Need help with cam choice Please!!!

IKECHER · 09-04-2006, 01:43 AM

newbie here. could really use some help.
have an 87 gt. stock short-block. vortec s/c 10lbs boost, underdrive pullies, hartman intake, 1-5/8 shorties,24lb injectors, 70mm mass air& t/b, t-rex pump,3.55 gears.......pushed out a head gasket (big shock). Putting on Edelbrock alum heads 1.90 valves, would like to do a cam swap.

1. can I do this with the block still in the car?
2. what size cam would be optimum?
3. what ratio roller rockers should I use?
4. best head gaskets?

Any help would be appreciated!!!!

Dark_5.0 · 09-04-2006, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IKECHER

newbie here. could really use some help.
have an 87 gt. stock short-block. vortec s/c 10lbs boost, underdrive pullies, hartman intake, 1-5/8 shorties,24lb injectors, 70mm mass air& t/b, t-rex pump,3.55 gears.......pushed out a head gasket (big shock). Putting on Edelbrock alum heads 1.90 valves, would like to do a cam swap.

1. can I do this with the block still in the car?
2. what size cam would be optimum?
3. what ratio roller rockers should I use?
4. best head gaskets?

Any help would be appreciated!!!!

1. Yes
2. Optimum would be a custom grind. No telling what they would come up with.
3. 1.6
4. Cometic head gaskets are what most guys end up going to with Boost or Nitrous. You would want to run ARP head studs for this application.

1979bruiser · 09-04-2006, 08:30 PM

look for a cam w/ the least amount of intake/exhaust overlap. these will be the most effective w/ keeping forced air in the cylinder. if i remember right the b-303 cam was the better choice of all the motorsport cams. but my suggestion would be call the company direct like lunati, crane, etc. and get a part number from them (its free )and order from summit. just tell them what you have and want.

Unit 5302 · 09-05-2006, 07:27 PM

Hehe, the B-303. Now I'm a big fan of nostalgia, but the B-303 had its day nearly 2 decades ago. It's a camshaft which has quite a bit of overlap considering it's size, and it's probably a better carbed cam than an EFI cam. I guess I'd take it over the E-303 just because of all the idle problems that seem to have been associated with E-303 camshafts over the years, but the alphabet cams are not going to perform as well as newer designs or certainly a custom grind from a reputable shop.

If I were to choose an alpha cam, which I wouldn't, the F-303 would be my choice.

Custom grind camshafts seem to have dropped in price over the past 10 years or so as they have become more popular, and you should definitely consider them. I'm not sure what to recommend these days as I've been a little out of the loop.

Fat0eknee · 09-05-2006, 10:53 PM

well ..i have a 1995 lightning and im on that board a lot - they seem to like a company called cammotion cams (they make good speed density cams). a custom hyd. roller from them is about ~$300. just a thought ...i'm sure they could make you a pretty good stick

09-04-2006, 01:43 AM	#1
IKECHER Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1	Need help with cam choice Please!!! newbie here. could really use some help. have an 87 gt. stock short-block. vortec s/c 10lbs boost, underdrive pullies, hartman intake, 1-5/8 shorties,24lb injectors, 70mm mass air& t/b, t-rex pump,3.55 gears.......pushed out a head gasket (big shock). Putting on Edelbrock alum heads 1.90 valves, would like to do a cam swap. 1. can I do this with the block still in the car? 2. what size cam would be optimum? 3. what ratio roller rockers should I use? 4. best head gaskets? Any help would be appreciated!!!! Last edited by IKECHER; 09-04-2006 at 02:37 AM..

09-04-2006, 08:30 PM	#3
1979bruiser Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: budds creek md Posts: 100	Re: Need help with cam choice Please!!! look for a cam w/ the least amount of intake/exhaust overlap. these will be the most effective w/ keeping forced air in the cylinder. if i remember right the b-303 cam was the better choice of all the motorsport cams. but my suggestion would be call the company direct like lunati, crane, etc. and get a part number from them (its free )and order from summit. just tell them what you have and want.

09-05-2006, 07:27 PM	#4
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Re: Need help with cam choice Please!!! Hehe, the B-303. Now I'm a big fan of nostalgia, but the B-303 had its day nearly 2 decades ago. It's a camshaft which has quite a bit of overlap considering it's size, and it's probably a better carbed cam than an EFI cam. I guess I'd take it over the E-303 just because of all the idle problems that seem to have been associated with E-303 camshafts over the years, but the alphabet cams are not going to perform as well as newer designs or certainly a custom grind from a reputable shop. If I were to choose an alpha cam, which I wouldn't, the F-303 would be my choice. Custom grind camshafts seem to have dropped in price over the past 10 years or so as they have become more popular, and you should definitely consider them. I'm not sure what to recommend these days as I've been a little out of the loop.

09-05-2006, 10:53 PM	#5
Fat0eknee I'm slow ...I know. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston Posts: 518	Re: Need help with cam choice Please!!! well ..i have a 1995 lightning and im on that board a lot - they seem to like a company called cammotion cams (they make good speed density cams). a custom hyd. roller from them is about ~$300. just a thought ...i'm sure they could make you a pretty good stick __________________ When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all...