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VS Cam vs S2/Phenolic Intercooler

N

Nchristopherson

New member
Starting to buy performance parts for my car.. So far, I've decided to go with:

DIY HAI
SD Headers & Double flex
Ported SC with MPS
Engine gasket overhaul
Larger injectors
HP Tuners

Now, I'm stuck at a predicament here. I have enough to go with the s2 intercooler, but I wouldn't be able to buy the valvetrain parts for my VS camshaft. Alternatively, if I buy all the valvetrain parts for my VS cam, the IC is out of the question. So with this setup (and a tune), which would make the more desirable horsepower/torque? Not considering horsepower, which would be the better to install overall? I've read that it's best to do the cam first since it isn't in your way when you do the IC, but for some reason, I feel that the IC will add more power.
 


I'm sure someone will correct me on this, but I always thought the IC would be the safer route with this choice. The cam may (and probably will) produce more power, but the IC will keep your Kr down. The cam will allow more air in and exhaust out, but the IC will keep the charge cooler, which in turn keeps the Kr down.

That's just my $.02, I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in shortly.
 
Intercooler address' the issue with these cars: heat.

I'd honestly rather do that.

Get some upgraded valvesprings if it's got a good amount of miles on it...G8 (L76 springs/retainers) are super cheap anyways.

I'd venture to think with a cam you'd make overall more power...but you can drop probably more of a pulley with the IC than the cam...but it all comes down to personal preference in the end.
 
So you would recommend doing new valve springs with the IC? I guess if that's on the table, I might as well do both since I already have the vs cam. I'm just afraid of putting too much hp to the trans and losing something there. Thanks for the help. One more question. ZZP FS Stage 2 or sseilmnop's Phenolic cores, which one should I do?
 
I'd do a cam first if you can't do both at the same time. IC is a lot less invasive install and easier to do without taking a bunch of parts off the motor. I'd go with sseilmnop's core.
 


If you are planning on doing both I would do the cam first or wait and do both at the same time. If you are only planning on doing one or the other I think an intercooler would give you more results for the money/effort involved. There have been lots of good deals on intercoolers in the for sale section lately.
 
mkyota1 said:
If you are planning on doing both I would do the cam first or wait and do both at the same time. If you are only planning on doing one or the other I think an intercooler would give you more results for the money/effort involved. There have been lots of good deals on intercoolers in the for sale section lately.
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Yeah I noticed! It must be somewhat cheaper to just buy the hoses, fittings, pump, FMHE separate, rather than from ZZP? I know they have a way of making packages cost more than individual parts.
 
Save up and do both. Not sure how the deal is one or the other....IC = $500ish vs Valvetrain upgrades = $100

I'm more of the type of person that does everything all at once. Saves on gaskets and fluids if you do it all at once.

As far as the stock trans with VS cam and full IC you'll get a lot of different answers. Expect to make ~280 - 300whp with that setup (some will say higher some will say lower) Stock trans should hold find but it is very dependant on your driving habbits. Drive it like you stole it, don't expect it to last long. I would always suggest shift kit and bottle of Lucas additive as a precaution.
 
Sure wouldn't hurt. If your installing springs you'll already be there so might as well replace them. Valve locks can be reused however but definitely replace the valve seals.
 


Nchristopherson said:
Quick question. I'm buying the parts now, should I get valve seals and locks with new valve springs, retainers, head studs, etc?
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Valve Seals - Always recommended
Valve Locks - Re-use
Valve Spring - L76 (very cheap and perfect for VS cam)
Retainers - L76 (LS style retainers also very cheap)
Head Studs - No, you will not be taking the heads off the car to do this work. Do not pull the heads off the block unless you absolutely have to.
 
I got an oil change at a certified GM dealer, knowing they would look over it trying to sell services to me, and he said my valve cover gaskets, sc gasket, LIM gaskets, and possibly my head gaskets were bad. The car makes full boost and doesn't ever feel like a dog, do you think my head gaskets are still good? I'm not afraid to pull the heads off while I am doing all of this other stuff just to be safer than sorry.
 
There's almost never a head gasket issue on our cars. Valve cover gaskets would be a issue easy way to find out is take a towel and wipe around the head. Sc gasket shouldn't need replacing unless you've taken off the sc before and didn't replace the gasket or your getting vacuum leaks.

Check if the lim gasket are plastic or aluminum. If you have the plastic ones yes chance them.
 
I know for sure the valve cover gaskets are going bad. My engine has residual coolant all over the left side and I can see it leaking from the top left corner. Also, there is coolant pooling into the channels of the LIM that are visible when it's in the car. SC is still stock pulley but makes full compression, per the bar boost gauge. Also, how would I know when my head gaskets are gone?
 
I don't fully agree with RED.....VC gaskets, LIM gasket, and SC gasket WILL all need to be addressed. In some of the 04+ models there was a MLS gasket for the SC that could be reused. Not sure if you mentioned the year of your car or not. Do the job once and do it right. Nothing more frustrating that chasing down vac leaks because you cheaped out on gaskets.

Head gasket issues are VERY rare and are almost always traced back to it being a LIM gasket issue.
 


If you don't like the idea of throwing a cam in you could always do the ic and rockers then put it on e85 since I see you live in IL I'm sure e85 can't be too hard to find .
 
GMR Badass said:
I don't fully agree with RED.....VC gaskets, LIM gasket, and SC gasket WILL all need to be addressed. In some of the 04+ models there was a MLS gasket for the SC that could be reused. Not sure if you mentioned the year of your car or not. Do the job once and do it right. Nothing more frustrating that chasing down vac leaks because you cheaped out on gaskets.

Head gasket issues are VERY rare and are almost always traced back to it being a LIM gasket issue.
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That's good to hear! I had plans of doing all the gaskets anyways since the machined LIM is recommended for the FS intercooler setup. Since I'm only going with a vs cammed and intercooled setup, will a single timing chain and new dampener be fine? I don't wanna blow 200$ on a double roller if I don't have to.
 
98GrandPrixIraqVet said:
If you don't like the idea of throwing a cam in you could always do the ic and rockers then put it on e85 since I see you live in IL I'm sure e85 can't be too hard to find .
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Yeah, it's 3$/gal right down the street. How much would an E-85 conversion go for? Are the gains worth it? As for the rockers, I thought of doing them, but I read that the VS cam makes more power than the modified rockers and that the VS cam is a great cam for the stock powerband. That's correct, yes?
 
Imo and id think most others on here would agree if you can do ic and e85 you could pulley down get a good tune in it and that thing would do very well for pretty little money invested for the mods. If I were you id get the ic on and e85 and go from there. Like the guys already said ic addresses heat and the e85 would add insurance to get down on the pulley size!
 
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