i'm cam shaft challenged
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO.
i'm cam shaft challenged
i am looking to get rid of the crappy camshaft in my 81, everything is stock, and i'm told that the cam is a big weak spot next to the heads being crappy, but thats not in the budget, does anyone know the specs of a cam that would give me a good muscle-ish lumpy idle, and work well with the stock motor. I'll probably be buying from jcwhitney because its 10 miles from my house. thanks guys.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
A very good camshaft is the 327/350 HP GM 0151 hydraulic shaft. Compatible with existing parts and really close to the early solid lifter cams in specifications. Check a GM performance catalogue right on the web. 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 87
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by Ironcross
A very good camshaft is the 327/350 HP GM 0151 hydraulic shaft. Compatible with existing parts and really close to the early solid lifter cams in specifications. Check a GM performance catalogue right on the web.
That'd work fine in your application, with almost everything-else being stock:
stuffed an L-79 cam into an other-wise stock LM-1 equipped '80 Z28, and it woke-up nicely, although another guy used a CompCams 268H in a '78 Z28 with equally-good results, but it sounded much 'nastier' than the GM camshaft.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...atalogId=10101
would this be comparable?...i think the comp has 212 degree, i dont know for sure i'm still trying to learn about cams
would this be comparable?...i think the comp has 212 degree, i dont know for sure i'm still trying to learn about cams
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Good recommendation above, the "151" cam. Or I'd go with the L-46/L-82 cam, the "962" (GM part number 3896962). It's lobes are a fraction more aggressive but about the same street manners as the "151".
Here it is for a reasonable price (enter the part number in the little search field).
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm
I like these older grinds,..I'm hearing waaay to many stories of wiped lobes with newer grinds,..a whole 'nutha' topic.
Good luck!
Here it is for a reasonable price (enter the part number in the little search field).
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm
I like these older grinds,..I'm hearing waaay to many stories of wiped lobes with newer grinds,..a whole 'nutha' topic.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,500
From: Little Rock AR
I would grab the oldie but a goodie 268H Comp Cams and install it. Those old factory grinds will work but work better with higher compression. That Comp grind was designed with stock compression engines in mind.
-Mark.
Those old factory grinds will work but work better with higher compression. That Comp grind was designed with stock compression engines in mind. -Mark.
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Norwalk Ohio
The cam that Mod81 suggested from JC Whitney is actually a Lunati cam. They've got a decent reputation. So, if you really need to use that JC Whitney gift card, I think that the 268 degree cam that they list should be OK.
Another even cheaper offering is the Summit Racing cam and lifter set. The one with part number SUM-K1103. that cam & lifter kit lists on Summit's website for $69.95...
Just my thoughts...
Mwieczorek
Another even cheaper offering is the Summit Racing cam and lifter set. The one with part number SUM-K1103. that cam & lifter kit lists on Summit's website for $69.95...
Just my thoughts...
Mwieczorek
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Originally Posted by MWieczorek
The cam that Mod81 suggested from JC Whitney is actually a Lunati cam. They've got a decent reputation. So, if you really need to use that JC Whitney gift card, I think that the 268 degree cam that they list should be OK.
Another even cheaper offering is the Summit Racing cam and lifter set. The one with part number SUM-K1103. that cam & lifter kit lists on Summit's website for $69.95...
Just my thoughts...
Mwieczorek
Another even cheaper offering is the Summit Racing cam and lifter set. The one with part number SUM-K1103. that cam & lifter kit lists on Summit's website for $69.95...
Just my thoughts...
Mwieczorek
If it's actually a Lunati cam, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. However, if you don't use it, there are plenty of forum members that have used the Summit kits, and haven't had any problems. They are a steal at $70.00 for the cam AND lifters.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,997
Likes: 1
From: WAY DEEP INSIDE AMERICO,YES YOU LIVE HERE TO!! TX
Originally Posted by mod81
i am looking to get rid of the crappy camshaft in my 81, everything is stock, and i'm told that the cam is a big weak spot next to the heads being crappy, but thats not in the budget, does anyone know the specs of a cam that would give me a good muscle-ish lumpy idle, and work well with the stock motor. I'll probably be buying from jcwhitney because its 10 miles from my house. thanks guys.
it will give you what you want. You will have to get a better intake and carb. I know for a fact this will work, and be a fun driver
head are not a problem for that cam
