To cam or not? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Mrpaintballordie · 09-23-2016, 09:59 PM

My mechanic is saying I could came my car reliably. But I'd lose drivability and comfort. But isn't it all in the tune? With a good tune wouldn't it drive like stock? Need some advice from my cammed guys. Figured I'm itching for another mod cam is the best way to do it since he wouldn't charge me ship fees. That or FI. Can't decide thanks.

splashlog48 · 09-23-2016, 10:12 PM

If you want to drive it like stock---Leave it Stock
If you want to have some fun--Cam it

LCPLPunk · 09-23-2016, 11:35 PM

What mods do you have now?

JCunningham · 09-24-2016, 12:06 AM

get a custom Cam Motion cam and a good tune. mine drives like stock @477whp

Mrpaintballordie · 09-24-2016, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCPLPunk

What mods do you have now?

kooks LT and CAI and tune

xXSicSicSicXx · 09-24-2016, 03:30 AM

just boost it..

Kendall421 · 09-24-2016, 10:47 AM

I had my 2014 1LE cammed 2 weeks ago. BTR Stage 3 in a cam kit from JDP Motorsports. The kit is the way to go... Reliability. Cam, springs, trunyuns, push rods, Melling HV oil pump, timing chain and gear... Converting to a 3 hole cam, need the new top gear. Had Lingenfelter install and tune. Specifically asked for mild tune so keep best drivability. Love it! Wish I had done it earlier!

BubbaSS · 09-24-2016, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrpaintballordie

My mechanic is saying I could came my car reliably. But I'd lose drivability and comfort. But isn't it all in the tune? With a good tune wouldn't it drive like stock? Need some advice from my cammed guys. Figured I'm itching for another mod cam is the best way to do it since he wouldn't charge me ship fees. That or FI. Can't decide thanks.

If you have funds to go FI, then go FI. You'll maintain stock drivability and get more hp. The cam is half the price installed, but hp to dollar is about the same. If you like the sound of the cam upgrade, then thats another perk for you.

wrtowman · 09-24-2016, 12:31 PM

I wouldnt let a "mechanic" put a cam in my car, much less tune it. LS specialist or nothing for me. I understand thats not everyones thought process or even in their budget but thats just how I roll.

TXM62SS · 09-24-2016, 01:33 PM

Buy quality supporting parts, get a reliable tuner and installer and select a mild cam and you can have plenty of reliability. Been cammed since I was at 1500 miles.

Homeless Man · 09-24-2016, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXM62SS

Buy quality supporting parts, get a reliable tuner and installer and select a mild cam and you can have plenty of reliability. Been cammed since I was at 1500 miles.

How many miles are u at now?

dentnshell · 09-24-2016, 07:45 PM

Determine your goals. Now that I have both... I can say they are both a blast... I would say I enjoyed the cam more, The sound the power... It was a great balance.
A Cam really wakes the car up, tons of fun to drive... You could let most of your friends drive it with a warning.

Now with the LSA conversion and the cam.... It is a completely different car! Over 500ft-lbs on tap instantly.. The car is much much faster. The car is not safe for just anybody to drive... There is a learning curve - as if you want to go fast, you better not simply punch it... Any thing under 50mph and you will break the tires loose.

Either way the tune is the key, don't let just any mechanic do this... Get with a shop that does them routinely.

I don't know about loosing drivability and comfort. My wife daily drives the car, with the cam and now with the LSA.

Save your coin! Do it once... Do it the way you want to do it...If you want the power of FI, you will not be happy, with just a cam. If you are happy with the car now and want an aggressive sound and an extra 100hp would be a bonus... Then go with the cam... The cam is very predictable power.

How long are you keeping the car... If you will be selling it in a couple of years... I would say lean towards FI. Sounds more like stock, drives smooth... It is an easier buy for most people. A cam especially one with a lope to it.... scares people

Hard to beat the dollar per HP of an LSA conversion from ADM

rcwright1LE · 09-24-2016, 08:18 PM

i am having my cam installed on Thursday along with the supporting mods. I am hoping beyond hope that the car doesn't lose too much driveability as my wife will drive it on occasion too and who wants to hear that noise if she finds it too difficult?! lol.. after that, I'm thinking spray..

WHAMMO · 09-24-2016, 11:58 PM

Go with a street friendly cam. Like stage 1 or 2 cams outhere. Something in the 22x-23x. The 225-230 from TSP would fit your bill. Next you need a LS tuner specialist with experience, nothing else.
My 231/236 640' 62×' on a 111 lsa is pretty ruff. Not bad, you just have to drive it accordingly to avoid bucking. Id be curious to drive a smaller cam like a stage 1, but on 111lsa like mine. It sure does make it rougher. 112 lsa is a safe bet and 113 more tame.
Someday I wish I had smaller cam and someday Im really happy I got this agressive cam. Overall, Im really happy. For DD, Id go with something different, like a 229/236 on 112 or 225/230 on 111 (stating TSP grinds caise I know them by heart, but Id rock any GPI, Brian T, Tick P, Cam Motion, Pat G, Speed inc, Vengeance R, etc!!)

CAM IT!!! SO WORTH IT!! Pick the cam for YOUR NEEDS AND DRVING HABITS!! Mine is my second car and a weekend warrior/ road trip car, so Im glad about it!!

09-23-2016, 09:59 PM	#1
Mrpaintballordie Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: hilton head island Posts: 506	To cam or not? My mechanic is saying I could came my car reliably. But I'd lose drivability and comfort. But isn't it all in the tune? With a good tune wouldn't it drive like stock? Need some advice from my cammed guys. Figured I'm itching for another mod cam is the best way to do it since he wouldn't charge me ship fees. That or FI. Can't decide thanks. __________________ 15' 1LE R.I.P Kendall Walton

09-23-2016, 11:35 PM	#3
LCPLPunk USA-1 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Near DC Posts: 1,893 View My Garage	What mods do you have now? __________________ "A Camaro in the garage is safe, but that's not what Camaros are built for..." R2C CAI / Apex Scoop / VMAX Ported TB / Speed Engineering LTHs / X-pipe / GPI port/rod-mod intake manifold / Circle D 3200 278mm Converter / 3.91 gears / DynoSteve tuned / 1LE Shocks/Struts/Toe Links / ZL1 Rear Sway Bar / Z/28 Trailing arms / Prothane Radius Arm & Subframe Bushings / BMR UCA Bracket, Steering rack bushing / B&M Tranny Cooler / RX Catch Can / Jannetty Tranny Dipstick / 2012+ Heater Hose / 2013+ Rearview Mirror / Fuel rail flip / Drake shifter / Oil Cooler Delete

09-24-2016, 12:06 AM	#4
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	get a custom Cam Motion cam and a good tune. mine drives like stock @477whp __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

09-24-2016, 12:31 PM	#9
wrtowman Drives: 2011 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Warner Robins Ga Posts: 778	I wouldnt let a "mechanic" put a cam in my car, much less tune it. LS specialist or nothing for me. I understand thats not everyones thought process or even in their budget but thats just how I roll. __________________ 2011 SGM Camaro 1SS/RS A6 - Vengeance Racing built/tuned. 590RWHP/560RWTQ, ADM LSA Conversion, 2.5 Grip-Tec, ZL1 fuel pump, ADM FPCM, FIC1000, VRPD2 Cam and LS3 Conversion with all the internal goodies, American Racing 1 7/8 Headers, no cats, SW Retro Cat Back, ADM Intake, AFCO HX, Varimax Pump, Rotofab Reservoir, B&M Transmission Cooler, VMAX TB, Elite Engineering CC, BMR LCAs, Trailing Arms, Toe Rods, DSS 1000hp axles, ZL1 Bumper and Sideskirts, Night Owl Halos, Matte Black 20" Rohana RC-22 with 20x10-275s/20x11-315s, R1 Concept Premier Drilled/Slotted Rotors, Hawk Ceramic Pads.

09-24-2016, 01:33 PM	#10
TXM62SS Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 388	Buy quality supporting parts, get a reliable tuner and installer and select a mild cam and you can have plenty of reliability. Been cammed since I was at 1500 miles. __________________ Victory Red 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Camaro Pat G. Spec Cam from Cam Motion 228/236 .599/.599 112+2LSA Kooks 1-7/8" LTs w/ Cats Roto-Fab, Bo White TB, Borla Touring Catback 3.91 1LE Gears, MGW Tuned by Pat G

09-23-2016, 10:12 PM	#2
splashlog48 Drives: 2011 Green SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CleveBurbs Ohio Posts: 669	If you want to drive it like stock---Leave it Stock If you want to have some fun--Cam it

09-24-2016, 03:30 AM	#6
xXSicSicSicXx Drives: 14 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: 'merica Posts: 261	just boost it..

09-24-2016, 10:47 AM	#7
Kendall421 Drives: 1969 Z28, 1982 Z28, 2014 SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 886	I had my 2014 1LE cammed 2 weeks ago. BTR Stage 3 in a cam kit from JDP Motorsports. The kit is the way to go... Reliability. Cam, springs, trunyuns, push rods, Melling HV oil pump, timing chain and gear... Converting to a 3 hole cam, need the new top gear. Had Lingenfelter install and tune. Specifically asked for mild tune so keep best drivability. Love it! Wish I had done it earlier!

09-24-2016, 07:45 PM	#12
dentnshell Drives: Black 2014 2SS Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Oologah, OK Posts: 454 View My Garage	Determine your goals. Now that I have both... I can say they are both a blast... I would say I enjoyed the cam more, The sound the power... It was a great balance. A Cam really wakes the car up, tons of fun to drive... You could let most of your friends drive it with a warning. Now with the LSA conversion and the cam.... It is a completely different car! Over 500ft-lbs on tap instantly.. The car is much much faster. The car is not safe for just anybody to drive... There is a learning curve - as if you want to go fast, you better not simply punch it... Any thing under 50mph and you will break the tires loose. Either way the tune is the key, don't let just any mechanic do this... Get with a shop that does them routinely. I don't know about loosing drivability and comfort. My wife daily drives the car, with the cam and now with the LSA. Save your coin! Do it once... Do it the way you want to do it...If you want the power of FI, you will not be happy, with just a cam. If you are happy with the car now and want an aggressive sound and an extra 100hp would be a bonus... Then go with the cam... The cam is very predictable power. How long are you keeping the car... If you will be selling it in a couple of years... I would say lean towards FI. Sounds more like stock, drives smooth... It is an easier buy for most people. A cam especially one with a lope to it.... scares people Hard to beat the dollar per HP of an LSA conversion from ADM __________________ 2014 L99 2SS. 595HP/571ft-lbs Mods: LSA Conversion 2.5" Upper Pulley, 65# injectors, GPI SS1 Cam, SP Long Tubes, ADM Race Scoop & CAI, NPP exhaust (DIY control), BMR 1" lowering springs, ZL1 Rear Differential / Axles, CF Side Strip / Hood Spear, Tint - Windows / Tails / Sidemarkers, Splash Guards, ADM Boost Gauge, ABL Dashkit, '68 Script Badges, ACS T4 Splitter, ZL1 Rockers from Gary's, Z28 Spoiler, Carbon Fiber Hood Vent, Summer - MRR FS01 Satin Black (10" Front 11" Rear) Winter, pictured-Drag DR 64's Satin Black (9" Front-10" Rear.)

09-24-2016, 08:18 PM	#13
rcwright1LE Drives: 2015 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 55	i am having my cam installed on Thursday along with the supporting mods. I am hoping beyond hope that the car doesn't lose too much driveability as my wife will drive it on occasion too and who wants to hear that noise if she finds it too difficult?! lol.. after that, I'm thinking spray..

09-24-2016, 11:58 PM	#14
WHAMMO Drives: 13' 1LE Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,642	Go with a street friendly cam. Like stage 1 or 2 cams outhere. Something in the 22x-23x. The 225-230 from TSP would fit your bill. Next you need a LS tuner specialist with experience, nothing else. My 231/236 640' 62×' on a 111 lsa is pretty ruff. Not bad, you just have to drive it accordingly to avoid bucking. Id be curious to drive a smaller cam like a stage 1, but on 111lsa like mine. It sure does make it rougher. 112 lsa is a safe bet and 113 more tame. Someday I wish I had smaller cam and someday Im really happy I got this agressive cam. Overall, Im really happy. For DD, Id go with something different, like a 229/236 on 112 or 225/230 on 111 (stating TSP grinds caise I know them by heart, but Id rock any GPI, Brian T, Tick P, Cam Motion, Pat G, Speed inc, Vengeance R, etc!!) CAM IT!!! SO WORTH IT!! Pick the cam for YOUR NEEDS AND DRVING HABITS!! Mine is my second car and a weekend warrior/ road trip car, so Im glad about it!! __________________ 13' 1LE Old setup: TSP 231-236/Tick 660/.105 PR, UDP, SW LT 2'' & HFC, stock NPP & H pipe, VR-DRX CAI, air scoop, Goertz1 manifold, 102mm BBK, 26" Toyo DRs, Forgestars R17x10 & F18x8, rear seat delete, remote Pat G tune Autocal, 7400 limiter, Spec Mini Twin. 91oct. 11.90@122.3, 0-60ft 2.0 / 11.99@123.6, 0-60ft 2.1 DA+819 ...519RWHP SAE Solid roller SBE LS3, FED, LLSR, 91oct, 605rwhp N/A. Tuned by Pat G. Build by me.