Hello,
On my 87 El Camino SS, it has a 305 with the below mods also this was a crossover year and mine still has the stock E4ME carb. I have an Edelbrock performer plus cam #3702 specs are
Specifications:
* Advertised duration: 244 intake/264 exhaust
* Duration at .050 in.: 194 intake/214 exhaust
* Gross valve lift: 398 in. intake/442 in. exhaust
* Lobe separation: 112 degrees
* RPM range: Idle to 5,500
* Designed for optimum torque from low end to the mid range.
* Smooth idle for daily driven vehicles.
I also have a Edelbrock Performer #3706 Intake manifold, I bought these as a set as Edelbrock claimed it would put out in excess of 200hp(it the wekest feeling 200hp I've ever felt), I also have Thorley tri-Y headers, custom exhaust, flowmaster, and Carter street/strip fuel pump. Heads are stock, air intake is a dual intake, ZZ4 prom all else is stock. This still does not put out the HP I want, what other cam should I try? Also, what about the heads,they are stock, should I "get a head job" or should I just save up and buy some new heads? I need to keep this smog legal as I'm in CA, I would like it to have smooth idle but from there power should be there when I need it. I don't like getting beaten by wanna be **** rockets and out here there are alot of them! Also would head work help and if so what should I get done? I'm not looking to go 150mph but I would like decent gas milage when my foot's not in it but still be able to kick some butt when the need arises. Thanks for any and all help.


August

 

Hi August,
We are almost neighbors, I live in Escondido!
That Edelbrock cam seems a little weak to me. Most 87s have roller cams, I guess yours is a flat tappet though?
I have used cams with 10 degrees or more @.050 on both the intake and exhaust sides on TPI engines and passed smog with no problems.
The thing to look into is what 305 head casting #s you have. Some flow quite a bit better than others.
Need more info on your stuff, what is your compression ratio also!!
Tony

 

Tony,
Glad to see somebody from around here on this board! I agree with you on the cam bieng week, the question now is which one to get that will give me more power and still keep the smog police happy. I'm not sure which heads I have where can I find the number on them. I do remember when I had to get the heads fixed(took them to the dealer) he actually had to replace one and it took him a long time finding one as mine where not the standard heads that normaly came with 305's of that year, so that might be good news in that respect. As for compression ratio, it should be stock, I havn't done anything to the engine. Let me know what else you need.


August

 

I'd look at a 204/214 or a 214/224 cam. I'm using a 204/214 in my 350 tbi tuck and it's got loads of tq. I'm guessing it runs mid 15's @ ~85mph (measured 1/4 on backroads) which is pretty good for a truck. It idles nice and smooth, you could probably use the 214/224 and the idle would be a bit choppy, but nothing too bad. You'll be able to pass emmisions with either cam as long as the rest of your motor is in good tune.

 

August. Ive had one of those cars made it into a Z28 El camino/camaro and sold it last year. Fun car but the limitations are the same with it as Fbody's practiacaly same except a box and a frame. The rear ends also came with pukey HYW gears 2.73's, my El camino and I'm sure all other have a smiliar 10 bolt Fbody and S10 blazer gears interchange, might even be the same axle as a S10. Change to 3.42's or better, even with limited mods that always wakes them up.

 

SSC,
On the Diff, that's my next mod. I'm planning on going with 3.42's in the rear with a posi, as soon as I find one. Thanks for the info.

August

 

You can id the heads by reading the casting number under the valve cover. Look on the head between the springs.
Look up the head at www.mortec.com
You may not even have 305 heads on it.
Your 305 is not a HO motor so its not a good base to start with.


May even be low compression 350 heads.
I would not bother trying to soup up a low perf 305.

Start with a 350. A basic flat top piston 350.
Keep all your smog legal stuff on the top of it ( carb, intake, egr, AIR, etc) and tweek the internals for power. Heads, cam
compression ratio fuel pump, etc.
When you foot is to the floor, 80%+ or the air goes through the secondaries of a Qjet. The secondaries are not controled by the computer nor will they affect emmisions. This is the area to tweek. leave the primary side stock for emissions.

Buy some good cylinder heads. Even a motor with a mild cam (computer friendly) will go fast with good cylinder heads and exhaust.
You'll need a good exhaust system to make power.
This can be done and be smog legal too.
But its got to flow air.

With a performance enhanced 350 a 3.73 rear gear is a good compromise between performance and highway economy.

Find out which heads you have first.