I'm trying to define a good cam for my setup. I have an accel base and runners, free-flow exhaust, SLP headers, and plan to use TFS 23* heads. I know the zz4 is a decent cam and for the price it is unbeatable, but is there a better cam that will fit my needs better? I'm not after the biggest cam but the most practical. I'm also eyeing the compucam 2032 (214/220).


James

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1985 Z-28 305 TPI
221,000+ mi., Original Eng.

 

I used the ZZ4 cam in my last 350, and it made 280 HP and 380 TQ at the wheels along with the mods in my sig page. Now I upgraded to the LT4 HOT cam, TPIS intake and runners, and SLP 1 3/4" headers. If you've already got the base and runners and plan on those heads with SLP headers, I'd get the LT4 HOT cam too. Its not that much more money than the ZZ4 cam, and will provide more power. It should also pass CA smog easily too.


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West Coast GM Shootout 2001!
1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

did you have to modify the PROM peramters a bunch? How streetable is that cam? I don't want another gas guzzling vehicle.


James

 

James,
I'm currently running the ZZ3/4 cam and it's a very streetable cam and good on the gas too. I've gotten 20 mpg steady cruising on the highway and that's with a stock PROM. I've also passed CA smog with it too.



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1989 IROC-Z, ZZ3 shortblock with some bolt-ons.
13.20 @ 108.69, 2.2 60'

 

I'm running the zz4 cam with 1.6 rr's, SLP runners hogged out along with the intake and plenum done up for 58mm tb. TPIS stage 5 chip, stock heads with full port, 5 angle valvejob screw studs, k-motion springs. With this combo I crack off 12.5 to 12.8 quarter miles with a 700r4 and 4.10:1 rear.

It pulls hard to 6,100 rpm (my shift point) and has no mushy bottom end either. Before doing the intake I had the heads and cam in and it would only breath to 5,500 rpm. There's alot of potential in this cam if you can hook 1st gear, otherwise it may be better to kill more bottom end, but this cam seems very flat pulling all the way through the powerband evenly. Idles great, throttle response is killer, and milage is good (not too stellar with 4.10's and I have to stay off the interstate...)

 

Yah you would need some PROM work. Go for the ZZ4 cam then, as I have lost a couple MPG with this cam (the LT4 HOT cam). It still gets over 20 on the highway but the average is more like 19, when it was 22 before.

 

I think my plan right now is to get the ZZ4 cam because it will need less skill on my part to get everything working right. After that I'll switch to the 165 and ARAP bin and start playing w/ the PROM. Then next summer I'll reconsider the LT4 Hotcam and the ills assoiated with it. By then customizing my PROM should be trivial. I just want to avoid the "Big Bang" upgrade and having to try and sort the gremlins out for a few weeks while my car is undriveable.


James

[This message has been edited by james_fearn (edited April 18, 2001).]