cam and heads
#2
Supreme Member
Re: cam and heads
Nothing cheap
What type of engine?
Are you willing to live with poor idle quality?
Are you willing to live with low engine life?
What type of engine?
Are you willing to live with poor idle quality?
Are you willing to live with low engine life?
#3
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Car: 1982 Pontiac Trans-AM
Engine: 283
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Re: cam and heads
ANCELMO, my man, I asked myself this very same question, and I came to the conclusion of: My bottom end won't last, it's gonna be a bear to drive, and I'll probably be putting less than 430 to the wheels. But, I can post what I'm going to do, it's backed with Engine Analyzer pro to see about what I should be putting down. If you're curious, let me know, but don't stop at cam and heads, when you're trying to squeeze out all the power, ask about intakes and carbs, too. You really want 500hp on a stock bottom end, you go get a turbo kit and get it tuned correctly.
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Car: 87 TRANS AM
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Re: cam and heads
I want to get close to 500 at the tire on my 5.7 ls1. What do you think an ms3 cam with 227 prcs will get me to.
#6
Supreme Member
Re: cam and heads
At the wheels high 300s 390ish if you want 500 at the wheels you will need forced induction. Your best bet would be to do some research and read about modding LS1 motors
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#8
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Re: cam and heads
What is your budget? It better be north of $15k for engine parts alone. 500rwhp N/A on a 346 motor is a goal few have accomplished. No part can be overlooked and it can't be done with simple catalog parts. The heads and cam, although very important, are only a part of the equation. It requires, lightweight short travel valve train with hollow valves combined with a lightweight clutch (32lbs or less), and every other tiny detail dialed in (windage, crank scraper, custom cam, etc etc). Take a look at ls1tech.com and search for 346 builds using Mamo Motorsports components. 500rwhp is doable but there is a steep entry price. It would be easier to start with more cubes.
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Re: cam and heads
People that set arbitrary power goals are usually never happy. Just do some sensible mods to the engine and go have fun driving. It's not going to be slow by any means.
MS3 cam is ancient, you can do better than that.
MS3 cam is ancient, you can do better than that.
#10
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Re: cam and heads
Years ago I put down 453 @ the wheels, BUT it was in my 02 Z06 which isn't exactly an apple to apple comparison but close. AFR heads, G5X3 cam I believe, no cats, six speed. Sold it to a guy and he did 480 after adding a Fast 90 combo to it. Lots of money spent though.
Since then, my next car was a 69 Camaro with a 6.0 and Kenne Bell on top. Put down 556rwhp and decided boost is way more fun then heads/cam. Easy to drive regular and plenty of more go when needed. Sadly I sold that car and awaiting the day my Procharged 86 will be done.
Budget really dictates what you can do with your car. Heads/cam is definitely an upgrade but if money allows, boost it!!! And I agree with Qwktrip, do what you can and drive it. It's probably been 2 years since I drove mine and I do miss it.
Since then, my next car was a 69 Camaro with a 6.0 and Kenne Bell on top. Put down 556rwhp and decided boost is way more fun then heads/cam. Easy to drive regular and plenty of more go when needed. Sadly I sold that car and awaiting the day my Procharged 86 will be done.
Budget really dictates what you can do with your car. Heads/cam is definitely an upgrade but if money allows, boost it!!! And I agree with Qwktrip, do what you can and drive it. It's probably been 2 years since I drove mine and I do miss it.
Last edited by indebt; 04-22-2017 at 10:04 AM.
#11
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Re: cam and heads
It wont likely happen on stock bottom. Rebuild it with some better pistons/rings and up compression. You have to turn some rpm to make this work. Fresh bottom end ensures all the cylinders are round and well sealed. As said above, windage tray/crank scrapper or even a vacuum system on crankcase could come in handy here. Minimizing losses from rotational friction and mass can add up.
Ms3 and prc 227's mid 400's if that. Just not that easy making big power on old stock bottom ends. Like i said earlier, mid 400's is about the norm.
Ms3 and prc 227's mid 400's if that. Just not that easy making big power on old stock bottom ends. Like i said earlier, mid 400's is about the norm.
#12
Senior Member
Re: cam and heads
Port/polish heads, proper cam, long tubes, LS6 intake, but don't forget you'll have to add injectors, fuel pump, a tune session, you're looking at near 5 grand and expect low to mid 400's.
This is my eventual plan, my "goal" is 450rwhp, but all I really care about is how much fun it will be after.
This is my eventual plan, my "goal" is 450rwhp, but all I really care about is how much fun it will be after.
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Re: cam and heads
Maybe one day, I'll............
In the meantime, I can have fun without reservation.
#15
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Re: cam and heads
Says the guy with TT's - LOL!
I'm hoping that h/c/i will net another 100hp in the future - with only slightly more aggressive tune (480 guesstimate). That equates to the aforementioned 450 rwhp for LS1 guys.
But I built the drivetrain for 650 hp.
I'm hoping that h/c/i will net another 100hp in the future - with only slightly more aggressive tune (480 guesstimate). That equates to the aforementioned 450 rwhp for LS1 guys.
But I built the drivetrain for 650 hp.
#18
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Re: cam and heads
If you truly want 600whp, I hope you are also budgeting the $2K+ for a new rear end and $1500+ for new brakes, plus sub frame connectors and other suspension components.
That said, there are multiple posts of 400 at the wheels (500+ at the crank) which used to be the holy grail of the 406 and sbc and 427bbc territory, just using the right H/C/I set up.
That said, there are multiple posts of 400 at the wheels (500+ at the crank) which used to be the holy grail of the 406 and sbc and 427bbc territory, just using the right H/C/I set up.
Last edited by Ozz1967; 04-26-2017 at 01:32 PM.
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