Finding threads on this intake is hard via search and i Can't find exactly what i am looking for. I am hoping to get some insight on camshaft recommendations for the build i am planning. Also, for those that will say buy the miniram, i'm not interested.

Philosphy of use: second car, want a fun, fast street car. Not necessarily after some crazy sounding cam, just want to make good power and work well. If i could get close to or above the early ZR1 in terms of crank HP i would be happy.

350 CI
FIRST intake
AFR 180cc heads, or Profiler 185 (similar flow) - plan to get them milled to 58cc (maybe less to bump compression, unless thats a waste of time) combustion chamber regardless of which one i go for
Hedman 68448 long tubes (i assume 1-5/8 is more ideal for a 350 than a set of 1-3/4)
Also, I have a bead on an unused set of these roller rockers for a good price. are these worth buying? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-17001-16
dual 2.5 exhaust with h pipe (i prefer the sound over x pipe) to corsa mufflers

also considering thinner gaskets to help bump compression. What is the thinnest i could go before i run into quench issues? i have seen some people go with fel pro 1094 which has compressed thickness of .015

Cams I am considering:
LT4 hotcam. works, but from what i understand the rpm range isnt ideal for l98 (melling also makes one with near identical specs for significantly less than the GM cam)

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...make/chevrolet - states high performance street for modified TPI, sounds promising
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...make/chevrolet
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...make/chevrolet

I may or may not replace the factory lifters which is why i included the cam/lifter combos , however i am leaning toward doing so as there are 92k on the clock.

For the tune I will go with ed wright, or FasterProms does mail order tunes however I am local to them so that may help. Also the owner's dad apparently helped to design the miniram so he is familiar with the l98.

 

First one would be my pick everyones different though. See nothing wrong with the hotcam...everyone talks smack about it Im not sure why.
Dont like cams with too aggressive a ramp it just shortens the life, not worth any gain you probably wouldnt feel anyways. Just an opinion..

Would choose the afrs over the profilers also to each thier own. Prefer US made stuff when you can get it.

 

The first one meaning the comp for the tpi? Also profilers are actually american made.

 

I would pick something in between the first two. You dont need as much duration as listed on the exhaust side of the first came for a TPI style intake, but with good flowing heads like AFR or Profiler you dont need that big of a split in duration. If you can stay in the 220-226 range with less split than the first cam that would be my choice. Since this is a low RPM intake I would also try to stay around 280 or less advertised duration.

Also, it is a really good idea to change the lifters when installing a new cam so they can wear in together. The GM Performance LS7 lifters are drop in and used to be pretty cheap (12499225). They are a little bit taller, but you will need to measure for new pushrods anyway after changing heads and getting them milled.

 

Kubs thanks for the info. What do you think of this https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-cl08-430-8

Or should I look for something with lower duration at 50

 

Aside from going custom grind, this is what I would probably pick after a quick look through Summit inventory (or something close). Less split, and duration in a good range for the operating RPM of the FIRST.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...make/chevrolet

Or this one is you need a step on the nose of the cam for the retainer plate. Not sure what year you have.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...make/chevrolet

 

Thanks again for the insight. If those cams are better suited I'll go with that and buy the lifters separately.

My car is an 89 convertible

 

My first choice would be a custom grind, but the second one I linked with some 1.6 roller rockers would probably be close. Just my opinion though, you can wait and see what others think.

 

for what its worth i caught up with Pat G and he spec'd out a custom grind cam for my LS3 build for $50. it runs like a mother. It was cut at Texas Speed. They have a bad *** cam grinding facility there.

Get a hold of him and tell him what you are doing. He can help you

 

will texas speed cut gen one cams though? I had been thinking of getting in touch with them for my lq9 build... would not hurt to do the same for my other other project.

 

I would bet they will. I'd ask them and then get a hold of Pat G

 

I would probably go with a split duration cam like 220/230 @050", or something pretty similar.

 

nothing wrong wtih a custom cam if you have to have one but theres only a million that have been ground for the sbc just pick the right one.

Ive only ordered 1 custom that worked the rest were a big mistake. Most off shelf stuff is proven

 

if you want to keep it looking stock get the intake manifold, plenumb, and runners extrude honed. No need for a miniram or first.

 

The "No need" statement depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If the 250-ish cfm after spending $700 or more on extrude honing the stock base won't work for you, then you do "need" something different.