alrihgt i have an 86 WS6 trans am. Its TPI with a 700r4 tranny and 3.27 gears. i want to put in a new cam. my question is what would be the best cam to get that would make my car loud and increase the horsepower? and are the lifter hydrolic? thanks

 

well, on paper the zz9 looks pretty good. but not on the web (at least not in this example https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/015149.html
)

You should at least have aftermarket exhaust (headers too)

[This message has been edited by jcb999 (edited November 06, 2001).]

 

ok will a cam for a small block shevy fit in my 86 trans am?

 

yep. Since about 1980 all GMs (buicks-olds-pontiacs) came with chevy motors.

 

thats not really true, BOP allways wanted to keep itself a little away from chevy, the big cars usally allways had the 307 olds, along with the 442's had the HO 307 and the GN's with the buick 6, the only pontiac the mass used the chevy engine was the firebird as the 305 was at the time GM's "performance" engine.

 

Well if anything, it was more like there were special models that got the non-chevy motors. Most of your V8 grandprixs and cutlass in the 78-82 range were chevy v8s.

But look at the turbo ta (the lame one not the V6 one). It used a pontiac V8 when everybody else was putting 350s in their non-chevy bodies.

 

so then my 86 305 trans am is the same as a chevy 305? and will fit a cam for a chevy 305?

 

If it has 4 bolts holding on the valve cover the answer is yes.

 

Adv. Duration: 278º
Gross Lift: .467''
RPM Range: 2400-5400 crane cams energizer
fair idle

Adv. Duration: 274º
Gross Lift: .450''
RPM Range: 2200-5200 crane cams energizer
rough idle

Cam Kit
Grind: 268
Lift: .477''/.480''
RPM Range: 1600-5800 compcams xtreme energy
Cam Kit
Grind: 262
Lift: .462''/.469''
RPM Range: 1300-5600 compcams xtreme energy

Cam Kit
Grind: 268H
Lift: .485''
RPM Range: 1500-5500 compcams high energy

Grind: 275/277
Lift: .462''/.482''
RPM Range: 2000-6000 compcams dual energy

Grind: 255/261
Lift: .429''/.438''
RPM Range: 1200-5500 compcams dual energy

 

haha i forgot to type the rest...now out of those which would be best? and i am looking for aggresiveness so whut kind of idle?

 

I would say either one of the 268 grinds would work well.... and I think that a few guys around here run 268H or HR cams... That 'dual energy' cam with the 275/277 462/482 lift looks kinda interesting as well... That one would probably work really well with a ported TPI setup.....

Well, I'm no cam expert, but that is my $.02 for the ones you listed.....

------------------
1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club

 

Also, to answer the question about the lifters, yes, they are non-roller hydraulic in your T/A from the factory.... But you will need to get new lifters to go with the new cam (you should be able to purchase the cam and lifters as a kit to save a few bucks...)

And if you go with one of the cams I commented on (the larger ones of the ones you listed), I would suggest a nice exhaust system (headers and cat-back), and maybe a small stall converter (2000 to 2500 rpm area) to go with a ported TPI setup. Your rear axle ratio is plenty good to work with with any of those cams you listed, IMO. With one of those cams, and the right stuff to go with it, you should have that thing really movin!!

Good Luck!

------------------
1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club

 

Your all around best bet.