Looking For Cam Advice

**FormulaFiend** · 12-09-2006, 08:25 AM

Well I guess it's finally time to do a cam swap on the old LS1. I have a 99 Trans Am with full cold air intake upgrades, less an aftermarket MAF, Pacesetter LT's w/ ORY, Flowmaster Exhaust. Just a few bolt ons and a few of the free mods. Now I guess I need to do the cam, but I really have no clue what I should be looking for. This is going to be a daily driver so I just really want something that sounds aggressive and gives me a mild hp gain that isn't going to cost me out the a$$. I'm planning on tuning, but not right after the install so maybe a cam that isn't going to ko my car until I can afford a tune. You guys have any suggestions? I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

~Jeff

**smokin_ls1** · 12-09-2006, 01:38 PM

Is it an A4 or M6?

What gears do you have?

Also when doing a cam you will probably need to change the valve springs, pushrods, and maybe the lifters. While you are at it you should also put a pulley on it, an LS2 timing chain and a ported LS6 oil pump.

**nhraformula** · 12-09-2006, 01:46 PM

if youre car is an automatic, stall it first. a stall in about the 3000-3500 is perfect for a daily driver.
as for a cam, something along the lines of a 228/228 is what you are looking for. it has great street manners. its a mid range ca.
when doing a cam youll need a whole cam kit and being youre car is a 99, get a LS2 timing chain.
also wait till you have all the money to do a cam and tune.

**FormulaFiend** · 12-09-2006, 09:47 PM

I'm sorry, it's an A4 with stock 3.23's. I appreciate the advice. To do this upgrade right, how much do you think it will run me?

**nhraformula** · 12-10-2006, 06:13 AM

my tci stall, trans cooler and shift kit ran me about 650 plus another 300 for install, cam kit installed was about 1300 and tuning is around 400.

**mudnyeri** · 03-29-2008, 11:58 AM

hey got an 01 TA lookin at changin the cam to an m4 with hd springs and pushrods.
found an article on GM hightech, they say 82 hp from the cam swap, is this B.S>

**Nitrous** · 03-29-2008, 12:09 PM

That's pushing it for just a cam swap but if you have decent heads and a good set of headers it's not out of the question. I've seen 450rwhp with just a 78 mm FAST intake, headers and a tune on an 02 Z06 that G-Force did. He was running the stock 243 heads though. I'd recommend a Patriot or PRC dual spring kit with hardened pushrods if you plan on any type of lift. We've seen over 15 sets of comp 918 springs including the new ones with the blue stripe break. 3 new 918 sets just recently. Just something to think about until they get their spring issue worked out.

**INMY01TA** · 03-31-2008, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by mudnyeri

hey got an 01 TA lookin at changin the cam to an m4 with hd springs and pushrods.
found an article on GM hightech, they say 82 hp from the cam swap, is this B.S>

if not then damn close.

**Wheeler99WS6** · 04-01-2008, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by mudnyeri

hey got an 01 TA lookin at changin the cam to an m4 with hd springs and pushrods.
found an article on GM hightech, they say 82 hp from the cam swap, is this B.S>

by M4 do you mean the MS4 from TSP if so then I would say that I would have to agree. that is a big cam though. Probably shake the fillings out of your teeth at idle. lol.

**Wheeler99WS6** · 04-01-2008, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by FormulaFiend

Well I guess it's finally time to do a cam swap on the old LS1. I have a 99 Trans Am with full cold air intake upgrades, less an aftermarket MAF, Pacesetter LT's w/ ORY, Flowmaster Exhaust. Just a few bolt ons and a few of the free mods. Now I guess I need to do the cam, but I really have no clue what I should be looking for. This is going to be a daily driver so I just really want something that sounds aggressive and gives me a mild hp gain that isn't going to cost me out the a$$. I'm planning on tuning, but not right after the install so maybe a cam that isn't going to ko my car until I can afford a tune. You guys have any suggestions? I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

~Jeff

I agree with the others put a stall in there first. When you get back to finding a cam I would get one that has under 230 duration and .600 lift and since it is A4 I would go with 114LSA. that should be tame enough for a daily driver yet still give you a real aggressive idle and some numbers you should be pleased with.

**UTVols98** · 04-01-2008, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Wheeler99WS6

by M4 do you mean the MS4 from TSP if so then I would say that I would have to agree. that is a big cam though. Probably shake the fillings out of your teeth at idle. lol.

Yeah, that cam would be way too big for a daily driver. A 22x/22x with a 112 LSA cam is much more suited for daily use with a nice power gain.