LT1/LT4 cams and other upgrades
11-28-2006, 08:25 PM
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Car: 1987 Monte Carlo SS
Engine: 400 SBC
Transmission: 200-4R
Axle/Gears: 4.10
LT1/LT4 cams and other upgrades
I am looking for a cam to upgrade to in the not so distant future. I have several questions. How radical is an LT4 cam, or even an LT4 hotcam in a 305? I'm assuming the LT1 cam is more mild, but is it still a pretty agressive cam for a 305? I know a few of us have used these cams over the years, so I'm looking for comparisons.
I am looking for a fairly mild, yet agressive motor, so I am focused on the LT1 cam. But then of course I start to feel greedy and start to think about the LT4 cams. They seem pretty sweet, but I guess I'm thinking in terms of a 350 motor (I usually do). Just curious how much more wild the LT4 cams are. How do they behave in 305s?
And yes I understand PROM tuning will be required, I plan to do plenty of that long before any cams go in my motor. I also have a set of 416 heads I hope to have fun with (1.94/1.60 maybe?), a set of headers on the way, and have upgraded my fuel pump. I will also be doing ultimate TBI mods and adding the hoses and scoops to my dual snorkel.
I have searched and read about the cam specs and everything, and the LT1's specs don't seem all that special. The duration seems small, the LSA seems wide, but the lift seems apropriate. Would the fact that it is going in a 305 make it just that much more wild for that given motor? Also would 1.6 rockers be worth it? Has anyone tried 1.5 intakes and 1.6 exhausts?
Thanks guys.
I am looking for a fairly mild, yet agressive motor, so I am focused on the LT1 cam. But then of course I start to feel greedy and start to think about the LT4 cams. They seem pretty sweet, but I guess I'm thinking in terms of a 350 motor (I usually do). Just curious how much more wild the LT4 cams are. How do they behave in 305s?
And yes I understand PROM tuning will be required, I plan to do plenty of that long before any cams go in my motor. I also have a set of 416 heads I hope to have fun with (1.94/1.60 maybe?), a set of headers on the way, and have upgraded my fuel pump. I will also be doing ultimate TBI mods and adding the hoses and scoops to my dual snorkel.
I have searched and read about the cam specs and everything, and the LT1's specs don't seem all that special. The duration seems small, the LSA seems wide, but the lift seems apropriate. Would the fact that it is going in a 305 make it just that much more wild for that given motor? Also would 1.6 rockers be worth it? Has anyone tried 1.5 intakes and 1.6 exhausts?
Thanks guys.
11-28-2006, 09:25 PM
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Car: 1983 G20 Chevy
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 14 bolt with 3.07 gears
I am looking for a cam to upgrade to in the not so distant future. I have several questions. How radical is an LT4 cam, or even an LT4 hotcam in a 305? I'm assuming the LT1 cam is more mild, but is it still a pretty agressive cam for a 305? I know a few of us have used these cams over the years, so I'm looking for comparisons.
I am looking for a fairly mild, yet agressive motor, so I am focused on the LT1 cam. But then of course I start to feel greedy and start to think about the LT4 cams. They seem pretty sweet, but I guess I'm thinking in terms of a 350 motor (I usually do). Just curious how much more wild the LT4 cams are. How do they behave in 305s?
And yes I understand PROM tuning will be required, I plan to do plenty of that long before any cams go in my motor. I also have a set of 416 heads I hope to have fun with (1.94/1.60 maybe?), a set of headers on the way, and have upgraded my fuel pump. I will also be doing ultimate TBI mods and adding the hoses and scoops to my dual snorkel.
I have searched and read about the cam specs and everything, and the LT1's specs don't seem all that special. The duration seems small, the LSA seems wide, but the lift seems apropriate. Would the fact that it is going in a 305 make it just that much more wild for that given motor? Also would 1.6 rockers be worth it? Has anyone tried 1.5 intakes and 1.6 exhausts?
Thanks guys.
I am looking for a fairly mild, yet agressive motor, so I am focused on the LT1 cam. But then of course I start to feel greedy and start to think about the LT4 cams. They seem pretty sweet, but I guess I'm thinking in terms of a 350 motor (I usually do). Just curious how much more wild the LT4 cams are. How do they behave in 305s?
And yes I understand PROM tuning will be required, I plan to do plenty of that long before any cams go in my motor. I also have a set of 416 heads I hope to have fun with (1.94/1.60 maybe?), a set of headers on the way, and have upgraded my fuel pump. I will also be doing ultimate TBI mods and adding the hoses and scoops to my dual snorkel.
I have searched and read about the cam specs and everything, and the LT1's specs don't seem all that special. The duration seems small, the LSA seems wide, but the lift seems apropriate. Would the fact that it is going in a 305 make it just that much more wild for that given motor? Also would 1.6 rockers be worth it? Has anyone tried 1.5 intakes and 1.6 exhausts?
Thanks guys.
I am running a ZZ4 cam in my 350 TBI and here is how it behaves with the MAF setup running the show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km90bzN2f6A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Byd1ejQknU
11-28-2006, 09:39 PM
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I ran a LT4 Std cam in my 350 TBI and TPI. (I converted.)
It did what I wanted it to do. Give me more midrange and ran fine without tuning. Although granted, alot of power and driveability would have been gained with tuning. But hey, I was broke. It had great idle quality, great vacumn and let the car run relatively hard in the top end.
I honestly think it would have had alot more power in it if I didnt have the TPI manifold holding me back from 5k and up.
It did what I wanted it to do. Give me more midrange and ran fine without tuning. Although granted, alot of power and driveability would have been gained with tuning. But hey, I was broke. It had great idle quality, great vacumn and let the car run relatively hard in the top end.
I honestly think it would have had alot more power in it if I didnt have the TPI manifold holding me back from 5k and up.
11-28-2006, 09:49 PM
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Car: 1987 Monte Carlo SS
Engine: 400 SBC
Transmission: 200-4R
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Fast, would you expect an L03 with the LT1 cam to ever be capable of more power than that Vortec 305? Honestly I think I could have fun with that much power, but I'm curious if more is feasible. I'm hoping to pick up an LT! cam rather cheap, so I'm interested in it's potential. LT4 cams run for a little bit more, and I'm not looking to dump a bunch of money into this motor. I have other projects waiting for that!
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