Not sure if this goes here, but I’ll give it a shot.

Here is my list of questions.

I have an 86 Iroc with TPI.

I’m getting tired of the 305 performance and am in the process of going to a 350. The 305 has been ripped out, 700r4 is reasonably new, and I thought now that she was nearing 150k miles I should come back in a big bang.

I have a 350, hypereutectic pistons with 4 valve relief’s (6cc relief), each bore is .030 over, and my expected compression ratio is 9.8-10 with 64cc 083 heads with minor port work. The crank is the stock crank from an old camaro, and it’s been milled and made just right. Rods are Summit Stage II rods (they were on clearance for cheap, couldn’t pass it up). Bearing are all Clevite 77 bearings.

Here is where I need some help…

I like the sound of a lopey cam, as everyone does.

But with that engine and the intake (staying with stock TPI for a short time after) I am limited to a high rpm lopey camshaft. At first I was thinking a 234/244 duration with .488/.510 lifts, simply because its in a friend of mines Van, no ordinary van guys, and it lopes really nice, and flows well over 6k. He also uses Carb too…

With that cam and TPI intake, my car will not pull pretty much ever, it’ll go, but the intake can’t even flow a 305 over 5500, how will it ever get to the cam’s 6k range.

So I’d like some help choosing a cam, here’s what I’d like out of it.
I want people to know I have a cam; I want it to perform almost like a TPI does good down low and more up top than before.

I was then thinking a cam with more simplified lift values and more performance in the range I want it to be in. 214/224 duration and .442/.465 lift. This flows nicely where I’d like it to. Only question I have is, will is sound lopey?

My torque converter is a 2000rpm stall.

If people could, if they have a cam that they love, if you could post a video, or a sound clip or the tone that would be great.

 

Your second choice would be best IF you stick to a lsa (lobe separation angle) 112 or more. A 305 TPI will spin 5500 but a 350 is done by 4800. You do have some options though, you can change the TPI intake to a Holley Stealth Ram and put at least shorty headers on then you can spin up to around 6500 or so.

 

I have the ZZ9 cam with 212in/224ex and it idles quite nicely with very little lope at 700rpm. I think the 2nd cam is a great all around cam for TPI. IMHO you would have to get up around 218 to get into a lopey idle.

 

So the second cam sounds best for me performance wise, but i wont have any difference in idle? I guess it'll work for now.

In most likely a year, i will be upgrading to a newer intake for higher RPM, HSR is what i am thinking and the Cam i was looking at for it, is the CC12-212-2 Magnum Cam Street/Strip, with 230/230 duration and .480/.480 lift with a 110 LSA. It will idle nice and rough.

When that swap goes down however, i will be using the Vortec HSR, so lots more flow then these stock 083's are capable of with a larger cam and better intake.

I should be putting in my order for that cam pretty soon then, thanks.

 

Lopey cam + TPI with stock heads etc = bad performer.

Lopey cam unless building high RPM engine, still equals bad performer.

If you like a lope, justy pull a plug wire, otherwise byuild it correctly to match the parts you have.

I/e no way stock heads can flow enough to handle a cam that "lopes"...so you power band will be so small, you'll probably get smoked off the line by Hondas, and pulled on by TBI F-Body's

 

Ok i forgot a little bit when i thought up this whole thing now. Crap.

My 083 heads are 87+ centerbolt and angle intake bolts heads. I wont be able to use them very easily.

I have 3 other sets of heads, one is brand new, one is not old at all(76cc), and the others are my old stockers.

the 305 heads i got that are brand new are 601 casting heads. very recent valve job, and they have enlarged valves.

But with my short block the way it is, running 305 heads, 53cc(stock) my car will be running a rediculous 10.6 compression even with a .051 thick gasket. Is this a streetable compression ratio? 93 octane is very availible here.

The intake bolt angle thing still makes me wonder, but these 083 heads are virgins, they've never felt the blast of a cylender ever. Brand spanking new.

Can i drill holes for my valve covers, i got some awesome valve covers for $75 and now i'm afraid i wont even be able to use them. I dont want an adapter plate either. Someone told me i can drill holes and use them. Is this true?

 

Not really sure what yo have, but can offer this:

You have 083's, you want a center bolt valve covers. I've seen heads that can accept either, but don't know if VC's can be adapted..don't think so. Unsure of 601's, but don't think they'd do you any better than 083's. 76cc heads will wipe out your, CR.

Unless you have flatop pistions, 63CC heads won't put you in the 10/8 CR. F-body 305 heads are 58cc IIRC, maybe your's are super-smogger 305 heads?

You figuring things correctly?

The inner 4 bolt holes are a no worry, new intake or mod you existing '86-earlier intake to fit.

 

sorry i meant the 305 heads were 53cc(601 castings from a old carbed monte).... whooops big difference...


I'm not talking about adapting the valve covers, i'm talking about adapting the heads themselves, i dont want that gay adapter plate people sell.

Someone told me i could drill the holes for perimeter valve covers into the heads, that they dont need to be deep, just down far enough to get the job done.

But i am unsure.

 

I'll offer this...just for S's and G's...I've had my valve covers off my 89 (bought it new) at least 5 times, through 2 head swaps and still use the original covers (well, original to the point in late '89 GM did warranty work on the heads), and they leak nothing.

I've never had a set of perimter valve cover heads that didn't at least seep some oil. I had at least a dozen GM PBVC's since the late 70's.

I'd forget about drilling the heads and get good VC's, IMO.

 

lol i have some very good valve covers man, heres a pic,

the pic doesn't do them much justice but they are 2 inches taller then stock. I love these valve covers.

i want to modify for perimeter valve covers.

 

They are pretty. Just hope there's enough room on the head to make'em go

 

i do too.... those darn adapters are just so expensive..... It seems way cheaper todo this, but then, why wouldn't everyone else have done the same thing, ya know?

 

Ya, LOL, I'm guessing a few misplaced drill bits is the reason why

I know some aftermarket ehad are ready to accept either one, but don't know if they've been beefed up to make it happen.

Just look it over real close, drill straight and you'll probably be okay if it's do-able.

But like any good carpenter will tell ya, measure twice, cut once.

 

oh if theres a way, i'll be the first one to post the results. Probrably a lot of people will be happy....

Theres no telling tho, i will onyl drill a qaurt of an inch then i'll incert a stud. Wont be too big of a deal.

 

Man after my own heart, and the reason I bought a Milling machine..true and accurate cuts.

I which I had a buck for evey junk part I tossed

 

what i plan todo is just use the stock valve cover as a guide, hold it on there, really tight, and use the holes it has as markers, and everytime i do one, bolt it down so it stays in place.

All i need is a Titanium bit and a thread tapper.