Camshaft upgrade
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
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From: Slyter Guam
Camshaft upgrade
I have a 86 L98, I want to install a cam that will maintain the low end torque but give me a lopey idle.. Can anyone help me and provide camshaft specs to get the results I'm looking for??
Thanks much in advance for any advice...
Catman
Thanks much in advance for any advice...
Catman
Le Mans Master
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Instructor
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From: Houston Texas
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work with stock heads 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
I wouldn't do just the cam. L98s are picky and you will cause more problems than you would think. They can even end up throwing codes. If you want a really nice idle sound, get a new exhaust with some headers and maybe even do an idke relearn and drop the idle RPM down 10 to 30. cheaper, easier and you don't have to pick the motor to do it.
If you are doing a bunch of motor work with upgrades, go for it, but not worth the PITA just for an idle grumble.
If you are doing a bunch of motor work with upgrades, go for it, but not worth the PITA just for an idle grumble.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Stock heads can't take much more than .500 lift w/o machining the guides.
TPIS makes a couple of options for the stock L98s. And, many people consider the hotcam a retrofit to L98s as well.
Doesn't make much sense to go far above .500" lift when the heads don't flow more than that.
Tuning WILL be required with a new cam.
Pull the heads, you might as well port/replace them. Pull the heads, you might as well upgrade the exhaust manifolds. Pull the heads, you might as well do a better flowing intake.
You can do a cam w/o pulling the heads, but you still need to pull the intake. Pull the intake, you might as well install one that's better flowing. Upgrade the intake and cam, you might as well improve the manifolds and exhaust.
Upgrade the intake, cam, heads, and/or exhaust, you might as well upgrade the bottom-end. Cause you'll hit blow-by much faster.
Did I miss anything?
TPIS makes a couple of options for the stock L98s. And, many people consider the hotcam a retrofit to L98s as well.
Doesn't make much sense to go far above .500" lift when the heads don't flow more than that.
Tuning WILL be required with a new cam.
Pull the heads, you might as well port/replace them. Pull the heads, you might as well upgrade the exhaust manifolds. Pull the heads, you might as well do a better flowing intake.
You can do a cam w/o pulling the heads, but you still need to pull the intake. Pull the intake, you might as well install one that's better flowing. Upgrade the intake and cam, you might as well improve the manifolds and exhaust.
Upgrade the intake, cam, heads, and/or exhaust, you might as well upgrade the bottom-end. Cause you'll hit blow-by much faster.
Did I miss anything?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Slyter Guam
Stock heads can't take much more than .500 lift w/o machining the guides.
TPIS makes a couple of options for the stock L98s. And, many people consider the hotcam a retrofit to L98s as well.
Doesn't make much sense to go far above .500" lift when the heads don't flow more than that.
Tuning WILL be required with a new cam.
Pull the heads, you might as well port/replace them. Pull the heads, you might as well upgrade the exhaust manifolds. Pull the heads, you might as well do a better flowing intake.
You can do a cam w/o pulling the heads, but you still need to pull the intake. Pull the intake, you might as well install one that's better flowing. Upgrade the intake and cam, you might as well improve the manifolds and exhaust.
Upgrade the intake, cam, heads, and/or exhaust, you might as well upgrade the bottom-end. Cause you'll hit blow-by much faster.
Did I miss anything?
TPIS makes a couple of options for the stock L98s. And, many people consider the hotcam a retrofit to L98s as well.
Doesn't make much sense to go far above .500" lift when the heads don't flow more than that.
Tuning WILL be required with a new cam.
Pull the heads, you might as well port/replace them. Pull the heads, you might as well upgrade the exhaust manifolds. Pull the heads, you might as well do a better flowing intake.
You can do a cam w/o pulling the heads, but you still need to pull the intake. Pull the intake, you might as well install one that's better flowing. Upgrade the intake and cam, you might as well improve the manifolds and exhaust.
Upgrade the intake, cam, heads, and/or exhaust, you might as well upgrade the bottom-end. Cause you'll hit blow-by much faster.
Did I miss anything?
there was 2 magna flow mufflers hanging on the back when i bought it but i removed those and running straight through the cats.. sound is course but awsome, i get alot of compliments on the sound and the looks.. i posted some pics over in the custome wheels thread.. check it out.. I love my car, its a weekend car and not my daily driver so if i need to pull the engine and do a complete OH and upgrade I will...
i m the service Manager for the local CAT dealer hence my tag name... so I have access to our shop anytime..
thanks again for your help GUYS....
Guamcatman.
