Starting out on upgrades.
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Jrs3800
- Retired Admin/Techinfo Admin
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- Year and Trim: 03 SLE, 95 SE, 95 TS SE
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Re: Starting out on upgrades.
The L36 is good, but is more of a midrange to top end performer... Even with my cam that is good for 1000-5500 the engine still really wants to see the midrange, top end is way better and the engine wants to turn faster than my 6100 shift... Now take into account that the cam has improved the low end over the stock cam, but its not what I would call a landslide... But in Overdrive at 43 Mph the speedo will pick up when you push the pedal a bit... And it will stay in 4th going up our causeways at 44-45 and still pick up speed.. I have gained torque and power, but its still does not come on like it does in an L67...
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95SLE
- Posts like a Northstar
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Re: Starting out on upgrades.
Nice post Don. It really gives insight to the OP as to what a cam upgrade would be like.
I chose rockers because I did not particularly want the cam feel in the family car. I was more afraid of idle bump that typically goes with a cam. The rockers still have a smooth idle and a nice upgrade to the performance. Either path chosen will result in a more powerful ride.
Installing a supercharger as an add on or an entire motor swap would open up a lot of other choices to the OP but the cost is now escalated even more.
I chose rockers because I did not particularly want the cam feel in the family car. I was more afraid of idle bump that typically goes with a cam. The rockers still have a smooth idle and a nice upgrade to the performance. Either path chosen will result in a more powerful ride.
Installing a supercharger as an add on or an entire motor swap would open up a lot of other choices to the OP but the cost is now escalated even more.
2004 SLE Crimson Tintcoat with Dark Pewter Interior. Mods so far: Wood Dash Kit-Window Tint-CATZ Fog/Driving Lights
Custom Fabricated Stainless Steel Mesh Grill-Painted Calipers-3rd Brake Light Decal-Strut Tower Brace.INTENSE™ Level 1 L36/L26 Performance Package, Intense Shift Kit. ZZP ER Rockers and a HV3. L76 springs
COTM April 2007
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Jrs3800
- Retired Admin/Techinfo Admin
- Posts: 26009
- Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 2:08 pm
- Year and Trim: 03 SLE, 95 SE, 95 TS SE
- Location: Space Coast, or at least it used to be
Re: Starting out on upgrades.
Yes, My cam has helped and its made a difference.. I am on the fence about keeping it, but I loo at how much work it would be to rip the cam out... To help myself I will be going to the 3.06 gear set if I could find the time I need to deal with everything.. 
I think this will put me at 24-26 on the open road.. I did 23 Mpg at 70 Mph with the 3.33... A little tuning will help me out as well..
In any even, the cam is .517 intake and .498 exhaust( more duration here )... It does have a lopey idle, I have hot idle set at 775 or 800, I forget.. But it had to be bumped a hair to have a half decent idle and even then its still lopey...
At this point I am thinking I should have went with the 1.8 YT rockers, 3.06 gear ratio and an intense tune for a 97 Bonneville...lol... But thats not going to happen now...LMAO
So I agree Tom, its all in what you want and everything needs to be taken into account..
I think this will put me at 24-26 on the open road.. I did 23 Mpg at 70 Mph with the 3.33... A little tuning will help me out as well..In any even, the cam is .517 intake and .498 exhaust( more duration here )... It does have a lopey idle, I have hot idle set at 775 or 800, I forget.. But it had to be bumped a hair to have a half decent idle and even then its still lopey...
At this point I am thinking I should have went with the 1.8 YT rockers, 3.06 gear ratio and an intense tune for a 97 Bonneville...lol... But thats not going to happen now...LMAO
So I agree Tom, its all in what you want and everything needs to be taken into account..