Hey guys,
I heard somebody say getting a better cam will make the engine put out better power. Is this true? How much does a total professionally (well, a mechanic will do it) installed sport cam run? Am I playing with fire when I do this, I have a 3.1 RS. It is automatic, should I do it or get a chip, and chips aren't really worth it are they? Any help is greatly appreciated.

~THANKS
MIKE

 

Yes this is an expensive mod but is probaly the one that will be most affective. The gains are any where from 14-20 hp give or take. The best is crane cams which ia about 225$ plus insallation. Chips in my opinion are a last resort and you will better off with a cam.

 

how much does someone think it would cost to get put in by a shop? (Done the right way)

 

The cam would proabably take about 2 or 3 hours of instal time, so whatever your mechanic charges, that is the cost..(say another 150-200 bucks)


Syxx

 

It's not expensive when you do it yourself. Spend the money you would've spent on a mechanic on the GM service manual, http://www.helminc.com .

 

I am lazy so I priced it out:

CRANE 2030 CAM 169.99 with lifters<--You Pre Buy
Gaskets 33.40<--You Pre Buy
Labor 229.97 (estimate from a thirdgen 350 to a worst case of 350 I have been told)


The cam is so worth it.. Nothing will add power like the cam except for NOS, a turbo or super. A chip, exhaust, pulley's and K&N combined will not give you that much power. Once your camed and add those little mods the power increase will be greater. A good cam will make more use of your K&N. Thus tossing a K&N on after the cam might get you 5HP more and so on. K&N's by themselves your lucky for 1HP.

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CRANE 2030

 

So then a turbo would cost just as much with labor and all, *I am not doing this myself*, my car is good and I don't want to wreck it by messing up on this. I might put a turbo in if that helps, but does a cam mess up any other components? (Valves, pistons, injectors?)

 

It costed me $700 dollars for labor for the cam and roller rockers at 50 dollars per hour. The guy messed up the installation big time, now the engine ticks like crazy. The cam would be a great mod, but get it done right.

 

I have 2 say, no way labor is 500 bucks... 700 for the cam rockers and install? Rockers- 130, cam-160... thats only 290 i dont think it would be 510 dollars in labor to install that stuff... NO WAY.. dude u got ripped off.

 

What is so hard to understand about paying $700 for labor. Do I have to spell it out for you L A B O R was SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS. JUST THE LABOR. Yeah I know I got hosed, but I think I know how much labor costed me I have been looking at the receipt for the past nine months. Looking at it sucks *** too, the guy screwed it all up. So now do you understand? That was for labor, just like I stated before.

 

quick question...

anyone know cam HP increase on engine?

**i kinda want one now, hmmmmmmmmmm...**

 

If you put in a Cam would it be better to change your torque converter or is the stock one gonna handle just fine?

 

I've got a hotter cam in my car, put in by it's previous owner along with a fresh motor 200 kilometers before it got it

He went with the GM cam, I've noticed it's kinda lumpy for a 6, it chugs a bit at idle and sounds pretty nice, the only thing that's annoying is i start to get some vibrations at higher rpm's. I'll letcha know which one it is, if i can ever find all the receipts he gave me again

 

cam and rockres are probably the 2 best things u could do for hp. they will also eat away ur gas milage, but who really cars bout that.

mike (loomdog)

well, besides dropping in a new engine. lol

 

ok, i will look up flat rate time to put the cam in at school next week


i say it probably is about $700



i also just learned why we can not run an extreme cam...........the more extreme you go.......the more vacuum you lose...........our engines need the vacuum.........especially Speed Density cars.........becuz they have a MAP sensor which in turn judges how much fuel to inject...........all from vacuum pressure