So my '92 has been sitting in a garage for quite a long time (I think I have put 500 miles on it in 3 years). Why? Well, I went a little too extreme in my upgrading, and ended up with a car that is fun to drive when at WOT, but doesn't idle well, and is no fun to just drive around. I believe this is due mostly to the choice of cam. It was a GM cam, that is a bit "hotter" than the hotcam.

Combine this with the fact that I need to get this car emissions legal, and want to be able to drive it. So, what have I done with it?

Coyles double roller timing set, Meziere electric WP, hardened pushrods, pro-mag rocker arms, 8mm plug wires, new style opti, timing chain cover, the GM 222/230 .542/.563 112LSA Cam, and a set of very well done ported and polished heads, with enlarge valves, upgraded springs, retainers, guideplates, etc..

Its a good base to be starting from. My fall/winter project is to get her running well again. I'd like some nice power, but dont need anything insane. Additionally, I'd like it to run WELL. Something I or my wife can hop in, and drive, and enjoy (yes, I learned my lesson the hard way ). Additionally, I think I need a new brake master cylinder. So.. any suggestions on what to do? The way I see it, I have 3 options:

1) Pull the cam, replace with something along the lines of the hotcam. Should make some nice power, but from what I understand, the hotcam is nice and tunable, and will pass a sniffer test.

2) Pull the cam, and engine. Rebuild as a 383. Pick a good new cam that fits the 383 well.

3) Leave the cam, and spend the winter trying (once again) to tune it. Unfortunately, this doesn't do much for my emissions problem (unless there is a consensus that this cam could pass a sniffer).

But, if anyone has any other suggestions, I am very open to hearing them!

 

just go with a 383 short block and dont change anything else, idle cured that is a baby cam for a stroker

 

500 miles in 3 yrs ....

get a triangle sticker and f@#$ the emissions and save a bundle on insurance

 

I put the Lingenfelter 211/219 in mine. Nice cam.

 

No kidding. I've actually dropped the insurance to comprehensive only, as its just sitting in a garage .

 

Mark, your in NJ - get collectors insurance and a voucher for collector inspection sticker - you'll have an agreed upon value and get 2,500 miles per year with the sticker - no lines go verify the OD is working and get the sticker

 

I think a good tuner can get that car to drive nice and pass smog. A few hundred dollars worth of dyno time would be an easier, less expensive answer. Have you looked for a tuner in your area??

 

If you dont have a LSx you wont find one around here

 

Gotta find a tuner, its not THAT much different from a hotcam. Even an emissions tune just for testing day would be worth it not to tear it down. Post this in regional and scan and tune sec, someone has to. Try the Fbody boards too. There is always someone.

 

The traffic is slow over in scan & tune but there are some very sharp guys there.

 

Did you even get a mail order tune? (madz28, or alvin) That cam isn't small, but it certainly isnt huge.. You should have no problem cruising above 2200rpm vs 15-1700 vs stock.

If you still arent satisfied... I agree go with the LPE211 cam

 

With a good tune your engine will pass emissions, and be very streetable. My heads/cam/long tube headers 94 LT1 passes MO emissions testing. Cam specs: 224/230 605/622.

 

I ran that exact cam in my LT4 when it was still a 350, that's the GM846 cam. You need to get it properly tuned. My car is a daily driver, there would have been no way I could live with a bucking/surging pig! That cam CAN and will pass emissions...find a good local tuner, strap it down to the dyno and get it done, I think you'll be suprised at how drivable it'll be once it's done!

 

Anyone who can tune an LSx can also tune an LTx engine, the basics are still the same...just need to make sure they have the correct software.

 

contact www.pcmforless.com

your troubles will be over

 

That IS a mild cam (in my opinion), I just pulled it from mine not too long ago to go much bigger (it's now a 396 tho ) Mine passed emissions with it too.

I'm surprised you want to the 383 route if this was too much...

 

Good to know that the cam will pass emissions. I think I may take a go at it with the current setup. I have done the programming on the chip myself (which is probably a big part of the problem).

As for why I want to do the 383 route- it was my understanding that 383 + milder (for a 383) cam (thus easier to tune) can get you the same, if not better HP gains than a 350 with a wilder cam.

So I guess my first, and biggest priority is to get those brakes working again. I thought it was a brake booster problem, replaced it, to no avail (after bleeding the brake fluid, making sure there was no air in the lines, etc..). So I guess about the only other thing to try on the brakes is the master cylinder.

 

Speaking of the cam, what kind of a vacuum reading do you have? If it is very low that could explain your brake issues.

 

I just went through the same ordeal, but I had a GM847 cam and that sucked for a DD, but if it were a weekend bracket car with the right part it should runner in the 11's easy. I pulled the cam out because I didn't want to go to crazy with gears, convert. and all the other things you need to make it perform right so I pulled it out and put the HOT CAM back in.
Randy

 

Whats the part # on the 222/230 cam your running? If you end up selling it I might be interested.

-- Joe