I did search for this, but couldnt find anything...

If I buy a aftermarket camshaft, is it made for the old opti (93-94) or the vented one?

 

Most aftermarket camshafts are made for 1995+ model years (unless otherwise noted). However, this will work fine on 1993-1994 models after shortening the dowel pin.

Conversely, a 1993-1994 camshaft should not be used on 1995+ f-bodies.

 

Unless you replace the dowel. (which is what I did)

 

There seems to be some confusion on this matter (-at least in myself).

I was under the impression that 1995+ cams have a larger snout opening to accept the nub on the back of the vented optispark. Theoretically, the smaller snout opening on pre-1995 vehicles would not cooperate with a vented optispark (preventing the opti from sitting flush on the timing cover), even if the longer dowel was used.

However, I've heard of two people getting way with a 1994 cam in a 1995 vehicle -- without machining the face of the cam (snout).


If you've done it to your car and it works, I guess there's no need for a debate. It must work...

 

Alex, you may be correct for the stock Cam, but we are talking about aftermarket ones here. So the relief should be pre-machined to fit a 95+ from the manufacturer.

I bought a used CC305 years ago, it had been used on a '94 and the dowel had been shaved. So I measured my stock cam, pulled the dowel out of the CC305 and put the dowel out of my stock camshaft into the CC305. Effectively switching a '94 Cam to work on a '95 motor.