Big Ridge as a result. Zedzag was nice enough to come by and turn a few wrenches for an afternoon and lend a book to me. Its nice having useful friends who are quite willing to get their hands dirty. First impressions are that the valvetrain with the dual springs is definitely louder, noticable in the cabin depending on the rpms, but more than acceptable IMO. All aluminium and palstic... LS1 guys get very used to engine noise.
Though the cam isn't too loud. Its decent.There were a few stubborn bolts and other minor issues, but the only real problem was that one of the Comp Cam lifters (high energy, not Comp r's) was defective from the factory and would not slide into place. It had one minor nick in it, and when I used a micrometer I found that it was oblong-shaped, out of whack by 5/1000ths. That was brutal and set me back a day as I had Comp Fed ex overnight a new lifter to me. That sucked.
I haven't gone for a hard rip yet, but I'll have to soon. I put a fairly conservative tune on there until I run ATAP (or get to the dyno) to heck the KR and timing. I actually pulled a degree of timing relative to stock for the beginning just to see how it is. I'll likely have to raise it above stock to get some more 'umph' out of it. But I'll play with that when the weather warms up the roads some more.
awosme chris congrats, i love that car so much haha..how was the header install? im gonna be doing my as&m's soon just seein hwat to expect 
see ya around bud
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,711
From: Canadian West Coast
Re: Heads and cam installed
Jason, you'll have to let me know how yours goes.
Craig, the headers are always a fitment hassle. 99% of it will be a cinch, but the last percent a SOB. Ask Mike (Zedzag) about his - I think he did AS&M Long tube headers on his LT1.
Craig, the headers are always a fitment hassle. 99% of it will be a cinch, but the last percent a SOB. Ask Mike (Zedzag) about his - I think he did AS&M Long tube headers on his LT1.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,711
From: Canadian West Coast
Re: Heads and cam installed
I used Edit. But i'm not finalized with the tune yet.
JD, You want a copy of what I got to this point? Um, this wouldn't be for Perry's car would it? Where did he get his heads from?
JD, You want a copy of what I got to this point? Um, this wouldn't be for Perry's car would it? Where did he get his heads from?
Last edited by Camaro ChriSS; Mar 8, 2005 at 05:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Canadian West Coast
Re: Heads and cam installed
I'd like 400rwhp, no doubt. That would be awesome. And it could be doable. But mostly I just want a car that pulls hard. There is a chance I could be a tad under.
The strikes against me are that it is an A4 and I am not locking the TC, my cam is mild at 224/224 on a 114 LSA, and unlike many heads, I didn't get them milled to bump up static CR (staying about stock). So I am technically leaving a lot on the table still - perhaps 30-40 hp. Maybe more if you compare it to a peakier big cam. The set up is not really meant to be a dyno queen, though the more hp the better. With milled heads, locked convertor, and a bigger (peakier) cam, 440 would be quite easy.
The strikes against me are that it is an A4 and I am not locking the TC, my cam is mild at 224/224 on a 114 LSA, and unlike many heads, I didn't get them milled to bump up static CR (staying about stock). So I am technically leaving a lot on the table still - perhaps 30-40 hp. Maybe more if you compare it to a peakier big cam. The set up is not really meant to be a dyno queen, though the more hp the better. With milled heads, locked convertor, and a bigger (peakier) cam, 440 would be quite easy.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,000
From: Richmond B.C.
Re: Heads and cam installed
ahh dont worry man, it will kill. the slippage of a converter like that is minimal, i wouldnt worry. mine will be at close to 5000 stall, im just gonna ram her on the dyno once i get the motor dynoed and in. 2500rpm power band on the dyno lol (then i can see exactly what the drivetrain loss is)