For those who have done similar upgrades to a stock bottom end 1985 L98 - I'm looking for a hydraulic roller cam recommendation.

Car is a 1985 with L98, 3.08 rear end and Richmond 6 speed. I believe final gear is .8 on the Richmond.

Here's the recipe for more power that is going into the car:
1. Remove ECU and TPI and replace with aftermarket system - AcesEfi Wild Card 2 tunnel ram master kit (the one with the Edelbrock Pro Flo XT intake lookalike)
2. Hedman headers and 3" dual exhaust w/ X pipe, Magnaflow mufflers
3. World Products Torquer heads - 170cc runners, 67cc chambers, 2.02/1.60 valves, 1.5" roller rockers. These are set up for hydraulic roller cam already and supported a cam with .575" lift on previous owner's build.

So my questions to those who have used an otherwise stock bottom end and replaced the intake, heads and exhaust is:
1. What is the biggest (or best and why) cam that would work well with the above parts listed and the stock bottom end and still provide suitable vacuum?
2. I have been looking at this cam: Comp Cams XR276HR-10. Thoughts?

Goals: Cruiser, daily driver, maybe some short weekend trips. There are no tracks or strips locally to chase time slips.

Thanks

 

I don't know much about that aftermarket system but 224/230 @050 is a bit much for the heads I think. I'd look for something in the 210-218 intake and maybe 5-10 less duration on exhaust for that.

 

'85 will require a retro(fit) roller cam as the block was made for hydraulic flat tappet.

 

Thanks, I'm aware of that. Originally I was going to just do a flat tappet cam but these heads are set up for a roller. I'd prefer to do the roller anyway.

Got any recommendations on a cam?

 

You NEED the whole kit first of all, not just the cam... "retrofit" hydraulic roller lifters and the "retrofit" hydraulic roller cam, also get the timing set with the button for the roller retrofit cams as the non-roller blocks didn't have the steel cam retention plates. The retrofit roller lifters have the alignment bars, the standard ones usually don't.

The spring needs to match the cam, so if you already have springs selected, shimmed and setup, then the springs will dictate the valve lift (should be about 0.060 from coil bind, +/- 0.020 too much and it can get unstable too little and there's not enough margin. Conical and beehive single springs (usually hydraulic roller applications only) can be run tighter if you need stability at RPM or with an aggressive lobe profile. The cam determines the spring paramaters, so you need some backwards checking... not just lift but closed and open seat pressures, and the springs can get tired on an aggressive setup so they should be checked.

From that point on, there still are a lot of variables for the best cam, Comp Cams has a calculator process to figure out the details.

I've retrofit a 1986 flat tappet block to roller and used the Comp Cams Beehive springs/retainers and carefully set them up for the TPIS ZZ9 roller retrofit cam, which is similar to the GM LT4 Hot Cam. Worked out nice for me.

 

https://www.compcams.com/xfi-218-224...all-block.html The XFI works well with computer controlled.

 

The Comp cam mentioned above works well with fuel injection but still has a lope to it. I am not sure if it is still available though. Lift with 1.6 rockers is matched to your springs. I am sure Comp could duplicate it for you. It makes 369 hp and 409 tq at the wheels on my L98 with AFR 195 heads and Super ram intake. Drivability is good, torque is great and will be good combo with modified tuned port intake and runners.

 

I like my TPIS super L98 cam.

Works great with the stock electronics and 1.6 rockers. I don't have a stock bottom end or stock heads (I have AFR cast heads), but I don't have anything wild either and I am running the stock intake and modified stock exhaust manifolds.

 

LT4 Hot cam

• Duration @ .050" Lift( Deg): Intake: 218 / Exhaust: 228
• Maximum Lift (in) W/ 1.5 Rocker: Intake: .492 / Exhaust: .492
• Maximum Lift (in) W/ 1.6 Rocker: Intake: .525 / Exhaust: .525

 

Is the lt4 hotcam still available? Last I saw, it's out of stock everywhere

 

I would consider something like this, use the additional lift to help you out.

 

I see it listed on the internet. GM 24502586

 

Thanks Gents. The spring pressure advice and guidance is understood and will be determined prior to purchasing the right cam. 218/224 seems like it may be about max with good lift and LSA. I'll report back in a few months when this gets underway. I'm waiting for deer season to end.

 

in stock form these heads will be the restriction. If they are ported there fine. In my opinion.

 

The Comp Cams XFI cams are good performers but can be noisy (valve train noise) due to their aggressive profile.