im going to buy a lt1 cam but i dont know which i should get, or rather, from what year car. i have a 305 im building that has to be emmissions legal. would it be better to go with a lt4? any suggestions or input is appreciated.

 

Un;ess you're getting a really good deal on the cam, it would probably be better to check into a new aftermarket roller cam. The LT1 cam profiles are better than what you have in your 305, and will certainly give you more of what you're looking for, but there are better choices in the aftermarket. Just make sure you get springs and retainers with the new cam, and don't try to run anything more than your stock 305 grind with stock springs.

 

first, I'm not sure if the 305 TBI has roller rockers, make sure before you buy an expensive roller cam. I agree with Vader though, find a cam to complement a 305. They don't need the same amount of air as a 350 so you may overdo it with an LT4. a stock LT1 cam might be ok but I have no basis to it. I believe the LT1 used the same cam throughout but not positive

 

the reason i was planning on a lt1 was simply because it is cheap ($50 i heard) and my car still has to be a daily driver for now, i just want more power. i dont plan on doing anything radical to it right now because its an older engine (145k) im just going to run it til it blows up. would it be a good idea to call summit or some place like that and get one of their tech people and find out what kind of cam they suggest? basically, i know nothing about cams and what would compliment a 305 well.
thanks
CJ

 

many people on this board go with the lt1 cam for minimul resluts... they say it is a very good bang for your buck... you can buy a used lt1 for around 50 or so bucks.. some guys on here have a website to buy it alsop.. the 305 is a roller rocker set up.
I was also told vorteck makes a cam that is 50 NEW and is almost the same as lt1 with a minute less lift. but dont go any higher than the lt1 unless you are planning to change the heads.
I am also buying a new intake cause i cant afford new heads and it compluiments the new cam well. You are susposed to change the springs but i dont think I'm going to because I'm not sure i have the neccisities to accomplish it but it is a very good idea..
finally if your lucky you can get a good lt1 on ebay.. i got mine for 26 bucks!

 

well heads will come eventually, but right now im focusing on a cam and intake (after i finish my gears and posi which i have but havnt had time to install). my biggest fear is not passing smog if i change the cam so ill probably go with the lt1 unless i hear good things about this vortec cam...which this was the 2nd time id heard it mentioned. if you can get info on it let me know, id appreciate it

 

You will probably need a custom prom to pass emmissions with the lt1 cam. The car will not run quiet right with it in factory form.

Edelbrock TBI manifold shouldnt have any problems passing emmissions. I had it when I had the 305 tbi in my car and it helped out on top end some. People have good luck with that setup and the lt1 cams are cheap. I got one on ebay for 31$ shipped.

 

Roller rockers don't decide what cam you use, the lifters do. You do want a roller cam. The LT4 is pretty similar to the LT1 cams and will work fine, but there are larger cams out there that will outperform them. You could always benefit from a custom chip.

 

I'm the one who showed TransAmTBI the Vortec cam.

You can find it here.

http://www.competitionproducts.com/page51.html

The lift is right at what stock springs can do, and the duration is just short of the LT1 cam(s). The duration is 202*/207* at .050" with 115* LSA. The LT1 cam I have is 203*/208* with 116* LSA.

It should work pretty well, and it's CHEAP!!!!!

BTW, there are other descent roller cams for ~$150 on that page also. Not a bad price IMO.

 

im waiting until i get everything in and then i will try to find someone to burn me a chip or possibly get one from tbichips.com. would the lt4 cam still be able to pass smog? so is the vortec cam slightly smaller than the lt1? is that how that works?

 

i paid $20.50 for my LT1 cam and i cant say enough about it. i definitly got a lot of of the cam swap and i had the L98 cam in there! i ran 97mph in the 1/4m at the track before the swap and now im running 100mph in the 1/4m. picked up 3mph now thats a distinguishable difference and the seat of the pants is definitly there, the car pulls like a raped ape i love it. the only thing i noticed about hte LT1 cam is that it tends to lean the car out a lot, i had to descreen my MAF sensor to get it to run right. i stil need tuning, but the drivability is still there and there is no lopey idle or tempermentalness with the engine. id say go for it. most people will say get an aftermarket blah blah balh. from what ur sayin u feel the same way about ur engine as i do, u just want a little upgrade for short money with the same reliability and no tempermentalness that requires tweaking every few days. go for it, itll wake ur car right up!

 

yeah, just small mods. i want to beat the 89rs that is EXACTLY the same as mine (minus my mods) that some punk *** high school kid rolls around in. and of course i have to be able to beat the r.icer cars that think their fart pipes and wings make them hot ish. but ive decided on the lt1 and am watching ebay.

 

As I mentioned, if you're getting a good deal on the cam, it will at least be better than what you have now. Be careful about the cam you get, however. There were at least five different factory grinds for the LT1 cam:

 

I also have an LT1 cam out of a 96. It is Great!. I also did heads when I did mine, along with the TPI Swap. However, the engine runs great, lots of power and great drivability.

 

Sometimes I don't understand some of you people.

I showed you were you can get a BRAND NEW cam with damn near the same duration and just a little less lift so you WILL NOT have to worry about retainer to seal clearance, coil bind, nor spring wear.

You can lead a horse to water, grab him by the back of the head and slam his head in the troff, but you can't make him drink.

 

Yeah. Try that with a bull...

I tried to dissuade him on the used LT1. The Vortec take-outs are very similar to the iron-head LT1 grind, and there are better choices available in other places.

Don't believe him? Just Ashkum...

 

i'm holding my new cam right now~! i got it today! even though i could have went many different paths... for the price.. i'm happy with my lt1 even though its not in... all in all lt1 cant go wrong as long as its cheaper than the vortec

 

i think the 1995 is the best one?

 

would that vortec cam also be smog legal? what would the lesser lift do vs the lt1? i still dont know what the lift duration and lobe separation ential about the power the cam will provide. but i havnt bought an lt1 yet so all my options are still open.