i have a peanut cam 305 tpi in my 89 formula, i want to put a good daily drive cam that gives a little more power, and no computer problems, i've read alot about putting a lt1 cam in these motors but i get flooded with so much info, some people say this cam wont work, some say it's worth it, some say it's not, what do you guys think? the car already has bolt ons and 342 gears, and i heard different lt1s came with different cams? please give some suggestions! the cam wont be swapped too soon so i have time to choose, i just want the swap to be worth my time and money.

 

Well, the good thing is you're running a MAF TPI system, which is far more forgiving with mods compared to the SD TPI's. While the stock LT1 cam is definitely larger than the "peanut" cam, they're still a relatively mild cam. More than likely, you can swap that cam in without really having to do any "tweaking" to your chip/computer. As may already know, the LT1 cam is a hugely popular mod to do to 305 TBI motors, and if those handle it without too many issues, a MAF controlled 305 TPI should cope with it well. Oh yeah, the one thing you might have to do to it before installation is to shorten the timing gear dowel pin to where it matches the dowel pin length on your original cam.

 

is the dowel the rod that'll hang out? should i put lt1 springs in? do anything about the valves?

 

The 89's didn't come with a peanut cam . The 87' 305 auto's did and the TBI cars.

 

i think all the auto cars came with the peanut cam...and in 88 and 89 the power ratings went down...my tpi has the tbi cam.

 

that's what i've read atleast lol

 

You're right, all the auto cars have the peanut cam.

 

No ,I think its just the 87 auto that has the peanut cam. All the TBI cars do tho

 

the auto tpi cars came with the tbi cam, 5 speed tpi cars G92 cars came with l98 cam auto 305 tpi = 195 hp...G92 tpi = 230 hp

 

the 305 autos did, not the 350 autos though

 

The dowel is the pin that goes in the timing gear. The dowel on our cams is only about 1/4 inch long, where it's about 1/2 inch long on the LT-1 cams. Shouldn't need to do anything different with your valves. As far as springs go, you could probably get away with using your existing ones, but it would be better to upgrade your springs. You could install the LT-1 springs, or even just a set of the common, aftermarket "Z/28" style springs. Comp Cams or Crane Cams should have some affordable springs that are up to the task.

 

And those big cam LB9 TPI motors came with 21 or 22 lb injectors. I am convinced.

My 89 would not run right with 19 lb injectors.

 

i recently got a new camaro, its an 85 z28, it has the tpi 305. when i got it the cam and lifters were wore down so i took it to my buddy to get them replaced, me and him had it done in three nights, but i had a 350 lt1 cam and lifters put in, and now when i drive it i can feel all the power but i can here fluttering under the hood, even when im driving, anyone know what that could be? but i wouldnt put that cam in your car without upgrading everything- jason

 

what happens if you dont shorten the dowel rod?

 

It could wear a hole thru your timing cover.

All you have to do is tap it in a lil with a brass hammer.

305 TPI motors got 19lb injs and 350 TPI motors got 22lb injs no matter what cam,trans or rear gears they had.

 

The problem is, at least from my standpoint in trying to answer your question is there's a couple of versions of the LT-1 cams. There's the old, early 70's version, which is flat-tappet; then there's the new 93-97 version, which is hydraulic roller. Which one did you install? If you have an original 85 motor, you should be using the early 70's, flat-tappet one. One other thing, a fluttering noise sounds kinda like an exhaust leak to me.

 

There are several versions of the 93-97 Lt1 cam also. One is for the caprice,one for a truck, and another for the Vette/F-bodies. The one for the sports car is the one with the most duration of course. The others are probably better for low end torque.

 

305 motors came with 19lb. 350's came with 22lb. Plus the knock sensors and ESC's are different.

 

Your supposed to hammer in or cut down the dowel pin on the cam

 

"Peanut Cam". In all LG4 and LO3. In all auto trans LB9 from '86 through '90.

 

i just replaced the injectors, so the lt1 cam will work with stock 19lbs? or not? anyone know where i can get the front air dam stuff for it too?

 

Of course it will, your displacement is still a 305.

 

im pretty sure the one i put in was for hydrolic lifters, wich is what my motor had in it before, and my car does have a little exhaust leak but it sounds like it from both sides, it kinda sounds like the rockers are hitting the valve covers but ive checked and they seam fine

 

Maybe your just getting more lift now from the Lt1 cam. You know that when I added 1.6 rockers it made my car sound like a sewing machine.

 

who adjusted your valves? You know they have to be done a certain way. IEIEIEIE and in a certain order of cylinders. Then the pre lift has to bet set correctly too! Then they should be tightened about a 1/2 turn.

 

i had the teacher at hoosier hills career center, his name is mr nelson, so maybe its just cause it has the bigger cam, would it be bette rif i upgraded the rockers?

 

as long as you keep them at the same ratio as the stock ones 1.5. Cause your springs can't handle 1.6 rockers.

 

what springs should i get if i upgrade?

 

Pac1218-16. These are the only springs you need for a small block Chevy. Machine the spring pockets in your heads for them. (PAC made the original COMP 26198 springs before COMP off shored manufacturing of those springs outside the USA.)

 

Yeah, I totally forgot about the truck and Caprice versions. BTW, if anyone's interested, I've got a LT-1 cam out of a 94 Trans Am in good, used condition.

 

thats what mine sounds like, i just adjusted the timing a little bit and it help the fluttering a little, but still there

 

For what it's worth, I have an LT1 cam in my '86 T/A TPI with a '91 LB9 long block. This was Iansane's old motor before he did his LSx swap so the cam was already in place when I got it. I probably would have gone with a slightly more aggressive cam otherwise, but my car is not my daily driver so a lopey idle is fine with me. The tune I'm using is a slightly modified version of the stock '89 LB9/auto tune. If you have an LT1 cam lying around, throw it in and have some fun, or get a custom grind and make more power.

 

I know it's been a while. Just curious if ya still have that cam?

 

Yep, still got it. I had a guy all set to buy it, but he ran into some financial difficulties, so I'm not sure if he'll be able to follow through on it. I guess it's available to buy if you're interested. You can PM me if you'd like. Pat.

 

Hey guys, little update on that 94 LT-1 cam I've got. I grabbed a magnifying glass and found the numbers on it, and it's a good thing I did! Turns out it's actually a Crane cam. Here's a link to it on Summit's website. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/crn-104241. It's quite a bit more radical than the stock 94 LT-1 cam. I'm still willing to sell it, but the price is $150 shipped now. The sucker is $426 new from Summit! It'd be a great cam for a TPI 350 motor, but might be a bit too much for a 305. If anyone's still interested, just send me a PM. Thanks!