OK, Im new at this but I have been following John LIngengelters advice in his book on building SBC engines. I finally got the LPE 219 cam. What else do I need to change when I put in this came and what options do I have. I know I will need to reprogram a chip, and Im know I need to get roller rockers right? I have some comp cams 986-16 Valve springs with Titanium inserts I got from a friend.

Also I want to do a 190 of 195 AFR head swap. Im sure it would be better to do cam and heads at the same time, but I don't know when Im going to be able to afford $1300 for head. Would it be worth it just to do the came and valve trains stuff?

 

You can do the cam for now and swap off the heads later while the engine is in the car, it's just a PITA, because there's not much room. Go with the AFR's when you afford them. They compliment the 219 cam very well.

As long as you have the correct springs, that's all you need to swap in that cam to make it work. Make sure the dowel pin is sized correctly also. Roller rockers will help, but I'd worry about getting new lifters first. You don't have to change lifters, but from my exp. I'd reccommend it highly, especially if the stock ones have a lot of miles. I had a problem with a couple lifters right after the more aggressive cam was installed.

One more thing, don't expect a big gain until you do a head swap. The 219 has more lift than the stock heads can even come close to flowing. The extra duration should give you some hp though even with the stock heads. You might gain 15-20hp from just the cam and about 60hp more when you add the heads.

 

If it were me I would wait on the cam swap til I got the heads. If you feel compelled to go ahead with the cam swap get the recommended valve springs. If the comp ones you have are okay use em. Some times with stock heads you need to have the spring seat enlarged to accomidate the larger OD of the spring. Also, some times the valve guide needs to be machined down to make room for the extra lift. Do some searchs and see what others have done with similar setups.

BTW, I have been using the AFR 190s for a while now and like them a whole lot, great heads...

 

I back up the other replys, definitely wait until you get the heads.