cam and heads
Supreme Member




Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 240
From: Henrietta NY
Car: 1984 Trans Am L69
Engine: Sniper EFI Powered 355
Transmission: WC T5 w/ Steel Support Plate
Axle/Gears: 3.42 10 Bolt Posi
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?
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Spirit Lake, ID
Car: 1982 Pontiac Trans-AM
Engine: 283
Transmission: Saginaw 4 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
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.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: cam and heads
500 at the tire? Or at the flywheel?
Most good street heads cam builds do 400-430's whp. Some 440-460 but has to be a fresh bottom end and well developed heads intake cam exhaust system
Most good street heads cam builds do 400-430's whp. Some 440-460 but has to be a fresh bottom end and well developed heads intake cam exhaust system
Last edited by Orr89RocZ; Apr 21, 2017 at 02:30 PM.
Supreme Member




Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 240
From: Henrietta NY
Car: 1984 Trans Am L69
Engine: Sniper EFI Powered 355
Transmission: WC T5 w/ Steel Support Plate
Axle/Gears: 3.42 10 Bolt Posi
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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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,776
Likes: 567
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
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.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,438
Likes: 2,093
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
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.
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; Apr 22, 2017 at 10:04 AM.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 746
Likes: 24
From: Atlantic Canada
Car: 87 Trans Am
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
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.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 46
From: Double Bratville
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: cam and heads
Maybe one day, I'll............
In the meantime, I can have fun without reservation.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 46
From: Double Bratville
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
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.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: cam and heads
Its one or the other lol either build all motor with best heads you can buy and need a fast 92 or single plane. Or hi ram. Big cam.
Or keep it stockish and add turbo
Or keep it stockish and add turbo
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,796
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From: St. Cloud, MN
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: LS1383 in work
Transmission: Magnum F - to be installed
Axle/Gears: Zexel Torsen 3.73, 28-spline mosers
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; Apr 26, 2017 at 01:32 PM.
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