This is it: "XE262H 1300-5600 RPM SB Chevrolet Hydraulic Flat Tappet Xtreme Energy Camshaft"

Approaching 200k on the original 1991 305. I'm a student and living on a fixed budget. So I was just going to get a rebuilt 305 and have some fun with it by installing a more aggressive cam (xtra $100) and valve job for a grand total of $800.

Well, what a want to know is if I'll have any trouble with this application. Tech data here shows 91 305's to have roller cams. Will there be any problem with a flat tappet cam with stock valvetrain components?

Will I need better springs also?

I would get a 350, but the rebuilds are $900 and I cant afford all the other goodies( new injectors are @ $300, +manifolds, +afpr, +chip). Boo Hoo.

any help would be great

 

You can put a flat-tappet cam in a roller block (the factory did it in trucks for years). But, the lifters (obviously), pushrods, and timing set are all different from their roller counterparts.

You'll need new valve springs.

 

geez...thanks for the timely reply. So basically all i need is valve springs and I'm good to go?

 

You need to replace all those things AND the springs.

 

Let me rephrase that:

"You'll also need new valve springs."

(I knew I should have added those four little words before clicking "Submit"...)

 

oops...thanks for pointing all that out. Just realized where the hydraulic roller camshafts were on the website i was at....

yeah...i'm trying to make this cam change as uncomplicated as possible.

thanks for the info

 

I put the comp cams 08-500-8 cam in my 305 TBI motor and its pretty good. Great power mid and high. You will need to change the valve springs though ...factory ones are too weak.

 

which size valve springs did you go with?

 

Comp cams recommends the 981-16 valve springs. Check the summit web site to be sure. They are the same diameter as the stock ones. Much stronger though.

Another good thing about this cam is that it is right at the max valve lift for the TBI cylinder heads so it will flow as much as possible. I'd like to see some 1/4 mile times of before and after the cam swap if its possible.

 

I would recommend a Comp K-kit for that specific cam. For about $300, you get everything you will need, except the pushrods. That's about as simple as it gets. Comes complete with the cam, lifters, springs, retainers, locks, seals, and a timing set.

 

Yeah good idea, if they have it for this cam. I never found anything like that with this cam but didn't need it cause all that stuff is reused, except the springs if you get the better ones, with the new cam with no troble. Roller cams are expensive as it is. Most expensive single part of my whole rebuild.

Always a good idea to replace the timing chain and gears.

 

Get the XE256HR instead. Its a bit smaller cam, better for a stock TPI setup. The XE262 would be good for a motor that can breathe a bit better in the upper RPMs. The XE262 is actually the cam I was looking for, but I settled for a 210/220 grind. I'm going to have a much freer-flowing intake though.