Hello guys! I just joined. I have a 88 Formula with 5.7l TPI. I was wondering if there are any cams out there that I can put in with out getting a custom burned chip. Not looking for anything radiacal just a nice beat. Thanks for any help.

 

Welcome aboard PS. Hmm, just to let you know, our cams out here are specially conditioned with Korean hotsauce. If you are in Hawaii, you will find this secret information vital to have a great running engine in the tropics. If not, recommend reposting in one of the TGO tech sections.

 

Hey, welcome to the site! Where are you from?

Scott

 

I am from Honolulu.

 

Cool.

The first thing to check out are the tech articles on the main page. They aren't updated as often as they should be but there's good info there.

The next thing is to try out the search. I like the search on this site better than a lot of the other ones I've used, and you can usually filter it to find just what you want. More often than not, you spend more time sorting through tons of similar posts instead of trying to find the relevent threads in a mess of unrelated garbage. (For common questions.) Take full advantage of the search and the huge amount of usable tech info that thirdgen.org is best for.

If that doesn't help, then the best bet is to pick the specific board for your question. Cam questions would best be here; TPI specific would be here. You can always ask on the local board, but you limit a lot of potential help (especially on the smaller boards like ours).

Careful though, this site has enough junk here to keep you busy for... ever.

How long have you had your Formula? Did you get a chance to take it to the track?

Scott

 

Welcome aboard again Putspit-Honolulu! Well lemmesee ... hmmm, your 5.7 TPI has a roller cam, so although it doesn't have a "lumpy" hot-rod idle, the cam timing is a pretty good compromise between performance and driveability. If all you're after is a lump-lump idle, I'd recommend against spending the time and money to swap camshafts just for that reason. A really aggressive cam needs more air than the stock TPI can flow, a custom chip, and higher flow injectors. Oh, and you'll get about 10 mpg so save up a lot for gas. Instead, try a set of headers, 3-inch exhaust and loud flowmaster to make the car sound better, improve performance and gas mileage. Now if you had a carb car it would be a lot easier -- just dump in the radical cam. However, most likely the car will accelerate slower if it doesn't have the other goodies needed to support an aggressive cam, like better heads, exhaust system, 3000a+ stall converter, etc. Heck, 5.7 TPI's run high 13's - low 14's in good tune -- that's not fast enough?

 

There are a few cams out there that are advertised as computer friendly, some are even TPI specific. I know Summit makes one and I think Comp Cams makes one too. My recommendation would be to call the tech line of Comp and/or Crane and/or even Summit and ask the techs, explain your setup to them and they can help you make a choice. Stall speed is another thing you gotta consider, keep it in mind (stock stall or aftermarket). I think max lift of the stock heads is between .470 and .490 don't remember the exact numbers, I'd stick with 1.5 rockers and make sure the valvesprings are right match for whatever cam (but I'm a cheapass). Good luck!!

 

Hay guys thanks for all of the info. 3rdgenblackbird, i've had the car for about 5yrs. Its a total 1,000 ft car and my daily driver but I love Firebirds. The best I ran at the track was 14.5 with alot of tire spin. Duck, I have the 3" and the flow just got to put on the headers. I've had them for a while just lazy to put them in. Crazyhawaiian, thanks for the info. I am cheep too from time to time also. Do you guys get together? Cruise, talk story, dinner? I'd like to meet you guys and see your cars.