OK guys, I have an L98 longblock that I'm putting in my TBI car. I want to change out the cam while its on a stand because it'll be much easier now than later. I like the looks of the ZZ4 cam for it but have a few questions. First, will it be able to make decent power with the stock L98 iron heads, do they flow enough? What about emissions, has anyone passed a sniffer test with this cam or do you think I can? Then, I'm figuring I will need to machine the valve guides for the extra lift but what else will I need? Are the pushrods going to be ok? I'll get new valve springs too but do I need to look into screw-in studs, or will I be ok stock? Any insight on this would help, I'm doing the engine swap soon and need to decide on this cam. Thanks.

 

I'd recommend pulling the heads and at least getting them ready to handle the lift - new springs, most likely cutting the guides for adequate clearance (good time for positive seals), and screw-in studs or at least pinning the press-in's.

A port clean-up job - especially in the bowls - would increase the benefit of the cam.

 

Ok, thanks for the info. Do you know any good stock diameter springs I could throw in there? Then, I can use stock pushrods right, and I'm thinking it'll pass a sniffer with some tuning as well.

You think it'll pull decent enough with the stock heads on there for now maybe with a valve job or something. I'm running out of money so I can't really do much port work now, just want to get the engine in.

 

i had the zz4 cam in my car, it had stock heads, stock tpi, no emissions stuff at all and i passed the sniffer test. made lots of power, espically low end torque. complimented the tpi nicely. had a nice idle since it's the 112 lsa, idled right around 550 rpm and worked fine with the stock computer chip. i'm actually selling mine at the moment, 7k miles on it and hardly any wear at all. let me know if you're interested.

 

Do yourself a favor and get screw in studs. I pulled 3 studs partially out in about three weeks with that cam. That resulted in a couple of ruined rockers and the pushrods cut grooves in the head. Now i'm running screw in studs and guideplates and i'm very happy with it. No worries at all. Nice cam though. Pulls to ~5300 with my TPI combo.
JP

 

Nice, thanks guys, I wanted to hear some good experiences with the cam. Sounds like I'm going to go with it, I like the sounds of this. I'll go for some screw-in studs too.

CashMunson, I'm definitely interested in the cam, please PM me a price and some info and we'll make arrangements, thanks.