Help choosing a cam?
02-20-2009, 06:42 PM
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Car: 1991 Z/28 1LE
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Help choosing a cam?
Hey guys, I just picked up my '91 z28, 350 TPI earlier this week, I love it so far. 165k miles, engine/transmission rebuilt at 130k miles, with paperwork, and the suspension replaced completely at the same time.
Car had one owner, guy bought it in late '90 when he turned 50, traded it in to a local dealership. Fully optioned, leather, power everything, t-tops, the interior is immaculate, and the paint has no fading, no chips, no cracking (even on the plastic body parts like bumpers
) Paid $3200 out the door.
Anyways, on to the question. I work at a GM dealership, so I get a 30-40% discount, depending on the part. I've already bought a set of fast burn heads ($400 after taxes) but now I need some help choosing a cam. I'd like to keep it a mild build, as I do DD this car and would like at least decent gas mileage.
I have no problem doing the work myself, I've rebuilt a fair share of 350's, 305's and 60* v6's, but only with stock stuff, so I don't really know how I should be pairing heads/cam.
I hate to be so picky, but it'd be awesome if the cam was a GM performance part, since I get such a huge discount.
I appreciate the help guys.
edit - I should mention the car has a full exhaust (long tubes and true dual straight pipes (no emissions testing)) and an intake.
Car had one owner, guy bought it in late '90 when he turned 50, traded it in to a local dealership. Fully optioned, leather, power everything, t-tops, the interior is immaculate, and the paint has no fading, no chips, no cracking (even on the plastic body parts like bumpers
) Paid $3200 out the door.Anyways, on to the question. I work at a GM dealership, so I get a 30-40% discount, depending on the part. I've already bought a set of fast burn heads ($400 after taxes) but now I need some help choosing a cam. I'd like to keep it a mild build, as I do DD this car and would like at least decent gas mileage.
I have no problem doing the work myself, I've rebuilt a fair share of 350's, 305's and 60* v6's, but only with stock stuff, so I don't really know how I should be pairing heads/cam.
I hate to be so picky, but it'd be awesome if the cam was a GM performance part, since I get such a huge discount.
I appreciate the help guys.
edit - I should mention the car has a full exhaust (long tubes and true dual straight pipes (no emissions testing)) and an intake.
Last edited by tchernobog; 02-20-2009 at 06:46 PM.
02-20-2009, 06:56 PM
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Car: '86 Bird, 96 ImpalaSS, 98 C1500XCab
Engine: LG4, LT1, L31
Transmission: 700R4, 4L60E, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Tors, 4.88 spool, 3.73 Eaton
Re: Help choosing a cam?
Lots of GMPP cams would be options for you.
From mildest to wildest for a 350 ci motor:
1. LT4 Production
2. ZZ3/ZZ4
3. GM 845
4. LT4 Hotcam
5. GM 846
All of the above, with the possible exception of No. 1, would require a good custom tune, although I'd do a tune for any cam.
Since you're going with a great set of heads, you really should upgrade the Tuned Port Intake to take advantage of some higher rpm breathing. If you do that, then go with at least the GM 845 cam.
From mildest to wildest for a 350 ci motor:
1. LT4 Production
2. ZZ3/ZZ4
3. GM 845
4. LT4 Hotcam
5. GM 846
All of the above, with the possible exception of No. 1, would require a good custom tune, although I'd do a tune for any cam.
Since you're going with a great set of heads, you really should upgrade the Tuned Port Intake to take advantage of some higher rpm breathing. If you do that, then go with at least the GM 845 cam.
02-20-2009, 07:11 PM
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Car: 1991 Z/28 1LE
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Help choosing a cam?
Lots of GMPP cams would be options for you.
From mildest to wildest for a 350 ci motor:
1. LT4 Production
2. ZZ3/ZZ4
3. GM 845
4. LT4 Hotcam
5. GM 846
All of the above, with the possible exception of No. 1, would require a good custom tune, although I'd do a tune for any cam.
Since you're going with a great set of heads, you really should upgrade the Tuned Port Intake to take advantage of some higher rpm breathing. If you do that, then go with at least the GM 845 cam.
From mildest to wildest for a 350 ci motor:
1. LT4 Production
2. ZZ3/ZZ4
3. GM 845
4. LT4 Hotcam
5. GM 846
All of the above, with the possible exception of No. 1, would require a good custom tune, although I'd do a tune for any cam.
Since you're going with a great set of heads, you really should upgrade the Tuned Port Intake to take advantage of some higher rpm breathing. If you do that, then go with at least the GM 845 cam.
Awesome, thanks for the quick response. I work tomorrow, so I'll see what kind of prices I can get on those. I've heard good things about the zz4 cam, as well as the crate engine itself, so I may go with that one. You think the zz3/4 will be a good match with the fast burn heads?
Oh, and it will definitely be getting a tune. I wouldn't even think of either heads/cam without a tune.
Last edited by tchernobog; 02-20-2009 at 07:16 PM.
02-22-2009, 12:47 AM
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Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: sb chevy's.
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Help choosing a cam?
I've heard good things about the lt4 hot cam, but what kind of power increases should you expect? and also i cant seem to find much on the gm 846 camshaft. What is the power increases with that cam and the lift/duration? Also is there any videos of it's sound.
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