gas mileage after cam?

[emoFTW]

so how big of a cam are you guys running? and how bad did the gas mileage go down hill after a cam?

I just wanna run a mild cam, maybe the hot cam, but dont want the gas mileage to go to sh!t. input would be nice, thanks guys.

[lvbroham1]

I'm running an MS4, pretty big cam, the gas milage isn't too bad considering the size. When it come to gas milage and cams, with most cams your tune is key to gas consumption.

[emoFTW]

cool, yea i will be getting a tune, but i was wondering about the cam, i want a good sized cam, but not one that will annihilate the gas mileage

[Benner]

I get 28 on the highway with a 224/228 .591/.591 cam, Long tubes/ORY, MagnaFlow, LS6 intake, and ported TB and other supporting mods. 6 speed by the way.

[Bottesini]

With my 226/228 .585/.588 lsa 112 I had no real change in gas mileage other then that fact that I want to get into it some more.

If you are wanting a very mild cam I would not got the hot cam route, there are many posts here that you can look up to see why. Something like what I have or the 224 with a 114 lsa will be very tame as long as you get a good tune (even without a tune mine was still for the most part drivable).

[TexasGlock23]

So what is wrong with the hot cam? I will do a search but fill me in

[Bottesini]

So what is wrong with the hot cam? I will do a search but fill me in

The only problem really with the hot cam boils down to lot of work for little gains.

[TexasGlock23]

What is the hard part? Springs and rods.

[TexasGlock23]

I have a connection on a used one for cheap.

[Bottesini]

What is the hard part? Springs and rods.

It is just the same amount of work for just about any cam you put in there, still the same process.

I have a connection on a used one for cheap.

Normally, a custom grind is right around 400 for a cam even getting a really cheap hot cam you might save 200-300. The difference is RWHP compared to something like what I am running is around 20 RWHP (from what I have noticed with how mine runs compared to hot cam results that I have read). With something that has a 114 lsa the drivabilty is not even really a major difference. In the end you just have to make the decision if you want to spend a few hundred more dollars (which I can understand is alot of money) is worth getting the extra power. If you are not doing the work yourself then I defiantly would not even think of putting the hot cam in, since the install cost makes the price difference even smaller.

[TexasGlock23]

I'm doing the install and it is used so really the price is my main factor for getting it. Nothing is solid yet...just wanted information beforehand. Thanks!

[0rion]

I'm not one to knock the hotcam....a local guy here put down 380ish through an automatic with a hotcam. I just feel after you get it and go through the trouble of tearing the car down you'll wish you would've went bigger. What kind of deal are you getting on the hotcam? If you watch the for sale section here you can find 224 cams every so often used and cheap....much more gains for the work involved. If gas mileage is a concern then leave the car stock. Like the saying goes. Cheap, fast, reliable....pick 2.

[TexasGlock23]

Gas mileage is a factor for me right now, and no I won't be leaving it stock. That statement is not always correct. I had no plans on a cam right now, but if the price is right I may scoop it up. I do not have a price on it just yet. We casualy spoke yesterday about the possibility.

[nhraformula]

i lost maybe 2 mpg with the 224.
say no to the hotcam!

[0rion]

Gas mileage is a factor for me right now, and no I won't be leaving it stock. That statement is not always correct. I had no plans on a cam right now, but if the price is right I may scoop it up. I do not have a price on it just yet. We casualy spoke yesterday about the possibility.

do you have an a4 or m6?

[Firebirdjones]

My wifes 2000 SS has the #062 camshaft and valve train package from Vinci, which is tame on the duration, the lift is bumped up and is ground on a 112. It's close to a Z06 camshaft with some minor changes.
A very tame to nearly stock idle, and gas mileage was not affected at all. I get 21 around town and 26-27 on highway with a 6 speed. Yet with the valve train upgraded as well, it zings to 6,500 without hinting at giving up, seems to have much more rpm potential compared to my stock cammed 02 SS which poops out around 5,900 or so.

Generally speaking, gas mileage starts to sink when the duration on intake and exhaust are spread apart farther. Keeping them close (within 4 degrees) will produce better mpg as compared to the same cam that otherwise has a spread of 6-10 degrees. Something to consider.

[emoFTW]

so what is the biggest cam i can run on the stock injectors?

[Firebirdjones]

That would be a question for an experienced tuner. I know it's the duty cycle that will determine what you need. Generally anymore than 80% duty cycle and you have to start looking at bigger injectors.

[JMac]

I had the tr224/224 112lsa and it didn't affect the gas milage on bit, and got a pretty good hp gain and the drivability was wonderful.

[TexasGlock23]

do you have an a4 or m6?

A4!