Thread: ZZP vs cam setup...Gains?

Hey guys please feel free to chime in with any feedback you can give me. In a few weeks I'm doing a zzp vs cam, Its going to be on a pretty much stock car besides a Ported blower, custom FWI, colder plugs and T-stat.
Im planning to put SSAC headers on soon thereafter and drop to a 3.3 or 3.2. I need some suggestions on what to do in order to see the best gains. The cam is a go for sure. What can I expect to put down at the track? 1/4 mile with my current mods plus cam? After headers? Will I be ticked off after all the money spent or is it worth it? Im Frikkin AMPED This sh*T feels like Christmas when I was a Kid

Originally Posted by OrangeL67

Hey guys please feel free to chime in with any feedback you can give me. In a few weeks I'm doing a zzp vs cam, Its going to be on a pretty much stock car besides a Ported blower, custom FWI, colder plugs and T-stat.
Im planning to put SSAC headers on soon thereafter and drop to a 3.3 or 3.2. I need some suggestions on what to do in order to see the best gains. The cam is a go for sure. What can I expect to put down at the track? 1/4 mile with my current mods plus cam? After headers? Will I be ticked off after all the money spent or is it worth it? Im Frikkin AMPED This sh*T feels like Christmas when I was a Kid

After you get the headers, your car seems like an identical setup to mine minus the vs cam. I ran a best of 14.01 without a cam with the mods in my signature, but that was horrible launches and lack of experience (first time ever at a track). I bet i could throw down a 13.7 or .8 with a good launch and luck. With that cam i'd be expecting your car as a low 13 car, maybe high 12 with slicks, with those mods. You should be amped, heck i'd be amped if i had a cam install!!

Originally Posted by Lsick7

After you get the headers, your car seems like an identical setup to mine minus the vs cam. I ran a best of 14.01 without a cam with the mods in my signature, but that was horrible launches and lack of experience (first time ever at a track). I bet i could throw down a 13.7 or .8 with a good launch and luck. With that cam i'd be expecting your car as a low 13 car, maybe high 12 with slicks, with those mods. You should be amped, heck i'd be amped if i had a cam install!!

HOLY S**T. Wow now I'm really amped. I was expecting Mid-high 13's. Am I going to need a good tune to get deep into the 13's? b/c for a good couple months or so, I won't be able to get a good tune. Probably just an Off the shelf pcm.

Originally Posted by OrangeL67

HOLY S**T. Wow now I'm really amped. I was expecting Mid-high 13's. Am I going to need a good tune to get deep into the 13's? b/c for a good couple months or so, I won't be able to get a good tune. Probably just an Off the shelf pcm.

Mid 13 should relatively be easily attainable with a decent launch. I trapped 97-98 mph, and if your 60' are under 2.1 along with your traps at around 100-102 i'd say a low 13 would be reachable with slicks.

XP or S1X. The VS is a intercooler cam...plus...it is TINY. Get some upgraded valve springs...like Crow 105's. Then get it tuned and drop to a 3.25" or so with headers.

Originally Posted by OH4CompG

VS cams are for people that want to go slow :-P If you're camming it go xp cam ;-)

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

XP or S1X. The VS is a intercooler cam...plus...it is TINY. Get some upgraded valve springs...like Crow 105's. Then get it tuned and drop to a 3.25" or so with headers.

Oh Im doing springs and retainers. Yeah I know its not that agressive, but This is my daily driver, and I really don't want/need anything faster than Low 13's if it dosn't turn like a lambo. The VS cam can put down some numbers too right? It just takes a little more modding. I travel A LOT and gas mileage is a big deal for me. The XP still tempts me though but on unported heads? being driven all over? I don't know. Whats the power differencs between the 2 assuming just my current mods, and headers?

Originally Posted by OH4CompG

VS cams are for people that want to go slow :-P If you're camming it go xp cam ;-)

i think i would rather run a VS than an XP, and an s1x more than an VS. maybe its just me and knowing how the cams run and drive.

the VS you can run on completely stock heads (inclusing valve springs). the XP and s1x you would need valve springs, but would run fine on stock heads (unported) as well. they are just bigger cams and the powerband will be higher up in the RPM range. they will make more overall power depending upon your setup, but it really REALLY depends on the tune and what youre intending on doing with the complementing parts.

Originally Posted by Bio248

i think i would rather run a VS than an XP, and an s1x more than an VS. maybe its just me and knowing how the cams run and drive.

the VS you can run on completely stock heads (inclusing valve springs). the XP and s1x you would need valve springs, but would run fine on stock heads (unported) as well. they are just bigger cams and the powerband will be higher up in the RPM range. they will make more overall power depending upon your setup, but it really REALLY depends on the tune and what youre intending on doing with the complementing parts.

Man I just want to have a bad @$$ street car that will outrun these new muscle cars. Its cool to be fast, but at the rate these camaros, challengers and stangs are selling....The old infamous 3.4 setup won't quite do the trick, even with headers. Thus, a small cam and presto... right? Remember I need to retain good gas mileage and longevity of the engine. Isn't the xp cam a little overkill for that?

VS cam is the way to go unless your seriously trying to go deep into 12's. VS cam can get you in the 12's and it has the best street manners and idles great on stock RPM.

The other huge thing to consider is a VS cam won't tear up your valvetrain like a XP cam or any other higher lift cam. You can still run a stock timing chain and stock springs. I'd recommend replacing the timing chain and tensioner when doing the cam since you have to take it off anyways. I'd also replace the stock springs if they have high mileage for some cheap gm L76/L92 Springs which run $2.25 a spring or so.

GM Part number # 12589774

These are good spring for a vs cam or for rockers up to 1.9 or so

LS Valve Spring. Beehive style spring, 1.800"" install height @ 90# pressure. 1.300"" @ 264# pressure. Used on L76 & L92 engines. Max lift is .570."

Source: https://store.gmperformanceparts.com/store/SelectProd.do?prodId=8106&redir=true&manufacturer= GM&name=Valve%20Spring&model=<!--12589774-->

Originally Posted by JJ91284

VS cam is the way to go unless your seriously trying to go deep into 12's. VS cam can get you in the 12's and it has the best street manners and idles great on stock RPM.

The other huge thing to consider is a VS cam won't tear up your valvetrain like a XP cam or any other higher lift cam. You can still run a stock timing chain and stock springs. I'd recommend replacing the timing chain and tensioner when doing the cam since you have to take it off anyways. I'd also replace the stock springs if they have high mileage for some cheap gm L76/L92 Springs which run $2.25 a spring or so.

GM Part number # 12589774

These are good spring for a vs cam or for rockers up to 1.9 or so

LS Valve Spring. Beehive style spring, 1.800"" install height @ 90# pressure. 1.300"" @ 264# pressure. Used on L76 & L92 engines. Max lift is .570."

Source: https://store.gmperformanceparts.com/store/SelectProd.do?prodId=8106&redir=true&manufacturer= GM&name=Valve%20Spring&model=<!--12589774-->

Thanks a lot. Will do. I almost went for the comp 105# springs. Is there performance gaims with stronger springs, or are these guys just trying to sell springs? I don't mind paying the little extra if it's worth it in either performance or reliability. Heck, if it's gonna be the same with stock springs and all, I'd obviously wrather go that route. . P.S. you guys on this forum are the SH>>>>>>T

stronger springs keep them from breaking with high lift setups and keep your valves from dropping into the combustion chamber.

Originally Posted by OrangeL67

Thanks a lot. Will do. I almost went for the comp 105# springs. Is there performance gaims with stronger springs, or are these guys just trying to sell springs? I don't mind paying the little extra if it's worth it in either performance or reliability. Heck, if it's gonna be the same with stock springs and all, I'd obviously wrather go that route. . P.S. you guys on this forum are the SH>>>>>>T

The only performance gain with running stronger springs is that you are able to run higher lift with cams.

Their are many downsides to running stronger springs. From robbing potential power because of a higher load on the engine to creating extra stress on the timing chain and dampener. Comp Cams use to have a great track record with the 105's, but they've had a lot of issues this past 2 years some of their springs are now being manufactured in Mexico.

If your going with a mild setup, get the springs I pointed out along with either rockers or a mild cam like I noted with the VS cam.

vs cam.....

ZZP's Comp Cam VS Grind:
1. roasted w/ 356WHP (I/C, G5 m-90, 9.5:1)
2. Bill Hooper w/ 341WHP (I/C, ZZP S3 heads)
3. Zooomer w/ 340WHP (I/C, ZZP proto1 heads)
4. autogary w/ 337 WHP (non-I/C, IS3 heads)
5. Intense 97 GTP w/ 321WHP

xp cam....

1. MIGPCPREZ w/ 367WHP (G5-m90, I/C, 1.7, ZZP S3 Heads)
2. John C w/ 361WHP (I/C, custom heads) SAE
3. Adam_Murphy w/ 360WHP (G5-m90, I/C, stock heads, 9.5:1) STD
3. GTXPrix w/ 350WHP (I/C, IS3 Heads)
4. jamhoney w/ 347WHP (G5 m-90, I/C, stock heads)
5. phat_gtp7 w/ 346WHP (G5 m-90, I/C, stock heads) STD

s1x....

1. Tim King w/ 395WHP (S4 Heads, I/C, G5-m90) [STD]
2. Rogue w/ 372WHP (G5/3-m90 proto, IS3 heads, I/C, 1.8 Rockers) [STD]
3. RaFlyer w/ 335WHP (G5-m90, stock heads, non-I/C)
4. GTPRedfire w/ 328WHP (non-I/C, G5-m90, stock heads) [STD]
5. Her GTX w/ 324WHP (I/C, stock heads) [STD]

Bill Hooper uses the VS cam with totally stock heads and has trap speeds in excess of 110mph! Bill currently makes 341WHP.

* Digital Ken uses the VS cam with totally stock heads, stock mufflers and dyno'd over 400 HP to the wheels with his CSC!
* Zooomer used the VS cam with ZZP stage 3 heads and 1.7 rockers on the intake to run 11.79 in 2002.
* Bridgett currently uses the VS cam in her 2001 Monte Carlo. It is the fastest FWD Monte Carlo in the country. Her car has run a best of 11.78 @ 116+ mph and dyno's over 420WHP!

all cams seem to like intercoolers and ported heads. the vs can hold its own in the power department when compared to the xp.

track times, the s1x out performs the xp buy decent margin (.5 of a sec or so with the same mods) honestly the xp cam does not impress me at all with its track times givin it makes the most hp on stock heads.

any cam can be made to perform, the vs seems like a nice mid range cam that can be made fast.

either way, tuning is going to be the biggest factor in getting it to perform well.

Ok we get it. You don't like the XP



It is all in personal preference. The XP sounds mean...that's why I got it. Everyone has their own thing.

i agree it is personal preference. they all have pros and cons.


if it were up to gpf everybody would be running the xp. its not a bad cam but it gets suggested in every cam topic. i dont get it.

Because it IS a good cam...maybe not as good as the S1X...but IMO...it is easier on the valvetrain and the XP is used A LOT on DD cars...not that the XP is nice the the valvetrain by any means...but the S1X is a bit rougher.

yea and well the vs aint a bad cam either.

i guess i just get tired of always hearing the xp come up in these topics. what about the nic?? with good tuning that seems like a bad ass cam.

as for stress on the valve train, im not quite postive what causes that but if its lift the xp has more lift than the s1x. i guess im just not a big fan of the zzp cam grinds. whats the fastest zzp cam, the xpz?? thats in the high 11's. ive heard of s1x cams going high 11's. intense cams also have a nice loap. to me it seems like intense has the better grinds compared to zzp hands down.

like said, if it was up the gpf everybody would have an xp. its far from the best cam out there and the vs could probably to just as good as the xp.

vs cam... intercooled s3 heads -- 341hp
xp cam... intercooled s3 heads -- 350hp

there is not that big of a diffrence. IMO the xp cam is not as hot as it is made out to be.

Originally Posted by blowfishRus6

either way, tuning is going to be the biggest factor in getting it to perform well.

Yeah it looks like the VS aint that far behind in numbers. Plus these numbers are more than what I'm looking for anyways! All these cars are probably well into the 12's lol. I can't wait to get this thing installed. anyone know the downtime if I were to have zzp put it in for me?