Hello, been a member for years but I can usually search and find all the answers I've needed in the 8 years I've had my firebird. Today I have a vehicle specific question I need help on. Now a little background on the car.

87 firebird base model lg4 auto, I believe the car was tbi (right??) Was swapped to carb and all computer removed by PO.

Edelbrock performer 1406 carb
Edelbrock performer intake
Msd pro-billit distrib
Hedman shortys
Flowmaster catback
I've swapped rearends out of a 91 camaro, had 2.73s I believe. Not sure what I have now but my speedo was reading so high it broke a week later after being constantly pegged. 3.23s? Or 3.42??
Cheap b&m shiftkit

The car is pretty fun for what it is and I've always wanted to swap a 350 in but I needed a family car so there went my motor build money.

I've been reading and searching but with all the different head/intake/carb combos its hard to figure a good cam swap. I must admit when I start getting into duration, lift, ect I feel a little in over my head. I've read zz4s a good cam, stock lt1 cam maybe?

I want to make the best of what I have now. I don't know what heads are on the car. They are centerbolt. I do not believe it is a roller engine even though I heard that started in 87. I pulled the intake for new gaskets and pulled the lifters for the hell of it and they were flat tappet lifters.

#1. What heads do I have? How can I figure it out if needed?

#2. What would be a good cam for my intake/carb and gear set-up?? Don't want to sink too much money in a cam for a somewhat old motor.

#3. Are there any other mods I can do to help my set up be more efficient???

I know that its not a powerhouse but id like to make as much power as I can with what I have.


Thanks guys. Love this site!

No suggestions??

Erson Hi flow AH, 220/220 on a 110, advanced 4 degrees, lift is .472 with your stock rockers.

Pros and cons??
What's the power band 1500-5500??
Could I run 1.6 rockers??
Is it a roller or flat tappet cam??

Yes you can use 1.6 rockers if you want.
Yes power would be in that range with the bulk of it in the 2000-4000 rpm, right where it spends the most time.
It's a hyd flat tappet.

87's had roller lifters. Why downgrade? Enough of that has been done already. The ZZ4 cam is a better choice - take-outs can be found fairly cheap (less than a flat tappet cam, lifters, and pushrods would cost).

By the way, LG4's all had computer q-jets (except those delivered in Canada from the factory). The first downgrade was the Edelbrock carb. If you want to improve your car, put the q-jet back on. If that isn't available, make sure everything was done properly - TV cable geometry corrector bracket & TCC lock-up (if automatic), timing set properly, carb properly jetted, etc.

I got the car 8 years ago from a engine machine shop. All the edelbrock stuff was already on it. What exactly makes it so bad??

The carb has a recent rebuild and it runs as good as ever. Never bothered the jets or anything, not sure if anybody else has either.

Timing is at 8 degree advanced iirc.. this good enough??

What other "downgrades" have I done???

As I stated before, I've pulled the intake, rockers, and pushrods before and inspected the lifters and they were not roller lifters for sure..I don't know why or how.
Will the zz4 still work?

I do not have tcc control of any kind.. I know I need this already.

Just lookin for advice..

There is nothing wrong with Edelbrock carbs. However, I also believe that a good QJet is the way to go for most cars. But since yours works well as it is, leave it.

Timing is completely dependent on each individual engine. Anywhere from 8-14 base timing is good. You could probably bump it up a bit to get a few more ponies, but come smog time you'll prolly have to bring it down a little.

Because I don't know how to multi quote.....

1)Easiest way to see what heads you have is to pull the valve cover and check the casting number.

2) Best thing for cams is to look at what others have done with similar mods and get their impression. I have a Comp Cams XE262 and so far I'm very happy with it, although I only have about 10 miles on my build before the tranny fried.....

3) You pretty much have the basics. More air in - more air out. Some easy power could come from roller rockers or a dual air cleaner. Aside from that, I would look toward suspension upgrades (shocks/struts, sub frame connectors, brakes) to make the ride more fun/pleasant.

He was concerned about cost.

Thanks for all of the input guys.

I've already installed ST 1 inch lowering springs and kyb shocks (still need to do fronts) subframe connectors are one of the many things on my to do list. Ball joints, tie rods ends all new with a fresh alignment.

I had 2 motors I was looking at getting, a 350 4 bolt or a .030 over 400sbc. Bother were machined with crank, rods and pistons. But my daily driver crapped and I bought a brand new car. Oh well. Looks like ill ride the 305 for another year.


Going to install a cam, some 1.6 rockers, and possibly a used nitrous setup for fun..

I'm also going to bump the timing up a tad.

Thanks again..