I'm not finding anything on these searches so I will just ask. What is the best cam shaft I can get for my L98? Thanks. By the way my car is the plain old stock 5.7 350.

 

try the ZZ4 Cam

 

Just looked up a website on the cam and it shows a dyno chart with just the cam added to the stock engine. I guess what I am wondering is, is it possible without any other upgrades? http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e..._camshaft.html

 

Any input?

 

Hello '87IROCZOWNER69!!

What's wrong with the stock cam???

 

It's not broken or anything of that nature but I have heard that replacing your cam can give you a pretty big power boost and well... I want in!

 

That's definitely a loaded question. There's never just a best cam for any given engine. A cam is probably the most application specific part of your engine that can make or break the performance of your car. If your running stock heads/intake/compression/exhaust I'd recommend you put your money somewhere else first then buy a cam when the parts around it can make your cam choice easier and you cam choose a cam to suit your specific needs.

 

Where do you recommend I start?

 

Start with the basics, headers/exhaust, throttle body/manifold ect.

 

Hello '87IROCZOWNER69!!


Get a set of performance cylinder heads, nothing too radical, check out the same Hotrod articles for a cylinder head hop up!!

I saw one on the net from Hotrod, that gave them about 100 hp from just a set of cylinder heads on a stock sbc, IIRC it was even a Camaro!!

Search it out!!

 

So 87IROC-DAN61, how much would a set of those performance cylinder heads cost as well as to have them installed? Also I can't find that article you are talking about on their website.

 

For a completely stock L98, and you only want a mild, noticeable bump in power without losing driveabilty, etc, I would say one of the F/Y-body LT1 cams would be a good choice for that engine.

That said... the other guys are right. The cam is very application specific, so there isn't really a 'right one' for your motor, because it depends on alot of other factors.

At this point, since it sounds like you are still new to this stuff, going out and buying a brand new set of cylinder heads is a BIG jump, and a VERY expensive one too (good heads alone are $1200+, plus ALOT of labor cost to install them, as its a very time consuming job). The stock L98 heads are one of the better factory heads, so leave them alone for now.

I would start small - A set of shorty headers (Hooker 2055) as well as the matching Y-pipe and a 3" catback exhaust of your choice would be a good start. Its the biggest bottleneck of your engine anyway, so that by itself would give a very noticeable increase in power, as well as a better sound. I liked the 3" Hooker catback I had on my car - fit well, sounded excellent, reasonable price.

 

So how much would something like that cost? Yeah your right I am pretty new at this. My parents are divorced and my dad who I see seldomly doesnt know much about cars anyway (for instance I dont even know how to check spark plugs or change oil!) so I kind of depend on you guys to help me with any problems that I have.

 

I agree with air adam upgrade your exhaust system and you will be very happy, as far as performance heads yea they can get expensive but you can find a decent set of vortec heads online from like jegs or summit for like 600 or 700 bucks, a friend of mine just replaced his stock heads with some vortecs in his 87 t/a and he noticed a big difference, the thing is with vortec heads you would need a vortec intake base which will add some more $$$hundreds$$$ to the cost depending on what intake u get. Don't really know your budget but it seems like a lot people on this forum that went this route were very pleased with the results just as my buddy was, I'm actually in progress of switching over to vortec heads rite now, hope this helps

 

Hello '87IROCZOWNER69!!

I'll search out the article, hopefully I can find it again!!



It may not have been Hot Rod, it could have been Super Chevy, Chevy High Performance, etc, but it does have that same format as the Hot Rod online magazine!!

I was researching Chevy cylinder heads while I was (bored) at work one day, and I came across it!!

 

If you can do the work yourself (which actually isn't all that hard), then doing the exhaust.... headers, Y-pipe, catback... would probably cost around $1000 or so. Around $500 for the headers and Y-pipe, and the same for the catback. Hooker makes really well fitting, good quality parts though, I think it would be a good place to start with your car, and exhaust is a good way to learn how to work on it. A cylinder head swap in a 3rdgen is a BAD way to learn... even really experienced guys will get frustrated doing a head swap on one of the TPI cars.

 

A post from effinbird is trying to sell a set of hooker headers on third gen now.

 

My recommendation to you, if you want to start making modifications, is to keep your hands off the car until you sit down and start making a list. This list should begin with what you want to accomplish and then the steps needed to make it happen. You've had some good suggestions on here. The best one imo is headers/exhaust. You can really pick up some good performance with that mod and it's relatively easy to install. As other posters have stated, cam swaps and head swaps are the realm of the experienced mechanic. Not saying you shouldn't do it, just walk before you run. Start small and work your way up. You've got a great car to start with. I should know, i've got the same one. Mine has headers with 3 inch exhaust, xtreme energy cam, trick flow heads, 58mm plenum, ported intake, msd ignition, etc. It didn't happen overnight and it wasn't without some trial and error. Have fun!!

 

I'm really liking the exhaust system idea right now but there is one hitch, I am a 16 year old kid who is unemployed at the moment (I have applied to over 50 places only got two interviews). So as of right now my mom has said that she will spend a max of $150 on Christmas presents. So what would be the best upgrade for that amount? It can be an engine upgrade, transmission, well anything for that matter. Also by that I mean $150 installed or uninstalled (car is parked right now so hopefully by the time the snow melts I will have a job to pay for install or have learned by then on how to install it!) So any ideas on that?

 

For $150, I would get some new plugs, K-N air filters, fuel filter, and some repair manuals, (haynes, chilton, and maybe the original G-M manual). There really isn't much for mods for that price, but a good tune-up will help.

 

Hmm... I already got the repair manuals and the fuel filter so I guess I will go for some better plugs then, will replacing the plugs help fix the fact that my car is running rich? I was also considering a shift kit and the K-N filters as well.

 

New plugs may help some, but you may also have a faulty O2 sensor. As i said before, a good tune-up will help considerably. A shift kit is a nice upgrade, as long as you install it yourself, you will save alot of money.

 

Yo, 87IROCZOWNER69
I just read your sig again. It says your engine was rebuilt 22,000 miles ago. That's pretty recent. I think maybe the guys on here might want to know what work was done. It could help on suggestions. Were the injectors replaced, were the sensors replaced, etc.

 

Here is the thing I bought the car in February with the engine already rebuilt with 20k on it. Also I bought the car off of a trade in at a delership so they couldnt tell me anything except for that all the lights worked. I think I have some information on the previous owner in my arm rest and somewhere in my house that I will have to look for and try calling him up. He probably bought the car new because I found an insurance receipt from 95 in the arm rest o he probably rebuilt it. What i can tell you is that I recently had the fuel system and injectors cleaned out, rear diff fluid changed, oil change, MAF sensor plugged back in (was resting on belt when I got it), and I flushed out the engine coolant (it was brown when I got it and cleaned it out and there is only a little bit sitting in the bottom otherwise it is green along with all the collant in the radiator). Any of this help? Sorry I can talk too much sometimes!

 

Looks like mechanically you're in pretty good shape. Kudos to you for taking care of the important stuff. I know you're looking for performance suggestions, but how about an engine dress up kit? Won't make it go any faster but it will look cool as sh*t. Check out summit racing, jegs, or whoever tickles your fancy. For $150 bucks you might be able to sharpen that baby up a bit under the hood. Just a suggestion.

 

This may sound stupid but I want to keep it as stock as possible but with some upgrades to keep it running good (that's why I wanted the shift kit and spark plugs if it will fix my problem). I dont want to change anything under the hood because I just want it stock.

 

By O2 sensor do you mena this and where does it go?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...70_115960_1784_
Also I was reccomended these by someone else saying they were really good. What do you guys http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...107029_0_2695_think?

 

Oxygen sensor goes on the drivers side exhaust manifold, and faces forward (nose of the car)... Threads in.

 

Thanks for that hairysox33! Also I found this turn signal lever that is supposed to be able to be a direct replacement for the stock one. I was needing to get a new one because the cruise control doesnt work on my car right now anyway. So do you think it would work or is there something else I can do with the one I currnetly have to get it working again?

 

Hello "87IROCZOWNER69!!

I didn't know that you were only 16, so disregard my post about making the cylinder head swap at this time!! (I stilll haven't found the article, but I never say never!!)

Before you buy a new turn signal lever, check out the basics of your cruise control first, like start with the fuse, then check out vacuum lines etc, before buying stuff!! A little bit of detective work can save you $$$!!
As for your $150.00............change your transmission fluid, and filter, and get your brake system flushed and filled also!! Take what's left of your $150.00 and put in a fresh tank of gas, and drive your car, and enjoy it!!



P.S. When you get low on gas...........park your car at home, and go over it, and make a realistic plan of what you want to do to your car, restore it, modify it, whatever, and cost it out!! The price will just floor you, however, use that as a motivator to get your job, and save your cash to make your plan happen!!

Don't forget to post your questions here often, as the knowledge here will help you to reach your goal!!

 

Thanks for the ideas! I have already looked over all the fuses so I guess I will pull out my chiton manual and see what hoses might be causing the problem. Also I have already taken my car into one of the Goodwrench shops and they said that the brakes were fine and said that it wont need replacing untill my pads need to be. I like the idea of taking it to fix the tranny fluid and filter I should probably do that soon (wont need to until spring though. As for the tank of gas, I like your style but I live in Nebraska so, I probably wont be driving it until around March and then my birthday is in April so maybe I can do the transmission work then. As of right now the city has already salted the streets and snow is on the ground. Also I would love to work on my car except for the fact that it is parked outside (for some reason my moms new Lincoln and mint condition 04 mustang get first place to my car ) and I have already tarped it over and wouldnt be able to have all the rope removed by spring time even if I started now. So here is a list of stuff I am going to get...
1. Bosch O2 sensor......$19.99
2. Leather scent air freshner......$2.49
3. 8 AC Delco spark plugs part #R43TS
4. 2 hood support lifts......$36.00
5. Sunshade (my dash is perfect and want to keep that way)......$8.99
6. Set of K&N air filters (from dad).....$60
So excluding the cost of the filters (from dad and parents divorced) I still have around $65 left. How much is one of those roll up shades that goes in the back window, you know like the ones that came from the factory? Thanks for all your help so far guys.

 

buy some 1.6 roller rockers. that will give you a higher lift without swapping cams

 

i would change that Bosch O2 sensor to a Delco O2 sensor. it may cost little more but it can save you from headaches later.
yes, Bosch makes O2 sensors for a lot of the manufacturers. but, they are made to the manufacturers' specifications.
even little outside of factory specs is enough to cause problems.

 

Where would I get one of those Delco sensors at?

 

First thing I'd do, which I did do to mine, is check the rear end ratio. Mine was a 2:77 ratio which is terrible for any level of performance. I changed it to a 3;23, you might do better with a 3;41 or so if you're modding the engine more. Look for RPO codes in the console box. "G" something is the gear info.

 

My rearend is a 3:27. Where would I get one of those Delco sensors at?

 

Hello '87IROCZOWNER69!!

Try the local stealership, or NAPA, or any jobber that sells AC Delco parts!!



Try Summit, or even Jegs!!

P.S. If you go to the stealership, ask for Oxygen Sensor GM part # 25162693 or AC Delco Part # AFS-20



Hopefully, you'll get some old guy, and you'll freak him out asking for this item by part #, he might even be able to find it for you!!

 

I was just reading my Chilton Manual and it said if the O2 sensor isnt working it could cause the car to run rich. Also if there is and old spark plug it would cause the engine to be missing along with poor gas mileage. Both these describe the symptoms my car is having. Do you guys think replacing these will fix these problems?

 

if your still looking for a cam, i would check out the cams that TPIS offer. seeing how they specialize in Tuned Port motors. once i get the money saved up and a few other things purchased, i plan on buying there zz409 cam

 

Hows your car 5yrs later?

 

Who me? Still completely stock. I've decided to keep the car original and restore it when I get a garage for it.

 

Hey, I just installed a new cam in my L98, and am loving it! I also changed the heads and ported the intake, along with a few other things. The cam is a Comp 08-304-8.
I am very happy, a little more top end RPM (5500 or so) and way more power.