Well i have saved about 300 bucks to spend on my car, enough to buy a Cam or a stealth ram. If I do buy a cam i know exactly which one it will be (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-08-300-8/) or the Stealth Ram (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WND-7540/) and fuel rails. I cant afford to do both , i cant buy a torque converter or get my heads done, I will install new valve springs though. I have headers, Flowmaster 3", High Performance Coil, Moroso Wires, 3.73 gears. I do not want to lose torque because i still want the kick off the line. Which one should i go with? What will my numbers look like either way? thanks guys

 

Any opinions are appreciated

 

Some would say do the cam I guess because it is working from the bottom up but I'd do the stealth ram and do a cam later. Do some other mods and select a cam that would suit them. Just my two cents worth.

 

A cam will cost more than 300 to do right, and a 305 and a stealth ram isnt the best combo, especially since you say you don't want to loose torque... If you want bang for buck buy nitrous

 

350s are relatively cheap. I just did a 350 swap, for mebbe 700 bucks, and now I'm putting in a different 350 from a thirdgen that has been built block up.

 

Do the stealth ram first.

I dont see the point of doing either without doing the other, they facilitate each other, but unfortunately a cam swap will cost a lot more than $300 to properly do. A cam worth swapping to a stealth ram to use will need new valve springs, which will set you back $50-$200 depending on what you get and what yuo can use in your heads, and a roller cam will set you back $300 or so by itself. However, you could do an LT4 hotcam and do some LS2/LS3 yellow springs with beehive retainers for $400 or so. Just dont forget you will need new gaskets all over the place, new fluids, oil, etc. Just gaskets, fluids, and oil, and RTV can easily add up to the better part of $100.

The TPI is RPM limited, but there are a lot great cam options that work nicely with it and make decent power. If you get one of those cams, a Stealth Ram isnt going to make a huge difference. If you get a bigger cam, an LT4 Hotcam or xr276 etc, then the TPI will choke them, but the stealth ram will make it work beautifully.

I say get the stealth ram, since it's actually closer to your budget, and later on you can pick a pretty big, lumpy cam that the TPI guys only dream they can use.

And more than that, you can sell the TPI, and you can also reuse the stealth ram and your roller cam on a 350 later on and they will make even more power then. Even if you switch to a 350, the stealth ram and camshaft will still be great investments. Just make sure you get a roller block 350. I'd almost rather have a roller 305 than a flat tappet 350.

 

I was leaning toward the cam , the cam is 300 bucks and I'd buy some springs. I have an extra gasket set and plenty of all kinds of fluids. I want to gain some hp and torque

 

don't forget the timing chain, lifters aren't a bad idea as well if the motor has miles. I would do a compression test first to see where the motor is at before you decide on the cam swap. If the motor is tired you will end up doing more harm than good.

Also you said you can't afford a torque converter, have you looked into the s10 converter? They usually are @150 bucks from the local part store, and should stall anywhere around 2000-2200rpm for you.

Have you considered an aftermarket ignition box like a MSD 6A?

-Jim

 

The cam will only do so much for you. I have a feeling you are just wanting people to say do a cam change though. I stick with the Stealth Ram.

 

Doing that cam isn't going to gain you much of anything over the best LB9 cam. Specs are too similar. Stealth Ram won't feel as good until 4000 RPM. $300 is enough to go find a dished-piston-350 short-block assembly that doesn't need a rebuild. It's also enough for a cheap complete gasket set. There's your best bang-for-the-buck. On my very soul, I so swear.

 

Me too, although I would strongly recommend a 218/218...

 

I have the ignition box, the lifters are new and the timing chain is also a new ZOOM high performance chain, its all been redone, the gasket is leaking so i need to change it. So over my little peanut cam I wont see a difference with this cam, really? also the Stealth Ram is going to give me power at 4000, I dont want that at all, if an S10 stall will be 22-24 then thats something to look into can i have some more info. Also, I dont want to pull my 305

 

What year S10, what engine?

 

i agree a converter makes to car come alive alot more than you think! i went from a 12in 2800 acc converter in a th350 in my old 82 trans am to a 9.5in 3500 converter and it felt like i gained 150hp lol

 

If the s10 tc is the way to go I can afford it, I just gotta know which one

 

I say save a little more and get both at the same time. that way you only have to take the intake off once

 

I agree with the first part... that cam isnt worth the money and effort to swap in. its a TINY cam.

Second part, my stealth ram felt great all over. It REALLY did pick up over 4000 rpms and carried to 5200 rpm, where stock TPI was dead after 4500 or so..but the midrange was still pretty good between 3000-4000 with my 3.42 gears and 2800 stall.

In fact, this setup 60 ft'd better with HSR vs stock TPI and stock TPI had more torque in the 3200 rpm range...but it fell off so fast it couldnt accelerate like HSR could. No other change than intake swap and a tune.

Given those 2 choices, i'd go HSR first. Then a bigger cam than the one you picked.