Can I Cam
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 2
From: High Ridge Missouri
Can I Cam
I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there are any cams I could install in my vette with no other mods. I've got a '91 vette L98. And I need to know what the max lift the stock valve springs can handle, and if I do ned to change them what you suggest for the springs and what cam you suggest (fairly stock L98). Thanks in advance fro any help.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 2
From: High Ridge Missouri
Well the current goal is to replace the cam while it's simple. The intake was leaking so it's removed, I'm deleting the already inop A/C and the AIR pump so the water pump is off to replace it with a standard rotation unit (while doing this I found the balancer had slipped so it is currently removed for replacement), the rocker covers are removed as well the rockers are removed to uprade to full roller. So if there is a mild cam (yet obviously an improvement over stock) that will work with the factory valve springs, I'm really only a couple steps away from replacing the cam, especially considering the oil pan is leaking and while this deep I'd like to replace the timing set. Again any help would be appreciated. Sorry so long winded.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,127
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Still need to know what your future plans are, you havent told me anything. Do you want the car to ever be a 12sec car, do you want to change your intake ever, do you have a automatic or a manual, do you want high rpm power or midrange, do you have the money for the necessary chip retune, etc.
If you cant answer those then you dont need to think about changing a camshaft. You would be best off just replacing valvetrain components and thinking about mild porting, which you need to do if you change a cam anyway, no matter what size it is.
I wont recommend something until you've figured out that stuff, because then you may decide to answer one of those questions and the answer wont go well with the cam you chose.
You should probably read my website's page on major mods.
If you cant answer those then you dont need to think about changing a camshaft. You would be best off just replacing valvetrain components and thinking about mild porting, which you need to do if you change a cam anyway, no matter what size it is.
I wont recommend something until you've figured out that stuff, because then you may decide to answer one of those questions and the answer wont go well with the cam you chose.
You should probably read my website's page on major mods.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
You can put a cam in it, but make a plan for the future. If you will be doing heads & intake later, on decide on a cam that will go with them. You also need a chip to go with the cam, so get with a tuner before you get in too deep. Try and find someone that has done cars with the same cam/heads/intake you select.
Thats just my 2 cents.
Thats just my 2 cents.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,389
Likes: 391
From: Lakeville MI
Something short on duration, but with lift in the 0.460-0.480 range might be ok, like the old crane compucams. Could boost torque and hp in the normal tpi rpm range, similar to what a rocker upgrade would accomplish, but with the benefit of even more lift.
Lots of cams out there if your set on changing it.
I don't think you can push the stock springs very far lift-wise though, and the retainer to seal clearance will be tight too.
One of Comp's extreme 4x4 grinds might work, since the lift is limited to 0.474 I think. I was considering one of these at one time for use with stock springs before I decided to go with upgraded LT4 springs.
Lots of cams out there if your set on changing it.
I don't think you can push the stock springs very far lift-wise though, and the retainer to seal clearance will be tight too.
One of Comp's extreme 4x4 grinds might work, since the lift is limited to 0.474 I think. I was considering one of these at one time for use with stock springs before I decided to go with upgraded LT4 springs.
Last edited by tequilaboy; Feb 18, 2006 at 04:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 2
From: High Ridge Missouri
I think for the time being I'm going to leave the cam alone as suggested. Although when I install the roller rockers I'm going to step up to a 1.6 ratio. As well upgrade to a 7/16 stud and obviously install push rod guide plates. Does anyone suggest replacing lifters and/or pushrods while I'm doing this. Right now I'm trying to somewhat stay on a budget and just make some minor improvments as I'm figuring in the next couple of years going the the engine and do some more serious work.
1991 L98/6spd
84,xxx miles
1991 L98/6spd
84,xxx miles
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,127
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by ultraviolet70
Does anyone suggest replacing lifters and/or pushrods while I'm doing this.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,389
Likes: 391
From: Lakeville MI
With roller rockers there are basically 2 ways to go.
1.Non self-aligning, which will require hardened pushrods and hardened guideplates to replace the soft stock parts. Longer studs aren't a bad idea also. 3/8" or 7/16" dia. is up to you. These extra items will add some cost.
2.Self-alignining like the LT4 roller rockers. This should be the less expensive option.
If I were to do it again, I think I would go the self-aligning route.
You will also need to grind down the drip rails inside the valve covers for rocker clearance.
Some will say a valve spring upgrade is also required when upgrading rockers.
1.Non self-aligning, which will require hardened pushrods and hardened guideplates to replace the soft stock parts. Longer studs aren't a bad idea also. 3/8" or 7/16" dia. is up to you. These extra items will add some cost.
2.Self-alignining like the LT4 roller rockers. This should be the less expensive option.
If I were to do it again, I think I would go the self-aligning route.
You will also need to grind down the drip rails inside the valve covers for rocker clearance.
Some will say a valve spring upgrade is also required when upgrading rockers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,389
Likes: 391
From: Lakeville MI