Is a hot cam worthless w/o headers?

[Billfold]

Just as the subject says. unless I can get some mac mid's and catted y for 400. I take it the gains would be very minimal and not worth it, even if I never got some headers.

[Darkhalf]

Any aftermarket cam you go with is not going to be worthless w/o headers. Its to get the full advantage(Most power) out of the cam possible by going to a header.

[Swamee]

When you talk about using the stock exhaust manifolds, there were different ones used in '01 and '02 from '00 and earlier. If I am not mistaken, the z06 exhaust manifolds were used on the 01 and '02 ls1's, which are better, not as good as headers, but better than 00 and earlier manifolds.

When I see threads on headers with cams (or I should say, the lack of headers with cam), I think it does make a difference with which year you have. Now, with that said, I ran a hotcam, stock exhaust manifolds ('02), no cats, aftermarket y-pipe, dynomax bullet muffler, with a good ls1 tune, and the car ran hard. Would headers have made a difference? I think maybe 5 hp (just my guess), definately more if you have an '00 or earlier.

[Billfold]

ok, hmmmmm, I am wondering because there are some good deals out on some cams in the for sale section. does anyone have a dyno of a cam/no headers vs. cam/headers?

[Darkhalf]

On a stock cam car, Headers(assuming LTs) usually give you about 20-25rwhp. The same will apply to more aggressive cams as well, if not you might see a little more gains but not much. Tuning will also net you slightly more if any.

[98SSBlackattack]

It will still be worth it.I dont have my headers on yet but my B1 was a good increase.With the split duration of the hotcam it should do pretty good with manifolds.

[03ToRcHrEdVeTtE]

its worthwhile, youll gain about 25rwhp and have a sweet sounding idle :thumbup:

[Billfold]

would a hotcam require a tune. found a used one w/ls6 springs for 200. Just wondering if its "plug and play"

[jrp]

the hot cam can get away with shorties/stock manifolds more so then alot of the bigger cams can. the hot cam is cheap in its own right so i'd just go for a new set. or buy a used hot cam and get the manley spring kit or some 918's. dont limit yourself with the ls6, there not a bad spring at all but if you plan for a bigger cam latter you'll have to swap out the ls6 springs for some 918's/manleys anyhow (provided the lift is under .600).

[Swamee]

My hotcam had trouble idleing on start up, and with the a/c on. I was having to "catch" the idle when coming to a stop. And it did not seem to run any better than before the cam.
So I needed a tune. Afterwards, what a difference! The car pulled really hard, and ALL my idle problems were gone. It sounded great. Had stock manifolds (no cats).

[SS-ROB]

Its not worthless at all. With shorties I pulled 329RWHP -329 TRQE. Added LTs and currently at 366RWHP- 362TRQE untunned on a 2000 model.

[bRa_DeN]

if you dont go headers you probably will get more out of an ls6 cam rather than the hotcam;)

[Billfold]

why's that? I may possibly go with Mac Mids in the near future. I just want a wicked sounding, reliable, cam. I am not trying to gain the most HP. Atleast, until I get whooped in a race. ;)

[bRa_DeN]

then you have solved it get the hotcam and keep your fingers crossed on that set of mac's! p.s. you can basically get a set of pacesetter lt's for about the same price as macs, keep that in mind when shopping;) the hotcam probably wont net you much gain on manifolds but you will have a different sound;)

[uLs1a]

Your better off doing head, cam, and headers

[Billfold]

I don't plan on going huge speed wise on this car. Atleast not until I am able to afford another daily driver. I just love the lope of a nice sounding cam. I know headers will really wake any cam up.
Would a tr224 be a better cam, or w/stock manifolds would the hotcam net more gains. I know both would require a tune.

[Billfold]

found this on the for sale section at one of the "other" sites:



z06 cam (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129229)

is this a good deal, how much power would I gain, if any at all??

[killer01ws6]

The 224 Cam is about the most well rounded and popular cam for the average guy. (or gal ;) )

[Billfold]

yeah, but if I don't go the header route, which I am looking for used macs right now, then I want a cam that will give me some decent powa

[killer01ws6]

get the used macs, and the 224. :drive: you will be pleased.