I'm revamping my 1984 z28 HO and have purchased a few parts already, but want to know if it's even worth gettting a different cam, and if so, what would be a good cam for my application. I'm really wanting TORQUE. Ultimate horsepower is a "cool" factor, but in reality, I'll be zipping from 0-60 in normal street-life, with 0-35 probably being the most important to me (just general spinning tires kind of thing). I got an Edelbrock Performer Intake and Flowtech Headers. I'm planning to run the original quadrajet carb with stock dual snorkel/cold air breather. As I understand it, for torque I really need low duration but with maximum lift. I really don't want to change springs. I will change lifters if necessary, but I want to know if any cam that I'm looking for will be so close to factory spec that it's not worth bothering with (stock specs that I found online are listed below). Any thoughts/recommendations? Any realistic estimates of current horsepower with components (intake and header) installed vs. with suggested cams.

14088843 Hyd. - 202/206 - .403/.415 - 115 - 305 HO, 83-86

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

If you change the cam, you have to change the lifters. Unless you want more practice changing the cam.

Stock valve springs will not handle an aftermarket cam that is an upgrade. Plan on changing the valve springs if you change the cam.

Look for a cam with advertised duration in the 258-260 range, lift in the .450 range. 1.6:1 rockers might help the torque part, but whether you'd even notice it is debatable, and you might exceed the safe travel limit of the valves unless you have the top of the guides cut.

 

Any other cam suggestions? Will it make a noticeable difference in the 0-30 mph range? Is it worth messing with?

 

For 0-30, start with a new set of 4.10:1 gears for your rear axle, along with a new limited slip differential, your original is surely worn out by now, and isn't rebuildable. For noticeable torque, COMP's 12-388-4 cam is a good one to start with in a stock L69. It'll be amazing from idle to 5000 rpm, I know from experience. While you're doing that, also install an Edelbrock 3701 intake manifold. If you're running an automatic, get a 2500-stall torque converter, and some 235/60R15 drag radials. M/T's are the stickiest, but BFG's are more driveable. Do all of this, and you'll be the king of the intersection.