I have a 91 z28 with a tpi 305 and i want to get a cam. I need it to be not to big cause i have to pass emmisions cause massachusetts sucks. Anyone running one of those Compu Cams? I was looking into those but I dont know if they are worth it or not.

 

whats the best cam i could get and how much for my 91 305 tpi firebird? Florida doesnt do emissions so i dont care about that.

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Chris
-91' firebird V8, 305
-Flowmasters with stainless steel pipes
-B&m megashifter
-JVC cd player
-Clarion speakers

 

OK. I am still learning about TPI, so someone correct me if I am wrong about this.
You have a '91 Z28. Not being real familiar with the TPI cars themselves (I am doing a swap to an older car), I would guess that your application is speed density based. that being said, I hope you are prepared to either burn a new chip or shell out for someone else to do it, 'cause from what I have read, speed density ECMS don't like change outside of OEM parameters at all. This means that with a new cam, your car will probably run like crap with out some PROM work. If you are willing to get the PROM work done, then I would most definitely go with a Comp Cams Xtreme Energy grind. My buddy runs one in his carbureted 350 in his Caprice and man does that car haul! Also, I have never heard anything bad about Comp Cams' stuff. Hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by rockind78 (edited July 09, 2001).]

 

It all depends on how the cars are modded and what you want from the car. If the engines are stock, let me tell you now, a new cam IS NOT a good first mod. In fact, from what I have learned the hard way, a cam is a perfect FINAL mod. I would only consider running a new cam had I had full exhaust upgrades, chip, ported intake (or new one if its a 350), lower rear end gears, and ported heads. All of those things done before a new cam will do more for the car than will a new cam. An ideal cam for a TPI 305 car is the smaller of the 2 SLP cams sold in Summit Racing. My friend is using that in his 89 TPI RS, yes that's right, I said RS, and it works pretty well.

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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 with 2.77:1 Gears.

Current Mods: LT4 HOT Cam, Comp Cams 1.52:1 Roller Rocker Arms, Edelbrock TES 1 5/8" Headers, Catco 3" High-Flow Catalytic Converter, Hooker 3" Aerochamber Cat-Back System, Transgo Shift Kit, Performance Resource Chip, Accel Ignition, K&N Filters, JET TPI Air Foil, All Free Mods, Falken ZIEX Z-Rated Tires.

Best ET: 14.32 @ 97.7mph
(corrected for elevation)

 

You heard wrong, and I am correcting you. Speed density is not as sensitive to mods as the rumors say.

For the original poster, check out the camshaft tech article on this site.


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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=-

 

My 91 z28 has a hypertec thermomaster chip, 3 inch flomaster exhaust, tpis airfoil, k&n filters, and 3.73 gears so i got some things done and that is why i was looking into a cam not ready to get it yet just looking so thanks for the advice.

 

I just looked at that article (first time ) and its kinda vague for actually picking one unless there is something I missed.

You'll want a cam in the 210-215 intake duration, and lift around .460 or so. I'd stick with at least a 112LSA, it will keep the computer happy.

 

I have a 265-DEH comp cam and I love it. the sounds great while the idle is great also. I think the duration at .50" is 218/221

 

IceBlue91z28 your car sounds just like mine. I have a question for you. I don't know for sure if my car has the airfoil. How do I tell if it does or not? I bought the car from a guy who modded it and yesterday I saw it had a yellow accel thing on the pass side behind the tpi plenum. I think it is a distributor. I know the car has 3.73 gears, flowmaster exhaust, MSD ignition, K & N air filters, and a Super chips chip that I don't have in right now because you have to run 92 octane. But how would you tell about the airfoil any help is greatly appreciated.

 

91, finding an airfoil is easy. Take the inatke duct off the TB and look at it. If you see a hollow area between the throttle bores then you don't have one. If you see a rounded aero looking piece between the plates, you do.

Ice, there are a few cams that will go well in a near stock car. I may run the 212/218 on a 112LSA comp XR in mine. The ZZ4 cam also isn't a bad choice (208/2212 on a 114' IIRC), also the ZZ4 can be had for pretty cheap. You'll want to look at something similar to those. Much bigger won't do you any good and will be a pain to tune with TPI. Any smaller than the ZZ4 and you're wasting your time on the swap (most if not all speed density 305s got the L98 cam which is ~ 204/213).

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Ed Maher - Moderator @ The TPI & Carb Boards
92 Z28 Convertible - Quasar blue / Tan top
LB9 4L60 GU2 G80 - stock, soon to be sleeper
-=ICON Motorsports=-

- Definitely prototypes, high powered mutants of some kind. Too weird to live, too cool to die

 

Ed, just to correct you, , the ZZ4 is 208/221, .474/.510, on 112 centers. It will not work with the stock springs (which you should change anyway when you change cams). Also, the 90-92 TPI cam is 203/207, .413/.428, on 114 centers.

 

Lol, close enough