well since i am undertaking a head swap on her 88 formula 350 (adding E-heads and shorty headers)
is it worth replacing the stock cam?
i've seen some "tpi" replacement cams on Comp cams website and crowers website.
they list them as slight performance cams that wont require computer tuning and what not.

since i am not changing the torque convertor, and roller cams and lifters are extremly expensive, is it worth doing it since i have the heads off?
i plan to keep the stock tpi setup as is, and it's her daily car. i figured since i am adding 1.6 roller rockers, that it really isn't worth replacing the cam, expecially when you look at the $$ per hp gain.

could i replace the cam and use the existing roller lifters?
has anyone gone with a "low" end replacement cam (meaning something that will keep the stock TPI and ECM happy) and noticed a major improvement?

 

I'd DEFINITELY change the cam if you're that far along. They didn't call them "peanut" cams for nothing. heck the FI websites and they'll show nice improvements with a decent cam.

 

If nothing else, get a ZZ4 take out for around $100. If you can swing it, get a comp xr264hr (the one with a 112 degree lsa) for around $250. You should get about 1hp per $10 with either one of them. Either way, you should probably look into at least doing a dyno run to see if your new mods make you too lean @ wot on the factory tune. Better flowing heads, intake and headers alone may do that.

 

can the stock lifters be re-used with an aftermarket computer friendly roller cam?
i do have the AFPR and have it set at 49psi, the car ran really well there
i may reconsider doing a cam now, or run with the mods we have now (or to put on) this summer then look into the cam for next years additions

i've also thought about adding the edelbrock intake/runner kit too, again possibly something to wait on for next years additions

where can i find the specs on the stock cam?

 

Yes, you can use your stock lifters. If you got the edel e-tecs your gonna have to get a new intake base anyway. If you do that you may as well get a stealthram and bigger cam. Its up to you as to where to draw the line.

 

i got the basic tpi edlebrock heads that flow 165
i forgot the numbers, but they were bigger valves and slightly better flowing and more CC's then the stock heads
again, i'm not going to wild or crazy with the setup

i did get the 1.6 rollers

i figured with the head swap and headers, it should help wake it up some for now

 

the 1.6 rollers will do nice but still if you have the money a cam will give it a good wake up call.if you do put the cam in without portwork on the base and runners it might be in vane

 

I absolutely agree - if you've already got the heads off, you'd be CRAZY not to install a decent, mild cam.

I don't remember the stock specs exactly (you can do a search on this site though), but the lift is something like .420, maybe .425, duration is just a hair over 200, & it's on a 117 LSA! As far as I can tell, that's not good for much of anything except passing emissions & fuel economy tests...

Even switching to something in the range of .430/.435 lift, duration in the 212-218 range, & a 114 LSA will make a noticeable improvement...