i was wondering what the biggest cam you can run with stock valve springs on a 350 tpi is. i am wanting a cam that lopes pretty good. i have to change valve stem seals so i figure i might as well change the cam at the same time. please let me know. oh yeah it has hooker headers, edelbrock tpi intake, and flowmaster cat-back.

 

any cam is too big for stock springs, they're junk. if you replace them with stock size springs the pull out studs become the limiting factor. without any machine work .47 is about it.

 

Whats the problem with changing the springs then?

TPI manifolds with their long runner length are best at a low rpm. Lumpy cams are lumpy at idle cause they are best at higher rpm. Not a match. TPI EFI computers are not easily compatable with a "lumpy cam".

 

[QUOTE=redteamgo2000;3109896] i have to change valve stem seals QUOTE]

Well if you have to change the valve stem seals, then why dont you change the springs also? You do have to take the springs off to get to the seals. Stock springs are pathetic and will not support any "lopey" camshaft (which by the way is also way too much for a mild TPI to begin with), and they are probably too worn out to support even your stock one past ~4000rpm. Change em out for some comp 981 springs or do some machining so you can get real springs to support your "lopey" camshaft in there.

 

then what cam would you recommend for my set-up with new stock diameter springs for now til i can afford head work? i just want a good all around performer cam.

 

i have stock springs on my car my cam in sig...

 

use comp 981 springs, that'll support most any conceiveable cam (in your position), and fit the stock pockets.
roachjuice's cam would work alright. You comfortable burning proms?

 

Roachjuice's cam is too large to work with the stock heads. As ede said, and he is correct, .470" is the absolute limit with stock unmachined heads and stock size springs. The Compucam 2032 is the largest one that works with this setup, and it might require a custom chip.

 

what has to get done machine work wise to allow cams with .500-.520 inch lift?

 

.050" offset locks is a nice cheap way to make it happen. That's what I did.
Or you can machine down your valve guide bosses.

 

What Sonix said (didnt know offset locks would work), along with screw-in studs. Factory rocker studs are push in style, and will pull out with higher lift cams.

 

yeah i just had this idea on throwin a LT4 hotcam with 1.5 rockers (so .492 lift) whenever i do my LT1 intake swap.