tpi305

Hello, I'm wanting to install a different cam in my 1986 Iroc-Z. I have hooker 2055s on the way and I'm planning on doing the ram air mod with K&N air filters soon as well. I've read on this forum that an LT1 cam would be a good choice, as would be the summit 1103 cam, but would this be smog legal with all of California's C.A.R.B. crap? Do any of you have any reccomendations? Is the summit cam any good at the $53 price tag? I can do rockers if needed too, I'm just not sure what to put in it.

I don't truely know what kind of power increase I should expect, but it has a measly 190 h.p. out-of-the-box, so I'd imagine that the ram air, cam, and headers would bring it up a bit. Thanks, your help is greatly appreciated!

Guest

The LT1 cam wont work, your engine doesnt have roller lifters.

I wouldnt worry too much about the CARB nonsense, nobody is going to question the cam if its mild and thats what those you posted are. It'll pass smog fine with a mild cam. I had a Comp 212/212 .444/.444 in my 86 and it ran pretty good without getting into the prom. That Summit cam would be nice, but I'd really recommend getting into the computer and tuning the prom for that one.

tpi305

Hey thanks for the help! I plan to replace the lifters, but I don't know whats involved in putting in roller lifters or if I even can. I apologize, I'm good at repairing, but a novice at mods. I'm really really enjoying the whole upgrade thing.

Wow roller cam lifters are expensive. No way lol. I do plan on installing new hydraulic lifters though.

Guest

It would be much easier with your engine to just get a flat tappet cam and new lifters, and forget the roller cam stuff.

That summit cam isnt too bad. 112LSA so it wont be difficult to tune and wont sound all that far from stock so it'll keep the smog police happy.

tpi305

Ok thanks! I wish I could get that lope sound, but I'll forget about that as the smog police will be all over me.

Guest

With the summit cam its going to lope a little, but nothing really out of the ordinary. I have a friend who was running that cam in his 305.

tpi305

Hey I was wondering another couple of things. I appreciate your help in this. Is that summit cam reliable? I mean, is it softer than other cams? Am I at risk for a flattened lobe? I just want to be sure because that could end up a catastrophe! I'm just going by the old you get what you pay for principal.

Also, if I buy this stuff now, can it sit in my garage for a couple months without rusting? I mean I could coat the cam with oil or something. Im just not sure when I'm going to be able to install it and it might be nice to have it around just incase I get a few days off for some reason. Thanks!

Guest

Well for sure they do not make it. It likely came from Comp or Crane, so I would not worry about reliability. Just use the break in additive, I think its a GM additive, for flat tappets since our oil is no longer flat tappet cam friendly. And if you get the cam and it sits around for a few months or a year, just leave it in the package and dont worry about rust. Keep it in the house somewhere, and dont ever touch it. You're more likely to get rust from messing with it and cleaning off what the mfg put on there.