LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

biggest cam without machining heads

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Old 09-09-2007, 09:05 PM
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Default biggest cam without machining heads

Well my 94 lt1 took a dump on me and am in the process of getting things together to freshen it up and cam it. so what do you say is the biggest lift i can get away with without having to machine the heads? if its less than .500 then what is the biggest cam that wouldnt choke on my stock heads. only have a home pocket port job on them.any advice would be very helpful.
Old 09-09-2007, 10:56 PM
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Im running a 230/244 .544/.576 on a 112 in my car with no problems. I know people run bigger cams than that. It's not always about lift either, you have to consider duration. You can have a cam with alot of duration and not so much lift or vice versa and be alright. It all depends on what you want.
Old 09-09-2007, 11:10 PM
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^^That's a pretty decent sized Cam.
The good thing with a LT1 is that the Pistons are Fly-cut already, so you are kinda safe, but too much Lift combined with too much Duration will require some damn good Springs.
Old 09-10-2007, 11:05 AM
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About the highest lift you can go on a stock motor is .600. The GM847 has .595 exhaust lift (1.6 rocker) and it's HIGHLY recommended you check PTV clearance with this cam.
Old 09-10-2007, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Fastbird93
About the highest lift you can go on a stock motor is .600. The GM847 has .595 exhaust lift (1.6 rocker) and it's HIGHLY recommended you check PTV clearance with this cam.
Lift has nothing to do with PTV clearance...
Old 09-10-2007, 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by speed_demon24
Lift has nothing to do with PTV clearance...
Oh I beg to differ. You're saying lift has nothing to do with PTV (Piston to Valve) clearance? Gee.......let's think about that one. It's not the only factor, but let's get real. Lift definitely has tie-in's with PTV clearance.
Old 09-10-2007, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Fastbird93
Oh I beg to differ. You're saying lift has nothing to do with PTV (Piston to Valve) clearance? Gee.......let's think about that one. It's not the only factor, but let's get real. Lift definitely has tie-in's with PTV clearance.
You could have a cam with .200 lift that hits the piston and a cam with 1" of lift that clears the piston fine, so no lift has nothing to do with it. The duration has the biggest impact on PTV clearance.
Old 09-10-2007, 01:04 PM
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^^True..
Both of you are right, but Duration plays the larger role in it.
Old 09-10-2007, 08:21 PM
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off subject but merv, thats a pretty pimp **** sig...
Old 09-10-2007, 09:20 PM
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236 242 601 610 112 lsa stock heads but im an ls1...
Old 09-11-2007, 08:24 AM
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The LT1 has enough PTV that a 600 list cam should be fine. But you always want to check as PTV is closest normally just after TDC. I've installed a few 847, one using 1.6 rockers and the thinner Impala head gaskets and was still very close to 100 on the clearance. But those heads were cut for double springs that were for 650 lift.

Only spring I know of that will hadle 600 lift in the stock heads are the beehive. But I personally don't like going that close to the limits of the springs and coil bind, specially with a single spring. If it fails you run a real chance to take out the engine. For the installs I've done running the 306 or 847 with the beehives I used 1.5 rockers just for that little extra saftey.

If the heads are off the engine I would just spend the few extra dollars, have the seats cut and go with a nice double spring.

JB
Old 09-11-2007, 01:46 PM
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Why does everybody on here want to think large all of the time? If you want to run a nice cam that won't be starving with stock heads, look at something like the CC503. There are guys running very respectable times with this cam. It's all in the combo...no point running a huge cam without the head flow to support it to it's potential.

EDIT: There are always benefits to looking into a custom grind as well. You'll need some low-end to lug that Chevelle around.
Old 09-11-2007, 08:11 PM
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Custom Cut Cam!!!!!!
Old 09-11-2007, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Rowdy94
Why does everybody on here want to think large all of the time? If you want to run a nice cam that won't be starving with stock heads, look at something like the CC503. There are guys running very respectable times with this cam. It's all in the combo...no point running a huge cam without the head flow to support it to it's potential.

EDIT: There are always benefits to looking into a custom grind as well. You'll need some low-end to lug that Chevelle around.

WHY DO PEOPLE SUGGEST THE SAME CAMS?????????????//


CC cams,Hot cam,847

Lol
Old 09-11-2007, 08:38 PM
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Because its proven technology. When i get some head work done i know im going custom!! There is so much more potential out there compared to the off the shelf grinds that people have been using for years.
Old 09-11-2007, 09:40 PM
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so can unported heads flow enough to support the 847?
Old 09-11-2007, 10:11 PM
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yeah i am really trying to steer away from any machine work on the heads..mainly just want a proven , beefy cam that works well with unported heads. if i went custom...i would be totally lost... has there been problems with the beehive springs? i was actually leaning towards getting them ...
Old 09-11-2007, 10:17 PM
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why is it the guys with the LS1 run the MS4 with .600+ lift with 918s or whatever springs. they even use double springs on non cut heads for them.
Old 09-11-2007, 10:27 PM
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dont they have taller valves or something...i think the ls1 valvetrain geometry is different than lt1s
Old 09-11-2007, 10:34 PM
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i know they have lower compression by a little so PTV clearance would be a little better than us, but double springs on their stock head, we could do the same.


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