I now have 2 original roller engines. Mine had a lower knock so I bought a spare in good shape but wanted to secure a solid block & crank just in case original is scored.
I am NOT going to throw in new springs, or dump a bunch of $into engine other than machine shop work to verify all good with new bearings, oil pump & rings.
I want just a little thump from stock. To achieve this I have read these engine stock can only handle about 480 lift. Would switching to 1.6 rockers achieve about the same thing as putting in a Cam? I'm going to do one or the other or just stay 100% stock. I already have a different rear end to put in with G92 gears out of an 89 (mine is an 89 but 2.77). Cat is gutted but car was always just bland. I don't want huge performance but want it to sound a little more aggressive. I have other cats to go fast in that are lot quicker & faster than the IROC (I think my Suburban could take it even).
I know the cam question come up a lot & have read numerous post on the topic. ZZ4, LT hot cam & so forth. I know changing converter comes into play as well as springs with too much Cam & I'm not going that route with this car.
Thanks in advance.

 

Keep it all stock then at that rate..


Bigger cams and even rocker arm ratio change does not play well without the needed supporting parts. Stock springs was always on the very weak side, just barely enough to handle the stock cam used... Not much room to play past stock and stay safe.

Rocker arm ratio change could also mean needing to elongate the pushrod slots in heads for clearance as the ratio change moves the pushrod as well.

If you do want to add more performance, it's best to do it with a cam than rockers. IMHO rocker ratio is more of a tuning tool. Cam you have option of duration, intake center line and lope sep angle changes which gains more than just the added lift.

But ANY cam, even a brand new stock one should get new valve springs to match it as the old springs weaken with age and are no longer the same tension as they was new stock.

 

Thank you for the honesty and at 46 years old, going fast isn't what I need anymore. The car will likely be passed down to some kid along the way & I just like it for cruising. I'll just change springs & mild cam & be happy.
Thank you again

 

Your welcome, I can fully understand just needing/wanting a cruising car.

Converter you can get away with stock and go up in cam size a good bit, but the springs are not the same. Like I said before as they age/wear they weaken... What started out stock as an 80# spring, after 100K mile will only be about a 70# spring. Most stock 80's and 90's v8's at this point having stock springs would measure 60-75# at best.. Not really good enough for a new stock cam, much less one that's bigger.

You wouldn't change pistons and keep the same used rings.... Kinda the same thing IMHO.

As far as a mild gain for sound, fuel mileage and a little added performance.. Look at stock 1st.

The LB9 305 and L98 350 TPI had a 202/207* @.050", .413"/.428" lift, 114.5 LSA cam

Any cam in the 210-214 intake / 215-224 exhaust @.050 with .440" to .465" lift or so would be a BIG improvement over stock.. If you are going fuel injected then keep LSA in the 112-114 range, if carb'ed then 110-112

With something like that a $30 set of howards 98111 90# springs would be perfect