VS Cam vs S2/Phenolic Intercooler

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Originally Posted by Nchristopherson

Yeah, it's 3$/gal right down the street. How much would an E-85 conversion go for? Are the gains worth it? As for the rockers, I thought of doing them, but I read that the VS cam makes more power than the modified rockers and that the VS cam is a great cam for the stock powerband. That's correct, yes?

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Similar setup that I have with SIX cam and on E85 was at 328whp. Have a friend that did 1.9 rocker with no IC and was at 277whp. For E85 conversion you'll need fuel pump and injector upgrades. If you decide to go E85 skip IC. With being at 328whp on SIX that was done with no IC. VS cam or 1.9 rockers are both good options. All depends on what your goals are and if you'll have a built transmission fund saved up.

I have always considered an IC as a last mod. being in florida heat.... I dont want issues if the IC pump were to fail or start leaking. If you do cam and other flow mods you dont have to worry about an IC pump failing. Im also one to go overboard too. that is why Im gonna be running: Topswap on Ported blower, ported LIM gasket matched to Ported heads with better valves, L76 springs, possibly light weight retainers and push rods, Headers, full exhaust. Tuning and starting with a 3.8 and prob dropping to a 3.6. but heck with the 3.8 pulley and all those mods I prob could run 87 octane all day every day

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Originally Posted by GMR Badass

I don't fully agree with RED.....VC gaskets, LIM gasket, and SC gasket WILL all need to be addressed. In some of the 04+ models there was a MLS gasket for the SC that could be reused. Not sure if you mentioned the year of your car or not. Do the job once and do it right. Nothing more frustrating that chasing down vac leaks because you cheaped out on gaskets.

Head gasket issues are VERY rare and are almost always traced back to it being a LIM gasket issue.

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Oops didn't catch the year car. For piece of mind I would change most of the gaskets especially for how cheap most of them are. I'm sure you would hate to go back and have to replace them again. Since your going to have to remove the vc and lim when you install the cam. If you have the aluminum lim gaskets you can just clean those up and reuse them. Vc I would replace since they sound like they really are leaking. Headgasket unless you plan on actually pulling the heads I wouldn't worry about but if you do pull the heads I suggest having a machine shop check them over for you. sc gasket is like $10 go for it.

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Originally Posted by GMR Badass

Similar setup that I have with SIX cam and on E85 was at 328whp. Have a friend that did 1.9 rocker with no IC and was at 277whp. For E85 conversion you'll need fuel pump and injector upgrades. If you decide to go E85 skip IC. With being at 328whp on SIX that was done with no IC. VS cam or 1.9 rockers are both good options. All depends on what your goals are and if you'll have a built transmission fund saved up.

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Are you saying skip the IC with E85 because of the power gains and their threat to the transmission? Or is it not recommended to IC E85? And If the modified rockers are that close to a VS cam, I don't see a reason to do a cam swap and possibly have to replace cam bearings.

Thanks for all of the information guys, very helpful!

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Originally Posted by Z34Phoenix

I have always considered an IC as a last mod. being in florida heat.... I dont want issues if the IC pump were to fail or start leaking. If you do cam and other flow mods you dont have to worry about an IC pump failing. Im also one to go overboard too. that is why Im gonna be running: Topswap on Ported blower, ported LIM gasket matched to Ported heads with better valves, L76 springs, possibly light weight retainers and push rods, Headers, full exhaust. Tuning and starting with a 3.8 and prob dropping to a 3.6. but heck with the 3.8 pulley and all those mods I prob could run 87 octane all day every day

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It's funny you addressed this, I was going to program a flow sensor and temp sensor into one of the intercooler hoses to monitor constant flow. EE ftw :)