Hey guys,

New to the boards here. Sold my 95 t/a, so it's off the 4th gen boards and on to the 3rd gen ones for me.

I just picked up an 87 camaro (305), and I have a quick question for you guys.

I am in the process of restoring it. A new engine/trans will be swapped in about a year and half or so...but for the time being, I want a little more fun on a budget.

I have a couple parts lying around that im going to bolt up to this motor for the time being until I do the full swap. I have a full exhaust (mid length ceramic coated headers, 3 inch exhaust), an edelbrock performer intake, and an edelbrock 650 carb (these parts came off an 84 firebird with a 350 in it) Since I have them, I figure I might as well just slap em on the 305 for the time being. My question is...since Im putting on that intake/carb (gettin rid of all the computer stuff), I figured I might as well cam it while im in there. I was looking at this cam

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-12-268-4/

The lobe separation at 114 makes it very streetable, and the increase in duration and lift make it more aggressive...but still streetable. My question is will I need to replace the valve springs, or anything else in the valve train for that matter, to make this cam work in a 305? Keep in mind, I'm not building this motor, I'm just making this one more fun for the next year and a half. I dont want to dump all kinds of money in to it, but an extra 130 for a cam is worth it.

If any of you guys have any opinions, I would love to hear.

Thanks!

 

yea you should be able to get away with it i think stock heads are good for .500 lift, that will make a good lope for a 305

 

Are you sure you don't need a roller cam? I though you did in an '87...

 

I'm no expert on a 305, but to my understanding they are hydraulic flat tappet.

Am I wrong? I'd love to pick up some knowledge on my motor

 

you can put either style in your engine, but it currently has hydraulic roller lifters, unless a previous owner changed them. the cam you chose won't be any fun below 3000 rpm, and the rest of your engine will be out of air before your cam, it's a mismatch. If you want a $135 cam that'll make a difference you can feel, get the RamJet350 cam from GM Performance Parts. You won't need to change anything else, except gaskets, of course. The next thing to do is a more serious axle ratio.

 

It depends on year. I think 88 is when they went roller, but I'm not super sure. There's no harm putting a flat tappet cam in a roller block from what I know.

As for you questions, yes, you'll probably need valve springs. The heads can take the lift, but the stock springs from 87 aren't going to like getting beaten up like that.

As for the cam itself, I think you're way overcamming the motor. I think something in the 210 @ .050" range is more appropriate.

 

All '87 V8 Camaros came with roller lifters. Period.

 

Didn't see your reply when I wrote mine. If you're sure that's good enough for me, roller it is. I knew it was around that year all camaros went roller.

I think this cam would be far more appropriate, what are other people's thoughts?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CC...8/?image=large

 

Im still at work, just checkin up on the boards periodically.

Just wanted to thank everyone whos given me some responses so far. I know LT and LS motors well, but have no extensive knowledge on third gens. Just like the other f-body message boards I've been a part of, you guys are always on top of it.

I appreciate the input from everyone before I make this purchase...