Reliability of cam swaps

[Ace]

I am sssssoooooooooo close to spending (wife says wasting ) some money on my Camaro. Initially I was going to supercharge it, but that is just a little more then I want to spend for now. So it looks like a cam, some headers, and a good tune for now (supercharge later ). I am in Detroit so the two best shops in my area are Livernois and Vector Motorsports. It seems that Vector may be a little more money but I've heard nothing but awesome things about their tuning, so that is a big plus.

My question...if I do a cam (just a Stage 1 that both offer...nothing too crazy), and headers, how is my reliability affected? I know that is pretty vague but I have little experience with this stuff so I appreciate the input. My car is not a daily driver and I will not be racing it...probably will be averaging around 4k miles a year at the very most. I really preferred the S/C route just because it is a simple install whereas the cam swap is more involved...especially on the L99.

Again, thanks for any thoughts!

[SSTony]

i got a cam but i got a stage 3 cam. its a got a sick ass idle and i love it. people stop me all the time cause they love the sound of my car. its literally rumbles when i stop

[trudawg660]

Originally Posted by SSTony

i got a cam but i got a stage 3 cam. its a got a sick ass idle and i love it. people stop me all the time cause they love the sound of my car. its literally rumbles when i stop

with a cam like that u cant leave the house without the neighbors knowing

[Chris@Livernois]

Where are you located in MI? Feel free to stop by the shop and we can discuss packages and show you around. We currently have 6 5th gens in the shop getting various packages and 4 more scheduled to come in next week.

Regards,

Rick LeBlanc
Livernois Motorsports

[Ace]

Thanks Rick, I will try and stop in there in the next couple weeks!

[caverman]

Do realize that your drive train warranty will probably be gone after that....especially with a cam swap.

I'm not saying "Don't Do It".....I plan to eventually do a cam swap myself....I just saying know that if something drive train wise goes wrong it's probably out of your pocket at that point.

These cars sound nasty with a Stage II and up cam though. I'll do it one day....I'm just not ready yet. You'll be happy with the end product I'm sure. Personally I'd take a nice Stage II cam with headers and a good exhaust over factory setup with a SC any day.

[Ace]

Yep, I know the powertrain warranty will be toast. That is why I am asking about the long term effects of a cam swap. Like I said, I am only putting about 4k miles a year, probably about a third of that highway driving. No racing either. I just want a faster, better sounding ride.

[Ovenmitt]

There is no reason a cammed engine properly tuned would last any less long then a factory engine.

[danhr]

the stereotype that a cammed car isn't reliable is NOT true. It mostly falls on improper installation/valve train geometry/poor tuning. Also, the typical person that does a cam on their car, drives their car A LOT harder than a person who doesn't. Because let's face it... that's why they got a cam.

A cammed car is perfectly reliable and you don't have a hair on your nut sack if you don't cam that car.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by danhr

A cammed car is perfectly reliable and you don't have a hair on your nut sack if you don't cam that car.

Thanks for the motovation!

Like I said, two great shops are in the area...Livernois Motorsports and Vector Motorsports. They both offer similiar packages and I understand that both do excellent work so I am confident that where I go, the install and tuning will be great.

[GQ4Life]

Im still shocked and stuck on the you drive less then 4000 miles a year.. even when I had two cars I still chose the Camaro just for the fun.
and if you put so many miles why u choose auto? hate manual that much. with that said..

Ive know alot of Cammed cars and no one had reliability iusses. As long as you dont go too aggressive of a cam you wont have a problem. Just more agressive of a cam the more you have to raise your idle to make sure car doesnt stall.. but those the cams you get to that are really race only for high rpm...
Im thinking of cam in future after i do the clutch..
I don;t know which cam yet.. this is my daily driver now

[trudawg660]

Originally Posted by GQ4Life

Im still shocked and stuck on the you drive less then 4000 miles a year.. even when I had two cars I still chose the Camaro just for the fun.
and if you put so many miles why u choose auto? hate manual that much. with that said..

Ive know alot of Cammed cars and no one had reliability iusses. As long as you dont go too aggressive of a cam you wont have a problem. Just more agressive of a cam the more you have to raise your idle to make sure car doesnt stall.. but those the cams you get to that are really race only for high rpm...
Im thinking of cam in future after i do the clutch..
I don;t know which cam yet.. this is my daily driver now

I'm in the same boat i really want a cam but i don’t know which one yet. i wish i could hear vector motorsports 2.5 cam in person. but i need something that is "do able" for a daily driver. I’m getting to the point where i want to just say "F" the warranty

[LasT_ResorT_G8]

Originally Posted by danhr

the stereotype that a cammed car isn't reliable is NOT true. It mostly falls on improper installation/valve train geometry/poor tuning. Also, the typical person that does a cam on their car, drives their car A LOT harder than a person who doesn't. Because let's face it... that's why they got a cam.

A cammed car is perfectly reliable and you don't have a hair on your nut sack if you don't cam that car.

+1 on a cam swap

[Ace]

I have a bit of buyers remorse over going with the auto...I got it for a few reasons but it is still a blast to drive.

Only 4k miles a year because my job gives me a car that I have to use for work and the Camaro stays in the garage all winter.

I stopped in at Vector Motorsports today and met Kirk. Great guy and very knowledgeable. I don't think I would have any concerns leaving my car with him to get work done. They had another L99 there getting a cam, a blower cam since the guy already had it supercharged. Cyber Gray with a personalized plate...anyone on here?

I am just waiting for a quote for the camshaft package w/headers and stall converter. Might have to piece this out a little..