Cam or Gears - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2012REDSS · 08-16-2012, 04:08 PM

Ok I'm at the point where I have bolted everything with the exception of a ported intake mani to my engine but I want more. I'm on a roughly $2200 to $2300 budget which will cover the gears or the cam. I drag my car usually a couple weekends a month however its also my DD and I average around 17,000 miles a year. The cam I want is something like the night fury cam and the gears are the 3.91s. The only suspension mods I have are BMR toe links and trailing arms and a ZL1 rear sway. Opinions?

Drew10 · 08-16-2012, 04:12 PM

Cams are awsome but, I would do the 3.91 gears 1st. I did the G6X3 cam back in 2010 and just did the gears last month. The gears made a world of difference on the car.

mikeSS · 08-16-2012, 04:14 PM

cam for sure. that rumble at idle is like none other. gears dont turn heads

Steve@SNL/Monster Clutch · 08-16-2012, 04:15 PM

True that^

Drew10 · 08-16-2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeSS

cam for sure. that rumble at idle is like none other. gears dont turn heads

This is true.

Obzen · 08-16-2012, 04:41 PM

Gears all the way. Preferably both. If I could only choose one. Gears!

BowtieBelle · 08-16-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeSS

gears dont turn heads

They do at the track when you start to pull away from the competition

Higgs Boson · 08-16-2012, 05:06 PM

gears because gears don't turn heads.

mike.nite · 08-16-2012, 05:10 PM

both

1. Gears
2. Cam
3. ...

caverman · 08-16-2012, 05:12 PM

I don't have a cam but I will say the gears made a pretty significant difference.

I'm waiting on a cam for a while. To me, once you go into the motor it's like no turning back. Having simple bolt ons and gears is usually no big deal to people if you were to ever sell your car. Cam on the other hand can make people think twice. At least I would.

Now, you might wait just a little longer to do either. It sounds like GM will be releasing the 3.91 gears from the 1LE soon. From what I've heard they are about 1/2 the price as LPE is selling them now. Someone on the 1LE forum was getting them for under $400 and then $400 or so for the install. You're looking at $800 - $850 vs going and getting them right now the LPE gears cost that alone.

Maybe go with the LPE gears, save up a little money, and do both.

audiomikej · 08-16-2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caverman

I don't have a cam but I will say the gears made a pretty significant difference.

I'm waiting on a cam for a while. To me, once you go into the motor it's like no turning back. Having simple bolt ons and gears is usually no big deal to people if you were to ever sell your car. Cam on the other hand can make people think twice. At least I would.

Now, you might wait just a little longer to do either. It sounds like GM will be releasing the 3.91 gears from the 1LE soon. From what I've heard they are about 1/2 the price as LPE is selling them now. Someone on the 1LE forum was getting them for under $400 and then $400 or so for the install. You're looking at $800 - $850 vs going and getting them right now the LPE gears cost that alone.

Maybe go with the LPE gears, save up a little money, and do both.

+1, I never considered a big cam but I am considering a small cam. Good point about the big cam come resale time.

audiomikej · 08-16-2012, 05:18 PM

OP, Also since you drag so much consider saving to replace the axles since this is your DD. Drag racing with 3.91 will be much harder on the stock axles.

The 2010 Sin · 08-16-2012, 05:26 PM

I have both.. I'd say gears. I loved the s*** out of my gears when I got them done. It was after the motor build too! :-)

brantley847 · 08-16-2012, 06:58 PM

depends on the application...

gears would be great on the strip and they have a great butt dyno.... but damn the responses I have had at car shows and at red lights... yes red lights, where people constantly asking what size cam I have and that it sounds incredible.

so for me... cam because you get performance and sound, but it is a very, VERY close call.

View Poll Results: Cam or Gears?
Cam (Night Fury or the likes)	45	45.00%
3.91 Gears (LS3 M6 Car)	55	55.00%
Voters: 100. You may not vote on this poll

08-16-2012, 04:08 PM	#1
2012REDSS Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NC Posts: 657	Cam or Gears Ok I'm at the point where I have bolted everything with the exception of a ported intake mani to my engine but I want more. I'm on a roughly $2200 to $2300 budget which will cover the gears or the cam. I drag my car usually a couple weekends a month however its also my DD and I average around 17,000 miles a year. The cam I want is something like the night fury cam and the gears are the 3.91s. The only suspension mods I have are BMR toe links and trailing arms and a ZL1 rear sway. Opinions?

08-16-2012, 05:12 PM	#10
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	I don't have a cam but I will say the gears made a pretty significant difference. I'm waiting on a cam for a while. To me, once you go into the motor it's like no turning back. Having simple bolt ons and gears is usually no big deal to people if you were to ever sell your car. Cam on the other hand can make people think twice. At least I would. Now, you might wait just a little longer to do either. It sounds like GM will be releasing the 3.91 gears from the 1LE soon. From what I've heard they are about 1/2 the price as LPE is selling them now. Someone on the 1LE forum was getting them for under $400 and then $400 or so for the install. You're looking at $800 - $850 vs going and getting them right now the LPE gears cost that alone. Maybe go with the LPE gears, save up a little money, and do both. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

08-16-2012, 05:26 PM	#13
The 2010 Sin Dont H8 Me Cuz U Aint Me Drives: 2016 SS Sedan, 2017 Explorer Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 2,910	I have both.. I'd say gears. I loved the s*** out of my gears when I got them done. It was after the motor build too! :-) __________________

08-16-2012, 06:58 PM	#14
brantley847 v It bites. Drives: 2011 IBM 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,585	depends on the application... gears would be great on the strip and they have a great butt dyno.... but damn the responses I have had at car shows and at red lights... yes red lights, where people constantly asking what size cam I have and that it sounds incredible. so for me... cam because you get performance and sound, but it is a very, VERY close call. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS Performance: 439 RWHP: 226/236 Comp Cam, Kooks 1-7/8, CAInc, Borla S type, Vmax TB, Rx Catch Can, Trans cooler, SLP 160 termo, Melling high volume, Eibach Springs/Sways 1" drop, Whiteline complete bushing kit.

08-16-2012, 04:12 PM	#2
Drew10 Enjoys a good train wreck Drives: 2010 IBM Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,800	Cams are awsome but, I would do the 3.91 gears 1st. I did the G6X3 cam back in 2010 and just did the gears last month. The gears made a world of difference on the car.

08-16-2012, 04:14 PM	#3
mikeSS Drives: 2015 c7 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MI Posts: 7,462	cam for sure. that rumble at idle is like none other. gears dont turn heads

08-16-2012, 04:15 PM	#4
Steve@SNL/Monster Clutch Account Suspended Drives: 2014 SS Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Haslet, TX Posts: 744	True that^

08-16-2012, 04:41 PM	#6
Obzen Pull up Cougar! Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,875	Gears all the way. Preferably both. If I could only choose one. Gears!

08-16-2012, 05:06 PM	#8
Higgs Boson Perpetual Order Drives: indeed Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 1,277	gears because gears don't turn heads.

08-16-2012, 05:10 PM	#9
mike.nite Drives: 2011 2SS L99, 2010 LT RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NY (USA) ZH (Switzerland) Posts: 437	both 1. Gears 2. Cam 3. ...

08-16-2012, 05:18 PM	#12
audiomikej Drives: the wife crazy talking Camaros Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 277 View My Garage	OP, Also since you drag so much consider saving to replace the axles since this is your DD. Drag racing with 3.91 will be much harder on the stock axles.