The choices are many. When changing a cam it is also recommended and often needed to change the timing chain, oil pump, pin the crank shaft, add heads with upgraded springs, add intake manifold and headers to get the full benefit. A cam and heads and the necessary add ons can add tremendous HP often more than 150HP to the wheels but reliability goes out the window. Your cost of ownership will go up that is for sure.
Unless you are going to track the Corvette it doesnt add up. There is no doubt that the additional power is attractive and the thump of a high lobe cam is impressive. I and many others for sure have thought about doing this but it just doesnt make sense. Too many stories of broken valve springs, timing chains, trannies, clutches, output shafts negate the upside of that thump.
If you must have more power a supercharger is the way to get there without as many downsides. I have been checking out both options for a number of years and for me it just isnt worth it.
Rarely, do I use the capability my bolt on mods provide. The C5 is fast already and there will always be someone faster.
With the current law enforcement attitude on aggressive driving and speeding we can wind up in jail for exceeding 100MPH easily accomplished with any stock C5. Insurance can be unaffordable with even one moving violation of that kind. Save your money and enjoy your Corvette with appearance and handling mods. Opening up the engine is the start of an endless stream of your money going down the drain and your Corvette sitting to be repaired.
Now if you are gonna track the car check out LS1.com. They have all kinds of ways to spend your dough. The pursuit of more power is very expensive and will not add to the resale value of your Corvette or it's reliability.
Hey it is your Corvette do what you want and best of luck. I would just suggest you think long and hard about what you want and what you really need.
