Wheels/tires or 500whp??

[1.8t]

I have baisically come to a tough decision with where to go with my car. For roughly the same money, I could have ~500whp w/ a cam and all associated hardware including install or a nice set of 19" CCW wheels/tires(after selling off my stock wheels/tires). What would you guys do? Remember that a cam'ed vette has more up-keep(new valve springs every 10k miles or so) and obviously my powertrain warranty for the motor and probably the transmission would be completely shot. With bolt ons, I can still get away with most warranty items. The wheels would look great and add some flash to the car, but I have already become "accustom" to the current power of the vehicle. I am not going to lie, I am a power guy at heart and have always preferred to go fast as apposed to asthetics in the past, but thought maybe it was time to branch out?

I dunno, what would you guys do taking into account as many aspects of living with each decision that you can?

[antiv6]

i would get wheels, solely because of the valve springs needing to be changed every 10k miles(never knew this), but if this wasn't the case id go with a cam

[Dietcoke]

humongous cam.

valve springs on an ls is a 30 minute job, tops.

[KPowerEP3]

i would get wheels, solely because of the valve springs needing to be changed every 10k miles(never knew this), but if this wasn't the case id go with a cam

I'm not sure that's entirely accurate, about the valve springs I mean. I say performance.

[1.8t]

On higher lift cams for daily driveable vehicles in order to maintane "no float" with the giant intake valves on the LS3, it is preferred(although considered conservative) to replace the vavle springs every ~10k miles or so. Again, this conservative, but $300 every 10k miles as apposed to a new motor from a worn valve spring that let a valve float sounds like a pretty good trade off for me.

[Imadaman]

performance

[SicStang03]

i would get wheels, solely because of the valve springs needing to be changed every 10k miles(never knew this), but if this wasn't the case id go with a cam

HOLY ****!!! when did you slam your car. It looks great. That has to be the H&R sports right? What iso combo did you go with.


To the OP, if you have a steady job and can afford the valve springs labor, go for the cam. Maybe you could even learn to do the job yourself and save a bunch of cheddar.

CCW classics and 505a's look like sex on C5 vettes though. Tough choice really. I keep putting money into my car and even when I gain 40RWHP I couldn't notice it

[KPowerEP3]

On higher lift cams for daily driveable vehicles in order to maintane "no float" with the giant intake valves on the LS3, it is preferred(although considered conservative) to replace the vavle springs every ~10k miles or so. Again, this conservative, but $300 every 10k miles as apposed to a new motor from a worn valve spring that let a valve float sounds like a pretty good trade off for me.

Would stiffer, aftermarket valve springs not help with that?

[antiv6]

HOLY ****!!! when did you slam your car. It looks great. That has to be the H&R sports right? What iso combo did you go with.

its photoshopped for now just bought the chrome wheels deciding what to do for suspension

[BobbyFresco]

I say both...if you're going to be broke ( I'm assuming, if not my bad), then be the happiest broke mufuker you can be....

[NoRotor]

I say go with the cam first. I think if you spring (get it) for a good set of valvesprings, you shouldn't have to replace them that often.
I thought the stock LS3 heads flow enough that it shouldn't be that radical of a cam to get up close to 500whp?

But then again, you could just go with the wheels and a giggle juice kit. That way you won't have to worry about these questionable valvesprings.

[1.8t]

Not a nitrous fan, so thats out of the question. As for the cam, they are def. on the bigger side, but aren't considered extreme or radical. Whatever, I have plenty of time before my tax return makes its way into my piggy bank. I wouldn't be broke after either procedure. I won't consider a mod unless its well within my grasp financially. I will look at them and get some firm numbers on both before deciding....appreciate all the input thus far.

[LEAVINU]

HP is an amazing feeling but kindof sucks when your tires feel like they are on ice.

I wish I had the dough for some nice fat tires to put in the back, C6Z sizes and offsets, but I dumped all my money in the motor, and now any full throttle punch from 70mph or lower smokes the tires.



Either way you will get both in due time, just need to figure which you want first.

[Dietcoke]

The issue with the valve springs is fatigue, not that they arent made stiff or strong enough. Even a quality double spring is only going to last 15,000 good miles before it's just sprung out and should be replaced. Like I said earlier in the post, its a 30 minute job for a newbie, the first time they do it, with one simple tool and a ratchet/socket. LS springs are retarded easy to replace, and on a vette its even simpler since you basically have the whole engine sitting right in front of you.

[Ronsam2006]

Yea man it sounds like you want the power but dont want the hassle of going thru valve springs every 10k miles and losing the warranty. If its a 2008 vette like ur sig says, I would stick to wheels and at least wait until the warranty ran out before I seriously started doing anything since you are paying some serious cash for the car right now. But thats just me...its up to you and what you are really passionate about doing to it.