'85 cam shaft question...please help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 1
From: Quincy IL
'85 cam shaft question...please help
I picked up a new toy this past weekend. An '85 coupe. The cam shaft is missing. Now what do I do? I have books that tell me specs of the cam for this car, but where do I go about getting one that is stock specs? Should I try something a little more wild or does that mean I have to change something else or do something with the computer? Not really wanting to do any mods to this car, but I do know that a mild cam can change the way the car sounds for the better. Thoughts ....suggestions.... opinions...... ? Learning here, and looking forward to it.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Meridian Mississippi
I would recomend the Comp Cam XFI camshaft. Call Comp tell them you want the T.P.I. XFI camshaft. Its made specifically for our T.P.I. motors Its a camshaft with a good amount of lift with a small duration. It pulls a good amount of power without sacrificing all of you vacuum. I have one and I absolutely love it! It doesnt surge or flood itself out at idle or anything like that. I dont have a computer tune either and it works perfect.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Penna.
Comp Cams is a good suggestion. I have an 85 also and have spent a lot of time researching and getting opinions. There is a pretty broad selection of XFI cams and all are computer compatible. The 85 has an older version computer and is less complex than subsequent models but is more forgiving of changes without needing reprogramming.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
If you want a nice idling and close to stock-duration camshaft, with slightly higher lift, you'll like this cam. If you want a cam that could pass as stock in performance, this one is more your style. Personally, with stock heads, I wouldn't go higher than 450-460 just so the valvetrain doesn't have excessive wear.
Last edited by Master__Shake_; Feb 17, 2009 at 08:51 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I have an 85. I'm running a Comp cam 12-402-4. It's not the best fit but it is designed for a TPI and does not require a change in the chip. Specs are: 212/218 duration, .444/.444 lift, 114 LSA with 1.5 ratio rockers. It sounds pretty close to stock. Personally, I would not go with anything less agressive. I like the XFI cams if I was installing today.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I might still have my stock cam out of my '85, if I do you can have it if you want to come to Streator and pick it up. However I do not condone using a used cam.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 7
From: Chewelah Wa
Summit has a slightly hotter than stock TPI cam with springs and lifters for about 150 bucks....they claim a 40 HP gain in a 305 with a chip....which I think is prolly BS....I am running this cam and it does the job.
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Meridian Mississippi
XFI cams are NOT all roller cams! I have one in my 1985 vette and it is a flat tappet camshaft. Call Comp tell them what you want and what you are trying to do with the cam and they will tell you what to put in it that will work the best with your engine combination.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Meridian Mississippi
My Comp XFI camshaft
Part # 12-366-4 SN#:VC7493-08
CAMSHAFT, CS 268XFI H-13
GRIND# CS 268XFI H-13
GROSS VALVE LIFT .520 IN .515 EX
DURATION @ .006 TAPPET LIFT 268 IN 280 EX
DURATION @ .050 224 IN 231 EX
LOBE SEPARATION 113.0
Part # 12-366-4 SN#:VC7493-08
CAMSHAFT, CS 268XFI H-13
GRIND# CS 268XFI H-13
GROSS VALVE LIFT .520 IN .515 EX
DURATION @ .006 TAPPET LIFT 268 IN 280 EX
DURATION @ .050 224 IN 231 EX
LOBE SEPARATION 113.0
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Master Shake has a good suggestion for fairly close to stock with a little lower end gain. It is a flat tappet cam which is what you need for stock applications for the '85. The kit comes with new lifters so its a good deal all around. You need to use a break in oil on this new set up like RedLine. The newer oil formulations do not have certain compounds necessary for the correct break in of flat tappets. Its less than $10, cheap insurance in my book. Good Luck with it, I see a driveway full of Vettes so it aint yer first rodeo.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I have a comp cams .515 lift that i was going to put in my '85 but never got around to it. Is that something you'd be interested in?
Comp Cams #249-12-366-4
# "XFI" 268 Hydraulic Flat Tappet CamshaftChevy 262-400ci 1955-98
Lift: .520"/.515" w/1.6 Rockers
Duration: 268°/280°
RPM Range: 2000-6000
Comp Cams #249-12-366-4
# "XFI" 268 Hydraulic Flat Tappet CamshaftChevy 262-400ci 1955-98
Lift: .520"/.515" w/1.6 Rockers
Duration: 268°/280°
RPM Range: 2000-6000
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 1
From: Quincy IL
I have a comp cams .515 lift that i was going to put in my '85 but never got around to it. Is that something you'd be interested in?
Comp Cams #249-12-366-4
# "XFI" 268 Hydraulic Flat Tappet CamshaftChevy 262-400ci 1955-98
Lift: .520"/.515" w/1.6 Rockers
Duration: 268°/280°
RPM Range: 2000-6000
Comp Cams #249-12-366-4
# "XFI" 268 Hydraulic Flat Tappet CamshaftChevy 262-400ci 1955-98
Lift: .520"/.515" w/1.6 Rockers
Duration: 268°/280°
RPM Range: 2000-6000
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
