Hey guys, I am looking for a cam to put in my Z/28 with a completely stock 350 tpi. Only change engine wise is a glasspack in place of the muffler for less back pressure. It is a daily driver, and I'm trying to keep the cost relatively cheap. I am interested in a high RPM powerband to take it to the dragstrip on ocation, but also I would like a rough idle for car shows. I was thinking of a ****** thumper by comp, but don't know if the other stock engine components can Handel it. One last thing, if at all possible, I'd like to retain as much low end torque our cars are known for as possible while still having an aggressive sound.

 

Cheap upgrade to give you sound and abit more top end would be a lt4 hotcam. Find them used under 150$ sometimes. That will work well with beehive spring kit and 1.5 rockers. Should clear the valve guide bosses in the head

Other than that you would need a tight lsa grind, maybe something like comps 218-224 on a 110. Should have alittle lope.

Thumpr grind could work too but heads may need modded abit more to accept the lift

 

Will I need to do anything to the computer with these?

 

Anything that's going to be noticeable will more than likely require a tune. I've heard of guys running "OK" with the Hotcam without a tune, but not great, and that's with a MAF car. Pretty sure in your '91, the SD system is a lot less forgiving. I'm running a zz4 cam 208/212 - .478/.510 -112 with a stock tune on a 89 MAF car with no issues. Even passed smog, back when it was required. It's not a beast, but it was noticeable both in performance and in lope. Not beastie, but not stock either.

...but the bigger question is all the OTHER mods. Headers? Upgraded TPI or a new intake all together? Heads? I'm on a stock longblock, but EVERYTHING else has been upgraded. (and heads are actually on the workbench )At the very least you'll want headers and intake upgrade to feed what the cam can do. Bolt ons are bolt ons, but once you get into the motor, it really all has to work together to be worthwhile, in both time and money.

 

I have a hot cam in a MAF car and in a SD car.
MAF car is very nice to drive, the SD car needs a tune something terrible.

 

Will the hot cam work without any other mods? Is the idle lopey at all?

 

They are both in cars that have other stuff done but even through the cats, you can tell there is a little bit more to the car but honestly it isn't wild at all unless you are running open headers.
Its really really tame to what I'm used to.

 

If you are going to take the top half of the engine apart, why not do some other upgrades too? Just a thought...

 

The Hotcam (in my opinion) has a real nice lope. Sounds mean, but not over the top making you "that guy". LOL ...check out youtube. Lotsa clips.

....but again, it's like a recipe where all the ingredients make a delicious cake! by themselves, they're just ingredient. Will it work, with the proper valve springs and a tune, yeah....it'll function properly. Might pull out a rocker stud. I have yet to pull one out with my zz4 cam, with slightly less lift. ....but I can guarantee the hotcam is designed to be used on engines with mods. Better intake, better heads, better heads. For sure.

 

Thx for the advise so far, I'm glad to hear the only other modification required is a different valve spring.

I'm still thinking of the ***** thumper, however the ls4 hotcam is an option, performance wise, what would work better, the comp, or the ls4?