cam?
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cam?
hey guys, great forum! quick question, just picked up an 86 ta, was in storage for a good 8 years. was a ton of fun to get her back to life. anyway the car is mint. still got the new smell ha ha ,,its got a 5.0 tpi, cold air intake, headers,stage 2 chip,3 inch exhaust,accel ignition. she runs good and hooks hard. my question is what would be a good cam to throw in it? or should i just swap out for more qubes? i was looking into pepping up this 305 a little more since it only has 21,000 miles in it. i am not sure if it has a roller cam in since the valve cover bolts are on the sides instead of on top. peace.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Welcome aboard.
It will have a flat-tappet cam if the shortblock is stock. More cubes is always good, 350 is the best bang/buck most likely. What will work best depends upon what else you are willing to upgrade. If stock torque converter, Comp XE256 is about all you want to do. If willing to upgrade coverter and runners, probably an XE262. Headers and aftermarket exhaust always help.
It will have a flat-tappet cam if the shortblock is stock. More cubes is always good, 350 is the best bang/buck most likely. What will work best depends upon what else you are willing to upgrade. If stock torque converter, Comp XE256 is about all you want to do. If willing to upgrade coverter and runners, probably an XE262. Headers and aftermarket exhaust always help.
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thanks for the reply five7kid......will the comp xe256 clear with no problems? the car does have headers and 3 inch exhaust with an edelbrock muffler. is there much difference with that cam and stock cam? also a buddy of mine has a set of vortec iron heads but he says the valve cover screws are on top. mine are on the sides. do you think these heads are worth throwing on the 305?
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 42
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
The XE256 will work with no modification other than new valve springs (and I'd recommend new retainers to eliminate those exhaust rotators). There is a significant difference between it and the stock cam.
Vortecs would work better on a 350. Stock Vortecs are limited to somewhere between .440" & .480" lift - the only way to know is to check each valve travel. They are fairly simple to modify for better springs and more lift, though. On a 305 they also lower compression, but the better flow typically makes up for the reduced compression. But, your TPI won't bolt to those heads, you need a $400 Vortec base (from sdpc2000.com) to make it all work together.
Vortecs would work better on a 350. Stock Vortecs are limited to somewhere between .440" & .480" lift - the only way to know is to check each valve travel. They are fairly simple to modify for better springs and more lift, though. On a 305 they also lower compression, but the better flow typically makes up for the reduced compression. But, your TPI won't bolt to those heads, you need a $400 Vortec base (from sdpc2000.com) to make it all work together.
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