Cam or Suspension/headlights

[Bulldogwinters]

So I'm trying to decide what to do..

I can either get myself a cam package and everything installed and tuned for about $800

Or.. I can get new headlights, HIDs, an adjustable tq arm and sway bars for about the same price..

Gimme our thoughts and opinions everyone!

[klatterblast]

Get a cam for sure.

[dmginc]

cam!

[PQ]

I'd go cam too. but that price scares me. Are you sure it's a good shop?

[demonspeed]

I'd surmise that's a self-install price.

No-brainer, IMO -- cam!

[PQ]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

I'd surmise that's a self-install price.

No-brainer, IMO -- cam!

He said installed for that price. That's a crazy awesome price for tune, cam, and install.

Not sure what other equipment will be needed. I guess none. Using the same rods and springs and pump etc........ But still amazing price.

[Bulldogwinters]

Originally Posted by PQ

I'd go cam too. but that price scares me. Are you sure it's a good shop?

It's a buddy of mine who is giving me a killer deal on labor! I've used his shop to install everything on my car, and they have an inhouse dyno, so I may get it dyno tuned or just have my buddy tune it (which he does for free with hptuners)

I have connections as far as that stuff goes! Seems like the general consensus is for a cam! I had someone offer me 140 bucks shipped for a brand new set of PAC 1218 springs, good deal or no?

[kaler]

Go for the cam. Especially if your friend has a shop and will tune for free!
Whoops im on my dads account lol
-Ls1Lover

[Firerader]

Cam!

[Zabo]

Suspension: build it up to handle the cam and then move to the transmission. Heads and Cam last.

Why: Pro advice (from more than one source time and again) on directions to go on a build after exhaust. You need a good foundation for a good motor. This means a good stiff chassis, good suspension, a good transmission, and then a monster motor.

You've got the SFCs and suspension started; move on to suspension/poly mounts/poly bushings and leave HIDs alone until you get that Cam in.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by Bulldogwinters

It's a buddy of mine who is giving me a killer deal on labor! I've used his shop to install everything on my car, and they have an inhouse dyno, so I may get it dyno tuned or just have my buddy tune it (which he does for free with hptuners)

I have connections as far as that stuff goes! Seems like the general consensus is for a cam! I had someone offer me 140 bucks shipped for a brand new set of PAC 1218 springs, good deal or no?

Sweet. Ya, no brainer dude. Cam cam cam.

Not sure if that's a great deal on springs but they will add install time so if that's installed then good deal.

[Bulldogwinters]

Originally Posted by Zabo

Suspension: build it up to handle the cam and then move to the transmission. Heads and Cam last.

Why: Pro advice (from more than one source time and again) on directions to go on a build after exhaust. You need a good foundation for a good motor. This means a good stiff chassis, good suspension, a good transmission, and then a monster motor.

You've got the SFCs and suspension started; move on to suspension/poly mounts/poly bushings and leave HIDs alone until you get that Cam in.

I have my suspension pretty much done, I have Subframe connectors, lower control arms, lower control arm relocation brackets, double adjustable panhard rod, Shock tower brace, and springs and shocks. The only things I need and plan on getting are the torque arm and sway bars. I don't plan on doing motor mounts and I'm not sure about trans mount..

I feel as if I have at least adequate suspension work to do a cam right now, in the end both will be done. I'm just trying to decide whether to do the cam this month or later in the year.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by Bulldogwinters

I have my suspension pretty much done, I have Subframe connectors, lower control arms, lower control arm relocation brackets, double adjustable panhard rod, Shock tower brace, and springs and shocks. The only things I need and plan on getting are the torque arm and sway bars. I don't plan on doing motor mounts and I'm not sure about trans mount..

I feel as if I have at least adequate suspension work to do a cam right now, in the end both will be done. I'm just trying to decide whether to do the cam this month or later in the year.

Yeah.. I totally forgot all that too. I'd say finish the suspension and get the lights so you can see at night; save for what will wind up being a..

BIG AWESOME PROJECT OF AWESOMENESS.. awesomeness.. awesomeness.. echo..

You're going to want to do motor mounts. Call it a 'Preventative Maintenance Modification..'

If not because they're aged to hell (80+K miles on a 10 year old car..), then because with the cam (and later heads and whatever go fast stuff you slap on the motor) you're putting more power down and thus stress into the stock mounts..

..And they'll break.

Trans Mounts help as well; solidify the attachment of the chassis to the driveline and if all else transfer power better to the wheels and chassis rather than losing it in transit to the rear end.

In fact you could do 'em while the cam is getting done due to the motor being torn down to the bottom end for the cam anyhow.

And if you're doing a Cam go with a head package too. Cheaper to do it that way.

[cam99]

Cam

[ndtguy]

Depends. What do you want to do? Is it just a street car that you take to the drag strip or do you take corners?

If corners are not the first thing on your list, get the cam/springs/tune.

Otherwise, the sway bars would help. I suggest 35mm front and 22mm rear. Don't bother with the 32mm front because your SS already has a 32mm front bar.

[Bulldogwinters]

Originally Posted by Zabo

Yeah.. I totally forgot all that too. I'd say finish the suspension and get the lights so you can see at night; save for what will wind up being a..

BIG AWESOME PROJECT OF AWESOMENESS.. awesomeness.. awesomeness.. echo..

You're going to want to do motor mounts. Call it a 'Preventative Maintenance Modification..'

If not because they're aged to hell (80+K miles on a 10 year old car..), then because with the cam (and later heads and whatever go fast stuff you slap on the motor) you're putting more power down and thus stress into the stock mounts..

..And they'll break.

Trans Mounts help as well; solidify the attachment of the chassis to the driveline and if all else transfer power better to the wheels and chassis rather than losing it in transit to the rear end.

In fact you could do 'em while the cam is getting done due to the motor being torn down to the bottom end for the cam anyhow.

And if you're doing a Cam go with a head package too. Cheaper to do it that way.

Lol, Cam is the only thing I'm doing for power... Gotta save up for school! these are the last few things I'll be doing for a long time besides maintanence stuff.

btw, I saw a sport gold SS vert the other day on my college campus, your TA would have looked good next to it! There were also 2 LS1 WS6 TAs, both bright red with T-tops, 6spds, leather, TCS, and both were bone stock!

[Blueovalman]

Yeah I would definitley take this time to install a cam
and all the supporting parts.That's not a bad deal at all on
the PAC 1218 springs.I would consider installing new engine and transmission mounts also.
What cam have you decided on?
Don't install a gigantic cam with your stock heads you will regret it.
Make sure however is doing your tune gets it as close to "spot on"
as they can.Having a good tune is very important!
Get the Meguiar's headlight restoration kit it worked wonders on the
headlights on my mustang.Just do this until you get the extra coin
for a nice set of headlights.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by Bulldogwinters

btw, I saw a sport gold SS vert the other day on my college campus

[Bulldogwinters]

Originally Posted by Blueovalman

Yeah I would definitley take this time to install a cam
and all the supporting parts.That's not a bad deal at all on
the PAC 1218 springs.I would consider installing new engine and transmission mounts also.
What cam have you decided on?
Don't install a gigantic cam with your stock heads you will regret it.
Make sure however is doing your tune gets it as close to "spot on"
as they can.Having a good tune is very important!
Get the Meguiar's headlight restoration kit it worked wonders on the
headlights on my mustang.Just do this until you get the extra coin
for a nice set of headlights.

TSP 228R cam on 110 LSA nothing too radical, but the 110 LSA sounds great on this cam!
I may have to try and restore/whistler them.. I just can't get my drivers side light out!

[Bulldogwinters]

Originally Posted by Zabo

[NASTY99Z28]

Build the car to handle the power you already have instead of a car with a motor that over does the rest of the car....IMO