Since Im taking the vortec 350 out of the 79 and putting it into the 78, Im loosing overdrive. This means I don't need as much torque at 2000rpm for 80mph crusing like before, so I would like to step up the cam a bit. The motor is a stock 350 from a 99 pickup. The stock cam is 196/206 @.050 and .431/.451" lift. I know the 350HO uses a 212/222 and .435/.460 cam. Thats more duration but not much more lift. The ZZ4 has 208/221 and .474/.510 lift. Are there any others Im missing? I want to step up just a tad from what I have now, Im thinking the ZZ4 cam would be the best. Opinions? Im thinking a factory cam because they should be the cheapest to find on ebay...

If your Vortec is stock, you won't be able to run the ZZ4 cam without cutting the valve guides. They won't handle that lift, which will be limited to about .470, .480. Your other options include the LT1 cams, and also the LT4 cam (not the LT4 HOTcam)

The 95 LT1 F body cam specs out at

I-(@.050) 201*dur. .447 lift w/1.5
E-(@.050) 208*dur. .459 lift w/1.5

I-(@.050) 203*dur. .477 lift w/1.6
E-(@.050) 210*dur. .480 lift w1.6

Best part is you can find them for 20-40 bucks.


LT4 (96 vette)

I-203* .476 w/1.5
E-210* .480 w/1.5

Since Im taking the vortec 350 out of the 79 and putting it into the 78, Im loosing overdrive. This means I don't need as much torque at 2000rpm for 80mph crusing like before, so I would like to step up the cam a bit. The motor is a stock 350 from a 99 pickup. The stock cam is 196/206 @.050 and .431/.451" lift. I know the 350HO uses a 212/222 and .435/.460 cam. Thats more duration but not much more lift. The ZZ4 has 208/221 and .474/.510 lift. Are there any others Im missing? I want to step up just a tad from what I have now, Im thinking the ZZ4 cam would be the best. Opinions? Im thinking a factory cam because they should be the cheapest to find on ebay...
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You will need to cut the guides down with the ZZ4.
Retainer to seal clearance gets real "iffy" at about .460, some clear, some don't.

Easier to just post the chart. :)

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/ZZ69chevelle/lt1camspecs.GIF

Good stuff, thanks guys. Cutting the heads is no problem, as I have the tools from cutting the vortecs on my 388, and I also happen to have a set of .480" isky springs laying around :D