I know I'm asking in the right place having read the mostly civilized and spirited debates on the TPI board from the very knowledgable regulars here. I'm about ready to spray the paint on my car, and as long as I have the motor out (not in my budget right now to buy the rest of the rotating assembly for my 4" stroke crank and 400 block), I want to change the camshaft, but cam specs are jibberish to me. The motor used to be a 89 305 TBI, so it has the peanut grind. I have a TPI unit with SLP runners and LS1 injectors to install. I have had the engine harness converted and test ran (MAF), and have installed a Walbro 255 high pressure pump. Automatic transmission with 2.73 gear. The stock heads had just been rebuilt and have only 300 miles on them, so I want to get some use out of them. I know almost any choice will give me gains over the stock cam, but maybe some of you with experience can recommend something that will give me noticeable power gains without loss of drivability. I'm not taking this car to the track, I just want some more power without sitcking in something way too big. I'm not opposed to changing my valvesprings or rocker arms, but this motor won't be in here forever, so I'm looking to not spend too much cash on it if it's not necessary. I just want to get the most out of this thing while being reasonable. I also need a chip burnt obviously with the cam, intake and injector size changes. Any input welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

For a 305? The zz4 cam, lpe 211.

 

Swirl port heads? L98 or LT1 cam.

 

i agree with gmgod. The zz4 or LPE is a bit too bit for swirl ports. LT1 would by my choice if i had to choose.

 

? I did a search and found that the LT1 cam has a longer dowel pin that may need to be ground down. Beyond that is it a direct fit? Also if there were a few different grinds produced, is one as good as another?

 

As far as I knew, the LT1 cam was a direct swap-in. Mine should be arriving in the next day or two and I'm going to put it in my car with an LT1 intake whenever that arrives (could be a few weeks ). Not sure what casting my heads are, but they shouldn't be swirl port since I have a TPI motor.