You can read my sig. to find out info on the car, but I will be doing a considerable amount of mods soon. I just want something a little more beefy than stock, but a smooth idle and good gas mileage. Is the edelbrock performer headed in this direction (the catalog does not give any specs). Any suggestions will be appreciated.

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'86 IROC-Z
305 LG-4, T-5
T-Tops
50k Original Miles
K&N Air Filter
Stage I Chip
KYB Shocks/Struts
Centerforce Dual Friction

 

Try one of the Comp Cams Extreme Energy Series Cams

 

Sarge,

Asking someone to pick a cam for you is like asking someone to pick your spouse. There are so many variables, and the way you intend to use the vehicle should be a bigger part of the determining factor than you might think.

It's pretty safe to ask for opinions, but do some homework and decide for yourself. It's a fairly safe bet, however, that any cam change on a 305 will be an improvement, since the factory cam selections are always way out on the conservative side.

If my experience is any indication, you wouldn't want my picks. I've never been completely satisfied with a cam change in one of my vehicles. I have gone "over the top" and installed cams that were way too much for the engine and intended use. The engines would make plenty of power at WOT, but run like crap most of the time in daily driving situations. You don't often get the chance to hold it to the floor in third gear all the way to work, so "normal" driving would always dog them.

I've also been guilty of being too conservative. I've done cam changes that have made a significant improvement and the engines ran just fine in daily driving - leading me to believe that I undersized the cam - that I could have gone just a little farther for a bit more power. I guess we're never happy, which is why we keep tinkering to get that extra little bit of performance. Quite a game we're in, huh?

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

Thanks for the insight Vader. I have changed cams as well, but always had help in deciding which one to go with. I figure that I can choose one that will not send the push rods through the valve covers or anything, but I was hoping for some experienced opinions. I promise I wont go out and but whatever these guys/kids on here suggest. I am hoping to simply find some people that have done a cam swap in an LG4 and had results (one way or the other) that they are willing to share with me. ONce, again, thanks for all your help with this posts and others and keep passing the knowledge on because it does very little good just sitting in one persons head.

------------------
'86 IROC-Z
305 LG-4, T-5
T-Tops
50k Original Miles
K&N Air Filter
Stage I Chip
KYB Shocks/Struts
Centerforce Dual Friction

 

cam=spouse......hehehehehe

vader is my hero

 

Sarge,

The Comp Extreme Energy would fit the bill. For a smooth idle and better performance on a 305 - you might look for specs something like this:

Intake duration @ .050 210-214
Exhaust duration at @.050 216-224

If you're using a factory TPI setup w/computer or TBI, find a "computer friendly" cam with LSA of 112*-114*.

The Comp and Crane computer grinds are within these specs - so that's where to look. Stay under .500 lift and you should be able to use existing springs, although I'd still recommend getting the full kit that includes springs, locks, and retainers from the cam manf. you choose.

Good luck.

BOR

 

Hey Vader,

Me too !!!

I used my dog to "sniff" out the best spouse - and hey, IT WORKS !!

Also, we should tell him to go for reliability, not speed. You want one that cooks, but isn't too demanding on the budget, you know ?

Yeah, we're never completely satisfied, but hey !!

It's tough out there - "fishing" around for a wife, you know ?

Yup, take your dog - and if he sniffs some mangy manga - well, he will faithfully let you know that that stuff is nasty !!

Last - go for duration, not gross lift - long duration makes for heavier breathing.

He's .............on it !

BOR

 

I have the complete Edelbrock RPM package..
But it is NOT the way to go if your looking for a smooth idle and good mileage....

I'm not knocking the setup, only that it's not as streetable as you might think. It doesn't have any power at all below 3400-3800 but then WATCH OUT, it'll revv you to 6800-7000 no problem (well yes problem if your bottom end isn't prepared for it like mine wasn't, ugly mess)

But for everyday stop and go look for something else...

 

A safe alternative is to get a stock GM cam made for a 1960's or pre-1973 327 or 350 4bbl SBC. Granted, the cam is not cutting edge but there's no "built-in EGR" in the profile. Such a cam ought to give you a big improvement over what you have and still give a decent idle.

Most aftermarket cams are single pattern cams, which are fine if you have a good exhaust. Factory OEM cams are dual pattern (the exh. duration is a little longer) to compensate for poor flowing, but legal, exhaust systems.

 

Well, I think I already have the wife picked out, only problem is that she drives a '65 Mustang. But hey, you can't ask for complete perfection. Anyway, thanks for your replies. I am definately looking for low end grunt rasther than power around 3-4 grand. I don't drive over 60 on the highway, I would just like to get there in about 3 seconds. I think possibly I will go with the xtreme energy cam that has the 600-4600 RPM range. It has a .432/.444 lift. The exhaust will get changed at the same time (or very near) as the cam, but the little extra push on that side shouldn't hurt anyway. My other option would be the edelbrock performer.

------------------
'86 IROC-Z
305 LG-4, T-5
T-Tops
50k Original Miles
K&N Air Filter
Stage I Chip
KYB Shocks/Struts
Centerforce Dual Friction

 

I think I see an idea for an "auxilliary fuel system" in the works...

------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0