TPIS ZZ9 Cam is this the right cam?
01-24-2008, 07:48 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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TPIS ZZ9 Cam is this the right cam? 
Below is a list of mods done to my 1994 Camaro B4C with 20K orginal miles. I am not an expert on LT1 Motors. Is this the right cam for the mods. This is a M6 car and driven only on weekends.I just bought car and this is how it was built. I can't drive it because there is salt down on the road.
Motor
TPIS ZZ9 cam shaft
TPIS upgraded springs, Ti retainers, and L98 spring seats
TPIS Comp Cams Pro Magnum roller rockers
TPIS Comp Cam hardened pushrods
Upgraded 1995 vented optispark system
Custom installed Accel ignition system with box and coil
Ed Wright / Fast chips tune
K&N Cold Air induction
1LE intake elbow
Powder coated LT1 intake
Powder coated LT1 52mm throttle body
Powder coated magnesium corvette valve covers (modified to clear roller rockers)
Throttle Body coolant bypass
Hand wrapped wire loom upgrade
March under drive pulley system
140amp B4C alternator
Power steering cooler ( perma-cool)
Engine oil cooler ( stock)
SLP 304 Stainless Steel Y pipe feeding into a 3" random tech high flow catalytic converter and a SLP factory 3" Super Sport 1 into 2 cat-back exhaust.
Driveline
Stock transmission
Hurst short throw shifter
Energy suspension transmission mount
Stock clutch
GM aluminum driveshaft
4:10 rear gears with synthetic fluid
T/A rear end girdle
Suspension
Front
-35mm hollow front sway bar (powder coated grey)
- Front sway bar energy suspension polyurethane bushings
-Bilstein front struts
-Eibach progressive lowing springs
-Kenny Bell Double Diamond sub frame connectors
Rear
-25mm solid rear sway bar (same grey powder coat)
- Rear sway bar energy suspension polyurethane bushings
-Front A-arm energy suspension polyurethane bushings
-Bilstein rear shocks
-Eibach progressive lowing springs
-Random technology adjustable cross member mounted torque arm (red)
-Hotchkiss pan hard bar (black)
-Hotchkiss boxed lower control arms with polyurethane bushings
Brakes (installed 7/07)
-C6 Z06 6 piston front calipers
-C6 Z06 4 piston rear calipers
-C6 Z06 front rotors
-Slotted/vented aftermarket rear rotors
-front rotors pictured will be replaced with stock C6 Z06 rotors and are NOT included in this auction.
-Russell Stainless Steel Braided front/rear brake lines
-Motel Dot 4 brake fluid
-SLP line lock system plumed but not electrically hooked up or used
-C5 corvette master cylinder
-Parking brake delete
Wheels (new 7-07)
-SSR competition HT2 front 5 spoke wheels with caps 18’X 9.5” 17'5 lbs ea.
-BF Goodrich G force KD front tire 265X35X18 (new 1/08 zero miles)
-SSR competition HT2 rear 5 spoke wheels with caps 18”X10.5” 19.5 lbs ea.
-BF Goodrich G force KD front tire 295X35X18 (new 8/07 < 300 miles)
-ARP wheel studs at all four corners
The car has run a best of 13.08 at 108MPH without sicks ir drag radials.
Last edited by superchargemyride; 01-24-2008 at 09:38 PM.
01-24-2008, 08:07 PM
#3
TPIS is better at taking your money than making your car fast. I strongly recommend you buy exactly nothing from them.
Is emissions testing a concern?
I would much sooner recommend a crane 227 cam or Lingenfelter 211/219 both will pass emissions if needed, both well proven mild cams that work.
Is emissions testing a concern?
I would much sooner recommend a crane 227 cam or Lingenfelter 211/219 both will pass emissions if needed, both well proven mild cams that work.
01-24-2008, 08:14 PM
#4
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if i knew what i know now about camshafts i would have gone with another or a custom. I just mentioned the zz-409 because i got okay results from it and it was made to work better with a 6sp not an auto again something i did not know back then.
01-24-2008, 08:23 PM
#5
TPIS is better at taking your money than making your car fast. I strongly recommend you buy exactly nothing from them.
Is emissions testing a concern?
I would much sooner recommend a crane 227 cam or Lingenfelter 211/219 both will pass emissions if needed, both well proven mild cams that work.
Is emissions testing a concern?
I would much sooner recommend a crane 227 cam or Lingenfelter 211/219 both will pass emissions if needed, both well proven mild cams that work.
01-24-2008, 08:53 PM
#6
Staging Lane
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The car already had the ZZ9 cam in it when I bought it. Below are the specs on the cam:
Intake Exhaust
212 226
Lobe seperation
112
Gross valve lift
Intake Exhaust
484 520
So what is wrong with this cam? Does anyone know where it is suppose to make its power? Emmisons are a concern.
Thanks in advance, Greg
Intake Exhaust
212 226
Lobe seperation
112
Gross valve lift
Intake Exhaust
484 520
So what is wrong with this cam? Does anyone know where it is suppose to make its power? Emmisons are a concern.
Thanks in advance, Greg
Last edited by superchargemyride; 01-24-2008 at 09:06 PM.
01-24-2008, 09:04 PM
#7
TPIS has expensive parts that don't work.
A friend had that cam and a set of TPIS ported AFR heads on his Camaro and it was only as fast as my cam only Caprice, since he has continued to trust someone over there and I have bought good parts. He has a stroker Camaro that has run a best of 12.8, my heads and cam car has run that in 105 degree heat and much better in good weather.
I could not tell you specifically what is wrong with that cam all I can say is that TPIS is bad news.
I just noticed the 13.0 at 108mph, lot of ET left in making the car and driver launch better. I would leave the engine alone and work on other stuff.
A friend had that cam and a set of TPIS ported AFR heads on his Camaro and it was only as fast as my cam only Caprice, since he has continued to trust someone over there and I have bought good parts. He has a stroker Camaro that has run a best of 12.8, my heads and cam car has run that in 105 degree heat and much better in good weather.
I could not tell you specifically what is wrong with that cam all I can say is that TPIS is bad news.
I just noticed the 13.0 at 108mph, lot of ET left in making the car and driver launch better. I would leave the engine alone and work on other stuff.
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01-24-2008, 09:21 PM
#8
Staging Lane
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Below are the specs on the Crane 227 cam. They lool very close to the TPIS ZZ9 cam that is in the car.
I will take your word that TPIS is overpriced and has some not so good products but the ZZ9 cam and the Crane 227 can look about the same. Unless I am missing something.
Part Number: 104227 Grind Number: POWERMAX 2033 (FORMERLY COM
Engine Identification:
Start Yr. End Yr. Make Cyl Description
1994 Up CHEVROLET 8 FOR 94 AND LATER ALUMINUM HEAD EQUIPPED LT1 CAMAROS, FIREBIRDS AND CORVETTES. WORKS IN STOCK AND MILD MODIFIED ENGINES. BOOSTS MID AND TOP END WITHOUT LOW END LOSS. USE 10758-16 1.6 RATIO ROCKER ARMS FOR MORE POWER. NOT FOR USE W/STOCK SPRINGS. FOR MASS AIR F.I. ONLY. BASIC RPM 2000-6000
Engine Size Configuration
305 C.I. V
Valve Setting: Intake .000 Exhaust .000 HOT
Lift: Intake @Cam 319 @Valve 479 All Lifts are based
on zero lash and theoretical rocker arm ratios.
Exhaust @ Cam 345 @Valve 518
Rocker Arm Ratio 1.50
Cam Timing: TAPPET @.004
Lift: Opens Closes ADV Duration
Intake 25.0 BTDC 67.0 ABDC 272.0 °
Exhaust 76.0 BBDC 30.0 ATDC 286.0 °
Spring Requirements: Triple Dual Outer Inner
Part Number 99893
Loads Closed 130 LBS @ 1.850 or 1 27/32
Open 314 LBS @ 1.360
Recommended RPM range with matching components
Minimum RPM 1500
Maximum RPM 5700
Valve Float 6300
Cam Timing: TAPPET @.050
Lift: Opens Closes Max Lift Duration
Intake (2.0) ATDC 32.0 ABDC 107 210.0 °
Exhaust 49.0 BBDC (5.0) BTDC 117 224.0 °
I will take your word that TPIS is overpriced and has some not so good products but the ZZ9 cam and the Crane 227 can look about the same. Unless I am missing something.
Part Number: 104227 Grind Number: POWERMAX 2033 (FORMERLY COM
Engine Identification:
Start Yr. End Yr. Make Cyl Description
1994 Up CHEVROLET 8 FOR 94 AND LATER ALUMINUM HEAD EQUIPPED LT1 CAMAROS, FIREBIRDS AND CORVETTES. WORKS IN STOCK AND MILD MODIFIED ENGINES. BOOSTS MID AND TOP END WITHOUT LOW END LOSS. USE 10758-16 1.6 RATIO ROCKER ARMS FOR MORE POWER. NOT FOR USE W/STOCK SPRINGS. FOR MASS AIR F.I. ONLY. BASIC RPM 2000-6000
Engine Size Configuration
305 C.I. V
Valve Setting: Intake .000 Exhaust .000 HOT
Lift: Intake @Cam 319 @Valve 479 All Lifts are based
on zero lash and theoretical rocker arm ratios.
Exhaust @ Cam 345 @Valve 518
Rocker Arm Ratio 1.50
Cam Timing: TAPPET @.004
Lift: Opens Closes ADV Duration
Intake 25.0 BTDC 67.0 ABDC 272.0 °
Exhaust 76.0 BBDC 30.0 ATDC 286.0 °
Spring Requirements: Triple Dual Outer Inner
Part Number 99893
Loads Closed 130 LBS @ 1.850 or 1 27/32
Open 314 LBS @ 1.360
Recommended RPM range with matching components
Minimum RPM 1500
Maximum RPM 5700
Valve Float 6300
Cam Timing: TAPPET @.050
Lift: Opens Closes Max Lift Duration
Intake (2.0) ATDC 32.0 ABDC 107 210.0 °
Exhaust 49.0 BBDC (5.0) BTDC 117 224.0 °
TPIS is better at taking your money than making your car fast. I strongly recommend you buy exactly nothing from them.
Is emissions testing a concern?
I would much sooner recommend a crane 227 cam or Lingenfelter 211/219 both will pass emissions if needed, both well proven mild cams that work.
Is emissions testing a concern?
I would much sooner recommend a crane 227 cam or Lingenfelter 211/219 both will pass emissions if needed, both well proven mild cams that work.
01-24-2008, 09:24 PM
#9
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Stroked and only a 12.8. That is not good.
TPIS has expensive parts that don't work.
A friend had that cam and a set of TPIS ported AFR heads on his Camaro and it was only as fast as my cam only Caprice, since he has continued to trust someone over there and I have bought good parts. He has a stroker Camaro that has run a best of 12.8, my heads and cam car has run that in 105 degree heat and much better in good weather.
I could not tell you specifically what is wrong with that cam all I can say is that TPIS is bad news.
I just noticed the 13.0 at 108mph, lot of ET left in making the car and driver launch better. I would leave the engine alone and work on other stuff.
A friend had that cam and a set of TPIS ported AFR heads on his Camaro and it was only as fast as my cam only Caprice, since he has continued to trust someone over there and I have bought good parts. He has a stroker Camaro that has run a best of 12.8, my heads and cam car has run that in 105 degree heat and much better in good weather.
I could not tell you specifically what is wrong with that cam all I can say is that TPIS is bad news.
I just noticed the 13.0 at 108mph, lot of ET left in making the car and driver launch better. I would leave the engine alone and work on other stuff.
01-25-2008, 12:42 PM
#12
The zz9 was designed in 1990 so that is what you get.It was more designed for a TPI engine and they carried it over to the Lt1.
Will this cam work for you? YES
Will it maximize your combo? NO
since it is already in there try to get all you can out of it,afterall the stock cam can go 11.80s on a properly modded/tuned car(Mr.Herron)proved that!
Hopefully you have a good fuel pump,good injectors and regulator to take full advantage of your tune/combo..
The main thing is TPIS is so over priced but hey its a successful bizzness.
I had this same cam in a 92 z28 stock bottom end with vette heads 2.00 1.56,all bolt ons available and the superram i ran 12.8 on radials 1.8 60' then switched to the LPE 219 and went 12.7 w/1.73 60'...Did that mean the zz9 was not good? No,not at all it just means the 219 was better for my combo.
TPIS also claims with the zz9 cam head package with hedders it make should make 405hp
Will this cam work for you? YES
Will it maximize your combo? NO
since it is already in there try to get all you can out of it,afterall the stock cam can go 11.80s on a properly modded/tuned car(Mr.Herron)proved that!
Hopefully you have a good fuel pump,good injectors and regulator to take full advantage of your tune/combo..
The main thing is TPIS is so over priced but hey its a successful bizzness.
I had this same cam in a 92 z28 stock bottom end with vette heads 2.00 1.56,all bolt ons available and the superram i ran 12.8 on radials 1.8 60' then switched to the LPE 219 and went 12.7 w/1.73 60'...Did that mean the zz9 was not good? No,not at all it just means the 219 was better for my combo.
TPIS also claims with the zz9 cam head package with hedders it make should make 405hp
01-25-2008, 06:11 PM
#14
You want a cammy lope at idle duration is not necessarily the ticket. All the off the shelf stuff is put on wide lobe speration so as to tame it for all those guys who pick too much duration. Get the cam speced RIGHT and a fairly low duration cam can sound good and make power without reving real high.
08-05-2009, 03:42 PM
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can I get 350-375 hp with a 350 TPI and 13.0 in 1/4 mile I will completely rework engine - L98 heads, forged pistons, march pulleys, eddlebrock headers, TPIS Fastpack.
Questions -
Looking to change the cam to competion cam - can anyone tell me how Competition cams compare to the ZZ9?
Intake - I'm told that TPI intake the severely limits HP. So I'm looking to change the runners, throttle bottle, and port plenum/base plate. Should I go with the TPIS Runners and Throttle Body (52 MM)? How about Eddlebrock? SLP?
Rear Gear - Currently I have either a 2.73 or 3.08 with a rebuilt corvette 700 R4. With all the torque that the TPI makes, should I stay away from a 3.56 or 3.73, thus improving the mileage and reducing chances of excessive wheel spin. The car will only be driven at most a few times a month during summer - mostly to car shows.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Questions -
Looking to change the cam to competion cam - can anyone tell me how Competition cams compare to the ZZ9?
Intake - I'm told that TPI intake the severely limits HP. So I'm looking to change the runners, throttle bottle, and port plenum/base plate. Should I go with the TPIS Runners and Throttle Body (52 MM)? How about Eddlebrock? SLP?
Rear Gear - Currently I have either a 2.73 or 3.08 with a rebuilt corvette 700 R4. With all the torque that the TPI makes, should I stay away from a 3.56 or 3.73, thus improving the mileage and reducing chances of excessive wheel spin. The car will only be driven at most a few times a month during summer - mostly to car shows.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
