Can i put a camshaft on a stock engine without problems ?
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Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 656
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From: Northglenn, CO, USA
Car: 91' Z28
Engine: 355-Supercharged
Transmission: 700R4
Can i put a camshaft on a stock engine without problems ?
I have a 95 % stock 350 tpi, and i want to put a better camshaft on my car, is that going to cause me any problems with the engine, or the computer controls, and how much horsepower is that worth for a low end 2000-5000 rpm camshaft ?
Since you have a 91, that means you have a speed density system. If you put a radical cam in, you will probably run into computer problems. Crane however makes their CompuCam line of camshafts that are supposed to be compatible with the stock computer. Regardless, if you do more than a CompuCam, such as heads and intake, then you're gonna need to recalibrate the chip anyway.
Aside from computer problems, you need to worry about how much lift the cam is going to have. Your stock springs may not be able to handle that kind of lift that the new cam will have. If your stock springs can't handle the lift, you'll need to change them too.
Supposedly it's ok to reuse roller lifters, just make sure you put them back in the bore they came from.
Pushrods and rocker arms should be ok too.
Depending on what cam you pick, it may be good for 20-30 hp by itself. Combining that with a free flow exhaust, better intake, or better flowing heads will make the horsepower gain a lot more than just a cam would be. However if you went that far, a custom chip would be in order.
Jason
Aside from computer problems, you need to worry about how much lift the cam is going to have. Your stock springs may not be able to handle that kind of lift that the new cam will have. If your stock springs can't handle the lift, you'll need to change them too.
Supposedly it's ok to reuse roller lifters, just make sure you put them back in the bore they came from.
Pushrods and rocker arms should be ok too.
Depending on what cam you pick, it may be good for 20-30 hp by itself. Combining that with a free flow exhaust, better intake, or better flowing heads will make the horsepower gain a lot more than just a cam would be. However if you went that far, a custom chip would be in order.
Jason
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