I am really new to this so I might sound dumb. My car has a 350 Crate TPI and I believe the cam specs are .435"/.460" lift and 212*/222* with duration at .050. I was wondering how much bigger I could go with stock internals without loosing power. I was thinking .480"/.480" life and 230*/230*. Think this would work? How much power would it add? Or would this just be pointless? Thanks for the help in advance

 

No matter how big a cam you go, stock internals shouldn't be a factor. Only thing you have to look at is, generally, the bigger the cam the higher RPM you need for MAX HP. I think L98 heads are only good to ~.480". Do a search for "Stock Iron L98 Heads Cam"

 

That sounds like the cam specs on the vortec headed 350 deluxe crate motor. If it is, those heads would love those cam specs. But .480 inches is pushing the limits on the clearance for your pushrod guide post. You also have to consider your gears and wether or not you have a higher rpm stall converter. A 2.73 geared stock converter auto would not do very well from a stop with that cam.

But no matter what heads you have the spring clearence needs to be checked. And I personally think even if you have stock L98 heads it will like that cam also if you have the converter at least.

 

I guess you have the TPI induction also don't you. Hmm, I'm not as sure the cam will be worthwhile. That cam will probably like to breath past 5500 rpm. And the TPI doesn't. Why don't you try it and let us know.

 

Its a manual and I wouldnt mind reving it up a bit before going. The car has 2.73's right now but am getting 3.73's right at the start of the summer. Thanks

 

Haha. Yea the cams RPM range is from 2k - 6k. All the work involved maybe Ill find someone that already did it and let you know. If not I can probably get the cam free so it would just involve work.

 

You really shouldn't look for the biggest cam your car can handle. You should look for (although it's your perogative) the one that is going to give you the best peak h.p. at a higher rpm without sacrificing to much low to mid range torque and vacumn.

215/220 duration @.050
0.450-0.460" lift
Lobe separation angle-110

That would be a nice little boost.

 

Your questions are NOT stupid--how else can ANYONE learn?--and the folks here really WANT to help you, so don't worry

It is not wise to use a cam with more than about .460 lift on stock heads. The lifts you list are not the stock L98 cam specs, which are in the .410 and .425 region.

You state your cam or engine's rpm range as 2000-6000 rpms. Unless someone did extensive mods to the tpi runners and intake, there is no way you can hit more than about 4500 rpm with consistency. Thus that cam is moving your powerband into the rpm region your engine can't reach. This is a no win situation, to say the least.

If you want more performance than the L98 gives, go over to www.thirdgen.org and look in their TPI forum. Folks there are true experts and will tell you all the steps necessary to move that L98 up to the next level of performance

 

Thanks alot guys for your time and help. Ill check out that page.