*Cam for 86L**
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: WI
*Cam for 86L**
Hey everyone
I just have a few questions about my '86Late L-98. It has shortys, and free flow exhaust, and a cut lid. I'd like to know if upgrading the cam to something a little hotter is a good idea? If so what cams are you running that are still streetable and what are their specs? If i do install a hotter cam what all needs to be done to tune the car right? I am looking to drop my times at the track, right now im in the low 14's. its not a daily driver but i want it still streetable. thanks guys.
I just have a few questions about my '86Late L-98. It has shortys, and free flow exhaust, and a cut lid. I'd like to know if upgrading the cam to something a little hotter is a good idea? If so what cams are you running that are still streetable and what are their specs? If i do install a hotter cam what all needs to be done to tune the car right? I am looking to drop my times at the track, right now im in the low 14's. its not a daily driver but i want it still streetable. thanks guys.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The money would probably be better spent on a new intake manifold and runners, rather than a new cam. It wont make a damn if you change the cam without doing something to the intake, since its a major restriction.
However, a hydraulic flat tappet with specs similar to the TPiS ZZ9 or Accel 74211 would be the next step up if thats what you really want.
However, a hydraulic flat tappet with specs similar to the TPiS ZZ9 or Accel 74211 would be the next step up if thats what you really want.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
SR upper and lower (plenum, runners and base) even ported TPI plenum and LT runners will do nothing considering u r upgrading Cam/head in future. Period.
Look at my sig for mods Tpi setup is the most restrictive in my case. Do it one time the right way.
Look at my sig for mods Tpi setup is the most restrictive in my case. Do it one time the right way.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
I agree, the bottle neck on the L98's is the intake system. There are multiple intake systems out there, SR is definitely a good one. I do not race my 'Vette on the track (I have other cars to do that), but I love the stock intake's low end torque. Not a fan of the fall-flat-on-it's-face power curve after 4,700 rpm, though. I compromised by porting, polishing and siamesing my intake plenum and manifold, and added SLP runners (ported, too). But for the drags, go with an aftermarket setup.
As for your cam, TPiS's ZZ9 is a great cam for the L98's. To accent your cam,exhaust and intake upgrade would be to port your aluminum heads, roller rockers and have a PROM chip custom burnt (PCM4less.com charges $150). Also try the regular upgrades: TB coolant bypass, modified spark plugs, K&N air filter, air foil, relocated MAT sensor, and MSD ignition. I upgraded my fuel system as well, cause my stock system bogged after 300+HP, it consists of an upgraded fuel pump, injectors (mine are 30lb/hr, a bit high), and adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Feel free to contact me for any inquiries. Good luck!
As for your cam, TPiS's ZZ9 is a great cam for the L98's. To accent your cam,exhaust and intake upgrade would be to port your aluminum heads, roller rockers and have a PROM chip custom burnt (PCM4less.com charges $150). Also try the regular upgrades: TB coolant bypass, modified spark plugs, K&N air filter, air foil, relocated MAT sensor, and MSD ignition. I upgraded my fuel system as well, cause my stock system bogged after 300+HP, it consists of an upgraded fuel pump, injectors (mine are 30lb/hr, a bit high), and adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Feel free to contact me for any inquiries. Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If you arent looking for anything major, I'd look into Vic'89 and his setup, high 12s/low 13 range I think.
I would go with a ported plenum, AS&M runners, TPiS Bigmouth or Accel base manifold, and only then look into heads/cam changes if youre not satisfied.
SR is the next step up from there, and would be the ticket for going deep into the 12s or even lower if you want to spend the $$$. SR would be better matched with an Accel 219 cam though, and it would be better if you upgraded the heads (or at least had alot of porting done, you can see how this route can get expensive)
Realize that you'll need to upgrade valvetrain parts, and have a chip custom made for the engine should you decide to change the camshaft.
I would go with a ported plenum, AS&M runners, TPiS Bigmouth or Accel base manifold, and only then look into heads/cam changes if youre not satisfied.
SR is the next step up from there, and would be the ticket for going deep into the 12s or even lower if you want to spend the $$$. SR would be better matched with an Accel 219 cam though, and it would be better if you upgraded the heads (or at least had alot of porting done, you can see how this route can get expensive)
Realize that you'll need to upgrade valvetrain parts, and have a chip custom made for the engine should you decide to change the camshaft.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster Lancashire
I've read, but have no experience of this that some of the very late 86 verts had provision for a roller cam, but were fitted with a flat tappet cam. If that is the case, as others have suggested, the ZZ9 is a nice choice. Others have used the LT4 hotcam, which is cheaper. However, if you have stock iron or 128 ally heads, you need to confirm what lift you can run. My 87 with 128's would only accept about 0.480" lift without cutting the top of the guides down for clearance, which rules out either of the above cams without mods to the guides for clearance. If you have a flat tappet block and limited clearance, some have had good results with the LPE '216' cam that has 216/219 degrees @ 0.050" duration and 0.462"/0.470" lift with 1.5:1 rockers.
You really need to change springs as well.
Some others may hopefully chip in about the above to help clarify or disprove the roller block facts.
Dave
You really need to change springs as well.
Some others may hopefully chip in about the above to help clarify or disprove the roller block facts.
Dave
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Even the crane compucam 2030,(Non-roller Cam),Hydraulic cam works pretty good in the Late 86 engine.I used it and it comes alive after 2000 rpms and pulls better than the stock cam in the mid range..I think the cam specs are 210/216
@ .50 with 450/454 lift.Works just fine with a stock prom too.Its a mild cam so Im sure it wont make the power numbers as say a LPE cam or one of those TPIS grinds,but pretty good to say the least.
Just something for thought.
@ .50 with 450/454 lift.Works just fine with a stock prom too.Its a mild cam so Im sure it wont make the power numbers as say a LPE cam or one of those TPIS grinds,but pretty good to say the least.
Just something for thought.
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