Absolutely. I see that all the time. They grab some speed shop sale item and think that a racing cam is going to make their car unbeatable. Instead, they can't get it to idle, it wastes gas, is loud, and performs worse that the stock cam. What I really don't understand is the resistance to admitting the mistake, backing up, and re-grouping. They whine "I spent money on that", and they throw more money at it in vain. Same with carburetors. If the factory used a two barrel, is was because that is all that engine needed. It probably had a low rpm cam, small valve heads, dead highway rear gears and a four barrel would be a waste. Yet, they throw a huge Holley on and the problems follow. Don't get me started on headers. Headers are for racing. Period. They are useless on the street, cause more headaches than anything, and turn simple maintenance into a chore. I may get flamed for that statement, but it is true. How often are you at WOT, where headers are needed? Probably not much. If you think you need them, great. But when I am asked to solve engine problems, usually the first thing I do is get rid of the headers. Example: my buddy has a 1980 TA, the 301 was replaced with a 1978 400. I found him a dead stock 1978 400 Q-jet and it just purrs. The 301 headers stayed on the car, and have roasted three aftermarket HP starters so far. Because the 301 has a one inch shorter deck height than a 400, so the wrong headers are rubbing against the starter. No one figured this out until now and the car is stranded 50 miles away from me at his house. I have a set of stock cast iron log manifolds and a complete Dynomax dual exhaust here ready to go on. But the only starter that will fit is a small 301 unit. We would have to drag a jack, stands, starter, and tools out there to perform the swap, and it is winter now. If he flatbeds it here the first thing I am going to do is sawzall them headers right off.
