I've done searching here, but I still need advice, especially from people running cams I'm looking at.
I have an '87 TA, 350 TPI (LTR and will stay like that). I currently have a cam, but am told by everyone it's too much : 235/235 @ .050, 480/480, 114 lobe.
So if I change cams, I'm looking at the LPE 74211....
or TPIS zz9... or comp cams xr269hr.. which is very similar to the Hotcam, but a little more expensive. These are all different cams on paper, but are have all been recomended for TPI. Comp cams told me their 269 is similar to hotcam, but produces MORE power. Is it worth the $ over the Hotcam? They say it's the latest in technology. (LPE's has been around awhile, and is proven) Which is the best?? Anyone using any of these please respond.
I have usual bolt-ons, (headers, exhaust, pulleys, afpr, ported tpi, 2400 stall converter, etc.)
Choosing the right, or at least the closest cam is confusing, but I want to get it right, the one in it is obviously wrong, so I want to get this right this time.

 

Also, does anyone think I should save money and run what I have?
LPE recommends their 74211
Thunder Racing, Arizona Speed & Marine, & Comp Cams recommend xr269hr
Scoggins Dickky recommends the Hotcam

These are all very top notch tuners for TPI, especially LPE and AS&M.
So who's right? What kinds of power are any of you guys with any of these running?

 

Nobody has any opinions to add?? Anyone with experience with any of theses even??

 

you might wanna post the specs for that lingenfelter one cuz i doubt ppl will bother to check it out themselves... but the comp grind is what I would recommend. The XR series of HR cams have a more aggressive ramp rate, which opens the valves faster as opposed to the GMPP HOT cam, it also has more lift assuming that you compare them with the same ratio rocker. However, you can't ignore the value of the HOT cam kit. If you were thinking about changing the springs or adding roller rockers, then u might as well go with the HOT cam kit since u'll get practically everything you need from the cam to the shims.

 

Sorry about that, I'll post the cam specs. Thanks for replying too. As you said, the Hotcam is $ a deal, but the other's are more aggessive. Here's the specs
My current cam : 235/235, 480/480, 114 lobe
LPE 74211 : 211/219, 499/525, 112 lobe
Hotcam : 218/228, 492/492, 112 lobe
xr269hr : 218/224, 495/503, 112 lobe

All of the above are with lift at 1.5, even though Hotcam "kit" comes with 1.6. Just listing straight cams. If I were to put 1.6's on, I'dd do so with any of these. Or should I stay 1.5 with any of these in my application? Whichever that would be.

 

I just ran your combo thru engine analyzer, and your 235-480 cam makes 4 inches less vacuum and less avg hp and avg tq thru the whole rpm range, but does make 11 more hp at peak which is 5750 rpm. For a street car, you want the most avg tq and avg hp, plus your intake is rpm tuned.

The lpe cam is what I would pick, but it depends on your heads, and whether you have screw in studs and need to change springs or not.

 

If you have stock heads, then you are limited to the amount of lift you can run also.

 

if u've got stock heads/rocker/springs... just go with the HOT cam kit. You'll have a very streetable engine, a functional brake booster, and all the parts you need. In the event that you want to change cams down the road, you'll already have the 1.6 RR's and the springs will probably handle it.

 

Another vote for the LPE cam. I'm over 300HP to the rear wheels with a 700R4 transmission and with a very similiar cam. It is very streetable I might add with plenty of vacuum for the brakes and accessories. Allen

 

This is all excellent feedback guys, I appreciate it. I'm running stock heads right now, and the springs were changed to accomidate the cam when it was changed (maybe 12,000 miles).
If I ever change heads, it'll probably be something like Edelbrock's centerbolts for my application, I've heard they work nice and reliably with the TPI/or LTR setups, come complete, no hassels. I don't know if that makes any difference in which cam or not????
How's the idle with the LPE cam and hotcam? I must say now my car has a lope to it, but that doesn't bother me.
Also, if it's not to much trouble, what does the engine analyzer read out for the other cams now??
Again, thanks for all your responces and opinions guys.

 

You need to know what springs were installed and at what installed height. The LPE cam has more lift than your current cam and you need at least .060 clearance in the springs for coil bind. Without this info, you can't choose another cam.