Thread: VS Cam vs S2/Phenolic Intercooler

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.

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?

Okay. Thanks for your input!

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.

Originally Posted by mkyota1

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.

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.

Quick question. I'm buying the parts now, should I get valve seals and locks with new valve springs, retainers, head studs, etc?

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.

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?

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 .

Originally Posted by GMR Badass

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.

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.

Originally Posted by 98GrandPrixIraqVet

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 .

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!