Head/Cam question...
11-20-2013, 01:16 PM
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Head/Cam question... Copying this over from the internals section and looking for some good feedback.
This is going to be my first build and engine swap so any and all advice is appreciated!
OK, I recently acquired an LM7 motor with approx 90k miles and I will be swapping it into a 1984 gmc Caballero. I will be having the block cleaned and honed.
I have the opportunity to get a set of 243 heads that have been ported and polished and a cam with the following specs- .588/.595 intake/exhaust lift, 228/232 duration on a 114 lsa.
Would this make a good combo for a carbed build? If not what would be a good modest priced cam?
I am also able to get a 4l60e tranny that has been mildly built and am wondering what issues I may run into with the install or should I just go old school and drop a th400 in?
As a side note I am trying to do this build as economical as possible.
This is going to be my first build and engine swap so any and all advice is appreciated!
OK, I recently acquired an LM7 motor with approx 90k miles and I will be swapping it into a 1984 gmc Caballero. I will be having the block cleaned and honed.
I have the opportunity to get a set of 243 heads that have been ported and polished and a cam with the following specs- .588/.595 intake/exhaust lift, 228/232 duration on a 114 lsa.
Would this make a good combo for a carbed build? If not what would be a good modest priced cam?
I am also able to get a 4l60e tranny that has been mildly built and am wondering what issues I may run into with the install or should I just go old school and drop a th400 in?
As a side note I am trying to do this build as economical as possible.
11-20-2013, 02:53 PM
#2
The cam will work, but far from optimal. The 2216 edelbrock is 340$ last I checked when I got mine. Not bad for off shelf and works great. Won't save you much over a custom grind that would really make you get the maximum potential from your engine.
11-20-2013, 03:06 PM
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Thx for the info!
I have been doing a ton of reading since I got the engine and I am not ashamed to say that my head is spinning with all the info on cams, heads, trannies and then all the swap info to get it into my car....
I have been doing a ton of reading since I got the engine and I am not ashamed to say that my head is spinning with all the info on cams, heads, trannies and then all the swap info to get it into my car....
11-20-2013, 03:07 PM
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What are you going to do with the truck? That's the first thing you need to ask yourself, because the cam profile will determine with RPM range the engine will make power. You don't want a cam that makes power between 5000-6800 if the truck is for cruising, by the same token ,if you are going for max power and low ETs at the track, you don't want a cam that is set up for good off idle torque , but is all done by 5800rpms.
IMO, that cam you are looking at is best suited for EFI with its wide LSA, and in a 5.3 its probably not going to get after it till over 5K and max out in the 6800rpm range.
So.....whatcha gonna do with the truck?
IMO, that cam you are looking at is best suited for EFI with its wide LSA, and in a 5.3 its probably not going to get after it till over 5K and max out in the 6800rpm range.
So.....whatcha gonna do with the truck?
11-20-2013, 04:13 PM
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It's mainly going to be a street machine. I want it to perform well across the board in street applications, have great acceleration out of the gate and good power at 60+ on the highway.
Will it see the track? Hell yes! Not the primary goal though.
Will it see the track? Hell yes! Not the primary goal though.
11-20-2013, 07:18 PM
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I will look into the edlebrock cams (running a national auto parts chain helps with price!) and Tick as well when the time comes. Guess I need to get the engine in the garage and start tearing it down!
How about some input on the 4l60e tranny?
How about some input on the 4l60e tranny?
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11-20-2013, 08:29 PM
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11-21-2013, 07:57 AM
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th400 will hold just about anything along with a th350 but they have to be built right, and as far as the 4L60 My buddy has a 4.8 in a s10 and with a very very small cam it shredded the trans within 3 days. 4L80 and he is running strong.
11-22-2013, 07:13 AM
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4L80 should be easy to find but hey if you just want something to pull hard as hell and tough, Id go th350 or 400. I run a th350 in my buick and my c10, and have put them in many other cars.
11-28-2013, 08:45 AM
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Well the engine makes it home tomorrow and I get to start stripping it down and selling off the fuel injection parts and old heads to start funding the build!
Hopefully I will get enough to pay for the heads from my buddy and get the block cleaned honed then I can start the fun stuff.
After doing some more reading I will likely go the TH400 route so it becomes an easier fit in my car and will likely be less expensive in the long run.... Unless I come across one heck of a deal on a 4l80!
Hopefully I will get enough to pay for the heads from my buddy and get the block cleaned honed then I can start the fun stuff.
After doing some more reading I will likely go the TH400 route so it becomes an easier fit in my car and will likely be less expensive in the long run.... Unless I come across one heck of a deal on a 4l80!
