• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

Cam for a top swap

M

matt5112

New member
I'm planning a top swap for next summer, questions:

Gen III or Gen V?

It seems porting a Gen III is supposed to be almost as good as a Gen V yet the cost of starting with a Gen V is higher. L67 = $600 vs L32 = $1600 a the local junker.

May look to exploit "u-pull" on that one. In that same line of thinking, L32 heads worth the extra effort versus L67? I know they flow "slightly" better but the question is, is that worth anything?

Headers are a given so I'll move onto the next big piece, cam.

Cam options, basically comes down to stock heads or ported.

Having a machine shop port heads, how much would that run? I'm going to see if I can get some quotes next week.

And google says... about the same as CNC ported heads from ZZP or W Body store.

This comes down to a cost issue really.

Headers = $600 by the time they're here
Gaskets=$300
Top swap parts = $50-500
cam = $350
valvetrain upgrades =$150-300

So I'm looking at $1450-2050 already.

My goal is have a mean street car, I doubt I'll run it in the quarter often if at all.

I realize heads and a larger cam along with intercooling would be the next steps but looking at the cost, I'll leave it at, with a top swap going for streetable power, which cam would you suggest granted stock heads as well as are l32 heads worth the extra cost?
 


if youre just trying to hit 12s a genIII setup will work just fine. even 11s on the right setup it will still work well. l32 heads have bigger intake valves, which helps when you get into bigger flowing setups (especially when ported). a GOOD set of ported heads from an engine builder will put you in the $800-1000 area. while the CNC ported heads from ZZP are similarly priced, i dont think they will match the port job that an engine shop could do.

if all youre looking for is a mean street car then leave the heads stock (so they are cheap replacements if and when you mess them up) and just run a cam that will go well on stock heads. it will be plenty fast enough for you if you dont plan on taking it to the track. a cammed top swapped car will take out 95% of what is on the street already.
 
I did the gen5 with L67 heads, (The L32 heads aren't prone to cracking around the valves as some 97 L67 heads do, L32 heads have slightly bigger valves) 1,100 from ed morad, a bit much and im sure you can find cheaper than that if you just shop around. I heard trannyman aka Dave does a nice job on ported heads, don't get vendor heads A local race shop quoted me $800. I vote xp cam. Imo the gen5 was well worth the extra $$.
 
a gen V i could possibly get for $30 if I find a "u-pull" where you pull yourself and "whatever you can carry" minus alts, tires, batteries.

If I can pull that off, it'll save me the cost of blower porting. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top