need help: how much does cams & cams install cost?

[Kalus]

Hi, I have a L99 camaro with magnacharger with long tube headers, 3" exhaust & rotorfab intake. I'm assuming stage 1 is least aggressive to the engine.

1) what would be the total cost to install a stage 1 cams including parts?

2) also would i have to do ls3 conversion with it?

3) how much horsepower is stage 1 cam, is it pretty loud compared to stock cam?

4) lastly would it be overkill for the engine in terms of life?

thanks!

[hunt]

The cost will be 700+ for the cam springs and pushrods.. more if you want to upgrade your timing chain and change your oil pump.

You won't HAVE to do the ls3 conversion, it's up to you to do it and it will cost more money.

How much horsepower and more importantly where that horsepower is made depends on the cam profile you select and supporting mods. Cams don't really change the decibal levels they change the sound.

Depending on how aggressive the cam you choose and the quality of the springs you choose, you'll be swapping your springs out a bit. Overall engine life will vary depending on maintenance and upkeep.

I would talk to your builder about a blower cam or call comp cams.

[brantley847]

If it is an L99 and you are going through all that trouble.. I would just go with a stage 2 LS3 cam (requiring conversion) or VVT2 cam. Stage 2 has great drive ability with a torque converter.

Stage 1 ..just in my opinion only.. is not worth the money. Power gains aren't that impressive and lope is generally tame.

My cam probably a "stage 2" as far as LS3 cams go because I did a conversion. However, it is about the same size as the VVT3 which is one of the largest cams you can get without doing a conversion. I felt the conversion would be much more friendly for a super/turbocharger..

I did the Vmax ported throttle body, torque converter, transmission cooler, trunnion kit upgrade, LS3 conversion and cam for $4700 (included labor/dyno).

I went from 370ish to 439rwhp with the cam. So it was about 70rwhp with the larger stage 2.

[Bell040]

do it yourself for ~$1000 + 400 tune. I posted an itemized list a while back... I will try to find it. This was for a LS3, L99 should be a little more $$ but a lot more time.

or get a shop to do it for ~ $2800 w/ tune.

[steveo9043]

Originally Posted by Bell040

do it yourself for ~$1000 + 400 tune. I posted an itemized list a while back... I will try to find it. This was for a LS3, L99 should be a little more $$ but a lot more time.

or get a shop to do it for ~ $2800 w/ tune.

2800 with a tune? For a LS3 maybe. I haven't been quoted under 4000 with a L99 or l76 the G8 had.

[nighttowl]

i spent 2100 on parts only, and I just bought a set of the gmpp cnc heads for it. putting it in myself. I most likely will tune it good enough to drive, and then take it somewhere to wring some power out of it. this includes 3200 stall torque convertor.

[hunt]

Originally Posted by steveo9043

2800 with a tune? For a LS3 maybe. I haven't been quoted under 4000 with a L99 or l76 the G8 had.

Either that's with parts, you're not telling us something with the install, or your shops are trying to rip you off. 1500-2000 tune included is more reasonable.

[Kalus]

ok heres what i found today at dyno. i got 475 rwhp 522 rwtq. I guess i'm not too impressed by the horsepower. The spec of my car is listed above. I think my 22" rims could be the problem but if i want to get to 500rwhp, would stage 2 be over kill? Also if i'm not sure if stage 2 is safe because the stock pistons might not be able to take that kind of stress if i do stage2? thats over 600hp at the engine?

[Parapdrapa]

Originally Posted by Kalus

ok heres what i found today at dyno. i got 475 rwhp 522 rwtq. I guess i'm not too impressed by the horsepower. The spec of my car is listed above. I think my 22" rims could be the problem but if i want to get to 500rwhp, would stage 2 be over kill? Also if i'm not sure if stage 2 is safe because the stock pistons might not be able to take that kind of stress if i do stage2? thats over 600hp at the engine?

Stock internals will be fine @ 650+

[RogerBzSS]

Talking with a reputable shop, I was quoted approx 13 hr's @ 100$ per hr
for the install of a cam package with UD pully headers hi flo cats
cold air intake and SCT Tuner and a catch can and a tune.. not a dyno tune, an already built out tune.

Dyno Tuning is extra for my vehicle if I choose to get the most out of the new go fast parts.

+ all Go Fast Parts Cost ;-)

[Matster]

Originally Posted by Parapdrapa

Stock internals will be fine @ 650+

....and you're willing to under right a warranty for him to back this statement up?

[Kalus]

Originally Posted by Parapdrapa

Stock internals will be fine @ 650+

650 rwhp or 650 engine horsepower for l99 is the max it can take?

[2010SSRSM6]

Originally Posted by Kalus

ok heres what i found today at dyno. i got 475 rwhp 522 rwtq. I guess i'm not too impressed by the horsepower. The spec of my car is listed above. I think my 22" rims could be the problem but if i want to get to 500rwhp, would stage 2 be over kill? Also if i'm not sure if stage 2 is safe because the stock pistons might not be able to take that kind of stress if i do stage2? thats over 600hp at the engine?

For a maggie powered car that seems a little low, must be a stingy dyno.

Most of the "stage 2" cam upgrades I've seen have required a stall converter change in auto cars. If you have a good shop that can tune the tranny, you may be able to get away with the factory stall for a little while, but I don't think I would push it.

With the cam swap, you should swap out push rods, springs etc. This is going to keep your engine happy by keeping the factory parts from breaking due to the extra lift/duration of your cam. The last thing you want is for your springs to come apart, trust me its not pretty.

I think you can hit the 550rwhp mark with the right cam profile and a good tune, even with the larger rims.

[Kalus]

stingy dyno hmmm. So do u think i should get a dyno pull from somewhere else? would it be worth it?