Edit: This is also posted under the "power adder" forum, but I thought I'd post here also in case that isnt as frequented as much.


This has probably been asked before, but what would be a good cam/lifter kit for my stock 305 TPI motor? All i have as far as a mod would be a 3" cat back exahust. 2.77 rear end. I just would like to know what lift, duration, lobe separation would be for my car so that it wouldnt mess with the ECM. This is for a daily driver also. Something that would add some more power, and make my car sound meaner but still run smooth. Brand name suggestions would be good if anyone has any. I'm already going to be changing the timing chain, so I figure might as well change the cam/lifters. The car has 150k+ on it. Thanks

 

ANYONE??

 

I guess nobdy knows??

 

i bought a comp extreme energy cam , 212 218 449 456 112 lsa,
it runs good with stock components,

 

Thanks for the info. How about a cam from Crane Cams that makes power in the 1,000 - 4,500rpm range, and the specs are as follows: Duration: 194/204, Lift: .407/429. This is the Powermax emissions legal cams.

Another one I found: RPM: 1,000-4,000, Duration: 194/204, Lift: .401/.423.

What kind of power can i expect from doing the cam/lifters? I'm also concerned with idle...will a more aggressive cam make hte car surge, or will it just make the idle rough like a carbureted car with exhaust? How will my exhaust sound change when i change the cam? Anyone?

 

Those two cams are very small. I doubt they are much more aggressive than a L98 cam.

 

the cam i bought is not a roller cam, its going in my 86 305 tpi with 24,000 original miles, i also bought the comp pushrods, springs, and the whole kit, that cam is good for about 40 hp over the peanut cam , the rpm ramge is 1200 5200 , i also porting my heads and in larging the valves

i believe the cam and lifters were 205 us

 

I'm not looking for a cam that I will have to change EVERYTHING for. Lifters yes.....cam yes......and timing chain. Thats all i want to change. I was told that by changing the cam to something that is compatible with the computer and wont make the ecm go nuts, I'd pick up around 30hp. I'm on a budget right now, so if I can change the cam and lifters, what kind of gains can i realistically see?

 

you need to change the springs, lifters, cam, timing chain, and probally gain 40 hp , and a full second 0-60 mph , as for your car being a peanut cammed car if its not your gain would be 15 hp , but remember you still need to play with the ecm , but its your car do what you like
good luck dude

 

I'm not screwing with the ECM. Crane Cams make a cam thats compatible with the ECM...the CompuCam. Duration: 254, Lift: .401.....part # 270-114112 out of the Jegs catalog. Can someone tell me if this cam would be beneficial to the car? I'm not totally sure about lobe separation....what it should be...this one is 108 or something like that, but others say 114-115 for a street/daily driver application...i need a straight answer on that...I dont want it to idle like s**t...I want it to run right and have no more major problems with it. I dont mind a bit more of a rumble, but I just dont want it to idle/run like crap anymore. I am changing the timing chain...which seem to be the root of my problems as far as hesitation from a standstill. Mechanic says there is slack in the chain which delays the car from "taking off" from a standstill when flooring the gas pedal. Also, is the cam in my car a roller or a rocker cam? The dealership seems to not be able to tell me...also, is it hydraulic or not? I need to know this information soon because we are going to be working on the car in the next couple of days to get it done b/c i'm going to need the car next week for sure. Thanks for the help.

 

1986 TPI 305, Flat Tappet Part #14094097
Int/Exh 178/194 Lift .350/.385 <--Stock Cam

http://www.kwfbody.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=102

Comp Cams Xtreme Energy cam XE250h 206/212 Lift .432/.444 LSA 110 would work good without ECM work.

http://www.compcams.com/catalog/056_057.html

 

Hawk92z....

Thanks for that info!!! But I was wondering....that one cam that I wrote about in my previous post....the Comucam....would that work as good as this one or would one be better than the other for daily street use? I already ordered the cam/lifter kit from A&A Auto....please advise...

 

comp cam 212 218 449 456 112 lsa

buy it and enjoy some power works well with the 86 305 tpi ecm good for 40 hp

 

"""CompuCam. Duration: 254, Lift: .401.....part # 270-114112 out of the Jegs catalog. Can someone tell me if this cam would be beneficial to the car? I'm not totally sure about lobe separation....what it should be...this one is 108 or something like that"""

I would have too look up the cam but from what i can understand here its not very computer friendly with the 108 LSA. I wouldnt go under a 110 LSA on any ECM let alone a stock ECM, and with only a .401 lift, it will be only a small increase over the stock cam for HP. Being a mild cam u might just get away with the 108LSA

Compcams Xtreme Energy cam is a proven cam that works great and comenly produces more power then other cams of the same lift and duration. Its too bad u already ordered the other cam because the Comp cam would of produced alot more power for ya.

mikobu3, comp cam 212 218 449 456 112 lsa is a nice cam but a tiny bit too big for a stock TPI 305. It would work ok, but the other would give abit more bottom end. That cam would work better with some SLP runners over the stock runners. With the totaly stock TPI setup he has the XE250h would give him the best low end power. If he was to upgrade the TPI abit then I would go with the bigger cam u suggest for sure or bigger, Its all on what the future mods will be.

 

Hawk92z...

Unfortunetly, I already ordered the cam and lifter set, and it went in today...the car isnt finished, we're going to put the rest of the motor back together tomorrow....but in choosing that cam, I spoke to a Jeg's rep, and two seperate A+A reps....and all 3 poeple reccomended that cam for my needs/use. Its specifcally designed for computer controlled cars....so I hope i get good results out of this. On a side note, my timing chain had ALOT of slack in it....one side was decently tight, the other side was almost falling off...new timing chain is on and tight as a b**ch. What a difference. I'm sure this will help performance as well. The old cam had lobes that were ground down a decent amount...so this cam should make a difference.

 

The stock lift specs for the L98 flat tappet cam (and 85 305 TPI LB9 and H.O. L69) are as follows:

.403/.415 202/206

This is an improvement of about 15 HP over your stock 86 cam and should work ok with your stock chip. I do not advise going over .420/.442 204/214 (another 15HP) with your stock chip.

If you want to add real performance to the little 305 add some 3.45 gears (I think this is the first year offered, before was 3.42). The larger cam should bring you up to 5500 with the 305 and that is all your stock TPI is going to handle anyway. Consider addding a 2500-2800 rpm stall converter as well. Beyond that, add NOS

If you are going to add NOS, then add the 9" and the supercoil.... The super coil will help your mileage as well.....

 

L98 cams are as follows...

1987 Roller Part, #14093643
Int/Exh 202/207 Lift .404/.415
1988-89 Roller, Part #10066049
Int/Exh 207/213 Lift .415/.430
1990-92 Roller, Part#10111773
Int/Exh 202/207 Lift .413/.428
Ya 88-89 has a better cam

Phantom I was just listing the cam that would be your best bang for the buck with a "Stock" 305 TPI. That other cam wont give u much over stock but if your stock cam was that worn out then it will feel like avast improvement too ya. As long as your happy with the improvment thats all that matters

Captian C is 100% right about the gears, night and day diference.

Do u know what gears are in your car?
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/techdb.shtml

 

Tach GM PN Lift Duration Lobe
Ylw. Red In. Ex. In. Ex. Separation (in/exh)
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --- --- ----------
1985 (L69 and LB9)
305 AT 5000 5500 14088843 .403 .415 202 206 114.5 (115/-114)

1986 (LB9)
305 AT 4500 5000 14094097 .350 .385 178 194 109.0 (106/-112)

1987
305 AT (LB9) 4500 5000 10088155* .350 .384 179/194 109.0 (108/-112)
305 5spd / 350 AT 5000 5500 14093643* .404 .415 202/207 114.5 (115/-114)
(LB9 / L98)
305(LM1 Police Pack.) --------- 14093640* .383 .404 291 202 112 (108/-116)

1988, 1989
305 AT 4500 5000 10088155* .350 .384 179 194 109.0 (108/-112)
305 5spd / 350 AT 5000 5500 10066049* .415 .430 207 213 117.0 (116/-118)

1990-1992
305 5spd / 305 AT 4500 5000 10088155* .350 .384 179 194 109.0
305 G92 5spd / 350 AT 5000 5500 10111773* .413 .428 202 207 114.5 (116/-116)

*roller cams

Depends on the year of the engine as to what the lift and duration was.... I like the G-92 for the 90-92 myself......

 

Ya I got the complete part number list too comes in handy, eh

 

Thanks for all the replies and input...the cam and lifters are in, but they need adjustment. Thats set for tomorrow. I've gotten this far, and now we need to yank the valve covers back off b/c the directions that comes wiht the cam is BS. You DO have to adjust everything wiht the valve covers off....sprays oil everywhere, but oh well...got to get it right...

 

Actually there are a couple of ways to do things without getting all oily.

I used to have a spare set of valve covers with slots cut in the top when I was working on race cars.

Another way is to put clips on the rocker arms if you are running stockers.

The third way is like the machine shops do. You turn the engine until both valves on the cylinder you want to adjust are closed (back side of lobe). Then wiggle the pushrod up and down and tighten until it just stops wiggling up and down. Then you tighten a full turn. Do that for each valve….

 

i also switched my gears from 2.77 to 3.42 , it does wake the car up off the line but down the road you pay for it , truth is the peanut cam is **** , until you change it thats when the 305 wakes up , also the cam i bought the comp extreme energy , it is recomended that you have at least 3.42 gears , so down low it will be as good as mid range, anyways that comp 212 218 449 456 112lsa cam would be the best bang for you,


reading your post and you bought a pretty week cam, not very much better than the famous peanut cam , i would return it and buy something that will make you go faster

good luck i hope it works well for you