5.8L Camaro

I'd like to run 12's next season, so Im figuring out a good combination. So far Ive got:

rebuilt 355 stock bottom end
Performer EPS Intake
L98 Heads, Ported, 1.94, 1.60 Valves, Screw In studs, springs good to .500 lift
1.6 Roller Tip Rockers
Edelbrock Performer 600 carb
700R4, spooled 3.42's

Still need a cam, so...
Summit Racing,224/224, .465/.465...only $79 with lifters
Summit Racing,224/234, .465/.488...only $79 with lifters
Crane PowerMax, 222/222, .450/.450 $159 with lifters
Crane PowerMax, 222/234, .467/.494 $159 with lifters

Remember that I am using 1.6 rockers. Im also taking into consideration price vs. performance. Im probably gonna install a 75-100 shot of nitrous sometime next summer also, but Id like to hit 12.9 without it.

vic_V8

I'd say #2, but I'm no expert

ljnowell

#2 or #4 preferably. Those heads will want more duration/lift on exhaust than intake.

5.8L Camaro

#2 is the one Ive been considering the most. It would be 226/236 .496/.520 with the 1.6 rockers. That should produce power right up 5500rpm where I want it to.

ridecamro

so your runing a 1.6 rr' great and your springs are good till .50... nad your lift on the cam is .492 HA HA .. no to laugh but you will bit the dust and have some probames cause your lift will be some were between 5.01-.02 which is to much for your springs. get some lt1 springs not that expensive. the 1.6 rockers will add lift to the cam and ussly it's .1

Stekman

You say springs are good to .500" lift at the valve. Does that mean that the heads are good for .500" lift (guide bosses milled down) or does it mean you have springs that are good to .500" before they coil bind/infringe on the safety margin of the springs?

Under the assumption that the heads are worked for lift, and considering the springs and 1.6 rockers, the first cam is pushing it. Thje 3rd is the only truly safe cam.

Now, may I inquire what springs you are using? I'll just say it now. It's best to match springs to the cam.

RB83L69

#4, out of those.... although, with the rest of the combo, I don't see 12s, unless the car is 2800 lbs or so.

#2 is also available as the "RPM" cam from Edelbrock, in case you want to just pay more for the same thing. It is the dung. It has been the dung for as long as I've been building motors..... which I venture to say is longer than most of the people's fathers on this board have been alive. It's been that long that I know of, that it can easily be beat. Very outdated and surpassed by modern learning. #1 is the same cam except with the smaller exhaust lobe that matches the intake lobe.

A 600 CFM carb on a motor that manages a BSFC in the mid-high 40s (about as low as what a well-tuned streetable SBC is capable of) won't flow the 400ish HP you need for 12s in a car that weighs as much as one of these, in stock-like form. Get a 750. Not an Edelbrock unless you enjoy watching people with faster carbs (Holley, Demon) drive past you.

Make a choice right now: either an el cheeeeepo cam, or go fast.

Get 1.45" springs no matter what; that way, when you miss your ET goal by the .6-.8 seconds or so that you will be short of your goal with the parts you have listed, you won't have to pull the heads to fix it. And, you'll have enough exhaust lobe to effectively use the nitrous you're going to be needing.

5.8L Camaro

I think Ill go with cam #4. So what springs for that cam? I dont know what springs I have, all i was told is they are good to .500. Ive been thinking that a spring good to .500 can be used with a .496 lift cam and 1.6 rockers. If im wrong its not a problem. So the L98 heads and nitrous work best with alot of exhaust lobe and lift. Thats the kind of info I want to hear. I know my carb isnt too good for my setup. Ill be getting a Holley Street Avenger when I get the nitrous.

RB83L69

I'd use some one of the cam mfrs' entry-level 1.45" springs. If you go with Comp, that would be their 986. Crane, Lunati, Isky, Crower, etc. all have an equivalent. I would stay away from K-Motion and GM, and any other non-cam-mfr.

Floor guy

With no doubt, #4 is my pick

5.8L Camaro

Anyone think 12's with this setup? With slicks, no nitrous.

ljnowell

I dont see 12's. Low 13's I think.