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ZZ4 Cam - Should I?

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Old 06-05-2001, 01:42 PM
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Car: '89 TA
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ZZ4 Cam - Should I?

I have a 305 TPI Manual Tranny, Minimal Mods (Flow Booster, Cold Air Kit) - A guy I know is willing to sell me his un-needed ZZ4 cam for $100 ... At first this looks/sounds like a great thing to do for my car, but after reading the archives I've found mixed opinions, and mostly about the cam in a 350, not 305...

Here's what I gather so far:
for the 350 the cam is kinda mild, but would be considered semi-agressive for a 305. Sounds like a good cam for TPI too. Seems like it wouldn't f*ck with my gas milage and everyday drivability TOO much. As far as installation...
there's a slim chance i might hava friend who can do it, if not, how much would a quality cam-job cost? It also looks like new ?springs? are needed... I don't claim to know ANYthing about parts from the heads down, so I need to find out about them too, also their $

If anyone can lend an opinion I'd appreciate it. Also, if my writing's unclear lemme know so I can explain what I'm asking better

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Old 06-05-2001, 03:50 PM
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Car: 1989 TTA #1240
Engine: 3.8 SFI turbo
Transmission: 2004r
Axle/Gears: 3.27
on stock heads the stock springs are usually good to around .492 lift so changing them would help call tpis my springs cost 130 and are drop in no machining required and uses stock caps and retainers as far as a reputable place depends on what their rates are go to someone who has taken apart a tpi unit though or else you'll have a guy using your car as a ginny pig to learn off of and and intaake leak to boot.also i dont know about the clearence for a 305 the cylinders are very small watch the amount of lift

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Old 06-05-2001, 09:38 PM
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Thanks Pete, and my cam education begins

Guess I'd need springs then, running total is $230 w/o install... Anyone know if it'll work w/ my heads?
Old 06-05-2001, 10:14 PM
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NO - the ZZ4 Cam is totally worthless and is a paperweight and you wont get ANY horsepower - so why dont you just send it on over to me? Yeah thats it
Seriously Ive heard the ZZ4 cam is pretty wicked. The crate motor itself makes 355 hp and 405 ft/lb with that cam and the L98 heads. How can you go wrong??
But still, feel free to pass it on over my way LOL

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Old 06-06-2001, 02:05 AM
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Car: 1990 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI siamesed runners
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The stock TPI springs are good to about .460-480 lift, I've heard all kinds. My dad measured a set and they coil-binded at .460. Definitely change them with the ZZ4 cam. I think it'd be a great cam for a 305, but the more mods you have, the better it will work for you.

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Old 06-06-2001, 03:06 AM
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am I the only one who notices your car is not a roller cam which is what ZZ4 is? 86 LB9 is flat tappet. It's possible to convert to roller, but will cost out the a$$. wait, my bad... 89... I see.
Pay no attention to me.

[This message has been edited by yellowiroc2 (edited June 06, 2001).]
Old 06-06-2001, 10:09 AM
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Car: '89 TA
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Thanks Steve and Kevin, you too Yellow, although you're scarin' me a bit

It looks like nothing ugly will happen as long as I change the springs w/ it from what I'm hearing.

A semi-related question though:

The car occasionally let's out some blue-ish smoke on startup (oil burning?). When the shop that does my cam-job has to take things apart, will they have to take off the seals that are causing this oil leak? Head Gasket or Valve Seals? If so, looks like another good reason to do the cam.

Thanks in Advance
Old 06-06-2001, 10:59 AM
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The blue smoke is your valve seals, the heads do not have to come off to fix them and if you are doing the springs anyways you might as well do the seals while yoy have the springs off!!

Mark

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Old 06-06-2001, 01:13 PM
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Car: '89 TA
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Hmmmmm, that'd also mean my roller rockers are right there too. Then it'd be too tempting, I'd WANT to change them out too. Looks like I might wanna buy the cam and wait till my bank account gets a lil bigger

Thanks to everyone for the help
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