so my current combination on my '89 Formula 350 is Fastburn (aluminum Vortec) heads, [1.5 roller rockers] with a ZZ4 cam (474/510 / 208*/221*). the car is fast and fun to drive, but I am considering stepping it up a notch to something along the lines of


GMPP Hot Cam ?525/525? / 218*/228* [w/ 1.6 roller rockers]


or, for about $1000 more


GMPP Hot Cam AND FIRST fuel injection set up.


both would require significant labor, and both would require a re-tune.


aside from cost and can of worms effect, my other concerns are idle quality and drivability/road manners.


to anyone's' knowledge and experience,

• is Hot Cam too much cam for long tube TPI?
• does Hot Cam have choppy idle in an L98?
• is vacuum loss an issue?
• will Hot Cam add a substantial amount of power and torque vs. my current set up?
• is Hot Cam a good choice for my current set up?
• would doing this upgrade be worth the money?
• is Hot Cam a good choice with a FIRST system?
• Any drivability issues with FIRST?
• on its own, does a FIRST system affect idle quality?
• is FIRST a good choice for a 350 ci engine?
• is FIRST worth the money?
• is FIRST & Hot Cam worth the money?
• how would this set be, performance-wise, vs. say an LS1/LS2 swap?

that's a lot of questions.

 

I did a hot cam setup in a 92 formula with zz4 heads not long ago.
I told him itll need a tq converter but said no. He drove it and didn't like the stock converter ant then had me pull the trans an put in a better converter.
My advice, it'll need a tq converter. I think we used a 28-3200 edge..
Other. Than that, itll drive just fine.

 

Hotcam with stock TPI runners = waste of time and money.
The ZZ3 cam's powerband already exceeds the rpm capability of the stock TPI. With TPI, the ZZ3 power curve for a street car is the better of the two.
Even with short runner (LT1) manifolds, I've seen enough examples where the ZZ3 cam ET'd better than the Hotcam, UNLESS the Hotcam car had a 3000 stall or higher converter.

 

Thank you for the input. FWIW, the car has AS&M LTRs and Edelbrock Vortec lower intake. And stock torque converter.

I wonder if a higher stall speed converter would be a substantial improvement with what i've got.

 

Absolutely yes. Now you're thinking more in performance per dollar
A 2800 9.5" converter would be perfect.


Also, if you could find somebody willing to swap half a set of roller rockers with you, 1.6's on the intakes with the ZZ3/4 cam are worth a few ponies with no downside. I might even be able to scrounge together 8 used GMPP 1.6's if you're interested.

 

A aftermarket 9.5 and a performance trans rebuild should be 1 of the 1st things done to these cars.
A super HUGE improvement in the way the car feels.

If it hasn't been done, have that vortec base ported. Another worthwhile modification.

 

thanks again for the input, guys. i feel comfortable that i'm getting more than mere speculation here.

the transmission had "sorta" a performance rebuild in the course of getting the car road-worthy. as you may recall, this car was inoperable when i bought it, so the engine needed to be completely overhauled. the transmission, i feared, would be in similarly bad shape, but as it turns out transmission fluid combats rust and the elements much better than motor oil - the transmission was pretty much a cream puff. some wear items were replaced with the higher performance/endurance replacements, a corvette servo was added, plus a TransGo shift kit (stage 2). didnt replace the torque converter. but i will soon - thats going on the list. 9.5"; 2800 stall speed?

i would be interested in the 1.6s for sure. would i have to switch to taller valve covers to accomodate the 1.6 ratio rocker arms? its actually pretty tight as is with where the AS&M runners come cover the stock valve covers.

i definitely wish i would have ported (or had ported) the Vortec base before initial installation. 1. i have some trepidation about attempting this (or even letting someone who is not familiar with my setup) attemp this, as there is purportedly very little room for error when porting these. 2. i was put into a bad position where the engine was being built - with my guy quitting, and the owner having hired a foreman who was a total piece of shyte - porting that intake was not going to come up at the time.

 

also, any drivability/road manners issues with the 2800 stall converter?

 

If you use the narrow body rockers, no issues with stock covers. (like hot cam kit)

Some don't like the converters because they feel a little like a slipping clutch during a mild take off but stand on the throttle and she really comes alive. The lockup is great for highway mileage.

Porting can be done at anytime. A good porter will know what it needs. I did a few of them, fairly easy to do.

 

I'm running the 1.6 GMPP rockers under un-modified Vortec (L31) valve covers with no clearance issues. I'll look for the rockers and can send you some pics.

 

TTop350, I've got a line a line of a set of 4 Fourth Gen TA wheels like yours (except chrome, i think) for ..... $150.00. Pretty tempting at a buck-fifty.

 

At that price it would be worth putting them in the corner. If they are 17x9s and not bent, which they do fairly easy..

 

What spacers do i need?

 

Is FTI 9.5" 2800-3000 @ $329 - $489 a good converter? If no whats a good converter? Which brands should be avoided?

 

That i have been able to find, the FTI converters all specify "for LT1 only." Not sure i understand the logic there. I talked to Jack at Precision Industries (Vigilante) - he also recommended a 9.5" in the 2800-3000 range. They run $850.00 though. Not out if the question, but if there is something considerably cheaper that is also durable and effective, it would seem worth a look.

 

Not sure y it would be LT1 only.
We Used a "edge" converter and its working just fine

I have a 4500ish Precision Industries (Vigilante) lockup in my car

 

I can't vouch for those FTI converters; never used one or know of anyone personally that has. $329 new will definitely not get you a 9.5" converter with quality parts inside. $489 is getting close.
The only budget 9.5" converter that I can recommend is the Street Edge. Lots of guys I know + myself have used them even in heavy B-bodies with very good results. I'm running an Edge 2800 in the car in my sig.


Linson, if you'll PM me your email, I'll send some pics of the 1.6 rockers.