87-98 SBC Cam in the LT1
03-14-2009, 12:01 AM
#1
87-98 SBC Cam in the LT1 The cam I got was for a Gen I SBC, I had the dowel changed to the vented opti specs. It is for a hyd roller cam, any other potential issues? From what I have read so long as the dowel is corrected they are interchangeable. I have seen third gen guys use LT1 cams before also, so I don't believe there is a problem, just want to make sure. We compared cams, they both have the same step syle noses, only difference was the pilot hole. This set will be with a 95 Vented opti conversion, SBC Double roller and reusing the factory LT1 cam retainer plate.
03-14-2009, 12:04 AM
#2
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True about the 3rd gens using the LT1's, had a buddy do the swap into his '91 TPI. What is the pilot hole you are talking about? Very interesting thread, subscribing.
03-14-2009, 12:16 AM
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im running a lt1 cam in my 89 gmc truck that was origianlly a flat tappet cam. but the block was machined for roller stuff. i dont see why it couldnt go the other way around. just change the dowels.
03-14-2009, 07:05 AM
#6
The ZZ4 cam used to be a popular upgrade in LT1s. Had to watch the pin and have the hole in the nose drilled out to I believe .500" by 1.00" deep to make room for the opti. Don't trust my numbers though, see if you can find a second reference or a stock cam meant for a vented opti and have a machine shop copy it.
I bought my ZZ4 cam already drilled but was told most shops only charge $20.
I bought my ZZ4 cam already drilled but was told most shops only charge $20.
03-14-2009, 08:16 AM
#7
If the cam does not have the on-center hole in the snout of the crank at the right dimensions, it will not work for 95+ vented optis. You *CAN* still use it on '92-'94 LT1 applications with a non-vented Opti, as those Optis use a simple splined driveshaft and those are not centered on the cam itself, but the cam gear via the previously mentioned splined shaft.
But, since you mentioned a '95+ opti conversion and SBC double roller timing set, you can't use that cam for your application. You need to use the stock timing set, the spline shaft and a unvented opti (or a MSD upgrade for the non-vented, but that still uses the splined shaft).
No-one ever made a simple spline-shaft insert for SBC roller timing sets to use the spline shaft? I looked into it years ago, almost made a few (easy to do with old timing sets laying around), but alas never really found the motivation. Most people just sucked it up and did the full 95+ conversion.
But, since you mentioned a '95+ opti conversion and SBC double roller timing set, you can't use that cam for your application. You need to use the stock timing set, the spline shaft and a unvented opti (or a MSD upgrade for the non-vented, but that still uses the splined shaft).
No-one ever made a simple spline-shaft insert for SBC roller timing sets to use the spline shaft? I looked into it years ago, almost made a few (easy to do with old timing sets laying around), but alas never really found the motivation. Most people just sucked it up and did the full 95+ conversion.
