I'm looking to upgrade my camaro with a new cam. (1983 5.0L 305 c.i.d.) Can anyone give me an idea on the best cam (most mid-range torque and upper end HP possible with stock converter) for this great little motor? any manufacturer or style

thanks!

 

you will need to get a higher stall no matter what cam you want to go with.First what are your goals ? Do you have emmissions testing you need to pass ? What work has been done to your car ?

 

Yes i have emissons the car has to pass, ive seen some cams on compcam's website that say that its "the largest cam for use with a stock converter" but i have no experience with this.

the car has:
edelbrock 550 cfm carb
edelbrock intake (not sure of the model, i will find out if it matters)
headers [shortpipes ]
electric fan (rumored to save about 10 hp)

im looking to add and electric fuel pump and water pump over the stock mechanical driven ones, but thats after the cam comes in.

 

Depeending on what cam you want to go with...is this going to be your daily driver ? I would reccomend upgrading to a higher stall with a larger cam.You will also need lifters,valve springs,rocker arms,push rods,timing chain.

 

WHY do you want to do that? A mechanical fuel pump will work just fine, and the engine won't benefit at all by going electric. Something to think about for the water pump too. Generally, if a belt driven water pump goes bad, it'll begin to leak but you still stand a good chance of limping home. If an electric pump quits on you, you're stuck on the side of the road. And again, you're not going to notice a gain/loss of engine power (if that's your goal) between the drag of a mechanical pump versus the extra power draw that will be put on the alternator for the electric one. I don't believe in using an electric water pump for the street, unless you have to use one for engine swap/clearance issues.
Also, do any of the cams you're looking at state whether it's CARB compliant or not? That will help you to know whether it would pass emissions.

 

it was driven daily, but now its not. thats why i decided to wrench on it. Anyway i'd say at most 2-3 times a week durring the summer months, and then its only a 20-30 mile round trip. I plan on getting a kit with the cam i get if its available. (ill have my mechanic do all the work, but i cant reach him for another month or so).

and the electric pumps were just optional, obvisouly i hadn't thought of all the drawbacks. (thanks!)

i love ur sig too cam 69