Thread: Help me think out my cam decision

Long story short, I have a 3800 camaro, that I swapped a gen v on to, due to other unfortunate circumstances, its getting a new engine...

I got a full drop out L67 with about 150k miles (ish, owner wasn't sure, was running and driving in very good shape with no leaks)

Since the motor is out of the car I am going to cam it.

Already planning on doing all the gaskets, lim, rear cover, front/rear main, water pump, front cover etc. and was going to at least put a stock chain in for peace of mind. It currently has 105s and steel retainers. I beleive they are not the modified ones, but not sure.

I want the most power I can get with the stock heads (I might do some DIY porting/polishing), most likely E85 or meth/water (or both) and no Intercooler. Due to the cowl restrictions it will/would be near impossible to even get a short stack IC on the car.

I'd like to keep the 105's, planned on doing a JP single timing set for the cam.

Main contenders- NIC (non intercooled, seems like a good idea... right?) XP.. S1x..

Also thoughts on stock lifters and pushrods with any of these.

..... And.. GO!

EDIT: I don't care about gas milage/ streetability/ ETC. Its not a daily driver. I just wanna make v8 camaros look silly.

IS3 setup.

130# springs, double roller.

Doesn't that exceed the limit of stock heads?

you don't want stock heads. you want ported and clearanced heads.

I don't have a grand to drop on a set of heads...

I can get heads clearanced and done up for you if you're willing to cover my time/gas.

Last set I had done were stage 2/3 heads for about $500-$600 without bowl work.

Punched out heads give quite the gains on these cars because the factory casting are doodoo...and then the allowance for the bigger cam is where you're gaining that top end where these motors choke on the stock/rockered valvetrain

Hmmm... I have a set of extra heads. How much you think round trip shipping runs on heads? lol

Originally Posted by 9898GrandPrixIraqFLVet

60# injectors E85 NO IC headers gen5 stock tb stock heads 105# springs S1X cam fresh stock timing chain DONE that's enough to run a 2.8 pulley......

LOL i knew you would come here and vote s1x.

So is the NIC cam just old news anymore it sounds like?

Originally Posted by SnowTh1ef

Hmmm... I have a set of extra heads. How much you think round trip shipping runs on heads? lol

As long as you cover the shipping costs...so whatever that is plus a tank of gas, I gotta drive quite a bit now that I've moved further north.

Originally Posted by blueguy

As long as you cover the shipping costs...so whatever that is plus a tank of gas, I gotta drive quite a bit now that I've moved further north.

So it'd be like 500-600 plus shipping and gas to get heads good for a stage 2/3 cam?

Originally Posted by 9898GrandPrixIraqFLVet

Damn straight screw the ported heads and put that money in the trans instead! My setup is soooo simple and truly is an example of "the outcome is greater than the sum of the parts!!"


Seriously whats the most expensive single mod of the setup I have? the 300 dollar cam if bought new? whoopdie doo, or how about the gen5? those can be had for 300 all day too......... just sayin that's like half the price of even the heads bluenick is talking about.

Screw the money for heads go buy a tep valve body and a shift kit instead!!

...................... It's in a camaro with a 5 spd

LOL...C'mon Tyler, gotta keep up.

E85 also isn't available to everyone.

And ported heads yield pretty damn good gains, stock or not...especially in the flow department...where these cars lack.

lol. XP/S1x is probably more realistic for me money wise, so i don't have to get heads. I was just curious if people are better off with the NIC if they aren't going to IC

Hey I have to dream right? lol