Anybody know about 305 TPI cams?

[gn85]

My father and I are rebuilding his tired 305 TPI motor this summer. Unfortunately, I don't have all the information as far as heads and so forth.

Has anybody in here put a hotter cam in her?? Naturally we're worried about vacuum loss. We don't need something that has a super loping idle that puts out mountains of power. Just maybe one good step up from stock.

The choices we're looking at, at the moment (with 1.5 rockers I believe), are:

Comp Cam: 206/206 @50
Summit Cam: 204/214 @50

From what I've been told, the engine will handle both of these cams, but I'm a bit weary of going too hot of a cam. This car is a daily driver and needs to run/idle smooth and pass emissions with a cat. My father's not a speed demon (although he's been driving my Buick since I've been gone, so who knows.)

Anyways, thanks for any suggestions. Suggestions other then get rid of the 305.

BTW, this is in a Monte Carlo SS

 

[gokada]

Back in the days of TPI, I put a 206/206 in a stroked 350 block. Pretty good Idle. Don't go too big on the duration, these long runner TPI systems cant rev. Look up old articles from John Lingenfelter for some good recipes.

 

[Slow91z]

If you go to camaroz28.com there is a third-gen room...I've heard that the LTI cam (new style LT1, not tyhe old school version) is a good step up for a 305. The LT1 still uses the same style cam as the original Small Block.

 

[broke1]

Stocker is ok but if you want the best cam for your $$$s use the GM HOT cam grind.

Just my $.03

 

[Greasemonkey]

Is this a roller or non roller 305? If its a roller then a the LT1 cam would be a good bet. If its a non roller I'd look at the comp XE line of cams.

 

[19gn87]

Call CompCams. I'll bet they can help you...I find them friendly too. Number is 901-795-2400

Also, may want to check out Camaro Tech forum
Some of those guys are pretty experienced.

 

[Slow91z]

Aren't all of the 305 TPI's roller??? I thought they were, but I have all of my knowledge from the later third gens.

 

[gn85]

Thanks for all the responses. This is a non-roller cam.

I agree, we don't want this thing winding up too high. I'm looking through some of the stock cam numbers and finding that the cars with stick shift and higher rear gears were running hotter cams. The car has nice bottom end power and I want to keep/capitalize on that.

I'll do some searchin' thru the Camaro forums to see what turns up there. This TPI is actually off of an 86 Firebird.

Thanks again everyone.

BTW. what does everyone think of the one piece oil pan gaskets? Same motor.

 

[myclone]

Originally posted by gn85
BTW. what does everyone think of the one piece oil pan gaskets? Same motor.

Best thing invented since factory roller cams IMO.. Use them, you'll like it unless you enjoy the way the old gaskets liked to hemorage oil on your garage floor

 

[slow87]

I just happen to have a stock lt1 f body spec cam, a hot cam, and 2 b body spec cams I also have 3 sets of f body lt1 springs, and a set lt4 springs

<--loves gen2 sbc