I am looking for the best chevy (OEM) cam to use in a '84-85 305. I have heard of people using the LT-1...any suggestions???

Thanks!

 

TGO welcomes you!


There is no such thing as a "best cam". No two people want the same thing out of a motor. Cam selection must be based on engine set-up, power goals, and supporting mods. Before you decide on cams you need to think about what you want to do with the car and what you want out of the motor. When you have a good idea of what you want it will be easier to suggest parts that will get you there.

 

you won't get the lt-1 cam to work in your pre-87 non roller block, so go ahead and count that out.

if your looking for cheap power upgrades, then check out the summit brand cams. cam and lifters for $67.99 + $9 handeling fee.

specs on the cam i would suggest: 214/224 .442/.465

 

I would suggest the old L82 350 cam. 224/224 @ .050, .450/.461, 115* lobe seperation on a 112* intake centerline.

This is the cam that chevy should have put in the HO 305s along with ported 601 heads and tubular exhaust manifolds. 9.7:1 compression, around 260 Net FWHP @ 5,000 and 320 ft/lbs @ 3,800. It would have conquered the Mustangs of the time.

 

Thanks for the replies guys! I am going to use it for my short track motor (1/4 dirt). We are restricted by the rules to only use OEM camshafts so I am limited, that is why I trying to find the "best" camshaft that chevy made that will fit the pre-86 305......

 

Anything in the rules that say it has to be hydraulic? I am thinking the old solid lifter 370 hp 350 corvette cam.

 

What were the specs on the original LT-1? That was a pretty sick motor that turned high RPMs from a factory 350, it is probably fairly aggressive.

 

LOL, yeah, if the only rule is you have to use a Chevy factory cam, you can run an old firstgen 302 Z28 solid cam. Idle will be crappy.

 

The one to use is 3849346. It's the optional solid for the 302 and 350 Z28 & Vette motors from 69 to 71 (including the LT1). It's 246° @ .050", .485" lift. You can get a copy of it from a number of the major cam mfrs; I know for a fact Comp sells it, and I'm pretty sure Crane does too.

Don't bother with any of the hydraulic ones; they all suck. Some however are far worse than others. Above all, DO NOT use the "375 HP 327" cam, 3863151.

There is no problem with putting a solid lifter cam in a roller block.

If you have to use a cam that's OEM for the car, which of course is a WHOLE DIFFERENT THING from just "OEM" period, use the L69 cam.

You'll like that big solid, if you have enough gear. If people are talking about using that, and it's legal, then that's the one to use; you will surely get beat if you use anything else. Especially if any head mods are allowed in your class (porting).

What are the rest of the rules? Carb? tires? gears? etc.

 

Ok...I read the rules and it states that you must use a hydraulic roller or flat tappet lifter.....sounds like no solid cam for us.....we are going to use a 350cfm carburetor and we can not do much to the heads (no porting, grinding or polishing). They want to keep us stock to keep the price down......

 

Well if you have to use a factory hyd roller, the LB9 cam isn't too bad.

What about that old 350hp 327 cam?

Do you have to use factory rockers? If not you can go with a 1.6 set and get a little more lift.

 

That would be about the biggest mistake he could make. There are few possible worse choices. About the only worse ones would be the "peanut" cam from LG4 or L03, or the 929 cam.

 

Inquiring minds would like to know...........what are the 375/327 cam specs?

 

292/292, 222/222, .447"/.447" :barf: If you see those numbers, RUN AWAY!!!!

Sometimes it's published with different "advertised" durations; and sometimes as 221/221 @ .050" instead of 222/222.

 

That, to me, means no SOLID ROLLER. It says flat tappet lifter, but not "hydraulic flat tappet". So I think a solid flat tappet cam is fair game.

no touching the heads at all? not allowed to backcut the valves? (not even a little bit ? )

 

No head modifications allowed? Get a pair of 601 heads. They flow better stock and have smaller combustion chambers than other 305 heads.

 

Not seeing the horribleness of those specs..... Liite high duration for that light imo but, other than that it's not horrible.

considering there are those of us running 180 duration cams with 380 rocker lift from factory than thing is a monster as compared to something like my 305 roller cam in the l03.

 

Its just that there are a ton of cams out there that will make alot more torque, have the same or better hp, more vacuum, a better idle, and better fuel mileage.

I would take the solid lifter corvette cam or the L82 cam anyday over that slug.

 

There is still allot of things you can do to the heads. If you’re interested... I can give you the name and number of a guy who deals with this type of stuff

Or I could give you a few pointers on some things to do if money is an issue

In classes like this I think one of Smokey Yunick quotes best sums it up "There are only 2 types of racers....Cheaters and Losers"

 

technically the best "305 cam" im gonna say is the 83 to 86 305HO cam and the 85tpi cam. if you got lift rules at your dirt track, i would go to crowers website. they have a slew of circle track cams designed exactly for your application. those crower cams give good mid range and top end but have low lift numbers to keep the tech inspectors happy. check them out if you wish

 

Wow, my head is spinning now...all these numbers, all these choices, lol! So it sounds like I have some choices out there on what I want to run, just I have to make the right one.....that is racing I guess....On the heads, I am surpose to use 305 castings, I think you were referring to 601 castings correct?...sorry I am a newbie to this whole motor thing so I am learning as I go....I really appreciate everyones help on here....and yes I would love to get that information and those pointers you mentioned.

Ok, guys, I can't decide....what one should I buy?

 

nope sorry. But the best cam offered in the thirdgens was the 1989 L-98/LB9 (5 speed only ) cam .

 

Except that's a roller lifter cam, and he needs a flat tappet cam.

 

The cam profile itself is actually virtually identical, between the L69 cam and the L98/better LB9 cam. They are essentially the same cam except for the mechanism of cam/lifter contact.

 

Ahhhh I see , I figured he just wanted to know regardless of roller or not

 

Original post: "I am looking for the best chevy (OEM) cam to use in a '84-85 305." Therefore, flat-tappet.

 

Well then, if "flat tappet" and "OEM" are the only two requirements, then he can run solids, and that old 302 Z28 cam. Isn't that thing called the "30-30 Duntov" or some such? Single pattern if I recall. Same cam as was used on the hi-po fuelie Corvette 327s. Idle will suck in a 305. Fairly lumpy.

 

Except later he said, "I read the rules and it states that you must use a hydraulic roller or flat tappet lifter..."

As in, "hydraulic, either roller or flat tappet". Since he's using the older block, he can't use a retrofit roller cam or lifters.

I think. . .

(Does make your head spin, huh? Those rules-restricted classes can get nasty with the details.)