Good thing you caught the problem before things got worse.
Camshaft/TC Mods - '81 C3
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Falls IA
Camshaft/TC Mods - '81 C3
Looking for input on others' experience with camshaft & torque converter selections. Was depressed with the lack of power when I first drove the car & want to improve. Car is stock, with the exception of a Hypertech powerchip/170deg. thermostat I installed. I am looking to install a performance cam, but want to retain stock springs/rockers. For now, I will retain stock exhaust, which was new when I bought car, but may go to headers down the road. Looking for power & highway economy (if that's not an oxymoron). Also, any suggestions for higher stall torque converters? Anyone make them with the lockup? Have the trans out too & will install shift kit to lose the mushy feel. Thanks for any hints!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
if you want to improve your ride i strongly recommend you go with true dual exhaust. I did that to mine. I used 2.5" ss exhaust and magnaflows. it sounds great and it is a lot more fun. i also changed the gear in the dif. went from the 297 to a 354 . big difference.
Just a suggestion.
Just a suggestion.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Falls IA
Thanks for the feedback Larry. Yea, I realize the stock, single cat is awfully restrictive, but as I mentioned, car has a new exhaust system, thus, I want to keep as such for now.
I just got in from pulling the cam & find not one, but 4! lobes worn, with lifters concave. Gee, you think it has something to do with the lack of power? I could feel some shudder with a brake torque, but never expected to find it this bad. Engne is clean inside, so that's good. I seem to recall from my GM technician days back in the ''70s-early 80s, that GMs, especially small block Chevys, had cam lobe issues. Probably go with the highest lift with stock valve springs/rockers to keep EPA happy & a higher stall converter.
I just got in from pulling the cam & find not one, but 4! lobes worn, with lifters concave. Gee, you think it has something to do with the lack of power? I could feel some shudder with a brake torque, but never expected to find it this bad. Engne is clean inside, so that's good. I seem to recall from my GM technician days back in the ''70s-early 80s, that GMs, especially small block Chevys, had cam lobe issues. Probably go with the highest lift with stock valve springs/rockers to keep EPA happy & a higher stall converter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Keep in mind that the duration on a street driven car, especially one with an automatic tranny will be very important. Do not go overboard without all the other matching parts.
I would recommend you install a cam similar to the L-82 grind until you have the other items necessary to achieve the desired results. A bigger cam with the woeful compression on these cars is a mistake. Using stock 2.XX gears with a big cam is a mistake and the list goes on.
Just my opinion.
I would recommend you install a cam similar to the L-82 grind until you have the other items necessary to achieve the desired results. A bigger cam with the woeful compression on these cars is a mistake. Using stock 2.XX gears with a big cam is a mistake and the list goes on.
Just my opinion.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Falls IA
Thanks! Believe me, I welcome all suggestions/opinions. I want to improve performance, but know all to well, the saying "there is never enough time to do the job right the first time, but always enough time to do it twice". Want to avoid that at all costs...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
How many miles are on your engine? Just curious i have also been thinking of changing my cam out for a little more performance. you are not the first to mention the cam lobes being worn. did you remove the cam with the engine in the car??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
SINCE you won't change exhaust or rockers....................
L-82/Edelbrock "Performer" cam: save $$$ with off brand (summit)
Put in a higher stall: stock = 1800-2000, go 2000-2200 or 2200-2400
go electric fans and ditch the clutch driven stocker
in all honesty, the LT headers and dual exhaust are going to be your biggest bang/$$$
L-82/Edelbrock "Performer" cam: save $$$ with off brand (summit)
Put in a higher stall: stock = 1800-2000, go 2000-2200 or 2200-2400
go electric fans and ditch the clutch driven stocker
in all honesty, the LT headers and dual exhaust are going to be your biggest bang/$$$
Last edited by Fast81; Feb 8, 2010 at 04:59 PM.
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Falls IA
Car has 65k miles, but from my recollections, the cam issue on SBCs occurred in as few as 30k miles. I pulled the engine so I could detail it & work on the tranny at same time. I'm thinking of going with the GM#3896962 (or Summit's equiv, thanks). Got the lift, but with all I've been reading, it's a generally good all around cam. I'm not going to street race this car, have a BB '69 Camaro for that, but want it to be somewhat respectable. As I mentioned, having 4 cyls. out of line, makes for a great-looking slug....Thanks guys for the help.
