can a ZZ4 Camshaft be installed in a L98 with stock heads w/o problems?
If not what needs to take place so that they will?
here's what I bought:
3. ZZ4 roller cam 7500 miles exc cond, will throw in ZZ4 take out springs, lightweight retainers, and some cheap Proform stamped roller tip rockers in 1.5 ratio. $75 **SOLD

 

Probably have to have the guides milled and put threaded studs in.

Some people gotten away without doing that, but one in particular I know pulled a stud after a couple thousand miles on it.

Do a quick search. Might be a time to Port your heads or upgrade...

 

that's what I'm trying to avoid doing, I get some Worlds S/R Torquer heads at the end of september.
I just wanna put this one in so I wont get beat so much on friday and saturday nights.I took my new 3 week old iroc out last weekend and eclipses smoked me

 

what did the ZZ4 cam come out of, for the third gen's L98 there's a ZZ3 cam made by GM performance parts, and the ZZ9 cam made by TPI's. If you buy the ZZ3, or the ZZ9 cam it's a direct install, they are roller camshafts, nothing else will need changed, i do recommend the roller rockers, they can free up some horsepower, so you know i installed the ZZ3 cam it has a slight lope to it, sounds great with other mods, the ZZ9 is better, but i was in a big hurry to get mine running. here's the Gm P/N for the ZZ3 H.O. roller cam #10185071 the specs are duration 208 intake 221 exhaust at .050 lift, and a .474 intake and .501 exhaust lift, it my local GM dealer two days to get it. cost is about $240

 

Please install screw in rocker studs with the ZZ4 cam. My engine was the one that pulled 2 stock pressed in studs in about 1000-1500 miles. This led to damage to the pushrods, rockers, and pushrod slots in the heads. I now run screw in studs, guide plates, and hardened pushrods. Still on the L98 heads. So save yourself $300 or so in repairs and do it right the first time.

Sinister, the ZZ4 cam is the same as the ZZ3.

 

so put those studs in along with cutting the guides and with those springs and roller rockers, I should be fine?

 

should be fine after that . I am loveing my ZZ4 camshaft . Nice little lope to it and the ECM dealt with mine fine

 

right on bro! I'm going for it! I got a sweet deal on a ZZ4 cam w/extras

 

Maybe the Eclipse you raced was a decently fast one ??
It's all to common nowadays for somebody to trick out
an Import .. you never really know what they have under
the hood ..untill its too late

 

Can the stock chip be used with the ZZ3 cam on a MAF TPI?

 

yup . It won't be perfect but mine fired right up. Heck I was running a 305 prom in it from the stock motor ....and it still fired right up :-) Even though it was a 350 . The Maf cars seem forgiveing even with a mild cam swap .

 

would it be possible to put in threaded studs in without pulling the heads off?

 

i don't think so

 

Prolly need to upgrade the springs while you got the heads off.ZZ4 cam has .480/.510 lift.Thats alot more than the stock cam and more than the stock springs are designed to handle.

just re read your first post.Forgot you said you were doing the springs.

 

is everyone getting the zz4 cams. i just got one with about 2k miles on it and got the push rods springs, not rockers. i have to get full roller 1.6 rockers and looks like i will need screw in studs too. and new valve covers.
im going the other way though - 601 heads which will get me a little more compression on a 305.
just want a lil more speed but still street legal. also have tpi and hooker 2055's but im not sure about the cat back exhaust keep changing my mind.

 

would you have to use the screw in studs w/ aftermarket heads?

 

Which aftermarket heads?
If you have them you can check.
Or check online for the head specs.

 

Most quality aftermarket heads already have screw in studs.

 

i was thinking of using edelbrock performers.

 

I'm running the stock L98 heads with press in rocker studs and a ZZ4 cam. The heads are set up to run the .510 exhaust lift. Have about 6,000 miles on it. No problems yet. I would recommend having screw in rocker studs if you are running any valve spring that's stiffer then stock.

 

I have a l03 305 im converting to a TPI 305 motor, (no i am not buying a 350) can I use that zz3 cam? my cost is 225.50, (i was probably going to keep the L03 heads) if not, anyone have recommendations on a cam for the l03 heads?

 

You can use the stock head but you would need to change the heads to screw in studs and use guideplates. The zz4 cam is probably a bit too much for the stock heads.

You coud go with a used LT1 cam (about $30) and add some new springs, locks and retainers. You can use the zz4 springs, lock and retainers and buy them all from GMpartsdirect.com for under $100.

 

Those heads were "set-up" by trimming the lower edge of the valve locks (for clearance to valve guide) and by installing valve springs from the ZZ3 motor. I also ran them for years of spirited driving.
Bill

 

Whats up Bill? Your heads worked out great. Motor runs good. Still needs a tune though. Going to a mini ram soon.

 

I have a 89 Firebird GTA trans Am and put a zz4 cam in it. Also put 24lb. injectors in it from the stock 22lb. I was told by a performance engine builder to set the timing at stock. I do believe it's 6 BTDC. The engine almost died. So I set it at 10 BTDC. It runs good but you can barly here it lobe. When the engine warms up it starts surging.

When driving it has a lot of power but when you hold the speed steady it spits and sputters really bad. If you give it gas it runs strong. Any body have any ideas wants wrong.

 

sounds like a vac leak.

 

Ok I'll check it out. I'll let you know