Picked up my Cammed/tuned SS from Speed Inc today

[Tshepp]

I would go with a set of gears for more power off the line/down low. This will let you use the power lower in the RPM range instead of having that nitrous shot feeling.

[Larz29]

I am also looking at cam options for mine. I have to admit the person who started this thread scares the crap out of me with his cam and loosing low end power, because in my situation my car is a dd (except for the winter months) and I love having low end power for the snappy feeling when driving. If anyone who can give me some insight on this topic I would greatly appreciate it. The last thing I want is to lose drivibility of my car, or have to rev the shit out of it to get it moving. I'm not as concerned with hp numbers as others might be, but a little more overall power would be great, and if anyone can recommend a cam for that purpose I would be greatful!

[Jcobra]

OP, did you lose power on the low end or just not gain anything?? You dont want a ton of power down low or you'll just spin up the tires.

[Falundir]

Unless I have been reading things wrong, you don't lose power at low rpms. The issue is all perception. When you have a car that hauls absolute ass in it's power band, performance outside of the power band is not nearly as adrenaline filled.

[Jcobra]

Originally Posted by Falundir

Unless I have been reading things wrong, you don't lose power at low rpms. The issue is all perception. When you have a car that hauls absolute ass in it's power band, performance outside of the power band is not nearly as adrenaline filled.

That's my understanding as well.

[woodside783]

nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[steeleshark2]

Too big of a cam, you will loose torque down low. You can see it on the many before and after graphs on large cams. This cam however may not have that issue.

[blk5genss]

Originally Posted by Never Satisfied

For what it's worth, I am averaging 14.9mpg with my car and the mods listed in my sig. I do not run the crap out of it, but I'm also not real easy on it either. In stock form my driving habits netted about 16mpg.

I have very similar mods and make around the same power, depending on how I feel that day, 18 in the city, 23 on the highway!! BTW the car hit 11.94@121 this weekend!! Love that cool weather!!

[newmoon]

Originally Posted by blk5genss

I have very similar mods and make around the same power, depending on how I feel that day, 18 in the city, 23 on the highway!! BTW the car hit 11.94@121 this weekend!! Love that cool weather!!

Your car is getting it for sure, great mph and room for reduced E/Ts

[Tshepp]

Originally Posted by Falundir

Unless I have been reading things wrong, you don't lose power at low rpms. The issue is all perception. When you have a car that hauls absolute ass in it's power band, performance outside of the power band is not nearly as adrenaline filled.

I did not LOSE power when you look at the numbers. It just doesnt launch off the line how I thought it would. You dont have to "rev the crap out of it" at WOT, the car winds up pretty damn fast and pulls hard but from a dead stop I just wanted more torque. The issue for me could be solved with gears no problem, but I am no longer keeping the car. I would recommend this cam to anyone with a DD as it has great drivability. The MPG did improve with tamer driving but it is still not over 15mpg, I used to get around 19 but it's whatever.

[Tshepp]

Update...Car was sold months ago but another person IM'd me for further opinon and this was my response;

Speed Inc talked me into the SI5V2 instead of the 231/236 TSP as that was my first choice. In my personal opinon, I dont think I would do the cam again. I would either save up for a blower or go with a tune, smaller cam, and new rear-end for acceleration purposes. This cam sounded WICKED and gave me some decent top range power but it just wasnt what I wanted. I'm not a highway racer, I'm more of a slam you back in your seat for 1000ft kinda guy so I would want off the line/ low-end power. This cam really felt more of like turbo-lag and got going in the higher RPMs and was great to drop it into 3rd on the highway and fly but like I said, I don't drive this think in the highway much...My $.02

[Smirnoff]

Some are very surprised when their new "cammed" car is actually slower on the street.....

[Good2go]

My cam definitely comes on strong above 3k, anything less on a highway roll and there's not much pull. But from a dig, there's plenty of torque off the line. 1st and 2nd it doesn't matter where the rpms are, but 3rd needs 3k and up. Weird huh?

[WheelmanSS]

Cam dynamics are a tough thing. It can be challenging, and often takes a lot of trial and error to get to a point where a cam can be designed to have a very broad and even power curve. Torque and lower RPM power are often at odds with higher HP and upper RPM power. The higher you spin a motor, the more of a range there is to further complicate things.

It pretty much boils down to personal preference. I cringe when people ask "what cam is the BEST" and "what supercharger is the BEST". While quality is certainly something to be evaluated, power is not, since it comes in at different places with different targets.

[DFWZ28]

Originally Posted by Tshepp

Picked up my SS from Speed Inc today. They installed a TSP underdrive pulley, SI5V2 cam, and tune. Car dynoed at 405hp prior to their work and came in just a hair under 470rwhp after completion, surpassing my expectations. So far I am pretty impressed with the result but it's really hard to judge since it was 101* on delivery and complete humidity; Wisconsin and Illinois weather lately has been ridiculous. On the ride back to WI from the shop I took it easy for a little bit and only dropped it into 3rd once or twice for a quick pull and it definitely took off. Leaving the tollway from a dead stop did seem a little sluggish but Tom and I both thought this was definitely due to heat soak and humidity killing the LS3.

Right as I was just getting across the IL/WI border I had a C5 vette start toying with me a little. I didnt think much of it but the guy kept switching lanes to keep up with me. Finally I slowed down and got behind him and then he just hit it. I dropped the car into third and was up on his bumper in the blink of an eye. I slowed down and let him get next to me. Again I heard him get on it and I threw it into 3rd and as I shifted into 4th I could only make out a small yellow dot in my rearview mirror. I know, modded SS vs stock C5 isnt much to brag about but it was kinda exciting to give it some mid-top end pulls.

The sound is just awesome. The car got a little louder, no more exhaust popping on decel, and the idle is fairly lopey. I stopped to get gas and noticed an older gentlemen admiring the car. He asked, "That thing isn't stock, is it?" I smiled and said, "Oh no, it sure isnt" He replied, "Damn thing definitely doesnt sound stock" I love having the cam idle, there is someone looking my car over at every stop light wondering what the hell is going on and I haven't even turned my radio on since I've been home

Hoping to post more videos and give a better review next week when the weather drops below 90*

car sounds freakin amazing. very nice. funny story as well, can you imagane the "oh S" look on that guys face...LOL...