Lt1 cam

[95z28lt]

Im doing a rebuild on a 95 z28. What do you guys think the biggest lift cam I can put in with stock valve springs??? Just looking to see what you guys think thank a lot have a good day

[KW Baraka]

I wouldn't go over about .500" with the stock springs......

But that's just me.

KW

[shoebox]

I would not use any cam any bigger than stock with stock springs. IOW, if you upgrade the cam, springs should be upgraded, too. Stock springs are going to be old and tired. They won't be wiling to take on more stress.

[ShowNoMercy]

Another vote for stock cam at most.

If the heads are off, its entirely silly to NOT replace the valve springs. I would spend the money on springs before a cam if I had to pick between one or the other.

[KW Baraka]

I was under the impression that he was gonna go with new, stock springs......not using the same 17 or 18 year-old springs already on the car.

But hell.....I could be wrong.

KW

[bufmatmuslepants]

Springs are cheap, you can pick up a decent set of Howards and Alex's springs for $100, for $240 you can get a really really nice set of Lunati dual springs. On the cheap side, LT4 springs are $35 from Jegs and Summit, but anything more than the hotcam will be too much for them.

[Dynamic396]

Originally Posted by ShowNoMercy

Another vote for stock cam at most.

If the heads are off, its entirely silly to NOT replace the valve springs. I would spend the money on springs before a cam if I had to pick between one or the other.

I agree with what's been said here.

Functionally, like KW said, at most .500" lift... Practically, I wouldn't even use a stock cam with stock valve springs. If I were forced to replace either the cam or the springs, but only one and not the other, I would replace the springs without hesitation.

The stock springs were barely adequate for a stock cam when they left the factory - decades ago. Nowadays, they're tired and worn out.

[steveo]

if you'd ever revved one of these motors in stock trim with the valve cover off, you'd never even think about rebuilding a motor with stock springs

the springs are so close to binding with a stock cam its rediculous

and its not necessarily the spring that'll break if it hits the limit.. if the spring doesnt give.. they have soft pushrods and wimpy little stamped rockers.. something will give

if you're really intent on using the stock springs for a while on a bigger cam 'cause you're broke or whatever, i'd say run it right near zero valve lash and live with the noise, it might buy you a little safety margin

[shoebox]

Originally Posted by KW Baraka

I was under the impression that he was gonna go with new, stock springs......not using the same 17 or 18 year-old springs already on the car.

But hell.....I could be wrong.

KW

That might be true and I thought of that, but it would be a step in the wrong direction to use any (even new) stock spring with an upgraded cam. I mean, if you are going to change them, change them to something appropriate.

[95z28lt]

I was going to get new stocks springs from a buddy that's y I was wondering what do u guys think is a better choice buying a bigger cam and springs or buying the hot cam kit??

[ShowNoMercy]

Depends on what you plan on doing with the car. If its not modded much, and you don't plan on racing it just want some added oomph and a little snarl, the hotcam kit is a decent upgrade.

Otherwise, get a good set of springs, and cam, IF you have the supporting mods and desire to have it tuned well via dyno tune.