DROBECO

hey guys i want to give my 305 a little more taste to its sound nothing crazy no big lobes or complete engine building projects just a little cam for a little extra hmph. all thats done to the car is edelbrock performer 2 intake manifold 4.11 gears headers and exhaust. any suggestions would be great something that can run on my stock set up it is my daily driver and is tbi. thanks.

Guest

If you want the noticeable idle, forget it. The TBI won't take that. You'll spend months trying to get a custom tune that works. But it still won't perform, with those heads.
If you want a cam for torque you can feel, then you have a few good choices. The cheapest is the L31 cam. You can find them used for under $50.

DROBECO

yeah i know im not going to have a sweet rompy idle if i wanted that id throw my 305 in the trash can and start fresh lol what about this cam?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...uery=CID%7c305

Guest

I seriously doubt it. What about the GMPP RamJet 350 cam?

Guest

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-14097395/

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

The OPs is the wrong type of cam. You can use it if you get a new timing set and pushrods, but putting in a flat tappet is going backwards if you have a roller block. The second one is too small to be worth the effort.

The problem isnt so much the TBI. If you tune it, you can run a lumpy cam. The problem here is that the rest of the engine is all stock: crappy heads, valvetrain, intake, exhaust, gears, torque converter, etc.

You need to have the rest of the car match the cams operating range.

For a stock TBI car, a good cam to use is an LT1 cam or similar. They have a little more duration and lift that can, with a good exhaust, intake, and a few other mods, push the engine to around 275 HP at the crank, which is a lot more than what it makes now.

DROBECO

lol thanks for being honest, what is that? im entirely new to cams ive rebuilt engines and have taken suspensions apart and back together over night but i've never really had the chance to fool with internals do you have a link?

DROBECO

thanks demented and my exhaust isnt a problem atleast not for a light cam my intake shouldnt be or so imo but i know i have the most resticted heads known to man valves are weak and so forth. and yeah 275 would double that lazy 305's hp i would be thrilled with that lol

oh and yes it is a roller motor

camaronewbie

The LT1 cam is the cam from the LT1 motor, usually from a 1995, 1996, 1997 Camaro or Firebird that had the LT1 motor in it. Find them used on Craigslist, ebay, local yard, etc.

Guest

You ain't makin' no 275 HP with LO3 heads on an LO3.
The L31 cam should give 20 ft-lbs. For $50 plus a few gaskets, that ain't bad.
The LT1 cam will give up low-rpm TQ due to the late intake closing, but won't help the top end because the heads can't flow.
That just leaves the RamJet 350 cam.
The specs look small to most people, but in the RamJet, it pulls 5500 RPM just as strongly as a ZZ4, despite less exhaust flow and less compression. And the midrange torque equals the ZZ4, while the low RPM TQ is no comparison.
There's a guy here who did this "small" cam to his LO3, and he's happy with his new traction problem.
Find anyone who can say the same with an LT1 cam in an LO3.

DeltaElite121

I say a set of longtubes if you're looking for sound and performance. I wouldn't mess with anything on that motor. At least the longtubes will help now AND later.


Just noticed you said HEADERS. Well, I still wouldn't mess with it unless you picked up a good used cam for cheap.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

You have to keep in mind that the reason the ramjet does so well IS the head flow. It has vortecs. Better heads results in more power with less cam duration. It also has a great intake to boot, and is usually run with only headers and no smog equipment. It also has a factory tuned PFI system. Its a whole nother ballgame compared to what we're dealing with here.

With lesser head flow, a little extra duration will help out the top end, but within reason. I also agree that the duration leaves a bit to be desired.

I had a cam with similar duration in my smogger 350, and thats all it would do, is spin the snot out of the tires. Great for doing donuts, but it was dead after 3500 RPM. The LT1 cam is the largest you can get away with on the stock heads. Sure, I agree that they suck. But, with a good intake, headers, full length exhaust, upgraded 2" TBI, better gears, and most importantly, a good tune, it can do alright. A lot better than what he has currently. OP: For the build, I would HIGHLY recommend looking into prom burning if you want to change out the cam. The TBI will work fine, but tuning is a must.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

I wasnt trying to be rude with my post, just being honest about what these cars came with from the factory. They really are that bad. As far as my TBI car goes, the only factory things left are the sheet metal and crappy peeling paint courtesy of Van Nuys. I trashed the whole stock drivetrain because its just not condusive to performance.

With that said, the 305 itself is OK performance wise. I should have also added an asterisk to the 275 saying it would require a good tune, good full exhaust, and no cats. If you have to run emissions, and want to keep all the factory accessories and emissions equipment, than more realistically Id say about 230-240 at the crank. FWIW, people have run the LT1 cam with the stock heads and gotten OK results. Its not ideal, but it can work alright if you set it up properly.

If it where me, Id also be considering doing the heads. Youll have the motor torn down most of the way, so its a good time to do those as well. The main reason I bring up the LT1 cam is that most people dont want to spend any money (we all know how expensive a new roller is), so thats probably one of the better options at the bone yard if you want to keep cost down. It wouldnt be my choice for performance as the LSA leaves a bit to be desired as RJ pointed out above. This will give a torque band thats more flat and less peaky than what youd get with a tighter LSA. Again, if you do use the LT1 cam, I cant stress enough that you will need to tune it! If you have money to spend, you can do better with an aftermarket roller.

If your really dead-set against touching the fuel injection, the L31 or ramjet cam will work as RJ said above. This will more or less mimic the stock cam. It will only give a modest increase in torque and power, though. It is larger than the stock cam, but not by a lot. Even still, you may find that it needs tuning. I ran a similar cam with my 350, and it worked ok on the stock tune. The performance was disappointing, though.

If your going through all the effort, you might also consider a head swap. What you choose all depends on how much you have to spend. You could port a stock set of LB9 heads and refresh those to save some money. Ive ported heads, and it takes a lot of time to do it, but if your broke, it gets the job done.

DROBECO

yeah my boss is old school like that i've helped him port his heads on sbc and fords and i was jokin along with you i've driven a lot faster cars and am disapointed with the performance of the 305's set up i feel chevy could have done a lot better. i definitely appreciate all of your assistance guys this is by far the best forum i've ever worked with.

i think we have some 305 heads laying around at the shop i might run those down to a machine shop and have them dressed up for a little better flow. and living in FL we dont have emissions so there's none of that on this motor which makes things a little easier while working under the hood. and i have no problem getting a tune that old boy could use one im sure.

so im looking at lt1 cam with a tune and some head action will push me into the mid 200's? i'll be tickled pink if i can pull that off lol. and with "fooling with injection" do you mean bigger injectors or what?

old z mzn

iTrader: (1)

give these guys a call. they make cams for your car in stock form

http://www.tpis.com/

DROBECO

i have kooks custom... thanks for the notice. the car sounds amazing at idle through redline no raspyness no hi pitch popping an x pipe and dual 40 series follow this and dump just before the rear bumper my bolt ons are basically done on this car thats why im dipping further into this,

Rj i am interested in that ramjest aswell im looking for best results obviously and im looking to spend probably around $500 tune for me cost $150 so i have a little money to play with.

DROBECO

yeah i'll definitely give them a call on monday they look pretty official.

DeltaElite121

Is there a reason you don't want to move to a 350 sbc (or even a 400)? You could get one in there cheap if you just look around, especially if you're prepared to spend that kind of money. I faced the same problem you did, and I knew any money I'd spend on a 305 just wouldn't get me where I wanted (for the $'s amount, anyways). If you want a big leap in performance, I say you buy a nice used motor and plug that in. Selling your 305 will cover a good chunk of the cost in itself.. there's plenty of guys out there who buy them because they just want a cruiser. You however, want a little bang in your step. With your current modifications, you'de notice a large difference compared to where you're at now.

- Either that or find a decent set of cylinder heads like mentioned before. I only made the suggestion though because motors aren't selling very well right now and you can pick one up CHEAP with good stuff in it.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Is an LT4 Hotcam that bad of an idea? THe measurements on those seem rather high, but from what I recall, that's with 1.6 ratio rocker arms. With stock 1.5:1 rockers it seems like it would be just a small step up form the LT1 cam.

Edit: Just revisited the specs... even with a 1.5 ratio rocker arms setup it'd a bit too much I think.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

The LT4 hot cam is too big, but a regular LT4 cam would actually be a good choice for use with the stock heads. Its specs are (203/210, .448"/.448", 115 LSA). The only downside is that your not likely to find a base LT4 cam used for sale. Never the less, for a build like this, a similar cam would be right about what you want to use. A tighter LSA, like 112, would be ideal since you have no cats.

Most likely you may want to just buy an aftermarket roller. It would also be a good idea to get some upgraded valve springs as well if you go the route of leaving the heads on the engine and just swapping the cam.

As far as the EFI goes, the small cam like an L31 will be closer to the stock cam, so you can get away with something like just turing up the fuel pressure a little and maybe a little more base advance. This will only get mild gains over the stock engine, though.

Ideally, you should tune it yourself for best results. This has been discussed ad nauseam on the TBI board, so do some searches.

DROBECO

i've been back and forth with that as well me and buds have done motor swaps on all kinds of things they always make me a little nervous but i know it would make way more sense to do that, also im worried about having enough motivation to actually go through with building the motor i don't necessarily trust people when they say this and that is done to a motor so i'd want to take it apart and put my own goodies in it.

this is helping me decide in between a swap and a cam though i get it's out of laziness i dont want to do the swap ... which in the long run would probably be easier.


so hypothetically say that i do go to a larger cid small block most likely a 350 just to keep it on topic what cam would do me best for a daily driver? (it would be still be TBI)

DeltaElite121

I'd call Lunati/Comp/Bullet/Whoever and explain your situation to them. Get them to grind you something that will work at optimal performance for what you're doing now since you want to stick with TBI. That's what I'd do, anyways. I mean, you figure you're deadset on buying a cam.. so you might as well make it perfect.

DROBECO

yeah that makes sense if i'm going to go through all the effort. i want more power and i know power comes from how fast and efficiently your engine retrieve air and fuel and disperse of it. im shooting for about 300 hp i imagine somewhere around 330-350torque like i said its still my DD and i really dont want to get into building up my 700r4. i'm thinking mild cam in a 350 with the bolt ons that i have and a tune that goal is easily within reach.

DeltaElite121

your goal is reasonable so I don't see why not. I've seen some mild cammed cars make some good power provided they've got a good setup and are tuned well.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

If you're gonna spend the money for a custom one of a kind grind cam, then why not just get rid of hte bottlenecks that require the special cam in the first place?

Thirdgenlove

Don't you just love Florida and our no emissions testing.

DROBECO

you better believe it! hey your basically right up the street from me, you know of any f body meets around here?

Thirdgenlove

ya Im not too far. and the only one I can think of is f-body inc. meets on Wednesdays at like 8 at the lowes off lumsden and providence. but there is a classic car meet at sonic in valrico on wednesdays at like 6. also ive seen several f-bodies at the plant city car shows thats usually a big meet. i was just talking to another member about getting a brandon/tampa group together because there seems to be alot of us.

DROBECO

yeah im actually at lowes every week i know about the sonic too but thats geared more towards classics.

GOTCHEVY

iTrader: (1)

Ok a LT1 cam is fine if thats the most your ever gonna do to the motor. Once you start getting into bigger heads, more fuel, more air, that cam will get to a point where its not enough to feed the power your trying to make. Dont limit yourself or say i dont want this or thats too much. If you had the choice of have 200hp or 500hp, which one would you choose? Dumb question right.... but my point is that your always gonna want more. So pick a realistic goal for your build and try to reach it as soon as possible. Dont go with a small cam now then have to change it next year cuz the motor needs more. Its a b!tch to do a cam swap. You dont wanna do it twice. When i was getting my build together I based it off this article...
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._ii/index.html
You should have a little more faith in your TBI. I did and my car has out ran LS1s, LT1s, and I smoke 5.0s just to warmup the engine in the mornings hahaha
But really if you give it the tools you'll be suprised what it can do...
If your interested Im selling a cc304 cam $180 and some vortec heads $350

Also in this forum it seems like most guys that give advice always want you to "go small"..."keep the motor tame"..."thats too much for that motor"..."dont do that it wont work"...I'd like to hear more guys saying "yes thats nice but you should go bigger"..."do this it'll make way more power"
I guess no one wants anyone to be faster then them huh

DROBECO

well i am keeping it TBI but saturday im going to pick up a bone yard 350 and build it from the ground up and i know i'll be more than happy with 300 hp if thats what i get to thats my goal the most power i've ever hadwas about 220 hp and i loved that thing, i drove a buddy of mines 01 steeda and he was told it has about 400 later testing puts it in the low 300's i think it was around 315hp and that thing romped pretty well for my liking. i agree a lot of times people say this is too big or thats too much or your going to spend this but i think thats because we're all mechanics (for the most part) we all think alike and want to honestly help that person out and make the job easier for them with more efficient results.

DROBECO

well boys i bought my 350 4 bolt today pulled it out of a wrecked 2500 i need heads though any suggestions?

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Vortecs or aftermarket.

Get a roller cam.

If you go vortecs keep it under around .480 lift. At least under .500 even if you machine the guides. The performance actually suffers with higher lift cams due to the ports in the Vortecs. You get some decent duration at around .480 lift on a healthy roller cam and you'll make 400hp.


Oh wait I forgot your dealing with the TBI....

I'd still say Vortecs. Keep the cam under .470 lift. Get a tiny roller cam if you must. The TBI will like it. You will make 250-280hp with a modest cam if you can get it tuned properly.