change the cam in the i-5?

[Kyle]

is it possible to change the cam in the i-5 and make it perform and sound better? i want to get that cool loped idle and more horsepower? but ive never seen anyone change the cam in an i-5!

 

[06 H3]

these guys did some grinding down on a cam for a colorado guy

http://deltacam.com/

I think he said it was $300 bucks.

 

[Kyle]

yea i saw some of the guys on 355nation have done it but idk how effective it would really be.

 

[f5moab]

Which cam; intake or exhaust? They work together as a pair so if you alter one, you should alter the other, and then you need to decide if you want to change the overlap. Then what do you want, a looping type idle or more power? Torque or more HP? And don’t forget the closed loop system. The ECM or PCM will continue to control fuel flow based on its program based in inputs from sensors. (PCM should be easy to have re-calibrated.)

 

[Kyle]

Which cam; intake or exhaust? They work together as a pair so if you alter one, you should alter the other, and then you need to decide if you want to change the overlap. Then what do you want, a looping type idle or more power? Torque or more HP? And don’t forget the closed loop system. The ECM or PCM will continue to control fuel flow based on its program based in inputs from sensors. (PCM should be easy to have re-calibrated.)

well is there a middle? lope exhaust and hp? or is one or the other? id go for lope exhaust.

 

[ArtHummer]

There is not allot of advantages to just change the cam. First of all, like f5 said you will have to change both intake and exhaust. Then you will need to upgrade the springs. And then you will need tunable performance computers and spend several hours on the dyno to tun it to it's best performance. Skiping just one can make thing worst then what it is.

 

[4speedfunk]

Short of adding a sixth cylinder...I don't know what you could do to make the L5 sound better. It's going to sound like a big fart no matter what you do. That's why I like the stock muffler.

Given the cost of hopping up late-model high-tech motors like the L5, it makes far more sense to swap it out for something that has the sound and performance you're after. The L5 has proven itself to be a marginally reliable motor at best. Just like an old Harley...the more you hop it up, the more un-reliable it will get. I don't think there is enough spare power lurking inside, to warrant messing with it. If there were...we would see more performance parts. My attitude on the L5 is:

1. Go easy on the pedal.
2. Keep the oil changed.
3. Pray nothing happens to it.
4. When it does die...replace it with a real motor.

 

[06 H3]

my little ol I5 has been very reliable to me so far...no issues that leave me stranded on the side of the road or in the middle of no where.

 

[f5moab]

Just change out the engine like you suggest you want to do in the other thread. LS1 engines will fit....

 

[4speedfunk]

my little ol I5 has been very reliable to me so far...no issues that leave me stranded on the side of the road or in the middle of no where.

Yeah me too (knocking on wood). I think the best performance mod you can do for the L5 is to swap to lower gears, shed some weight, or both.

 

[Kyle]

Just change out the engine like you suggest you want to do in the other thread. LS1 engines will fit....

yea i guess ill stick with that! i wonder if my dad would notice if i swapped the ls3 out of his vette into my hummer. lol

 

[Xlr8n]

Short of adding a sixth cylinder...I don't know what you could do to make the L5 sound better. It's going to sound like a big fart no matter what you do. That's why I like the stock muffler...

This^^^

I have yet to hear a hopped-up I5 that sounds 'good'. Intakes and aftermarket exhaust systems only accentuate the uneven-ness of the inline 5 cylinder design, but in stock trim they sound fine. .02.

 

[Gunick]

As stated before, the biggest issue with the l5 is the actual weight of the vehicle itself. The motor was designed to be "gas friendly". Doing simple changes like airdoc with KNN, exhaust, and pcm tune is really all that should be done to it, every motor will benefit from breathing better and the right exhaust setup will give a much improved sound without it sounding like "a big fart" , the average person just thinks that adding any exhaust and muffle will make it sound better, its about matching the right system for the motor. That being said, going into internal upgrades doesn't yield a strong payoff for price, and swapping the alpha v8 would usually be a better bang for your buck...and that isn't saying much.

 

[06 H3]

Running 35s would really be better with a regear

 

[backcountryislife]

Reaper has my exhaust off my H3, it was a flow master... it changed the sound to a deeper more nasty sound, but to ME it was louder than I wanted, but he liked it.

Seems like sound is your main priority... might just want to get an exhaust.