My 81 Chevy pickup has eaten 2 flat tappets fairly quick and on advise from members here I installed a Summit 1102 in the original engine(305) and buttoned it up.The engine that's in it now is from my 84 T/A(305).I've decided to do a roller cam 350 instead,I have a roller block that I got for some work I did.I picked up some remaned vortecs and I'm trying to figure out which way to go with the cam/compression.I would like to be able to run 87 octane if need be.I have three cams that I have picked up for cheap when they came along,a 395,an l98 049 from a member here,and a zz4 cam.I would like some decent milage,the truck has 308s now but I have a 2004r to put in,and some 323s with a posi from one of my 2nd gens.I have been playing with dcr calculators but I can't find the ivc for the 395 cam.I don't know anything about the mannerisms of the zz4,but the calcs say that I could run a little higher CR with it,with the l98,9:1 is on the high side for 87.I could run 1.6 rockers with the l98 and not have to mess with the valve springs,with the zz4 I would put on some ls6 springs and comp retainers.What do you think I should go with?What would you estimate the HP/TQ be with each cam?I appreciate any advice you guys have,thanks.

 

200r4 is a huge step backwards. i dont really know what all your trying to accomplish with the use what i have frankenstein parts. been there done that and it turns into a mess if you just start throwing **** together.

make sure your lifters are good, buy new timing gears, buy a new cam i dont advise reusing them not my style on a small block design but to each their own. do not skimp out of machine work.

flat tappets i do believe need a zinc additive in the oil which you may not have used thus wiping out your cams fairly easy, destroying lifters, bearings and the like.

start doing some google searches, being honest here it doesnt sound like you really know all whats going on, you cant just throw stuff together. theres alot of research that goes into building an engine, transmission, etc.

whats the vehicles purpose? thatll help you decide alot on what cam, gears, trans, etc to use. your on the right path with the vortecs just make sure they arent cracked in the castings.

 

This is research,I'm asking for help from members here,and I appreciate all help.Why is the 2004r a step back?Why not reuse roller cams?Its a one owner clean old truck that I use as a truck,it makes runs to pick a part,it pulls my Scag in the summer.I want low end torque,I have three very mild cams that I'm choosing between,how am I throwing **** together?I don't know what's going on because I have fewer posts than you?Geez

 

dont know anything about the cams. but the trans and gears i can understand, it depends on your tire size and the od ratio of the 200. you should get on one of those online rpm calculators and see what your cruising rpm is. your tq/hp curve is going to go up in the rpm range with a vortec, and your cruising rpm is probably going down. you may not have the power to move that heavy square comfortably. i had a 89 that had a tbi 350 and i got 22 mpg, but everything was designed for low rpm torque, cam/heads,etc. and it had a 5spd/3.08's and 235/75/15's. the vortecs are higher rpm power and not so much mileage

 

The TH200-4R is a superior transmission to the TH700R-4, TH350, TH350C, etc. Not sure where that comment is coming from.

I certainly wouldn't choose the cam based on valve springs - that's backwards. Choose the cam, then get valve springs that can handle it.

I wouldn't go with the L98 cam. I know you want torque, but it would have less torque than the other two. The 395 would be a middle-of-the-road choice, and probably produce the best mix for your combination. The ZZ4 would probably require more torque converter stall to let it get into the powerband.

 

Zz4 motors are great street setups. Out of the 3, i would use it and go with low 9:1 compression. I am not familiar with 395 cam

 

the 200r4 in the GN's and montes? those were weaker than 700r4's

the zz4 would allow you to use less stall than the 395 would probably like as five7 said.

not a fan of reusing cams because you dont know anything bout them. id get them get them checked at the least to make sure its useable.

 

I have no problems changing the valve springs,I was just saying I wouldn't do it if it wasn't needed.I would definitely do that with 1.6 rockers on the 395 just for piece of mind(probably should uprade them regardless).I wouldn't want to change the converter.The cam has to have a fuel pump lobe so that has a lot to do with my choices and new after market or custom cam prices are not an option for this build.Thanks again

 

why arent they an option? always expect to at least spend double of what you initially planned on any build, sometimes triple. i wouldnt cut corners just because.

pick your cam of the 3 first then yes you will and should upgrade your rockers but pick ones that will help the cam out

 

Yes, its the smaller one from the "saturday night special" series I was going to use it on my engine but decided to go with a smaller one
Let me know if interested

 

I appreciate your help,thanks