Hello, got a question for all the super gear heads. Got a 1989 Iroc with the 5.7 TPI, I am wanting to bump up the cam for a little more power. Every thing is stock except for headers. Can someone suggest a good cam that is computer friendly, good choppy lope, and compatable with converter?
Thanks

 

Those two comments don't go in same sentence.
Any cam that has a " choppy " idle ( big valve overlap / low LSA ) will not be suited to a computer controlled system.
Generally is recommended LSA of 112 or above for EFI ( factory range up to 117 );
a good tuner can get 110 to work

 

The you have just answered my question. I am an old school hot rodder, carbs etc. New to this fuel injection process,
Thanks

 

Ls1s and Lt1s had those hotcams. Made them a quicker and sounded better. I dont know if they make mild cams like this fir 3rd gens but im sure someone does.

 

LT1 Hotcams are a popular swap into TPIs.

 

Well it looks like his question was answered! I had a custom cam made for my 1998 LS1 Stroker 408.

 

And the LSA of the LT4 Hot cam intended for EFI operation is ?

 

I've got the ZZ4 cam in mine.

It's easy to find cheap, you don't need a tune, and you can tell it's not stock. When I say you don't need a tune, I mean the car ran great, and passed emmisions. Not saying a tune (which I've since done) would't find a few more horses. I ran on the original owner's Hypertech chip for years with that ZZ4 cam. The LT4 hotcam will require a tune.

....keep in mind you'll need a new valvetrain and probably want screw in studs. Stockers are press in.

....also keep in mind cams that use current technology, or more to the point, R&D are lightyears ahead of those cams. Both the ZZ4 and LT4 HC are pretty much yesterdays technology, there's really no comparison to what the same "size" cams are doing nowadays. The ZZ4 and LT4 are great if you're on a budget, but if you can afford new, ya gotta look into what's available. It's pretty crazy.

 

Not to steal the thread but what exactly did you do to your heads to get the zz4 cam to work, also would the crane 2032 cam be any good i just want to be in the mid 13s with my L98 when i swap it in and already have headers and a catback on.

 

Well, since I had some pretty high mileage, I removed the heads, had 'em cleaned and got a valve job done, although it's not really necessary to make the cam work. You do need a valvetrain capable of handling the lift. I think I went with the LT4 springs, but honestly I don't remember. Screw in studs are also recommended. Over time, the press in studs can pull out under higher lift.

 

Oh alright i thanks its because im looking for a cam to give me a bit of a lopey idle and not have to spend too much on mods for it could perform well.

 

LPE 219/219
Zz4 cam
Comp cams 503
My old favorite 230/230 560/560 110° comp cams
All cams listed do need to be tuned for optimum performance and like 1.6 rockers

 

Please explain why you need 1.6 rockers.

 

I like my cheap little LT4HotCam with 1.6 rockers. My thought was on a budget build it is still great bang for the buck. My reasoning was this. I am sure the newer XFI cams are worth 10 -15 more HP but, I bought a used set of Ported Iron Eagles for $600.00 . If I had sprung the extra money for the newer cam I wouldn't have been able to spend the extra to get the aftermarket heads. I am a believer in using the best heads you can afford and build around that. More power from better heads and less cam than the other way around.
If I had been able to spend more money I would have looked at some different cams but I wasn't disappointed in the HotCam. Strictly from a cost point of view I still consider it a wise decision.

Has anyone done a straight up comparison to see what the difference in power there is from the HotCam to any of the newer grinds? (regardless of manufacturer)

 

I just threw a set of GMPP ZZ4/ LT4 springs and retainers on my Vette alum L98 heads to work with the ZZ4 cam
Rated at .525 ,they easily work with the .510 lift of ZZ4 cam