iroczinoz

I might be pulling the engine apart so I was thinking about getting a CAM for it too. I am currently running a 305TPI basically stock except for headers, airfoil, CAI.

I am running a Speed Density set-up using a stock 1992 CHIP in the 730 ECM.

I know that the MAP sensors are sensitive to vacuum so I watend to ask anyone who has put in a CAM in their 305 which one they got and the results. What kind of HP improvement?

I might plan on getting a 350 later down the track so can I get a performance CAM for the 305 and then use it on the 350 if the times come?

I have heard that my best bet is to get a Cranes Compu Cam any recommendations on which one to get for some good performance and minimal problems with the ECM. I will however be able to tune the chip so I can live with having to redo the chip a couple of times to get it running right.

Thanks,
Mike

aklim

MAP sensors are sensitive to vacuum. That is what they do. Sense vacuum.

AFAIK, if it is plug in, it will be close to stock so is that what you want or would you rather put in a cam which has more potential down the road?

I used an ACCEL 74219 cam with TFS heads. They worked but the idle sucked and I wasn't getting all I could out of them till the EPROM got reworked.

That was with a 350 tho.

iroczinoz

If I change the CAM I do want it to have more potentail down the road. I want to get a performance CAM for the 305TPI MAP and get rid of the peanut CAM.

I will tune the chip so that should not be a worry. But I want a CAM that can be tuned in to work. I don't want a CAM that even after tuning the CHIP I will have driveability probs.

aklim

Talk to Lingenfelter but I think the 74219 cam should work fine. If not they will have one that works. You will have to reprogram the eprom.

Zepher

I chose the Crane Cams Powermax 2050 Camshaft for my MAP TPI setup.
Was really nice.
Here is a vid,
http://www.transamws6.com/video/ZepherWS6.mpg

iroczinoz

Zepher with that CAM did you notice a real improvement? I know it is hard to estimate but how much do you think that CAM helped your 305?

Did you have to modify the chip much for it to run well in the car?

Trying to get an idea and want to make sure before I go ahead with it that it will be the right choice and worth it. I really want something better then the stock CAM.

But I heard good things about the Compu Cam so I think it would be a go

Just had a look and they recommend 3.73 or higher rear end and they do not mention this is suitable for the 305 TPI.

I have a 3.23 rear end.

PS. BTW I have downloaded that mpeg sounds sweeeeet

Zepher

Well, I can really give a fair comparison since I did so much to the motor at one time.
In that video I had these parts installed:
87 TPI heads, stock
87 TPI Setup with 52mm TB
Converted to Speed Density
Installed the Cam
SLP Dual CAI
MSD 6A with Blaster 3 Coil.
Here is a pic of the motor,
http://www.transamws6.com/pics/transam/engine.jpg

Here is the old setup,
http://www.transamws6.com/pics/transam/Edelbrock.jpg

Oh, and my chip was non-functioning for the 6 weeks that my 305 lasted. I found this out when I put my prom into a friends car and the scanner wouldn't read the ECM.
I ran a best of 14.1@99mph with a non-functioning prom.
The car was running in Limp Home Mode. I could pull the chip out of the memcal and it would start up and run the same as if the chip was in the memcal.

The problem was the PP2 Programmer and Windows XP Pro. After I upgraded the PP2 software and burned a chip, my 305 started to knock and the piston rings failed due to the car running super rich for the 6 weeks I drove it. I was getting between 6-12mpg.

Oh, and the cam I had required either a higher Stall or a Manual.

aklim

If you are already taking the motor apart, why not go all the way with a 383 or at least a 350? That way you won't have to do the change again later. It doesn't cost that much more to go First class.

iroczinoz

I know it is easy to get carried away but pulling the motor and replacing it is another story. It would cost me at least 2K more to do that and I am on a tight budget.

aklim

Maybe it would be better to just leave the cam be then because if you go to a 383, you'd need a different cam from what you are running and that might mean a change later. That is unless you want to get carried away which I have already done.

90rocz

Try a mild factory LT1 cam, near stock for a 350, which will be big for the 305.
If you're on a budget go to gmgoodwrench.com check out the dealer in Flint Michigan and check out the ZZ3 or mild replacement cams for 350's, they'll be HIPO in the 305. And they're cheap, roller cam for about $180!

iroczinoz

Thanks for the info everyone. I have a non roller CAM so even cheaper

Kevin91Z

Uhh.... speed density engines are all roller, so why do you have a non-roller? Is this a MAP upgrade in an earlier engine??

Cams that are compatible with the stock computer would be ones in the 212 or lower intake duration. I dont know flat tappet cams that well but the roller Compucam 2031 or 2032 have good specs. Since you're going to do your own chips, you can get away with a lot more cam.

Also, the speed density engines dont have peanut cams, so again, what year engine are you dealing with?

iroczinoz

I have a 86 305TPI that was upgraded to Speed density. I should have metioned this to start off with to stop the confusion.

So 212 or lower intake duration would be compatible with stock CHIp. How far can I go with me being able to do my own chips, up to what intake duration?

Sitting Bull

OK then, TPI wants to see a healthy vacuum signal and a wide LSA so either the Crane PowerMax 260 (112 LSA .427 and .454) or the PowerMax 266 (114 LSA .440 and .454). Both have durations in the 210* to 215* range, so you'll definitely be a happy camper with either one