I'm wondering what kind of cam I can install into my LB9. Can I put any ol' cam in there, or does it have to be specifically ground for the computer? What can I get to get a bad-*** lopey idle? Does the TPI need a lot of manifold vaccum, or fairly little, hence the fact that I want a lopey idle. Thanks for any replies. Any part numbers would be great too. Oh, by the way, my 305 is basically stock, with only some minor bolt-ons, like AFPR, MSD 6, and exhaust. That reminds me, what do you guys think of the Edelbrock TES headers?

 

Keep in mind the bigger an engine is, the more cam it can use. A small-bore engine won't benefit much from a monster cam. I have a Crane Compucam 2040. I was going to opt for the 2050 for my 355 but decided to use a slightly hotter cam. There's about 1/4" bore difference between the 5.0 and 5.7L chevy...ALOT. A 2040 will give you about as much lope and power as a streetable near stock 305 would need. Similar cams will work as well, but I like the fact that I dont need to get a custom prom(although I would). If you're going to change cams, port the upper and lower intake, and a little on the heads too. Be sure to change your springs and valveseals while you're at it. This will help the cam do it's job, but only do it if you have experience (except for the plenum, that's easy). You should be able to make over 250 RWHP depending on porting, in good running condition, but if you want more power than that, you're better off with a 350. The Edelbrock TES are OK, and since you have a 305, they're all that you need since they only come in 1 5/8". I've never used them, but heard they're prone to rusting. I'm getting some SLP GP headers, for a little more, a lot more quality! BTW: the cam kit is $134.99 (w/lifters for flat tappet cams) and springs are about $65. I'm using original ratainers. Call Jeg's, 1800-345-4545. 24/7. They know what you need, tell them what you got. I wouldn't worry about a lopey idle, not unless you get a bigger motor, but the bigger cam will definitly be noticeable with an aftermarket exhaust.

[This message has been edited by dhirocz (edited March 30, 2001).]

 

My friend is using the smaller of the 2 SLP Cams thats sold in Summit in his 89 LO3 converted to TPI (different than LB9) and has had great success with it. His mods are the new TPI, cat-back, cat, and 3.73s. He runs low 16s up here in Colorado which translates to about a 14.9 at sea level!

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1987 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
L98 TPI 350 (5.7L)
TH 700R-4 Transmission
Borg Warner 7.75" 9 Bolt Rear End

Current Mods: LT4 HOT Cam, Comp Cams 1.52:1 Roller Rocker Arms, Edelbrock TES 1 5/8" Headers, Hooker 3" Aerochamber Cat-Back System, Performance Resource Chip, Accel Ignition Coil, Cap, Rotor, 8.8mm Wires, K&N Filters, JET TPI Air Foil, All Free Mods, Falken ZIEX Z-Rated Tires.

Best ET (w/o LT4 cam): 14.32 @ 97.7mph
(corrected for elevation)

Soon to Come: 7.625" 10 Bolt with 3.42s and Accel TPI Intake Base

 

My personal experience with a cam in my 305 was pretty bad. I was running 14.5 before the cam, and 14.6 after the install. I put in the smaller of the two SLP cams. I don't know what went wrong, but I know another guy on the board had the same problem with the same cam. As for the Edelbrock TES headers, I dropped almost .5 off my time after installing them. But that was also with the 3" y-pipe and a high flow cat. I also took off the air pump at the same time, but I doubt that made much difference. If you're trying to decide between headers or a cam, I would strongly recommend the headers. Not only is the install easier, but from my experience you'll gain more hp, get better gas mileage, and your car will sound better.

 

I just got back from the track and I had an improvment. My time improvment is in my sig. I went from the peanut to a lt-1 as follows, @.50 418/430, 194/199, lsa 111, in my lB9.

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87 Z28 305 TPI, Auto, LT-1 cam (@.50 418/430, 194/199, LSA 111), roller timing set, 2.73, Gutted air boxes, K & N fillters, Dyno Max 3" cat back, 8.8 mm spirals, air foil, and 170* Stat.
Old Best 15.414 @ 87.47.
new best 15.006 @ 89.55.

“Fallen But Not Forgotten”

 

Here's how my Iroc does now "as is" I run a quarter in 14.7 and I make 211 RWHP and 284 lbs Tq. Please go to my webpage at http://php.iupui.edu/~balyea let me know what you think I should go for. By the way, my dad and I are getting ready to rebuild the 305 anyway. I'm going to take my heads to a place called Aerohead here in Indianapolis and have 1.94" I and 1.54" E valves put in and see what kind of porting they can do. I'll also have them freshen up the valve guides too of course. Would I benefit more from some 1.6 RR rather than a cam? I don't even know if my dad will let me put a different cam in. The headers are more realistic. Thanks guys!

 

if u r goin to the trouble of rebuilding a motor build one that is worth it, build a 350 or larger. don't waste money on a 305, they can run good, but if you are rebuilding anyway, go with a different motor. even a 327 or somethin would be better than a 305.

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86 IROC-Z
40,000 miles!!
305 TPI
gutted maf/airbox
k&n filters
manual cooling fan switch
headers, no cat, cat back flowmaster
700R4 tranny
shift kit
manual converter switch
BF Goodrich radial TAs
3.23 gears
georgous car repainted by my dad and assembled by me

FASTER THAN YOU THINK FOR A "STOCK" 305 hehe.

 

My parents want me to keep the car original. They don't care about this bolt on crap. They just say "you're going to ruin that car!" Plus I can't find a 350 block anywhere! No one will give 'em up. Besides, my 305 already runs as fast as the 350's over here anyway.

 

I kick myself for rebuilding the 305 when I had a 350 sitting waiting...but irregardless...I have a 305 that is balanced with hypereutectic pistons and am determined to have fun with it...even if it doesn't do as good as a 350 with similar mods would...so...with that said

90Iroc-Greenwood, eh? Have you ever checked out the Indiana Chapter UBB at www.mfba.org? We have a rather large group of f-bodies that gather once a month up in Greenwood...you should come out some time...There were 20 there last month

As for your 305...I am running fairly strong with my 87(190 hp stock) with a 08-302-8 Comp cam in mine...I did some mild port work on the heads and with a few other bolt ons I should run low 14s no problem. Before motor rebuild I turned 15.7 as my best and then with cam and headers turned a 14.93. A guy I know turned 12s with his 305 with the same cam and Vette heads and bolt ons...one of which was a 100 horse shot of NOS...but little motors need help to go that fast!

Good Luck, check out my webpage for full specs on my 305...they aren't big but you can have as much fun with them as you can a 350...and you are doing something different...

http://www.geocities.com/gsfranks/irocz.html

Oh, and as for the 1.94 valves...when you assemble your motor...be VERY careful with your piston to valve clearance...you'd be better off getting a set of World Products 305 heads...they change the angle of the valve and unshroud it...you won't gain much for the money by doing that to stock 305 heads...I inquired on 1.94 valves for my stock heads and the shop said it'd be about 400 bucks...I said 'no thanks'

GregF
87 IROC
Columbus, IN

 

There's no way my parents would let me put different heads on there. I was thinking of putting 1.6 Crane Gold Roller Rockers on, would that help with the stock heads ported and bigger valves?

 

Damn....who bought the car...you or your parents'??? Whose name is on the title....if it's yours I'd tell your parents' you're gonna do what you want to it because it's your car!! Unless of course they're giving you the money for the mods...then that's a different story!! It just pisses me off to see parents' interfere when they're not even the ones driving the car!!

 

Well, I bought the car, I'm still in college. I cover my own *** on mods and repair work(I do it myself or dad helps me). But it's their roof and their rules!

 

Having the stock heads ported can't hurt...bigger valves are iffy...but it would help some I'm sure...providing you don't run into piston to valve clearance...as for the rockers...they will help some...but for the price they aren't the greatest mod if you are changing your cam anyway...they just free up some of the hp in the engine(probably very litte) by reducing the friction...

Good Luck,
GregF
87 IROC

 

ha ha ha

 

you probably not gonna want to hear this but i would wait till you are on your own to mod your car, that way you can do what you want and build it how you want, don't let your parents ruin your car for you, wait and do it yourself. i'm 19 and in your shoes, i know how it is, i'm going to wait till i get out of school to really mod mine.

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86 IROCZ
T-Tops
700R4
305 TPI
3.23 gears
shift kit, manual TC switch, manual fan switch, flowmaster exhaust with edelbrock TES headers& hollow cat, gutted MAF.

 

WTF!!! What's so god-damn funny? Someone's always gotta be a **** !

 

hehe...