I am having second thoughts on what to do this winter for my yearly modding. I have all of the necessary mods to utilize the options listed below, check sig for details. If you were me, which option would you choose for my car?



Options

1. LT1 cam (+ stuff for cam install) = $22 Ebay
Richmond 3.42's = $190
Install Kit = $100
SLP Take out Posi = Sitting in my room

Total = about $350 + Labor for rear end install

This setup allows me to reuse my stock valvetrain and heads but gets me hooked to the ground for more power later. Gears and this cam will make a nice improvment in performance and traction at a much lower cost, however, will not make as much power as the LT4 cam with new heads.

2. LT4 Cam (+ stuff for cam install) = Sitting in my room
S/R Torquer heads = $650
Magnum 1.6rr's = $190
Custom Prom = $150-$350 (Custom or stuff to burn myself)

Total = about $900-$1200 (I will do the swap)

This setup gives me about all I can ring out of the ol' 305 without resorting to drastic meassures. However, I will also be all over the road with the 3.08's and open rear.

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All in all, option one gives me a nice gain in acceleration with good gearing for mods down the road. This is the cheaper route.
Otion two gives me the most power at the expense of traction and twice as much money.

I am willing to do either option but I want to choose the fastest of the two.

 

If you already have the take out posi get a set of used 3.73s for $100 off camaroz28.com. The place where you take them to get installed should have the stuff to install them so you wont need the install kit, minus $100. Just show up, plunk $150 down and come back two days later

Option 2 will be faster trap speed wise, but like you said you'll probably have some traction issues (esp with those 17s ), although with a stickey tire and the spohn stuff you might be fine. Since you already have the take out posi why dont you just go ahead and put that in there with a set of used gears, then go ahead with the other stuff?

Money sucks ***.

 

Chuck,

That is what I am thinking. The thought of the heads and LT4 cam sound just wicked but I would be all over the road. I really need gears. I will probably go with the 3.42's because I have heard that 5spd cars are faster down the track with them, and that is is proven. You auto guys run better with the 3.73's. I will have to buy a speedo gear which requires the dropping of the T-5, but oh well. I actually lost the bid to the LT1 cam and jinxed myself by posting this with 30 seconds left to bid. Lost by a dollar. There are more out there so I am not worried. Oh, and I am leaning towards option one because I can keep the stock chip for now and really utilize my vacuum ADFPR

 

you could use your lt4 cam with stock 1.5 rockers and go with option 1. Then when you have the money your can add the 1.6 rockers later providing that your not pushing the max to much on stock heads. With that cam in a 305 your going to want some gears.

 

So the LT4 cam with 1.5 rockers will not exceed the lift on stock heads? I have heard that the LT4 with 1.5 rr's is about idenical to the LT1 cam with 1.6rr's. Is this true? Could I resuse the stock rockers and use 1.6 later with the new heads? 1.5 and 1.5rr's are about equal in price so I will wait for the 1.6's if I can.

 

The LT1 cam with 1.5 rockers is a just a little less than the standard LT4 cam with 1.6's. I don't think you will exceed the .480" max with the LT4 cam and stock 1.5 rockers and you will get to use the additional duration of the LT4 cam. I would use the K motion 700 $50 valve springs to help make sure you don't have coil bind since you would be pushing the max of the stock heads. Then later when you want to change the heads, you can add the 1.6rr and take full advantage of the cam.

 

My engine only has 33,000 origonal miles on it. Could I get away with the stock springs for now? Also, will the LT4 cam be computer friendly until i can get a custom chip (I'll get that when i get heads)? Also what is the part number for those K-motion springs? Here are the specs on the LT4 cam and these numbers are with 1.6rr's. So with the stock 1.5 i should be way under .480 lift right?


Duration @ 0.050 (I/E): 203/210
Lift, (I/E): .476"/.480"
Lobe Separation: 115
RPM Range: Idle-4500

 

You should be ok on the stock springs with the 1.5 rockers based on that lift. You can use the stock chip but I am sure your going to have to increase fuel pressure to keep up with that hp and that is going to make it run really rich on the bottom end. But you can do it. You may want to run the vaccuum regulator to lower the fuel pressure at idle.

Also, you should probably go ahead and setup the WINALDL software too so you can properly tune that fuel pressure in.

 

I already have the GM vacuum adjustable regulator on with about 11 psi at idle and roughly 15 at WOT. This will work perfect with this cam. I just don't want the car to hunt for an idle or run wierd because the stock Prom can't keep up.

 

It'll idle OK with the stock prom, lol thats about the only thing my stock prom does right, but you just wont get the power you're looking for out of the stocker. I really need to work on getting a new one.

 

I know the prom will hold me back a lot but as long as the car will run stronger and not have any real drivability issues than I can deal with it until i get heads and a custom Prom. I just don't want it to idle irratically and jump RPM's when I get off the throttle or push the clutch in, that sorta stuff.

 

With 115 degrees of lobe separation your idle will still be ok. When you drop to around 112 then it can start hunting on a stock prom.

 

Gears before Cam, definitely.

 

I have decided to do the gears first. I found some slightly used 3.42's out of a '97 SS that I bought for $100 (including shipping). I am just trying to find some new speedo gears and get a good price on an install. SO far all i have been quoted is like $350 for the rear and $280 for the speedo. I was like "uh....no". I need to find some cheap labor. How much did you guys pay for a ring and pinion install?

As for the cam....
I am also going to put the LT4 cam in with the stock valvetrain. That way I do not exceed the max lift on the stock heads and when i get more money I can do heads right by getting them ported and using quality 1.6 rr's, as well as getting anew chip.

 

Yea, how much for a gear install? That's one mods too.

 

I am looking for an average price range for a gear install. If I do not get any replys here I will post in the drivtrain. I just do not want to indirectly double post yet. I am still curious on your thoughts on the LT4 cam though.

 

you need to call around - i paid a pro 90 bux to install mine