jhoncho4x4

My young neighbor asked me to help him with his 1992 RS camaro. I have not messed with a first generation small block in so long I have forgotten more than I can remember. He has a 305 TBI which I assume is a roller lifter motor. It runs like a dog. I told him I would help him take it back to basics; four barrel, heads, thin gasket, HEI, a decent camshaft (204/214@50) or (214/224@50), headers, mild stall converter and lower gears. Shooting for 275hp and fun to drive. He is on a limited budget but does have free access to a good sized bone yard that is owned by his uncle; but I am not putting in a 350, those days are over. I was shopping around for a camshaft when I remembered that it is a factory roller motor. Can I use a regular flat tappet camshaft kit and do away with the rollers? We are going to hunt around the yard for some heads. What do you guy's think, LG4, L69? I might be able to find some Vortec's, but he already has an old style aluminum intake. If I remember right, didn't the 4.3 V6 have a higher stall? I got a set of left over third gen shorty headers that I am going to give him and the car already has a nice high flow exhaust system from Jeg's. Any input or remind me of what I forgot would be appreciated.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

You can use the flat tappet but you will need the matching length pushrods. I would use a LI1 vetter cam or something of that nature to keep it roller, more headache free.

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

You'll also need an "early" style (1986 and earlier) timing chain. The bolt holes on the chain that's in there will be wrong. Take the cam retainer off the front of the block when you do this swap. Or, dig up a roller cam and swap that in and reuse the lifters, etc (that's my preference), but it can be done.

jhoncho4x4

Thanks, I was wondering if you could reuse the lifters since they are rollers.

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

Grab an LT1 cam from someone and put that in there. It'll cost less than the hassle of swapping to antique technology and it'll really wake up that TBI.

jhoncho4x4

Just the stock LT1 cam? Know of a cheap place to get? What are the specs?

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

You can reuse the rollers on a roller cam (obviously not on a flat tappet cam). And, the pushrods will change when you go to a regular cam.

I know the stock TBI cam was 180/196 @ .050 and was in the mid to upper .300 range for lift (I had a TBI engine once). I put a 1988 TPI 350 roller cam in mine and it was a 208/214 .415/.431 lift (small, but "huge" compared to the stock one...heck, the intake is 28 degrees more duration). The LT1 cam is similar, but may be a touch larger (couple degrees, a bit of lift). Just remember to shorten the dowel that is in the LT1 cam, it's extra long to drive the water pump and you'll want to change it or shorten it to fit under the timing cover (match it to the stock one). It's a good swap.

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

The classifieds over at camaroZ28.com have a lot more LT1 guys than here, so you should see them for sale.

The specs are around 203/207, with .450/.460 lift. You should change the valve springs at the same time, but you dont have to. I would recommend the Manley 22409-16 springs and 23651-16 retainers.

Good point about the dowel pin, that has to be shortened.