Thread: VS Cam vs S2/Phenolic Intercooler

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.

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.

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.

That's good to hear! I had plans of doing all the gaskets anyways since the machined LIM is recommended for the FS intercooler setup. Since I'm only going with a vs cammed and intercooled setup, will a single timing chain and new dampener be fine? I don't wanna blow 200$ on a double roller if I don't have to.

Imo and id think most others on here would agree if you can do ic and e85 you could pulley down get a good tune in it and that thing would do very well for pretty little money invested for the mods. If I were you id get the ic on and e85 and go from there. Like the guys already said ic addresses heat and the e85 would add insurance to get down on the pulley size!

Thanks for all of the information guys, very helpful!

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

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