Finally finishing my 83 Z. The Lt1 I'm using is from a 95 Impala SS with the 9c1 package. I'm retaining the stock cast iron heads with only slight work on the exhaust side, stock intake, 30lb injectors, and stock bottom end. I do already have a complete hooker exhaust from the previous motor, so thats not an issue. I need suggestions for a cam that would work with slightly modded stock heads with a range of 5500-6000 rpm. Now, am I right to assume that other roller cams will work only with the dowel pin swapped (or pulled out a little further)? any one here running iron heads too? any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Fill out your signature with your mods, thats a good start. Then let is know what your goals are for the car and what you'll be using it for [daily driver, weekends, strip, etc]. We also need to know gearing, converter, trans, bolt on's, max RPM, etc.

-Dustin-

 

i want to make a nice daily driver out of it. i'm shooting for 415 at the crank. max rpm's would be around 6000-6500. trans is a stock (83) 700r4 with stage 2 shift kit, 2500 stall lock up, 3.08 limited slip. I've already got a full hooker supercomp exhaust from the old motor. i'm also running an electric water pump and a double true roller chain. stock ign. full a/c car, no smog equipment, dual electric radiator fans, and aux oil cooler. I really don't care to much about the transmission blowing up, it's old anyways and i have a spare.

 

A nice daily driver then I suggest doing searches on these camshafts.

XE224/230 [Comp Cams]
GM846 [Crane cams, but GM sells it]
GM Hotcam [GMPP Cam] [Also comes in a kit with valvesprings and rocker arms]
CC305 [Comp Cams]
LE1 Camshaft [Lloyd Elliot Custom Cam]

Of course you going to want 1.6 full roller rockers, good pushrods, etc.

-Dustin-

 

funny thing you mention the hotcam. i was actually looking into kit with everything included. is it a decent reliable cam? do you know how the engine responds to it? i know numbers can tell me alot, but i woud love to know first hand expiriance.

 

The HotCam is a good choice because it does come with everything...but there are better choices out there...im personally goin with the CC503...Advanced Inductions sells a kit with almost everything you would need for about 1400 bucks...and for a link http://www.advancedinduction.com/AiProductsCK.html

 

The iron heads are really lift limited. With 1.52 rockers I know .535 or so is fine, with 1.6s you are getting close to the "guide" holes in the heads at that lift. Then the guides are really tall creating potential retainer to seal issues.

Point being be very careful when following the advise thrown around here, lots of well meaning folks who have no clue about critical details.

A friend use a custom cam from the above link, got the whole kit there with the spring and 1.52 rockers and all and it has worked very well for him on his old Caprice cop car.

That said, give it say 2800-3200 QUALITY 9.5" converter and 3.42-3.73s and you will be a LOT happier and it will be fine to drive, hand the keys to your mother even.

 

good call on the stall and gears...didnt even notice what he had....gears and a stall will make your car and you much happier...personally i would do that before the cam

 

i'm building everything off the motor. once the motor gets done, i'll do everything else. i have aa 2500 stall, but i can replace it when the motor is put in. same with the rear gears. i'm having the valve guides cut down a little when i send the heads out for my valve job. I want to keep the car very highway friendly, with a decent top speed and lock up convertor.