First time attempting a cam install, need clarification
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Western Ma
First time attempting a cam install, need clarification
Hi, I’m attempting to do my first ever cam install. I’ve done a bunch of research, and here’s my plan. I want 350whp, something not too aggressive, and a good low and middle end power/torque curve. I had wanted to do the heads, but my timeframe does not allow me to do that. I want to do as little custom work as possible, like I want to keep my stock valve covers (though I may need to cut out the baffle on them while retaining the center bolt area. I know I need a tune, headers, and valve springs. The rest may be necessary?
Here is my exact list so far-
CC 503 cam Hydraulic Roller Tappet Advertised Duration 276/281, Lift .503/.510 114LSA (need to grind dowel to fit)
Crane valve spring 10308 dual spring
Comp 1.6” NSA narrow 7/16” pro mags(need to clear stock valve cover)
guideplates? (I’ve heard of issues clearing head bolts with these)
ARP 7/16” rocker studs
7.2” chromoly pushrods
Long tube headers
Tune
Does this sound like 350whp is achievable with this setup? Can I go with 1.5” rockers or are the 1.6” necessary? (Again I don’t want clearance issues)
Thanks for any help!
Here is my exact list so far-
CC 503 cam Hydraulic Roller Tappet Advertised Duration 276/281, Lift .503/.510 114LSA (need to grind dowel to fit)
Crane valve spring 10308 dual spring
Comp 1.6” NSA narrow 7/16” pro mags(need to clear stock valve cover)
guideplates? (I’ve heard of issues clearing head bolts with these)
ARP 7/16” rocker studs
7.2” chromoly pushrods
Long tube headers
Tune
Does this sound like 350whp is achievable with this setup? Can I go with 1.5” rockers or are the 1.6” necessary? (Again I don’t want clearance issues)
Thanks for any help!
Last edited by redc412345; May 20, 2024 at 10:13 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 933
Likes: 165
Hi, I’m attempting to do my first ever cam install. I’ve done a bunch of research, and here’s my plan. I want 350whp, something not too aggressive, and a good low and middle end power/torque curve. I had wanted to do the heads, but my timeframe does not allow me to do that. I want to do as little custom work as possible, like I want to keep my stock valve covers (though I may need to cut out the baffle on them while retaining the center bolt area. I know I need a tune, headers, and valve springs. The rest may be necessary?
Here is my exact list so far-
CC 503 cam Hydraulic Roller Tappet Advertised Duration 276/281, Lift .503/.510 114LSA (need to grind dowel to fit)
Crane valve spring 10308 dual spring
Comp 1.6” NSA narrow 7/16” pro mags(need to clear stock valve cover)
guideplates? (I’ve heard of issues clearing head bolts with these)
ARP 7/16” rocker studs
7.2” chromoly pushrods
Long tube headers
Tune
Does this sound like 350whp is achievable with this setup? Can I go with 1.5” rockers or are the 1.6” necessary? (Again I don’t want clearance issues)
Thanks for any help!
Here is my exact list so far-
CC 503 cam Hydraulic Roller Tappet Advertised Duration 276/281, Lift .503/.510 114LSA (need to grind dowel to fit)
Crane valve spring 10308 dual spring
Comp 1.6” NSA narrow 7/16” pro mags(need to clear stock valve cover)
guideplates? (I’ve heard of issues clearing head bolts with these)
ARP 7/16” rocker studs
7.2” chromoly pushrods
Long tube headers
Tune
Does this sound like 350whp is achievable with this setup? Can I go with 1.5” rockers or are the 1.6” necessary? (Again I don’t want clearance issues)
Thanks for any help!
Last edited by mike1111; May 21, 2024 at 10:28 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
Since you are talking about grinding the dowel I'm going to assume this isn't an LT car. So I'll be blunt and say there is no way you are touching 350 hp either at the wheels or crank with only that cam... even on an LT engine... you'd have to do some other work to see 350 I'd say... sorry...
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 50
Likes: 23
With a 224/230 cam and the other mods, you'll get to 350HP. I see it this way...
300 HP to start wth...
+25 HP in the cam
+20 HP in the long tubes,
+10 HP in the tune, at least.
+20 HP with a proper no baffel 2.5 nch exhaust wth X pipe.
The LT1 stock tune is very lean at WOT to save the converters, and it can also take +2 degrees of timing. There is some power to be found in the tune.
If you have an auto I'd also do a converter with that cam, it wll be soggy under 3500. Stick with a cam in the 218 range wth a tigher 112 LSA if auto with a stock converter.
7/16 studs are a great idea and pushrod length has to be measured carfully. Proper setup is important to get the correct arch swing of the rocker.
I think on the Lt1 heads you cant run guide plate and need self aligning rockers.
300 HP to start wth...
+25 HP in the cam
+20 HP in the long tubes,
+10 HP in the tune, at least.
+20 HP with a proper no baffel 2.5 nch exhaust wth X pipe.
The LT1 stock tune is very lean at WOT to save the converters, and it can also take +2 degrees of timing. There is some power to be found in the tune.
If you have an auto I'd also do a converter with that cam, it wll be soggy under 3500. Stick with a cam in the 218 range wth a tigher 112 LSA if auto with a stock converter.
7/16 studs are a great idea and pushrod length has to be measured carfully. Proper setup is important to get the correct arch swing of the rocker.
I think on the Lt1 heads you cant run guide plate and need self aligning rockers.
Last edited by icsamerica; May 23, 2024 at 09:25 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Western Ma
Hey everyone, thanks for the replies.
I had completely forgotten to list the specs of my car. 1992 LT1 ZF6, 3.55 rear. Borla catback is the only mod currently.
I went with the CC503. I got 1605 springs, 7.2” chromoly pushrods (I have a length checker but that should be right) CC 1.6RR, and guideplates. I still need to pick out some headers, but I’ll do that when I finish and know the car runs properly. I know I should get the heads ported, but my timeframe at the moment doesn’t allow me to do that. Maybe something I can do this winter. Hopefully it’ll be suitable for now, and I’ve got a majority of the parts needed already if I decide to upgrade further. (Minus ported heads and bigger cam)
Also, I need to look around in the New England area to see if there’s anyone reputable that can dynotune the car. I’ve read a mail tune will work, but I’d prefer to spend the money specific to my setup.
I had completely forgotten to list the specs of my car. 1992 LT1 ZF6, 3.55 rear. Borla catback is the only mod currently.
I went with the CC503. I got 1605 springs, 7.2” chromoly pushrods (I have a length checker but that should be right) CC 1.6RR, and guideplates. I still need to pick out some headers, but I’ll do that when I finish and know the car runs properly. I know I should get the heads ported, but my timeframe at the moment doesn’t allow me to do that. Maybe something I can do this winter. Hopefully it’ll be suitable for now, and I’ve got a majority of the parts needed already if I decide to upgrade further. (Minus ported heads and bigger cam)
Also, I need to look around in the New England area to see if there’s anyone reputable that can dynotune the car. I’ve read a mail tune will work, but I’d prefer to spend the money specific to my setup.
