Installing a zz4 cam in my 89,along with new water pump,new felpro valve stem seals,LT4 springs and Cloyes timing chain set and
( waiting for some 1.5 self aligning rockers as well)

As this is my first attempt at an actual cam change, anyone got a step by step procedure or link for this?

 

I dont have a procedure but I have one tip. Label every bolt you take out. Every bolt on the front of the motor has to go back in the hole it came out of. They are all almost alike but are different lengths. Most are 3/8 some are metric. I spent a whole afternoon assembling a puzzle putting the smog pump, PS pump AC, alternator water pump and belt tensioner on my 87.

 

Absolutely the most valuable tools in my garage for my cam swap project were a 100 count pack of plastic sandwich bags, masking tape, and a sharpie. Put each different size bolt in a plastic bag with a label like "long water pump" and "short water pump" and use masking tape on every electrical connector and vacuum hose. I didn't know what each one was called, so some labels said things like "manifold vac near break booster." Basically, just use whatever clue you need to get that piece back in the right spot. DO NOT RELY ON YOUR MEMORY!!! Even a digital picture is not nearly as helpful as good labels.

A good book to have handy for engine work, including cam swaps, is "How to Rebuild Small-Block Chevy LT-1/LT-4 Engines" by Mike Mavrigian. It's a great source for hard to find information like clearances and torque specs, and has some pretty good how-to info. And if you're self conscious about saying things like "that gear looking thing that goes between the camshaft and the oil pump" when you go looking for parts, this book will tell you to call that piece a "oil pump drive stub." Even if you've done a dozen small block builds in the past, this book is LT1/LT4 specific and would be worth the price.

EDIT (or idiot) Haha, never mind on the book. Just noticed you've got the L98. I saw the LT4 springs in the original post and ASSuMEd too much. Good luck!

 

Plan on spending two weekends plus.

Taking your time during disassembly will make the job go much easier

 

Thanks,it will be a challenge,I just dont want to remove anything that is not necessary.obviously need to mark distributor position prior to removal.
Curious ...Is it possible to remove intake manifold,runners and plenum as "one"assembly"

 

i've seen TPI's removed like that but im not sure

 

My suggestion is: 1) Buy a Helms Manual for your Vette, year specific. Follow it and do the plastic bag routine with a sharpie. 2) Take a lot of close up digital pictures before you start taking it a part. Concentrate on wiring and hoses.

3) Time, don't watch the clock and put time lines and milestones on the project. Be a perfectionist. Clean everything and paint as necessary.

4) Enjoy the work. If you get frustrated at some point, step back and have a cool one.

5) Tools, use the right tools for the job. If you don't have the right tool, go buy it or use the AutoZone loan-a-tool program.

Ask questions right here as we have lots of guys that have done it.

 

Follow Strick's and Reoch's advices ...they are dead on !
Take your time and do it baby steps.-
I will follow this advices as well,i will upgrade my zz4 cam very soon.-

 

Whats the specs on the zz4 cam. Been looking a some comp cams my self.

 

ZZ4 cam :
Duration @.050 208/221
Lift: .474/.510
112 LSA
1500-5500 rpm range


Stock L98 cam
Duration @ .050", 202/207
Lift: .413/.428 ,
114.5 LSA


Hotcam
Duration @ .050", 218/228
Lift: .525/.525 ,
112 LSA


Here a couple more :


Cam specs
Cam----INT / EXT
Stock LT1---202@ .450/ 207 @ .450 (1.5RR)--- 117 LSA
Stock LT4--- 203@ .476/ 210@ .480 (1.6RR)--- 115 LSA


GM Performance Parts
LT4 Hot Cam --- 218@ .525/ 228@ .525 (1.6RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1800-5800 RPM
GM12370847 --- 234@ .539/ 242@ .558 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 2000-6800
GM12730846 --- 220@ .509/ 230@ .528 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1800-5800

Comp Cams
CCA-07-304 --- 210@ .500/ 220@ .510 (1.5RR)--- 114 LSA --- 1000-5000 RPM
CCA-07-305 --- 220@ .510/ 230@ .510 (1.5RR)--- 114 LSA --- 1500-5500
CCA-07-306 --- 230@ .510/ 244@ .540 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1800-5800
CCA-07-500 --- 206@ .480/ 212@ .488 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1000-5000
CCA-07-501 --- 212@ .488/ 218@ .495 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1200-5200
CCA-07-502 --- 218@ .495/ 224@ .503 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1500-5500
CCA-07-503 --- 224@ .503/ 230@ .510 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1800-5800
CCA-07-464 --- 202@ .550/ 212@ .546 (1.5RR)--- 113 LSA --- 1000-5000
CCA-07-465 --- 210@ .560/ 218@ .550 (1.5RR)--- 113 LSA --- 1200-5200
CCA-07-466 --- 218@ .570/ 224@ .565 (1.5RR)--- 113 LSA --- 1800-5800
CCA-07-467 --- 230@ .576/ 236@ .570 (1.5RR)--- 113 LSA --- 2000-6000
CCA-07-468 --- 242@ .584/ 248@ .579 (1.5RR)--- 113 LSA --- 2200-6200


Crane Cams
CRN-104227 --- 210@ .479/ 224@ .518 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 2000-6000 RPM
CRN-104228 --- 210@ .479/ 224@ .518 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 2000-6000
CRN-104241 --- 218@ .498/ 218@ .498 (1.5RR)--- 116 LSA --- 2800-6500
CRN-1449555 --- 210@ .531/ 218@ .531 (1.5RR)--- 114 LSA --- 1900-5600
CRN-1449571 --- 210@ .531/ 218@ .531 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1000-5800
CRN-1449561 --- 216@ .551/ 224@ .551 (1.5RR)--- 115 LSA --- 1500-6000
CRN-1449581 --- 220@ .551/ 220@ .551 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 3000-6500
CRN-1449591 --- 224@ .551/ 224@ .551 (1.5RR)--- 114 LSA --- 3000-6500
CRN-1449601 --- 228@ .600/ 232@ .600 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 3500-6500


Edelbrock
EDL-2108 --- 218@ .525/ 218@ .525 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1500-5500 RPM


Lunati
LUN-54778LUN --- 206@ .469/ 215@ .489 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1200-4500 RPM

Accel
ACC-74220 --- 215@ .499/ 220@ .510 (1.5RR)--- 114 LSA --- 1200-5800 RPM
ACC-74211 --- 211@ .499/ 219@ .525 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1000-5800
ACC-74219 --- 219@ .525/ 219@ .525 (1.5RR)--- 112 LSA --- 1200-6200

 

Thanks for the info,especialy the factory cam specs. Althought they all look realy big.

 

You will be real happy with the zz4 cam,i've been running that cam for over a year
Now im upgrading it to the LPE219,I want a beast out of my 87.-

 

What other mods you have to due? Trying to keep with factory intake+injectors. Comp got a 12-262-4 cam 262in 270 ext
464 470 on 14 center

 

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