Mike-88CamaroTBI

My question is simple ...
I am going to add an 87CamaroLG4AT to my car fleet.
I am doing this because the LG4's are a little easier to
get to 275HP than my current 88CamaroTBI Sport coupe.

So ... what is the best/most tried and true combination for
305 performance.in the 275HP range. I want to get there
with the original computer/carb/distributor.

To further expound on my question.
To get to 250-275Hp with an 87LG4 what changes would I
need to make to

a) the Rochester "-2" computer controlled quadrajet

b) the HEI distributor.

c) the intake manifold

d) the heads

e) the camshaft, lifters, rockers,timing set.

I hope to get some real answers from some experienced guys who know how
to make this combo work. I know it can be done because I have witnessed
more than 6 LG4 cars with a "hot-rodded" but basically stock combo running
1/4 mile times in the VERY LOW 14's.

If your experience accomplishing this is only specualtive then do us a favor and
just shut up and read. There are some very very sharp people on this board
who can absolutely tell you how it is done. Right down to what size jets in the
carb. The point is that even I could say ...

1) get the performer RPM package of intake,cam, lifters, timing set.
3) get DR rods and G hangers for the Quadrajet
4) get an open element air cleaner
5) get Edelbrock TES or SLP headers
6) get a dynomax 3" I pipe and a 3"in/out muffler

The problem is that this is only around 235-245HP. I want 275HP.
So lets all sit back and shut up and see if a real expert steps forward on this.

Thanks guys

Mike

Pony Killer

The STock LG4 heads Can be kept. Do some bowl work, pocket porting, vavle job and gasket matching, and they will flow enought to get you there.

Carb, the stock carb is plenty, Do a good rebuild on it and make sure the accel pump is working well. B-D hanger, and DR, DH, rods like that will work well. modify the linkageof the airvalve, and set the tension so it opens at the proper rate, and opens far enough to pull the rods all the way out.

Good quality module, like an msd or pertronix for the distributor.

Performer or performer RPM intake work well, gasket match to heads.

An XE 264hr cam and propper springs for roller
XE256 with hydraulic

Open element or dual snorkel.
1 5/8' headers...

Strong tranny with a good shift kit, and 2400 stall convter.

3.73 gears, Adjustable torque arm, boxed control arms, cheaters and the lowering brackets

As far as the computer goes, a good performance chip should help some, but the only thing it's gonna control is the timing at WOT.

Set it to about 8-10*intial

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

My car is an 86 LG4. I estimate my HP at around 225.
My engine mods are an Edelbrock 1406 carb, Edelbrock 7101 Performer RPM intake, Vacuum Advance Dist., MSD GM HEI Coil.
Everything else is stock.
I ran a best of 14.94.
My car has a 5 speed with 3.23 gears.

There is a car craft article I have and they got an 82 LG4 motor to 325hp and 317ft/lbs of torque. They changed intake, carb, cam, and heads.
Cost was $1701 with all new parts, gaskets, and machine work.


High Speed Run: 157mph
Best 1/4 mile run: 14.94@91.67mph
WS6 Trans Am.

View My Ride @ thirdgen.org

[This message has been edited by Zepher (edited May 10, 2001).]

GilmourD

I haven't dynoed it, yet, but this is what I did to my beastly LG4... First off, computer HAD to go. So I put on a Edelbrock 1406 carb and Accel Blueprint HEI distro. Also, I have a 7101 Performer RPM intake on it. The car had Edelbrock headers, Hooker Aerochamber exhaust, and Crane cam when I got it. The smog pump is gone and so is the A/C setup. I crimped the AIR tubes off the headers and welded them shut. The beast definitely flies a little faster now.

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1986 Firebird, LG4 305, bored .040 over, Crane cam, Edelbrock headers, Hooker Aerochamber muffler, loud and fast.

"Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire!" - Metallica, "Fuel"

Spyder

I know that some guys don't like to hear this but leave it stock. Then go and get some NOS. It will get you (I would guess) to about 250's or so. Its about 500, then you would have some money for gears or what ever else you would need. Its alot easer then doing new heads, cam and intake. IMO



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--Spyder--

1992 Camaro RS
LO3, T-56,centerforce clutch, ported and polished heads, Edelbrock Performer Intake, 14X3 Open Element w/ K&N, hiflow cats with two pipes going back, AC delete, SMOG delete, alu drive shaft, 3.73 posi, 170 stat w/ fan switch, STB, Subframe connectors, KYB AGX, Eagle GSC, and poly bushings.

1982 Z-28
327ci CSB, Turbo 350

Ray87Z

Read this article on my site www.inter-scape.com/ray/305buildup.htm (site appears to be down currently...). They take the LG4 to 270ish hp w/ the stock heads. Go with a Performer RPM intake, good headers/exhaust, and a good cam around the size of the one they used and you'll be at or near your goal. They did ditch the computer controlled carb and distrib though...

------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray

super83Z

there is nothing really worng with the factory carb. The only prob is finding someone who can rebuild it and do it right.

The most important thing that these motors need is compression. I don't know about 87 but when they came out the compression ratio was 8.6:1 that is god awful. To take full advantage of an aftermarket cam you would definately have to bump up the comp. One way is have the heads, have them milled to a smaller combustion chamber and get some thinner head gaskets. And while you are having that done definately have the heads ported! A performer RPM intake will definately do the motor well. And if you get a good compression ratio out of all that work then think about the Comp Cams 270H cam to make good use of that compression ratio. Or just go with the 268H. Later


Shawn

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I WOULD RATHER PUSH A CAMARO THAN DRIVE AN IMPORT

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

jbenge

iTrader: (2)

I've gotten my stock bottom end LG4 up to the power level you are talking about. I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said except I never could get my stock Q-Jet to perform like it should so I changed over to an Edelbrock carb. The heads and cam are critical. My heads are milled, ported, 3 angle valve job, and the bowls are blended. I had the heads milled to get the compression up from 8.5 to 9.2, the extra compression is needed if you want to be able to use a decent cam. Just be sure to choose a cam that works well with your combo, don't go overboard with the cam and get something too radical. I made that mistake and put in a Performer RPM cam and it was too much for my 305, I switched to a crane 274H and its worked out great. Check my signature for mods and my website if you want more details.

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best 1/4 mile so far: 13.4 @ 101mph

84 Camaro 305 ported & milled heads, 3 angle valve job, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, Hedman full length headers, Accell ignition, Crane 274H cam, B&M 700R-4, 3000 stall speed, 4.10 gear,
M/T ET street tires
visit my website at http://www.geocities.com/jbenge/page1.html

MikeDwhoROCZImports

iTrader: (1)

The compression on an 87 is 9.3:1. Also, I would run a dual snorkle over an open element. The dual snorkle flows more than what you'll need, and picks up colder air than an open element. I've heard of people losing power after switching from a dual snorkle to an open element.

checkeye

LG4 bottom end with 140K miles
Vortec heads
Comp cams Extreme energy 256 grind
Vortec Performer intake
Stock computer carb with B hanger / DR rods
Edelbrock TES headers 1-5/8" x 3"
3" catco
3" edelbrock cat-back
stock HEI
open element 14 x 3" with drop base
2.4 60' time
14.5 1/4
99.79

Figure 3600# car at 99MPH = 280 HP at rear wheels.