what camshaft and lifter do you guys recommend? The car is all stock right now...any other suggestions, specific parts...thanks a lot

 

That depends on what you want to do and also what parts you will use with it. Is this for your daily driver or a weekend only dragster?

What are your rear gears?

 

Yep. But without that added info I will toss in that I have heard the LT1 cam is a decent all-round improvement over the stock cam for the 305 cars.

 

As mentioned above, the LT1 cam is much better than the stock 305 "peanut" cam. Aside from its specs, you can also pick up a used one for like 30 bucks. Let us know what your plans are with the car and maybe a parts list of your motor, then we'll be able to help you out.
-Rippin

 

Im considering the vortec cam from competition products part #264HP its got almost the same specs as the LT1 cam and it's only $49.95 new.

 

thanks for the replies


Rippin, I did some research and found out that they made a cam change in the 86's which lost 25 hp on paper...maybe I should look for an 85 cam? I was originally going to drop a 350 in there once I came up with the dough but I'm going to college and won't be working as much (brookdale college for engineering)...I want to be in the 14's doing only engine work, everything is stock under the hood so far...the whole car is stock except a recent paint job...also any suggestions for my exhaust? any advice is good

 

Don't forget guys his '86 isn't a roller block so it is going to be cost prohibitive to use a roller cam. I would say stick with a flat tappet. Try something from Comp maybe like an XE268. Would really need more info about the car first though.

Martin

 

The XE268 is WAY too big for a 305!

At most try an XE256 or Crane PowerMax 266.

But to be of much help we NEED your rear gear ratio!

 

I knew I forgot something ...

2.73

 

Or even try out
http://www.inter-scape.com/ray/305buildup.htm

This dude makes 324 horse, out of 149 (I believe it is), and 314 lb/ft from lik 149 also...
Give it a lil look.. pretty interesting, although hard to read.

 

that's an interesting site man...thanks for the literature...I'll probably stick with dropping a used 350 (found one with 10K miles on it) but if I were to buildup my 305 I would take another look at that site

 

No prob about the literature...
It seems like a decently cheap build-up.. lets not forget that everything could be had for cheaper on Ebay though..
I am only 16.. so I know what you are going thru, as I read you are engaging in College.. so money issue's are more-or-less the same w/ me.. lol. Later,
Matt

 

Do gears and exhaust first. Maybe a carb swap.

I got my 86 Trans Am LG4 5 speed to run a 14.94 @ 91.67mph with only a carb swap. Still had stock manifolds and exhaust.
This is what my engine looked like when I did the intake swap as well,


My timeslip,


I then did a TPI and Cam install on my 305 and ran a 14.1@99mph.



Now I have an LT1 that I am building up for my 86 Trans Am,

 

Manny.. what do ya mean "gears" first? What should be done to gears?
What should be done to exhaust.. like 3-inch, Flowmasters, and headers?
I just relized something Manny.. our cars are the same color.. lol.

And by doing Headers, 3-inch exhaust, Carb, Distributor.. do ya think I will get noticeable results? And then maybe 3:42 gears?
Matt

 

that's awesome man, but one question...what carb did you swap before you switched to tpi? thanks