Cam Help

[ChevyDude84]

Got a 98 5.7... Right now engine is bone stock... I am looking into cams and been reading alot on them, alot of people are saying go with a LT4 cam or a ZZ4 I guess zz4 is better for low-mid range and the lt4 is good for mid-hi range rpms. I have read where some people swapped these in, and they didnt have to upgrade the springs or rockers or anything like that, but others had too (joys of internet information lol) what are your oppinions on these cams?

Are there any other cams that do not require you to do anything to the heads or upgrade the rockers that will still be performance/worth it?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I don't know about these engines, my experience is all in LS series, but any cam worth installing will require you to upgrade springs on those.

 

[skylark]

The production LT4 cam (used in the 96 LT4 Vette) is .480 lift with 1.6 ratio rockers. .480 is the max you can go on stock vortec heads with out changing the springs and retainers. The LT4 hot cam and the ZZ4 cam exceed the .480 limit.

 

[Horns]

I don't know about these engines, my experience is all in LS series, but any cam worth installing will require you to upgrade springs on those.

Quote for truth right here. Even if you didn't need new springs I would still get them. That way you know you have a good new set of springs.

Why don't you want to change springs anyways? It's honestly easier than the cam itself.

 

[ChevyDude84]

Quote for truth right here. Even if you didn't need new springs I would still get them. That way you know you have a good new set of springs.

Why don't you want to change springs anyways? It's honestly easier than the cam itself.

Was just curious if there was a easier path, not saying I wouldnt.. but while I am there might as well... any other cams you guys suggest since I will be able to squueze a little more lift out?

 

[Horns]

I have an Erson cam with the same grind as this. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-12-235-2/

 

[DGA1]

I'm not sure what your budget is, but if you can get the head clearanced for more lift and run a cam that will give you a good amount of flow over stock, do it. The problem with Vortec heads is how much lift they allow stock, but there are many documented remedies for this.

Doing a bit of research for my 383 build down the road, here are the cams I was looking into. Mind you, I'm looking for bottom end torque vs. high end horsepower. You'll need a tune with most of these to make it run right and get most out of the cam. I believe that you don't need a tune with GM 14097395 and it will run right, but you are not realizing its full power making potential if you don’t tune.

Lift:
w/ 1.5 rockers (Intake/Exhaust)
w/ 1.6 rockers (Intake/Exhaust)
Duration
Lobe Separation
Operational RPM
Cost

Stock
.412/.423
.440/.450
255/266
111
???
$0

GM 14097395 (I believe it comes in GM's 383 Vortec crate engine)
.431/.451
.459/.481
288/308
109
???
$176

CompCam 08-409-8
.458/.458
.488/.488
258/263
111
1,000 - 5,000
$297

CompCam 08-300-8
.450/.480
.480/.512
262/264
112
1,000 - 5,000
$297

CompCam 08-411-8
.474/.474
.505/.505
260/264
111
1,200 - 5,200
$297

CompCam 08-302-8
.480/.480
.512/.512
264/274
112
1,200 - 5,200
$297

CompCam 08-304-8
.500/.510
.533/.544
266/276
114
1,400 - 5,400
$297

CompCam 08-413-8
.474/.474
.505/.505
270/274
111
1,500 - 5,500
$297

 

[Wagonbacker9]

can you educate the stupid person as to what those duration numbers are measured at please?

 

[DGA1]

The duration numbers are manufacturer advertised. I was going to go back and take a look at each at .050 lift for a better comparison, but since the cam I'll mostly end up with is a Comp, comparing at their advertised duration is good enough since they are on a level field.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

The duration numbers are manufacturer advertised. I was going to go back and take a look at each at .050 lift for a better comparison, but since the cam I'll mostly end up with is a Comp, comparing at their advertised duration is good enough since they are on a level field.

Right, but what lift are they advertising at? .0002 or something?