LT4 Heads/Cam for LT4

[TantricLT4]

First and foremost, my mechanical knowledge is very limited. I've always had someone do my work for me.

I've got all the bolt-ons already: forced air intake, 52mm throttle body, headers, true duals w/no cats to delta flowmasters.. b&m ripper shifter, 3.73's.. and a nitrous purge system (that was installed before I bought the car) that I know absolutely nothing about (I can't contact the owner to inquire because I traded through a dealership, he did not want to be contacted) Nothing is connected, I don't even have a bottle for it.

With ALL that being said, some have suggested I invest in a head/cam package to significantly increase my horsepower. Is this the best route to take? I would like to stay away from the Nitrous and can't afford other power adders like turbos or superchargers (im in my 3rd year of college, and don't have 6 grand at my disposal.)

I would very much appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction as far as what I need, and possibly where to go? Thanks!

 

[Edmond]

I don't know if you can remove/install a cam on the C4's without taking the motor out.

Heads just bolt on.

I would suggest checking out your local car clubs to see which shops are reputable. I'm sure there are other CAC members in your area who have suggestions.

 

[sothpaw]

heads, cam not cheap either

When paying a mechanic to do the work, heads/cam is not cheap either--you said you didn't have 6 grand and had to pay for labor, right?

The engine can be re-cam'd without being removed, but it's still expensive.

My mechanic charged $1250.00 for labor for both heads/cam, would have charged $700 for doing either individually. Others will say the cam is easy with the head off, but this is what he quoted. I think $1250 was a decent deal.

LT4 heads are pretty good as is, so you wouldn't need full porting and you might seriously consider just doing the cam only. Those stock heads might net you 350 rwhp/ 350 rwtq with cam and headers (you have those already).

To do the cam you need new lifters (unless under 50k mi on car), valve springs, retainers, etc. All Gaskets for engine also.

So cam alone could easily come to 1200-1500 and that's the cheapest best thing you could do.

 

[TantricLT4]

Sothpaw

Thanks for the response, that helps me out alot. I think I could swing something within that price range. Any suggestions/opinions for a specific cam?

Josh

 

[Shriker]

Remember if you are doing a heads/cam:

You need to get the heads ported polished by a reputable shop - the heads are the most important part of the hp equation , this is where all the flow/combustion occurs. Depending on what you want you can spend as little as $500-$700 or as much as several thousand dollars to have the heads done.

To take advantage of the ported heads you should port match the intake, this is usually ~$250 total for your LT4 (that should include porting for a larger TB if needed).

You need to choose a cam based on how much power you want and the driving characteristics you want to have (idle, powerband etc.) Cams themselves range from $200 or so for something like the Hot Cam to $400+ for some others or custom grinds. Remember too, you will need valves , springs,retainers, locks , rockers, pushrods , and possilbly lifters as well.

Then there is the tune which again should be done by a reputable shop with experience tuning LTx engines. This can run $400+ ......

You can look at my combo to get a good idea for a Heads/cam package. My car dynoed ~293 rwhp stock and I wanted the car to be as streetable as possible (no poor idling or bad part throttle response etc.) I gained a total of ~90 rwhp using :

Cut lid/K&N filter, 52mm TB, ported LT4 intake, FMS 30mm injectors, Stage II heads (Farrea Valves, CC springs/retainers/locks/High Intensity 1.7roller rockers/guide plates, lifters and chromoly pushrods), GM extreme duty timing chain set, new opti spark, Mezeire HD electric Water pump, Exotic Muscle ceramic coated long tubel headers , Car Sound high flow cats, B&B 3" all stainless catback. All that is ~$6K in parts alone. Throw another $2500 in for labor and $450 for a tune for a grand total of around $9K out the door.

Thank goodness I did many of the mods myself in stages and then got a great price on the heads/cam at the time so I think I paid somewhere around $7K for all that on my car.

The car has made as much as 380 rwhp (with 4.10 gears which will show 5-7 fewer rwhp than stock gears). So I probably gained ~90-95 rwhp which is a bit better than I originally predicted (85-90).

Anyway , hope this helps.....