BAMNCO

I have 1987 vette that I pulled the engine out of. I'm refreshing the engine. I like to get a little more horse power out of it. So I thought a cam swap would be a good idea. Does any one know what the best cam and lift kit for a stock tpi?
Thanks

MK 82

There is no such thing as a "best cam." Tell us what you want out of it. Changing the cam is usually not the first step.

Eddie

BAMNCO

Sorry about that. I'd like to get some more horse power and I don't want to change alot also I don't want to fight the car to stay still at a redlight and I like the noise when the cam over laps. Do you know if I have to pay some one to tune the car.

GTA8500

I Would Say Use and Lt4 cam to wake up that Tpi

Pwnage1337

If you change the cam you will need to have your tune changed. Unless the cam is ridiculously close to the stock cam specs you aren't going to get away with a stock tune.

cv67

Not a big fan of cams with a lot of overlap on a TPI. Yes you can tune them to work but....just saying most overcam their TPI's to the point of when the cam really starts making power the intake is hindering it and will never see the true benefit ofthe swap in the first place. Doesnt make much to make the TPIhappy.
Opinions may vary.

BAMNCO

Does anyone know how much a tune cost? Also what cam would give me the most horsepower but still good for street driving. Thanks

ch@0s

If you are going to keep it all stock I would go with a ZZ4 cam if not you need to figure out how much you want to spend and what your goals are.

Aardwolf

Great idea to change out the cam. The ZZ4 take out cam mentioned above can be had really inexpensively. That's a good option. Add 1.6 full roller rockers too. What are all your plans for the engine?

Forged piston, 6" rods, head work? That's what I did with mine. I also needed new valve springs, lifters, timing chain and dampener.

Mr. Dude

Like suggested above I'd start with 1.6 roller rockers. They've been proven to give as much as a 20 HP gain or so in these cars. That will give you the most bang for your buck!

MK 82

Start with the most restrictive element. On your engine, it is the exhaust.

Here is what I did on my 86.

1. Longtubes

2. True Dual Exhaust

3. Heads & Mini Ram

4. Cam & 1.6 Roller Rockers

5. Tune

You can do it in stages.

Start with the exhaust and save for the heads and cam.

Eddie

engle1147

If you want to cam a lower mileage TPI engine go with a low / no mileage zz4 take out (~$100).

Do the stuff (#2 #4 #5) as mentioned by MK 82 if your on a tight budget....if "budget" is not an issue do it all and throw in a higher stall stall converter while your at it.

BADDUCK

the ZZ4 cam is pretty mild. If I were going to the trouble and expense get something more like the ZZ9 from TPiS. A mail order tune will be $300-$400 depending on what you have done. The 1.6 full RR's are also a good idea as well as new springs.

DarkBlue88

Can you really get more out of a stock TPI with a cam change? All I hear is to dump it for SR/MR/HSR.

Steve85

The ONLY reason I would change the order is that he has the engine out for a rebuild already.

IMO, I would get the cam (1.6 rockers and new springs)out of the way, especially if there are no immediate plans to go with a new intake / heads. (which would change cam choice). May not see full benefits right away but doing a cam in the car sucks with a TPI and standard one piece timing cover.

Is the ZZ4 the one that is close to the "Tommy Morrison" cam?

ch@0s

That why I asked "what are your goals?" .. We all know it can snow ball.
"While you are at it you might as well"

I started out with just an intake swap an 18 months later I just got a 3.07 rear I bought from fc_soldier and have been thought like 10 burns.

1991 TPI stock long block 113 heads
Custom HSR
stock 48mm TB
CC502 cam 218/224 @.050/495/503 lift 112lsa
Bosch III 24# injectors and AFPR
Scorpion 1.5 roller rockers
Headman Elite LT with Magnaflow Stainless Cat-Back

BADDUCK

Absolutely

GREGGPENN

Didn't Calderone find an article showing where 1.6rr on a ZZ4 cam is a bad idea? Why not recommend a cam with 1.5 ratios that would be good? ZZ9 cam is prolly better. Or,,,the tried and true Hotcam.

ch@0s

ZZ9 cam wont do with stock springs .. he really needs to tell us what he wants and what his budget is. We cant read minds right?

BAMNCO

I don't want to spend alot. around 1000 at the most and like to get around 300 hp. I'm buying long tubes for sure and I'd like a cam also. I see the guy said roller rockers add up to 20 hp if so I'd get them to and new springs if they make a difference. I also just got my heads rebuilt. Thanks