Cam swap or mild nitrous shot?

[odie301]

I have an 04 tahoe with 125k miles on it. have cai, tb spacer, and a bb tune. She goes pretty darn good with this set up(only an 89 tune). I have noticed that i can get the belt to squeal during the 1st to 2nd gear shift..and some times it will chirp the tires during that same shift.

problem is i have been getting crap from a guy i work with cause his grand prix can still pull me.(not sure why i cant beat his old school prix, cause i can beat the snot out of my wifes 08) basically it comes down to he gets out of the hole a whole lot faster than i can and then stays ahead. i was thinking a mild shot of juice may help me catch up in a hurry...but i dont want to grenade my motor.

so is a cam swap a better alternative? at least with the cam you always have the same power curve and if i get the right cam it could help my towing and my mileage correct? what all goes with a cam swap, can i just change the cam or do i need new lifters and rockers and valve springs, etc?

can you give me pros and cons of each, and maybe some price reasoning for either of the two. I do pull a boat and sled trailer every now and then and my commute to work is 30 miles one way...so i need it to be reliable and to last a while (hopefully! kind of why i am shying away from nos)

[Rivieraracing]

Get a supercharger!!!

[Rollin Thunder]

I would get LT headers, and an exhaust, then a Cam, Then get a 93 Retune.


Also the TB spacer is only good for a nitrous entrance. other wise its just adding weight to your truck. lol

[tybardy]

yea, tb spacer will be the biggest wast of your $50... if you want i will save you some money and you can send me $25 and i will send you a picture of my truck that you can mount in your dashboard... it will add the same amount of HP, TQ, MPG, ETC and that throttle body spacer.

anyways, i wouldnt recomend the small shot of nos without at least a few more supporting mods... just my opinion though

[CodeB4U]

I have an 04 tahoe with 125k miles on it. have cai, tb spacer, and a bb tune. She goes pretty darn good with this set up(only an 89 tune). I have noticed that i can get the belt to squeal during the 1st to 2nd gear shift..and some times it will chirp the tires during that same shift.

problem is i have been getting crap from a guy i work with cause his grand prix can still pull me.(not sure why i cant beat his old school prix, cause i can beat the snot out of my wifes 08)Minor thing called power to weight ratio basically it comes down to he gets out of the hole a whole lot faster than i can and then stays ahead. i was thinking a mild shot of juice may help me catch up in a hurry...but i dont want to grenade my motor. Nitrous is just as non lethal or lethal as any boost adder.

so is a cam swap a better alternative?Not really at least with the cam you always have the same power curve and if i get the right cam it could help my towing and my mileage correct?Will help towing, mileage well that is also a minor thing on how efficient your motor is tune or running. what all goes with a cam swap, can i just change the cam or do i need new lifters and rockers and valve springs, etc?It would be ideal, but if your not going to over board. You can use your stock stuff, as for your valve spring well take them out and measure the squareness, if the rebound is within spec, also change out the seals, inspect the seats and retainers, check your valve guides, valve face, valve seat, valve margin all that good stuff. Clean them up. Lots of work if done the right way. Not worth the hassle when nitrous will give you more power for less money and less work to be done.

can you give me pros and cons of each, and maybe some price reasoning for either of the two. Well nitrous beats the cam in every aspect as far as power goes, but cam is always there...nitrous...well it comes in pounds I do pull a boat and sled trailer every now and then and my commute to work is 30 miles one way...so i need it to be reliable and to last a while (hopefully! kind of why i am shying away from nos)Nitrous is not a killer, it's how you use it. I ran my S-10 through 100's of bottles, more runs then i can remember, I even pushed my luck on the amount i use on a given run knowing the consequence if i use it stupidly/incorrectly.

:burnout: Find you BFSC !!


Or just take your spare tire out, your seats and carpet and get someone skinny to race it. Should be able to beat him (depending on how far he's beating you by)

[Max]

harris speed works makes a nitrous tb spacer, run a 50 shot off the line and you should pull him.

[odie301]

I have heard the tb spacer is junk..but i bought it right after i got the truck...so since i paid for it and it is installed i dont think it is hurting much. ( we had a 95 tahoe that a tb spacer actually worked on..so i bought it without researching).

so can i just tap my tb spacer and install 1 nitrous nozzle... or do i need more than that? I am guessing i can find a bottle and some solenoids for fairly cheap from some of the local honda guys. how much can i safely run and when should you hit the button? (obviously at wide open throttle but at what rpm is safe). And should i be worried about the trans not holding the extra oomph.

long tube headers are on the list of stuff to do...how much more of a gain will that make? I have been looking at the pacesetter long tubes w/ the off road y. (they are about the best priced headers)

As for the 91 or 93 octane tune..for those that have it... is it worth it? does your mileage and or power make up for the extra couple bucks a tank? I know when you look at gas prices everyone freaks out about 5 or 10 cents which equals about a dollar or 2 per tank. (maybe i shouldnt be worried about it..but it seems hard to find premium as most kwik trips only carry reg and mid.)

[Grebbler]

yea, tb spacer will be the biggest wast of your $50... if you want i will save you some money and you can send me $25 and i will send you a picture of my truck that you can mount in your dashboard... it will add the same amount of HP, TQ, MPG, ETC and that throttle body spacer.


You forget to mention the increase in Coolness Factor. :D

[danimalmax]

i was wondering about the 91/93 octane tune myself, how much better is it than regular?

from blackbear, of course

[BOSS]

What exactly does a TB spacer do?



BOSS

[Rollin Thunder]

What exactly does a TB spacer do?



BOSS

on fuel injected cars. NOTHING!!!! lol.

I have a 93 tune and love it.

[Grebbler]

Maybe I need to get re-tuned to 93 as I'm not seeing anything with the 87/89 tune.

[Sepiroth]

Grebbler, IIAC, you can get a tune to use your e85 capabilities to it fulles potential.

Using E85 will have 105 octane.

[Grebbler]

Grebbler, IIAC, you can get a tune to use your e85 capabilities to it fulles potential.

Using E85 will have 105 octane.

It's still kinda sparse here. Did you have that done?

*looking up IIAC*

[odie301]

the tb spacer works on older chevs that have the fuel injection and throttle body together. which is similar to a carb set up. it spaces out the throttle body from the intake making it more like a tall rise intake. I bought mine for my new truck after having it work on our 95 with tb injection...so not knowing it only worked on tb injection or carb vehicles i got suckered into buying one for my tahoe.

so a 91/93 tune is worth it? what about this e85 thing mine is a flex fuel is there way better gains?...but i am thinking that they dont have enough pumps around here to be worth it, unless the fuel sensor can allow you to switch between premium gas and e85?? I believe that is how the stock motor adjusts its fuel settings when you switch from gas to e85 or any blend in between

[blueflamed03]

you'll see gains on the 93 tune....

nobody has stated another obvious.

What size tires do you have and what gears do you have?
Nitrous is a quick fix, but cam, stall and gear change is always. It cost you to refill the NOS bottle....
Gears...these things weight a ton, but the motors are barely able to pull themselves. (unless you have a 6.0) so the 4.8 or 5.3 will wake up with the cam/spring swap, longtube headers, gears and small stall. Heck, even look for a TB stall...should stall to about 2600. If you have larger than stock tires/rims, possibly look at 4.10 gears.

---------- Post added at 09:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 AM ----------

imagine pulling up to Grand Prix guy sounding like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGbRCIdpV7I

[danimalmax]

that vid is nuts, blue

what kind of gains does one see from a gear change/cam swap/long tube headers? individually, of course

[odie301]

Yeah sounding like that vid would be SWEET. I am currently running stock 17in rims and the 265/70 that came on it. I believe i have the 3.73 w/ the posi lock.... i did lay a sweet burnout the other day taking off from my house when i was late for work. It was good enough to get yelled at from my wife, it goes about half way down the block w/ both tires(a little mud at the start kind of helped it spin easier)

Anywho for now i think i save up for the LT's that I have wanted and then save up for a cam. I think I would be happiest with a cam, cause it is always there and it doesn't run out or need to be refilled. SO now it is if our economy will turn around so I can afford to buy a cam.

Anyone have a recommendation for what cam to get, springs, rocker arms etc?? should I plan on getting a new set of heads, or a stock set and have them cleaned up and new springs and such installed in order to speed up my cam install time? This is my daily driver, so when I tear it down it can't take me more than a weekend to have it up and running. I assume that with it cammed it will run on my current bb tune, but probably not the best?

[blueflamed03]

after the LT and cam install, you'll want it retuned.
Look around, there are several places that make killer cams. Comp, TR, Vinci, etc
Longtubes? I plan to try the LPP's, stainless, and come with ORY for $500! That's a great deal.
If you have 3.73's, your good...cam and headers will make the biggest change.
Cam, springs and get hardened pushrods...leave intake and heads alone, for TQ, the heads are more than adequate.

danalimax, I have heard 50+ HP with cam and headers

---------- Post added at 09:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 AM ----------

mild cam
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=1095&sb=2

http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=1085&sb=2

Vinci cams
http://www.vincihighperformance.com/camshaft%20spec%20list%20page%20ls%20truck.html

if leaving converter stock, the Vinci 080 is perfect, installing a TB stall, look at the 112 or 062.[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 09:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 AM ----------

[road1will]

I've never been a fan if nitrous... I'd go for the cam a retune and headers. But if moneys tight just do the nitrous

[jmildoc]

well the cam cost over $400 plus you might as well do it the right way! so that puts you over 500 or close to $600 and that is if you do it yourself. and you can get a new nitrous kit for about $500 shipped, go with the NOS and blow the doors off him

[tybardy]

you mind pointing me in the right direction of the $500 nos setup?? i want to see, just for funsies... all the kits i have looked at are closer to $900 and $1000

[road1will]

you mind pointing me in the right direction of the $500 nos setup?? i want to see, just for funsies... all the kits i have looked at are closer to $900 and $1000

I have a kit at home that's cost me about 500. I'll get the model number for you later on.

[blueflamed03]

well the cam cost over $400 plus you might as well do it the right way! so that puts you over 500 or close to $600 and that is if you do it yourself. and you can get a new nitrous kit for about $500 shipped, go with the NOS and blow the doors off himwhat about refills.............if you wanna win once, sure, add a bottle and spray it....cam,etc, use it ALL the time.

[Max]

these go on sale from time to time, plate kit so you can hide the solenoids under the engine cover
http://www.harrisspeedworks.com/shop/images/D/78mm-ls1-GTO-T-large.jpg
http://www.harrisspeedworks.com/shop/product.php?productid=387&cat=135&page=1

I'm gonna run this switch panel if I spray mine
http://www.nitrousoutlet.com/images/products/NO-00-11009.jpg

[danimalmax]

after the LT and cam install, you'll want it retuned.
Look around, there are several places that make killer cams. Comp, TR, Vinci, etc
Longtubes? I plan to try the LPP's, stainless, and come with ORY for $500! That's a great deal.
If you have 3.73's, your good...cam and headers will make the biggest change.
Cam, springs and get hardened pushrods...leave intake and heads alone, for TQ, the heads are more than adequate.

danalimax, I have heard 50+ HP with cam and headers

---------- Post added at 09:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 AM ----------

mild cam
http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=1095&sb=2

http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=1085&sb=2

Vinci cams
http://www.vincihighperformance.com/camshaft%20spec%20list%20page%20ls%20truck.html

if leaving converter stock, the Vinci 080 is perfect, installing a TB stall, look at the 112 or 062.[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 09:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 AM ----------

what about those thumpr or motherthumpr cams? are they just for noise or is there more power? if i get a cam, i think i want the most power i can get, regardless of noise

[blueflamed03]

haven't heard alot about those lines yet.

[tybardy]

hey max, that is a sexy little switch panel... i have 4x4 in that location though... i have the cutout where you have the tracktion button... but anyways, having the bottle would just be fun for fun sake... i think if i have $500 i might pickup a set of those lpp long tubes... they looked like a nice package for the money.

[blueflamed03]

... i think if i have $500 i might pickup a set of those lpp long tubes... they looked like a nice package for the money.
:D

[JennaBear]

I saw great gains with my CompCam and LT headers! Good upgrades for DDs/track cars IMO.

[danimalmax]

I saw great gains with my CompCam and LT headers! Good upgrades for DDs/track cars IMO.

specifically, which ones did you get?

[JennaBear]

I have a CompCam 206/212 115LSA and AEM Sport LT headers. The cam worked great with just the headers and is even better when force fed. Good way to ramp up.

[danimalmax]

Thanks!

[JennaBear]

Not a problem!

[danimalmax]

do u know anything about those thumpr cams?

[JennaBear]

Not much, but you should be able to call any cam vendor and get them to suggest the best cam for your setup/wants.

[danimalmax]

these go on sale from time to time, plate kit so you can hide the solenoids under the engine cover
http://www.harrisspeedworks.com/shop/images/D/78mm-ls1-GTO-T-large.jpg
http://www.harrisspeedworks.com/shop/product.php?productid=387&cat=135&page=1



wait a minute, jet sizes go from 75 to 150 HP???

[Max]

If I spray I'll go 150, it'll have the fuel system so why not?

[danimalmax]

forgive my ignorance, but when u press that button, you instantly have plus 150hp on top of your stock for however long the bottle lasts?

[blueflamed03]

as long as the bottole last, and or pistons if you go lean :D

[Max]

I'll do rod bolts and head studs but an lq4 should hold a 200 shot no problem, question is when will the stock tranny go?

[blueflamed03]

do the LQ4 and LQ9 have forged pistons?

[odie301]

Jennabear, how many ponies do you think you gained with that cam swap? did you do anything to the heads to support the cam? (i assume most people put in better valve springs to stop valve float) Different rockers or pushrods?

i read a post somewhere on the internet about how good stock heads flow, so i am less scared of swapping cams...just dont know if you can swap valve springs with the head on or not?

Ok so for this Trailblazer torque converter thing...what is the difference between the trailblazer and my tahoe's stock one? Is it a simple bolt in swap, or do you need more supporting mods? Will this help mileage or anything else for daily driving use?

[JennaBear]

When I swapped out the cam, I installed new headers,LS6 springs and pushrods. Shortly after, we installed the blower, 42lb injectors.

[Rollin Thunder]

have you dynod the hoe yet??

[JennaBear]

No, but we should be as soon as we get back from our work trips and get a tranny.

[tybardy]

hey jenna, little off topic, but tell Justin thanks for getting back to me so fast... Black Bear performance just continues to exceed my expectations... you guys RULE

[JennaBear]

Eventhough he was busy pampering me today (my birthday) he was also trying to keep up with all his incoming emails! He takes pride in customer service that is for sure!

[Rollin Thunder]

did you milk him for all he is worth (i hope he showered you with the finest diamonds, fed you the finest steak, got you the best masuse available, and polished your tahoe and new mercedes slr miclarin, if not he is a cheap bastard. JK Happy 23rd birthday. Can I be moved to the top now. lol.

[tybardy]

well then my thanks ALL go to you today jenna for putting up with Justins other comitments ;) he has a customer for life here

[JennaBear]

did you milk him for all he is worth (i hope he showered you with the finest diamonds, fed you the finest steak, got you the best masuse available, and polished your tahoe and new mercedes slr miclarin, if not he is a cheap bastard. JK Happy 23rd birthday. Can I be moved to the top now. lol.
Nah, I don't play those games :hands:. We went shooting and then hit up TopGolf and dinner. :Handshake:

well then my thanks ALL go to you today jenna for putting up with Justins other comitments ;) he has a customer for life here

I have learned to accept that it is just a small part of the business that I have to deal with. :imo:

[road1will]

did you milk him for all he is worth (i hope he showered you with the finest diamonds, fed you the finest steak, got you the best masuse available, and polished your tahoe and new mercedes slr miclarin, if not he is a cheap bastard. JK Happy 23rd birthday. Can I be moved to the top now. lol.

it's her 28th birthday

[BlueTahoe2001]

Do they make a Nitrous kit for a 5.3 liter?

[Max]

it's the same for 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, etc. Depending on the kit you should be able to use it on a number of vehicles. The plate kits are designed for different sized throttle bodies, our trucks use the 78mm which also works on certain f-body ls1 cars.

[Rollin Thunder]

it's her 28th birthday

I know its her 28th. IM just being friendly. lol