TPI Tuned Port Injection discussion and questions. LB9 and L98 tech, porting, tuning, and bolt-on aftermarket products.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

ZZ4 Cam - Should I?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 5, 2001 | 01:42 PM
  #1  
Jim 86 Bird's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Trenton, NJ
Car: '89 TA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M5
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

------------------
http://www.tcnj.edu/~esposit3
  • '89 Trans AM, 305 TPI, 5-spd
  • '86 Firebird, 2.8, Auto
AOL IM Name: JimmyTime5
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2001 | 03:50 PM
  #2  
PETE's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: In the corner of my mind!
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

------------------
87 trans am 350 L98 aluminum heads,LT4 hot cam,slp runners,headers,y-pipe,edelbrock base,hi flo cat,air foil,ported plenum,t-5 tranny w/centerforce clutch and a 3.27 9bolt,ads strip chip,relocated iat sensor,hollowed maf

14.10@97mph w/2.01 60' 4SALE anyone want her?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2001 | 09:38 PM
  #3  
Jim 86 Bird's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Trenton, NJ
Car: '89 TA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M5
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?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2001 | 10:14 PM
  #4  
Steve R's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Westbury NY
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

------------------
1980 Camaro, '88 Police 350 engine, Headers, full exhaust, completely redone, my baby!
1988 Iroc-Z L98, MSD 6a, Accel coil, K+N's, Airfoil, Coolant Bypass, Flowmaster, Gears, Late model Bose, I like the 80 better
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2001 | 02:05 AM
  #5  
Kevin91Z's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 10,950
Likes: 26
From: Orange, SoCal
Car: 1990 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI siamesed runners
Transmission: Tremec T56
Axle/Gears: 12-Bolt 3.73
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.

------------------
1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.23 @ 107.62 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2001 | 03:06 AM
  #6  
yellowiroc2's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, MO
Car: Z06, WS6
Engine: LS6, LT1
Transmission: M6
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).]
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2001 | 10:09 AM
  #7  
Jim 86 Bird's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Trenton, NJ
Car: '89 TA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M5
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
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2001 | 10:59 AM
  #8  
Scubaguy's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Innisfil, Ontario
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

------------------
1988 Trans-am GTA, 5.0l, TPI, T-tops, Mac STB, Mac SFC's,
K&N Filtercharger, Vortex Cat Back
Best e.t. 15.48 @ 88.26 MPH
Member of Toronto F-Body Motorsports http://www.tfbm.org
my car page http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...5/carspage.htm
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2001 | 01:13 PM
  #9  
Jim 86 Bird's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Trenton, NJ
Car: '89 TA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: M5
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
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Prodigious
Theoretical and Street Racing
35
Apr 13, 2021 02:37 PM
Jorlain
Tech / General Engine
6
Oct 8, 2015 01:57 AM
customblackbird
Power Adders
71
Oct 1, 2015 04:30 PM
Magman
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
Sep 13, 2015 12:14 AM
masonta
Power Adders
0
Sep 1, 2015 06:40 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:18 PM.