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#40276 - 07/29/10 06:48 PM what size cam do you suggest?
vetteboy71 Offline
Just Started the Engine

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 8
Loc: New Jersey
i have a 99 pretty much stock i have a dualcone k&n intake and quadtip b&b bullets for my exhaust i was wondering if i can get a suggestion on what a nice mild cam would be that would be good and reliable and sounds good??? help!!

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#40277 - 07/29/10 08:10 PM Re: what size cam do you suggest?
BruceF Offline
Full Throttle Member

Registered: 11/30/00
Posts: 5083
Loc: Long Island, NY
Unless you are planning to do the heads (and more) as well, I'd recommend keeping it stock. If not, get a cam that's already works with a set of heads, tuning, etc. from one of the better tuners.
_________________________
99 Navy Blue Metallic, black interior, 6 spd, Z51, HUD, R8C (Museum Delivery featured in the Jan 02 issue of Vette)

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#40278 - 07/31/10 12:53 AM Re: what size cam do you suggest?
leadfoot Online   content
Full Throttle Member

Registered: 07/31/01
Posts: 4788
Loc: Pennsylvania
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. cheers
_________________________
SOLD MY C5 Looking for my next one

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#40279 - 07/31/10 11:26 AM Re: what size cam do you suggest?
lostpassword Online   content
Full Throttle Member

Registered: 07/14/10
Posts: 166
Loc: FL
I think I would talk to Comp Cams or some of the engine builders like Ligenfelter to get some advise.

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#40280 - 08/01/10 09:35 AM Re: what size cam do you suggest?
J.B. Offline
Full Throttle Member

Registered: 12/02/00
Posts: 10328
Loc: North East
I suggest leaving the car stock...for seamless reliability ....but if you've got a burning for modding your car...I'd suggest saving your coin...and go visit ECS down in creamridge NJ.

They have nice mild supercharging specials that usually run around 7 grand for a supercharger kit installed....

By the time your done with the headers,,the cam..the dual valve springs...the double roller timing chain...for the simple mild cam swap your spending close to what a basic installed supercharger cost is...and you'd get better hp from the S/C.

I suggest leaving the car stock and enjoying it....but if your hell bent on modding...

I did the mild cam and it was not a well thought out way to go.. I could have gone with the supercharger basic kit at ECS for all it cost me to do the cam..

Tune
headers
dual valve springs
gears
Cam and all the nonsensical BS over 50K miles with the cam installed..

JMO and HTH
_________________________
2008 Black/blk C6 Z51 NPP M6
2008 Silver/blk CTS FE2 AWD 304hp

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