I know everyone says you can't run a lopey, low vacuum cam with TPI. I know basically what a cam like this does but my question is, can these problems be overcome? I'm not looking for the max HP or torque. Basically, I have a nice lopey, musclecar sounding cam and was just curoius if there was anyway to make it work. Details? Thanks!

 

I am not sure but, I would think that a mass air flow tpi would be easer to moddify with that type of cam it will still see how much air is entering the system but, map tpi could be done as well just that you have it programmed to compansate for the lower vacume at lower rpms.

 

Its not that you cant, but that you shouldnt. As the vacuum drops, it becomes more difficult to tune the engine, especially at idle. What you will find (depending on how little vacuum you have) is that it will run rich at idle and have poor part throttle mileage and response. WOT it will more than likely be fine but not optimum.

 

So, if I understand this right, it can be done. I have a 230*/230* 106 LSA cam (yes, 106* LSA...that's not a typo) in my 69 Camaro with a carb and if you was to burn your own chips and tune it out it would probably run better with TPI than it would with a carb. I've had this cam in my car for well over 15 years and about 70K. I bought it back before Cam Dynamics was incorparated by Crane. I like the lope but always thought it wouldn't work with TPI but I might try it.

 

Pretty much all the cam companies recommend that you don't run less than 112* lsa. I know a couple people that have done 108, but tuning was a nightmare. So if you're gonna run that cam with a tpi, be prepared to due some serious prom burning. With the right tuning it would probably run better at idle and part throttle, but you'd probably lose some top end. Assuming stock tpi anyway. You might be better off to go with an aftermarket set-up like the edlebrock or holley units.
John

 

Ok then....I have enuff nightmares..LOL. I admit I get carried away a bit when I hear a sweet sounding lopey cam but I got you guys to help keep me on track. It sounds like more headaches than I have time for right now. I'll probably just stick to my original plan and run the hyd roller of 218/224 in either the 110 LSA (the one I have now) or the 112 LSA (the one that I have the option to buy).

 

I put the 218/224 in my 89 350 TPI with 112LSA and I'm pulling 12-15hg of vac.

 

Has that cam got any lope to it? I'd like at least a noticble idle. You like that cam?

 

Um... I didnt take it on the road yet. Too tell you the truth it really sounds like My old L98 cam. To really hear the lump you have to set the idle to abouit 650 I have mine at 750 now. I did have it at 500 and it sounded good. but I dont know . Its up to you.

 

Call Ben Riggs at 503-784-0587. He can supply a MAP sensor that works at 10-14 inches vacuum. Standard is 14-18 inches. If your idle vacuum is less than 10. You're SOL