This summer I should have an abundance of money and the mod bug is starting to kick in. I’m looking at getting a cam shaft, most likely a XP Cam from ZZP (they are right around the corner from me). I may also get a smaller pulley and a tune. The only mod I have is an FWI from Intense. Is it too early to put a new cam in the Bonne or do I need to do other mods before a cam?

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Intense FWI - Home Brewed Tune - 3in Cat'ed DP Res Delete - 3.6 Pulley - Solid Front Mount - STB

Don't think it is too early, but I would suggest headers, or at the very least P-log for the front to get the extra air out as well.

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2000 SLE

Thanks for the help man! I will end up porting the mainifold, then maybe next summer after i save up a bit i can get headers.

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Intense FWI - Home Brewed Tune - 3in Cat'ed DP Res Delete - 3.6 Pulley - Solid Front Mount - STB

I'm a fan of PEM's, but I am VERY much in agreement with everyone who suggests headers (or P-log) when going with a cam.
A set of ceramic coated PEM's is border-line for even just 1.9 rockers. A cam is a solid step above that in terms of air flow, and PEM's cannot be opened up enough to provide a safe level of flow after the air leaves the combustion chambers.
If you are spending the money, why not get a set of headers.
If you don't I can almost gauruntee you will be rebuilding or replacing the engine if you run a pulley smaller than a 3.4, even with the cam.

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DHP Powrtuner & Tech 2
1998 GTP Coupe
1999 SSEi 70k miles
2000 Silverado 2500 Ext Cab 4x4/6.0L/4L80E
2000 Trans Am WS6 LQ3 (LQ4 w/LS3 top end) 4L60E
2001 SLE
2002 Monte Carlo SS Top-swapped FSIC Gen V TOG's, Mezeire.....
2002 GTP 40th Anniv Ed Coupe
2004 GTP Comp G 'Bottom-swapped'

I am running an Intense S1x cam with no headers right now. I went with the cam since I needed to do my LIM gaskets and figured since I was in that far I might as well do it then. I am getting headers next along with a good tune.

All together I ended up with about $1000 in it with the springs, timing set, gaskets etc. Paul (2000silverbullet) drove it right afterwards and he said it felt like it just has a pulley on it. I know I can get a lot more out of it once I get the headers, pulley and a tune, but it is a finacial thing right now.

I just suggest, that if you haven't done the LIM gaskets yet a cam swap is the right time, it wasn't that much more work swapping the cam. Here is my write up from when we did mine : http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=10939

I got the XP cam as well but went with the P-log and rear ported manifold plus a 3in DP with high flow cat. From what I have been told the exhaust set up I will run will do just fine with the cam and other mods. I too can not afford headers but from what ZZP says the p-log is capable of going faster than I plan on taking the car.

I agree with the other guys. Get some sort of headers or P-log set up.

When you do get a cam like the XP you will need the double roller timing chain set up, machined oil cover, 105# springs, and modded retainers. take that in to consideration before purchasing.

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89 T: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2953294
88 T: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3017546

I guess I will a P-log to the list of things to get as well. I will get headers but im planning on getting them next summer.
But what is the difference between P-log and PEMs?

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Intense FWI - Home Brewed Tune - 3in Cat'ed DP Res Delete - 3.6 Pulley - Solid Front Mount - STB

A P-log (Power Log) is a tubular manifold made by ZZPerformance.
A PEM is a stock manifold, ported.
To get the most out of either of these (or headers for that matter) ceramic coating is helpful in creating exhaust velocity and from emitting too much heat into the engine bay (keeps the heat inside the manifold -or at least the ceramic creates a heat barrier).

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DHP Powrtuner & Tech 2
1998 GTP Coupe
1999 SSEi 70k miles
2000 Silverado 2500 Ext Cab 4x4/6.0L/4L80E
2000 Trans Am WS6 LQ3 (LQ4 w/LS3 top end) 4L60E
2001 SLE
2002 Monte Carlo SS Top-swapped FSIC Gen V TOG's, Mezeire.....
2002 GTP 40th Anniv Ed Coupe
2004 GTP Comp G 'Bottom-swapped'

Double roller and machined oil cover, no. Not mandatory.

But 105# springs and modded retainers, yes.

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2009 G8 GT - White Hot


FMS Custom Cam, Yank 3600 SS, 1LE (ZL1) 3.91, SLP Longtubes, Magnaflow cat-back, Rotofab CAI, tuned via HPTuners
415/391

Well when I talked to ZZP they highly suggested the double roller timing chain because of the added stress on the single. They say they have seen the stock break before, and to do the DR set you need the machined oil cover. Maybe you don't really have to have it but they highly suggested it and i would rather play it safe and not break anything, don't know about you.

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89 T: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2953294
88 T: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3017546

I did not go with the double, but I did replace it with an aftermarket single roller and have had no issues. That is also what a lot of others do and if I remember correctly, you have to disable the balance shaft for the double also.

I would almost do headers before a cam... Get everything else in now/this year, and then dig into the cam next year?

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Jason Z - Exposed Autos

2001 BMW 330i - Titanium Silver - Sport Package - 3 Pedals - Koni Yellow/H&R Sport
2006 Volkswagen GTI - (gone) Tornado Red - DSG, Stage II~280hp/325tq
1993 Pontiac Bonneville - (gone) Purple Pearl H4U/SLE. Loud

Everyone is referring to this, but I say it depends on the situation. My car had 110000 miles on it and the LIM gaskets were already showing signs of leakage. If the LIM gaskets have not been done yet, I would say to do the top end and cam (because most of the cam work is already done) and then do the headers later. The headers are not going to do anything for the car after the LIM gaskets have failed and then you are looking at a worst case scenario of a new lower end.

Do the LIM gaskets and cam now if they haven't been done and add the re-assurance that they will not go bad after you have dropped a lot of money into it.

Yes, I know the headers will allow me to gain a lot more from the cam, but it does run fine without them while waiting for the headers. My gaskets were on the verge of failure when I did do them and if I did the headers first, I know the gaskets would have failed and then I would not have had the money to do the LIM gaskets (let alone the cam).

My suggestion is to do the cam and freshen up the top end (unless the LIM gaskets have already been done) and do a little P & P on the LIM and do the headers next. It is a different stroy when these cars were new and had less than 50,000 on them, but many are getting up there in miles and starting to see the same LIM gasket issues as in the previous years.

I agree with Matt. Headers only help after you start to move more air. As soon as you put in the cam you are moving more air, so therefore it helps more with the cam. If you can afford both, do both. I went with the pacesetters and have had zero issues with them for over three years now. They are fine. Its up to you. I also went with the single roller chain after I had the double installed. Just couldn't stand the vibration on the daily driver without the balance shaft. With the105# springs you will be fine with the single. 130#....maybe you better go with the double.

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2000 SLE

I tend to ignore recommendations from sellers if they sell the parts they recommend.

After talking to other cam'd owners and shops, a single chain works fine with 105#'s. Plus a lot of new double rollers have been known to fail.

I'm not being a jerk to tell anyone how to mod their car, but I'd take this all into consideration depending on how you use your car.

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2009 G8 GT - White Hot


FMS Custom Cam, Yank 3600 SS, 1LE (ZL1) 3.91, SLP Longtubes, Magnaflow cat-back, Rotofab CAI, tuned via HPTuners
415/391

If the top end needs a tear down then its better to do a cam, but there was no mention of needing such work. IMO headers are a mod done before a cam, they're considered bolt-ons by most, and have a nice gain on their own. The gain doesn't seem noticeable, because they help smooth out the powerband.

I don't recommend the Log, it only flows more, it has little to none scavenging help, I like PEMs if you don't spend much, or don't plan to mod much, and stick with just bolt ons.

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Jason Z - Exposed Autos

2001 BMW 330i - Titanium Silver - Sport Package - 3 Pedals - Koni Yellow/H&R Sport
2006 Volkswagen GTI - (gone) Tornado Red - DSG, Stage II~280hp/325tq
1993 Pontiac Bonneville - (gone) Purple Pearl H4U/SLE. Loud

Who is going to recommend parts they don't sell?

For what it is worth I've been running an INTENSE S1x along with 1.8 rockers on a single chain for a long time now.

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