Queens94z28

My Z28 is not a daily driver and is in excellent shape. 60k miles on it right now and I have maintained it very well. Good oil pressure etc.

Right now it is a bolt on car with an upgraded trans and a Yank SS3200. It runs great but I am looking for more power. Anything around 350 rwhp would make me happy for now. I dont race the car.

I was thinking of porting the heads and getting a mild cam like the Crane 227 or LPE 211/219. Might consider something from Advanced Induction as well. Was also thinking of upgrading to Kooks long tubes as I am not that happy with the RK Sport headers I have now (slip fit primary always leaks and the fitment is not great).

Do you think the bottom end will be ok with the head and cam upgrade? I cant afford a new bottom end right now...(6 month old baby girl at home). Would keep the engine in the stock rpm range.

I have searched and it looks like mixed responses so wanted to start my own thread. I think I would pull the motor and do this on an engine stand to keep everything clean and I can take my time over the winter....powder coat some parts etc.

Also, do you think I would pass NY emissions with those cams and the Kooks headers. I would get the headers with emissions hookups and a catted Y pipe.

Thanks for your help.

henryz28

A CC306 would get you those numbers. The bottom end should be fine, just make sure you don't damage a cam bearing. You might just want to go with something like a LE1 set up.http://www.elliottsportworks.com/lt1.html, You might be able to make 350rwhp without head work on a custom cam.

Airbornec507

If you get your heads worked go custom grind so that you can maximize the head potential for your goals. A set of AI 190cc package or LE2 heads with a custom grind recommended by them after you tell them what you want will net you the best gains over slapping a shelf grind on a set of ported heads. If you go with those heads you also leave room for improvement in the future by going to a more aggressive grind with a cam change only.

Kinda wish I went with a set of AI200cc or LE3 H/C package back in the day when I did my 383. O well live and learn.

bw_hunter

You sure don't need as much cam as a CC306 to get to 350rwhp....

Call Lloyd Elliot to get recommendations on head work/cam selection and you'll be well satisfied

Queens94z28

So if I am careful and clean this should work out well. Why do so many people spin bearings after cam swaps? There is a local camaro club by me and I am basically the only LT1 guy, they all have LS1s. Basically they are telling me that my engine wont make it through a cam change. Probably LT1 haters...

JAKEJR

I, too, have read a lot of posts of guys spinning rod bearings after a cam change. However, no one seems to have come up with an answer to "why"?

I suspect they didn't prime the oiling system before firing the engine. So they started the engine with empty (or partically empty) oil galleries, low or no oil in the lifters, no olin the pushrods, etc.

The few seconds it would take for the engine to build oil pressure may be all that's needed. In any event, it's good insurance to prime it.

Anyone have any other ideas on why this happens so often?

Just my thoughts.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!! Graduation Day parade 20 May 2010!!!

henryz28

It will hold just fine. As long as you do the swap correctly, and yes a custom cam will be your best bet even with stock heads. I am at 64k right now and my motor is good, but I have some ignition or fuel problem that's giving me problems. As long as you are careful pulling out the old cam and lube the crap out of the new cam you should be fine with the bearings. I took my time and slowly slid the new cam in being careful not to ding a bearing. With that upgraded trans your car should run into the 11s with a H/C swap; if you get traction. Your rear end might not hold up to too good though.

Queens94z28

Thanks guys, I will pull the motor and do the work on my engine stand over time. This way I can inspect everything before I install the new cam. I have some confidence in the install now. I just cant justify spending a lot of money on a bottom end for a weekend cruiser with the HP goal I have in mind. I think 350 rwhp with that stall and tranny will make for a really fun car on the street.

Will probably call AI and get their opinion on a set up with a custom cam. Will most likely get the car dyno tuned afterwards.

Any thoughts on the Kooks headers? How is the fitment with the catted Y pipe. My car is lowered about an inch or so...

henryz28

Kooks are great headers good, check out this thread https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=719716

Z-RATED94

Talk to Lloyd or AI and they can set you up with a cam that will fit what your trying to do. Don't be affraid that a small cam won't preform if set up correctly with the proper supporting mods. I run an emission size cam and it does ok by me.

Queens94z28

Are you running on a stock shortblock? How many miles since you did the cam swap? Those are some nice quarter mile times....

Z-RATED94

Yeah, stock shortblock. Just turned over 32k about a week ago. Did the cam and heads a little over 5 years ago when it had 28k on it. I need to update my NA time as it went 11.88 a few weeks back. I think I'll go update it now.