Hi Everyone,
I just wanted some opinions on whether it would be worth it to change cams from my ZZ4 to a ZZ9, Hot Cam, etc?

My goal is maximum low-end and midrange HP & TQ.

FYI - I did do a search

Thanks!!!

 

sure would,the zz4 is a nice cam don't get me wrong.
the hot cam is a nice jump in power but if you are lookin for power you will need a different profile.
the LPE 219/219 is a great cam
zz9 has great power
comp cam 503 is real sweet.....either of these cams with 1.6 rockers will be
a cam upgrade you wont regret

 

Thanks for the reply, 92droptopws6.

Is this the 503 cam you were referring to?

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...0002_106064_-1

It says it is for a LT1 & LT4, but I assume it will fit correctly in a L98?
From the specs, it looks like it would have a good idle and alot more power.

 

Anyone else have an opinion on using these cams on my setup (see sig)?

Thanks.

 

I have been using the ZZ4 cam for some years now, and I have been happy with it. I will soon be installing Comp Cams XFI268HR13 cam; check that one out.
Bill

 

The XFI268HR13 has a little too much lift for me.

I called Comp Cams and the tech recommended CCA-08-502-8 which is
Gross Valve Lift 0.495 0.503
Duration At 0.006 Tappet Lift 269 276
Duration At 0.05 218 224
Lobe Lift 0.33 0.335
Lobe Separation 112


Does that sound better than the ZZ4, ZZ9, etc?

FYI - the Comp Cams tech told me not to go with the 503 cause "it's designed for the LT1"

Thanks.

 

anyone?

 

I don't think it would be worth it to go from the ZZ4 to the ZZ9. You are only gaining 4 degrees on the intake side and not that much lift.

The one Comp Cams recommended sounds good. Go with 1.6 rocker arms for more power.

 

Thanks for the reply 1989GTATransAm.

I talked to a guy at TPIS today and he also said going to the ZZ9 wouldn't be worth it.

However, he said since the Comp Cams one has a Duration of 218 224, I would lose some low-end torque if I went with that one.

???

 

Maybe? Are you just doing the cam install? I went from the ZZ9 to the XFI268 and it idled even better. The XFI268 has a smaller seat to seat duration than the ZZ9 or the ZZ4 for that matter.

 

I was only going to change the cam and use the rest of my existing parts in my sig.

The only thing that concerns me is the description on the 268 is "Ample low end with very good mid-range." Ample is what concerns me... I'm trying to get MAX low-end & midrange TQ/HP.

Did you notice any low-end TQ/HP loss from switching from the ZZ9?

 

sacficing some low end torque might make it easier to launch. I have the ZZ9 cam with 1.6 rockers--I like it

 

I think losing some low end torque might make it POSSIBLE to launch my car . If most stock / slightly built L98s are anything like mine, trading some low end for some mid-range, or hopefully some top end, would be a blessing.
Bill

 

I have to agree with the above. But unfortunetly every time I do a mod it increase the torque. I did not loose a thing going from the zz9 to the 268XFI but I also was doing a rebuild and increased the compression a 1/2 point.

 

Do you think the 268 will work ok with my factory stall converter?

 

If you're keeping the stock stall converter, your cam choices are limited. More cam likes higher stall speeds. Anything above a ZZ9 will require custom chip tuning, and that one probably will too, just so you know.
You can use LT1 cams in our cars as long as you check the dowel pin in the front of the cam. They are longer for the LT1's water pump. You can cut it to the same length as your roller cam.

 

I'd recommend upgrading to at least a 2400-2600 stall converter no matter which cam you decide to upgrade to. Any of the cams you're contemplating would be happier with a better converter. Hopefully you're running at least 3.23 or 3.42 gears out back too. You'll never see great low-end or midrange power if you still have 2.73's. I was originally going to run the ZZ4 cam in my motor, which has similar specs as yours, but I decided to go with the Comp 502 cam you're looking at. Haven't run it yet, so I can't tell you how well it's going to work. I also have the 503 cam, but I felt like it might be a little too much of a top end cam with the 224/230 duration. The 502 seems like a better street cam at 218/224 duration. I decided to go with one of the Comp cams over the ZZ4 because the ramp rates are much faster on the Comp cams, which will give you more power "under the curve", which basically means more power throughout the entire rpm range. You'll want to make sure your valve springs are up to the task for one of these cams though. Comp recommends their 987 spring. However, if you're still running 1.25" springs, and you don't want to enlarge your spring seats for the 987's, you can run the Isky 235D springs. They're 1.25" springs that have almost identical specs as the 987's. Once again, I have to reiterate that none of these cam upgrades will work very well without the proper converter and gearing though.

 

Thanks for the info, Pat Hall.

I'm currently using the factory 3.27 gears and my Iron Eagle have the 1.47" springs on them (good for .600" lift).

I am wanting to replace my factory TH700R4 and go with a higher converter, I'm just not sure how quickly I will be able to do that. So I was really hoping the cam would ok with the factory converter until I can upgrade the tranny.

 

Oh, don't get me wrong. The cam WILL work with the stock converter, it just won't be "optimal" if you know what I mean. I totally understand the problem of only being able to budget a few things at a time. In fact, it's good to see you at least have the 3.27 gears instead of the dreaded 2.77's or 2.73's.

 

yes, that is the cam i was talking about.
you should definately use a stall with virtually any performance cam.
the zz4 cam you have at this point would benefit GREATLY from at least
a 2600 stall.if you put a stall of this size(minimum) you may see the cam you
have is not that bad!
i have run in the 12s (12.60)with the zz4,2800 stall,3.42 gears,full bolt-on car

 

Thanks Pat Hall! That's exactly the info I was looking for

Also, thanks 92droptopws6. I thought that cam looked like it would work ok but the Comp Cam tech gave me a bunch of crap about "why would you want to run an LT1 designed cam in your car if its not an LT1?"... He was really getting on my nerves and being annoying.

I think I'm going to go with the XFI 268 cam. It seems like a good, strong upgrade (that will still allow me to keep a high-torque low & midrange). Now I'm really looking forward to getting a higher stall converter.

 

could just changing my rocker arms help with out the cam change? what would that be? and is that possible?

 

could just changing my rocker arms help with out the cam change? what would that be? and is that possible?

 

Welcome to TGO
According to the interwebs:
"1.6 rockers compared to 1.5 increase peak lift by about 6.7 percent and they affect the rate of lift by the same amount. This tends to add about 15 pound feet to the torque peak and about the same to the horsepower peak and moves both to a little higher RPM,this does cost some torque on the lower rev range."
Depending on the cylinder heads and the cam shaft lift you may not be able to go with a 1.6 rocker as the heads may not accept the higherlift. With the LT1 cam and my 1.6 roller rockers I'm at the upper range the heads that I have will accept without some modification.