Ran it on the dyno today, now, to cam or not to cam? Looking for advice.

[Mike Puckett]

When I ran the 13.44 last week I knew I was producing some good HP but I didn't expect this. 286 hp and 370 lb/ft torque at the rear wheels. Figuring an 18% drivetrain loss that is 348 hp at 451 lb/ft torque at the flywheel. The existing cam is the stock 94 cam. My regrind is a .493 lift with 200 duration at .050. It'll cost me roughly $1300 to get it installed complete with new pushrods. Is this cost effective? I should pick up between 20 to 40 more HP probably. I'm in a quandry, should I or not? I've got the money to do it, but. I don't know any other way to reach 13.0 other than nitrous which I don't want to do. So, if I could get a census of opinion here, should I or not put in the new cam. What would y'all do? Help me make up my mind.

[pro street rich]

Give her some new life,and give it.... That's my choice....Rich...and good luck..........

[pro street rich]

A different ratio rocker as well. This will give you more lift on the stock cam and maybe that would be what you need... This might be cheaper and still get the job done....Just an idea....Rich

[cary Jackson]

I'm going to try some of those on my bird. As far as the cam is concerned, if it was me, and I'm totally against the bottle, I drop in the cam and go for the internal horsepower. Especially here in Chicago, I'd have all winter long to add my new goodies.

[mn12sc35th]

If you don't mind me asking, what cam are you looking at and how much? What length pushrods also?

I'm rebuilding mine and want to put a cam in it while it's apart (If I can afford it)

[Mike Puckett]

The cam is a regrind of my original 90 motor cam. Comp reground it to the only profile of 5 they had in house. It could stand a little more duration but I'm Ok with the lift. I'm thinking of having the 94 cam checked to see what kind of a profile I can get with it before I install the one I've got. So far it's 3-1 with 1 undecided in favor. Actually I'm really leaning towards doing it like originally intended. I really want a loping engine. If I get the other cam reground I'd have one to sell. A year ago Comp was $114 + shipping and Crower was $137. Coy Miller was $175 or so but included the pushrods as well. You supply the core in all cases. What's a cam core worth? $75-$100 or so? I'll have to think about other any changes for later since I can just cover this. I've got some 3.73 gears, too, but they're still in the wreck we bought. I'm also going over to the other board and seek the docta's input as well.

[SCYALTR]

Hello,
This is off topic but, what mods do you have?
Thanks,
D Rainer


http://members.tccoa.com/deepsix/NRCLSC.bmp

[Mike Puckett]

Ok here goes. I think I've got it all here: opened up/hollowed out air silencer, K&N panel filter, 73mm C&L MAF, 71mm stainless inlet tube, 70mm BBK ThB, port matched inlet plenum, S-model SC, 5% pulley, 1" raised top, double IC w/fan, ported heads, C351 roller rockers, NGK TR55-1IX iridium plugs, Motorcraft wires, 36lb injectors, 94 crate motor, accessory underdrive pulley set, CenterForce Dual-friction clutch, adjustable radiator fan control, shorty stainless headers, blown out cats (out the tailpipes that is), 2-1/2X 3 X2-1/2 exhaust, Masterflow resonator, Magnaflo mufflers, 3.55 rear gears, 10.5X26X16 M/T E/T Streets, removed ~225 lbs interior weight.

[XR7 Dave]

Huh?!? Where did you get $1300 to put the cam in?????

Cam $150
Pushrods $80
Damper (if you need one) $350
Gaskets $20

What am I missing?

I suppose you might see another 10-15HP, but don't count on much more though.

[Mike Puckett]

It's the labor, pushrods, gaskets, etc, mostly labor. This is more of a project than I want to tackle. Even though I'm Rick's friend their shop doesn't give me any break on their hourly rate. I've already got the cam but I may get the 94's cam reground and use it instead if I can get a better grind. Fred thinks I can use a more aggressive profile.

[DamonSlowpokeBaumann]

wellllllllllllllll......If I were to do a cam......Id do at least some head work....More cost effective mod?....Port your Blower and plenum by ESM and get larger injectors:O).just my twp cents..1300 for a cam...No way..The blower install and injectors you can easily do yourself

[XR7 Dave]

Cam change is NOT hard. I'd do it in a weekend without a second thought. If you have a place to work inside that is.

[Deep6]

I'd have to disagree with the cam idea, since I enjoy a glassy smooth idle and excellent fuel economy.

BUT, you did mention you want Lopey. Talk to Dr. Fred. I think that he pretty much gives you a custom grind based on your mods or future mods you plan. Within reason, he'll pretty much give you what you want.

I hope you have an EEC tuner for all that good stuff!

I know that fred runs a 1.82:1 ratio roller rockers to give him the extra lift without running into coil bind etc...

I'd also look into upgrading those injectors at the same time with the cam and or additoinal head work that you decide to get.

The cam though would probably be the cheapest way to an additional 20hp or so. Intercooler would be an area that you could improve on, but you'd need to spend more $$$ there.

Are you sure you don't want to turn wrenches? The money you save, could go to other mods. I could see you breaking into the 12's very very soon.

[Mike Puckett]

I'm talking with both Fred and Coy Miller. Most of those mods are already in place and this will max me out dollar wise. I'll get it dyno tuned after the cam installation which ever way I go. Rick's got it taken all apart already. I'm afraid that these old joints in my hands, arms and knees just aren't up to this kind of a job. I've got my dyno sheet ready to post but I'll start another thread.

[tim]

Well I may as well get in this to. $1300 for a cam is lots of money. When i built my engine I went with a little bigger cam. After some thought. I also added morana 1.80 roller rockers. If I was in your shoes I would go with rockers, it is a two fold advantage. Roller rockers and more lift. About .020 If I remember right . Dont forget guide plates. Tim :D

[93 Mark VIII]

just get some heads while you are at it. Heads and cam can gain you over 60HP with your mods. Stiegemeier even has a group buy going on. That's what I would do if you are going to pull the cam out.

Brian

[Moneymaker]

I bought a cam through redline performance for 180. its 215 duration @ .050 and .520 lift. i paid an extra 25 for the longer pushrods and 50 for heavier valve springs. they then sent me shims and some other stuff shortly thereafter. I simply LOVE this cam, it is a bit rough at idle up to 1600rpm, but the added power is amazing. feels and sounds like a completely different car.

[Mike Puckett]

That sounds like a great cam grind. I'd like a little more duration on mine. I don't think it's rough enough at idle. It doesn't lope enough for me, but when I punch the gas, it takes off like a shot. It'll spin the Michelins with ease in 1st or 2nd. It's like a quantum leap from before. I'm going to put an eec tuner on it and see if we can tweak another 10-15 hp out of it. Now I understand why they don't make more 400 hp cars than they do.