new cam time
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
new cam time
Hello so my 1984 4 plus 3 has decided it wants a new cam shaft. I pulled the intake and hand rotated the engine. And one of the lifters in the number five cylinder refuses to go up and down. Like it should.
This is low budget. I did the heads last year, stock. So I am thinking of changing the cam, the water pump and timing chain. The car is NEVER going to rev above 4000/4500. And I am keeping the CFI. A friend suggested a chip. With that in mind any cams come into mind.
I think that the stock cam builds power above 1800, correct. I was thinking of an RV, I think that there is one that comes in closer to 1000. Suggestions please. And to Roll my rockers or not?
Thank you
This car is a street car. So I need it to have good manners i.e. smooth idle, vacuum for power brakes, decent gas mileage, no over heating.
This is low budget. I did the heads last year, stock. So I am thinking of changing the cam, the water pump and timing chain. The car is NEVER going to rev above 4000/4500. And I am keeping the CFI. A friend suggested a chip. With that in mind any cams come into mind.
I think that the stock cam builds power above 1800, correct. I was thinking of an RV, I think that there is one that comes in closer to 1000. Suggestions please. And to Roll my rockers or not?
Thank you
This car is a street car. So I need it to have good manners i.e. smooth idle, vacuum for power brakes, decent gas mileage, no over heating.
Last edited by jseremba; Jun 24, 2015 at 10:25 AM. Reason: clarification
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
Honestly, any cam that is similar to the stocker will work. The 84 will not need much tuning unless you really mix things up. If it was me, and on a budget, a stock replacement camshaft or even the venerable .390/.410 lift cam would be fine. With that some new lifters, pushrods, and stamped stewl 1.5 rocker arms and be done. You won't notice any loss in power and it will probably run better than it currently does.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 48
Honestly, any cam that is similar to the stocker will work. The 84 will not need much tuning unless you really mix things up. If it was me, and on a budget, a stock replacement camshaft or even the venerable .390/.410 lift cam would be fine. With that some new lifters, pushrods, and stamped stewl 1.5 rocker arms and be done. You won't notice any loss in power and it will probably run better than it currently does.
I am looking at cams with a lobe separation of 110 to 112. Should I go to 115. If so why. Thank you all
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
The cam you suggest has lower lift than the stock cam. I would think that I would be loosing horsepower, god forbid. I am sure that even the original cam will improve the way it runs. This cam has probably be going for quite some time.
I am looking at cams with a lobe separation of 110 to 112. Should I go to 115. If so why. Thank you all
I am looking at cams with a lobe separation of 110 to 112. Should I go to 115. If so why. Thank you all
a 112 - 113 separation is fine it will provide a smooth idle. you will need new Springs with your new cam. something in the range of a LT1 cam. The best upgrade would be converting to a retro roller cam lifter combo.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 152
From: norway
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
I wish that people would quit posting this "112 Lobe Separation = smooth idle" stuff....
It doesn't work like that and nothing could be further from the truth. A camshafts Lobe Separation Angle by itself means nothing and tells you nothing in regard to idle or power band characteristics.
There is just so much more to it. Generalities and focusing on the wrong things just do more harm than good.
OP - you best bet is to call a cam grinder and talk with them about what you want to do... with the advances in camshaft technology (a lot has happened since 1984) a modern "smaller cam" could very well make more power and have better driveability than your stock cam.
If you want to follow the bad advice listed here feel free to check out the "GM First or Second Design Off road cams" PN's 3927140 or 3965754.... both are on 112 LSA and slightly bigger than your stock CFI cam.
Will
It doesn't work like that and nothing could be further from the truth. A camshafts Lobe Separation Angle by itself means nothing and tells you nothing in regard to idle or power band characteristics.
There is just so much more to it. Generalities and focusing on the wrong things just do more harm than good.
OP - you best bet is to call a cam grinder and talk with them about what you want to do... with the advances in camshaft technology (a lot has happened since 1984) a modern "smaller cam" could very well make more power and have better driveability than your stock cam.
If you want to follow the bad advice listed here feel free to check out the "GM First or Second Design Off road cams" PN's 3927140 or 3965754.... both are on 112 LSA and slightly bigger than your stock CFI cam.
Will
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
The cam you suggest has lower lift than the stock cam. I would think that I would be loosing horsepower, god forbid. I am sure that even the original cam will improve the way it runs. This cam has probably be going for quite some time.
I am looking at cams with a lobe separation of 110 to 112. Should I go to 115. If so why. Thank you all
I am looking at cams with a lobe separation of 110 to 112. Should I go to 115. If so why. Thank you all
Lift isn't the only driver in making power.
Buy a stock replacement if you're worried.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
I wish that people would quit posting this "112 Lobe Separation = smooth idle" stuff....
It doesn't work like that and nothing could be further from the truth. A camshafts Lobe Separation Angle by itself means nothing and tells you nothing in regard to idle or power band characteristics.
There is just so much more to it. Generalities and focusing on the wrong things just do more harm than good.
OP - you best bet is to call a cam grinder and talk with them about what you want to do... with the advances in camshaft technology (a lot has happened since 1984) a modern "smaller cam" could very well make more power and have better driveability than your stock cam.
If you want to follow the bad advice listed here feel free to check out the "GM First or Second Design Off road cams" PN's 3927140 or 3965754.... both are on 112 LSA and slightly bigger than your stock CFI cam.
Will
It doesn't work like that and nothing could be further from the truth. A camshafts Lobe Separation Angle by itself means nothing and tells you nothing in regard to idle or power band characteristics.
There is just so much more to it. Generalities and focusing on the wrong things just do more harm than good.
OP - you best bet is to call a cam grinder and talk with them about what you want to do... with the advances in camshaft technology (a lot has happened since 1984) a modern "smaller cam" could very well make more power and have better driveability than your stock cam.
If you want to follow the bad advice listed here feel free to check out the "GM First or Second Design Off road cams" PN's 3927140 or 3965754.... both are on 112 LSA and slightly bigger than your stock CFI cam.
Will
I did not just give a separation!!!! have a read, scroll down to lobe separation...
http://www.lunatipower.com/Tech/Cams/CamSpecTerms.aspx
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 865
Likes: 6
From: Auburn Michigan
I would think this cam would work with the X-fire. Can't get much more budget friendly than $105 cam & lifters.
