I'm building an engine and i figure that one of the most complex things that has to be figured out is what cam to use. Now I know that the perfect cam is not something set in stone that someone could just tell you X cam is the best hands down. I would like to put some thought into this decision before I go out and buy one so i as wondering if anyone knew of any good places that discuss Cam stats in depth and what each number interrelates with so i can figure out what I'm gonna need.

Again thanks for the help TGO guys!

 

Is this for your Z28?
If so, you'll get more practical info here on the forum than from any "general" cam guide sources.
Tell us: vehicle weight, axle ratio, rear tire size and type, COMPREHENSIVE engine specs, and your goals for driveability, highway performance, dragstrip performance, mileage,......etc. And we'll be glad to help.

 

There is some good, how-cams-work info at...

http://www.compcams.com/Technical/TimingTutorial/

Hope this helps!

 

That's a great write up at comps website there. I also wrote a short blurb, containing some of that info and some more obvious stuff. See sig.

 

Well i don't know the curb weight of my Z28, (and it wouldn't be accurate anyhow, turns out an engine and transmission make the car weigh more, go figure ) but ive found that the stock curb weight for a Z28 is about 3300 lbs and i'm going for mostly stock.
Axle ratio is 3.23 stock and i don't think im gonna change that.
Rear tires are stock 235/60-R15s i think.
Not lookin for a drag car because they aren't very streetable, im not worried about a little bit of a rough idle but not too much cuz im goin with a near-stock L98 (from an 88 IROC if that helps), I think as far as highway performance goes I'd like to be able to feel it when i stomp on the gas at 70 so i guess i'd like to have my powerband set at 1200-4500 RPM. Mileage is not somethin im concerned about much either since this is gonna be a weekend car not a daily driver, but im thinking 15-20 isnt an unreasonable goal with a T5 behind it and takin it easy MOST of the time

As far as comprehensive engine specs I'm usin a Stock L98 from an 88 IROC with Hooker headers (ill hafta look up the stats on that when i get home), ported runners, different cam, lookin into going 9.5:1 CR, and a fresh rebuild. I was told that the '88 L98 was a roller cam'ed engine, havent pulled the thing apart yet to check but i think thats the kind of cam i'm going with.

So is that enough information or do you need to know more? I usually leave out somethin vital so just ask if its not there.

 

Comp xr264hr would fit the bill nicely

 

Yeah that looks like the Torque and HP range im lookin for too. With a MAF TPI system will i need to get a new PROM burnt or can I still go with a stock one without any problems?

 

That's a really mild cam, so you should have zero problems running it with the stock prom, especially with a MAF style TPI system. Here's some specs as a basic rule of thumb for requiring prom work. If the duration is more than 224 degrees @.050, the lift is above .500, or the LSA is lower than 112 degrees, then it's time to start looking into a custom prom. LSA and duration @.050 affect it a lot quicker than lift does.