What year was the camshaft bad in the camaro?

Hi guys, the IROC i wanted didnt work out but now i got the chance and the money to go after a 86 z28 with a TPI 305. It has 91k on it original, and is in pretty good shape. It runs rough, and has a code 22 in it, which is related to the TPS or Fuel pump cutoff relay circuit. Hopefully that is why it's running rough, and not a worn out camshaft. I know there was a year or two that a shotty cam was used and wore out really quick. Am I safe with this 86?

I *believe* that year you are thinking of was '85, but it may be the '86. Hopefully somebody more achknowledgeable will chime in here.

What's up Matt?

I was not aware of there being a problem with a actually "shoddy" as in defective cam that would wear out during the 3rdgen's run. I've had 85, 86, and 87 305 TPI cars and never had any cam wear related problems that I could tell (all had over 120k miles on the original bumpstick when I had them).

What you may be thinking of is that the 86 got the "peanut cam" (so did the 87+ TPI auto equiped cars, just a roller version), which is a serious performance killing cam as it's so small. The change to that cam in 86 yielded a 25hp drop from the 85 305 TPI with no other performance impacting changes... An honest to god 25 hp drop in the ratings, WTF GM thought it was doing is beyond me, I guess emissions reasoning. Anyway, 86 was also the last year for the non-roller cam (at least in TPIs cars, I think across the board in V8 Fbodies but not sure)...

If you're worried the cam is dead it wouldn't be a bad idea to swap it out anyway to ditch the peanut cam. Summit and others sell a generic 204/214 dur @.050 cam for right around $100 that works great in the 305 TPIs (it's just a little bit hotter than the "good" factory TPI cams). Summit specifically also sells a kit with the valve springs too I believe for a little more. I stuffed that cam (left the stock valve springs) in my 86 IROC and it yielded quite an improvement...

nah im sure there was a bad cam that was used for a year or two. I know of the "peanut" cam. Hopefully someone with more info can chime in. Thanks for the info though, if I get this one, I will definitely be getting rid of the stock cam.

never heard of a "bad" cam

Hey John, how's it going? Still shooting for a beautiful tpi IROC are you?

But I know what John is talking about; In the 85-year model 305's the cams wear out prematurely. (Maybe it's the 86's, but I think 85 is the year) The reason they wore-out so fast (i think) was because they used a special metal for some reason or another, but It ended up wearing out much faster.
Dont quote me on any of this, but this is what I remember.

If it hadn't died after all these years, why is it a bad Cam???? :confused: :confused: I would check your facts.

GM did have problems with soft cams in the 305's I think, can't remember what year, you will have to search the net to find out. It is true though, I think they got a bad batch of cams with not the right heat treat process to the metal and had lots of failures.

Actually I know my facts, and I'll ask one of the older techs tomarrow at work. It was a while ago I found out about it, but I'm sure one of the guy's know.

GM did have problems with soft cams in the 305's I think, can't remember what year, you will have to search the net to find out. It is true though, I think they got a bad batch of cams with not the right heat treat process to the metal and had lots of failures.

You are correct.
I dont know if they were a bad batch, or just simply bad design. I *thought* I heard that they were soft like that to make them quiter, but I am not positive which one is true.
Like John and myself said; we believe it was the '85 model year 305's with the shoddy cam.

Looks like 87DJP2001 is the one that better check his facts ;)
What happened w/ the *soft cams* was they wore out EXTREMELY prematurely, resulting in horrible performance :)

As far as TPI cars, 86 was the ultra wimpy year. Lowest rated HP I'm pretty sure.

My orginal opinion was "if the engine is still running after all these years the Camshaft could not be defective". As for facts check out all the info on the Tech Site of www.thirdgen.org for all the correct facts about all your heresay info. :rolleyes: Note: not one mention of a defective camshaft. ;)

My orginal opinion was "if the engine is still running after all these years the Camshaft could not be defective". As for facts check out all the info on the Tech Site of www.thirdgen.org for all the correct facts about all your heresay info. :rolleyes: Note: not one mention of a defective camshaft. ;)

This is my stance on the issue.

My hearsay info is from techs that have been in the business alot longer than you have probably been alive. I work at a GM dealership. There was a bad year for 305 cams, when I find out for sure the concrete proof, I'll post it.

And yes, it could be defective, a worn cam will usually result in poor firing of the cylinders, and back firing and such. Kinda like what this car is doing. A car can still run with a worn cam. Check your facts.

My hearsay info is from techs that have been in the business alot longer than you have probably been alive. I work at a GM dealership. There was a bad year for 305 cams, when I find out for sure the concrete proof, I'll post it.

Just for your info: Original owner of 1987 IROC-Z + a few more years so you crank the numbers, I have been around a lot longer then your so called tech's. ;) So keep looking for your concrete info.

Because you have owned one Camaro since new you now have more knowledge than Automotive Technicians in there early 50's? Wow. Maybe you can tell me for sure then everything I need to know. :bow:

Ok, I did find out the years and it surprised the hell outta me. I admit I was wrong on the year(s), but there was a few years in a row they were wearing out premature. I called a tech I work with who's been wrenching since the late 70's at dealerships, and he states that from 77-82, possibly up till 83, there was known premature cam failures from bad metal. JD, sorry for the arguement. Remember this info guys!

My orginal opinion was "if the engine is still running after all these years the Camshaft could not be defective". As for facts check out all the info on the Tech Site of www.thirdgen.org for all the correct facts about all your heresay info. :rolleyes: Note: not one mention of a defective camshaft. ;)

Really? Thirdgen.org didn't say when they changed the chemical composure of the cam? Hm... thats weird :think: I assume they also said what the lift, duration, etc was for EVERY single cam? Did they also say when one singular molecular-al component was changed in say, the timing chain etc??
I *HIGHLY* doubt tgo is going to mention when there was a change-up in the type of material used in a cam ;)

And it's not like you would *notice* the deffective cam since you have been driving it from day 1, and your car ran like BRAND NEW problem free up too that 100k point. It is a very gradual loss, nothing sudden :)

Either way, there was a batch of bad cams. Take it how you may since you could always say "oh, your tech friend this and that". W/E. I don't care anymore. I want to die. :death:

I want to die. :death:

Even *before* owning a TPI, t-tops, manual transmistioned IROC :eek:

Ok, I did find out the years and it surprised the hell outta me. I admit I was wrong on the year(s), but there was a few years in a row they were wearing out premature. I called a tech I work with who's been wrenching since the late 70's at dealerships, and he states that from 77-82, possibly up till 83, there was known premature cam failures from bad metal. JD, sorry for the arguement. Remember this info guys!

This is the most accurate info on the GM "soft cam" fiasco. I pulled a cam out of an 81 cutlass that had a 305 in it and two lobes were not lobes any more,,, :eek: they still had a bit of lift but the valve prob only opened up enough to let a "smidgen" of fuel in the cylinder.

Alos,, gotta watch those pissing matches eh?? :D

"Alos,, gotta watch those pissing matches eh?? "


Yeah, especially when Mr. Iamtheoriginalownerofaniroc is involved.

"Alos,, gotta watch those pissing matches eh?? "


Yeah, especially when Mr. Iamtheoriginalownerofaniroc is involved.

You got that right, sorry guy I just could not resist.

;) ;) ;)