HOW MUCH IS A CAM INSTALLED?

[1981Camaroz28Bayarea]

HOW MUCH IS A CAM INSTALLED?

1981 z28i v8 350. Price installed in bay area California? Would it enhance the sound of the car quite a bit? Thibking of going straight pipe also? Thoughts on cam and exhaust?

 

[tom3]

You sure that's a 350? But it would be an automatic transmission? And if so you'll need a loose torque converter to enjoy a lumpy idle. And that low compression motor won't like a long duration lumpy camshaft either. Your best bet would be something like the Edelbrock Performer Plus cam but it won't sound much different and probably not worth the money for the deal. Prices would be all over the place out there, looking at minimum $100 and hour and a couple hours work. Can you hide from the emissions police?

 

[1981Camaroz28Bayarea]

I have the stock motor in now. And your saying a cam in stock wont sound good? Appreciate the feedback. What about strait pipes?

 

[cadillac_al]

If you're just going for sound I would just try some mufflers (glass packs) and call it good. Lower the idle and lean it out and it will have a rumpity rump to it.

 

[2ndGenCrazy]

Are you required to pass a California Emissions test each year?

 

[RickM]

Looks like you have a computer controlled carb and distributor. Hopefully your ECM is working correctly. Even if the ECM is working as designed it will not like a big lumpy cam. Even a mild cam will make it difficult to tune that carb.

 

[sandlapper]

HOW MUCH IS A CAM INSTALLED?

1981 z28i v8 350. Price installed in bay area California? Would it enhance the sound of the car quite a bit? Thibking of going straight pipe also? Thoughts on cam and exhaust?

Look Before You Leap !

model year 1981 --- Bay Area Kalifornia ---
Have you had Your '81 Z smogged lately ? --- or, will you Ever have it smogged ?

Those driver-side valve cover Circle Track breathers may or may not pass muster --- and same goes for the cam and/or exhaust alterations you ponder. No expert here, but have general understanding most all Kali-registered street cars manufactured since about 1975 are Required by Kali law to be smogged on a scheduled, biennial basis --- about every two years?

My understanding is also that --- if car cannot/does not pass smog inspection & test--- its Kali DMV registration will Not be renewed. Perhaps, somehow, yours is exempt from those laws, dunno? YMMV

https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/smog-check-brochure.pdf

 

[1981Camaroz28Bayarea]

Look Before You Leap !

model year 1981 --- Bay Area Kalifornia ---
Have you had Your '81 Z smogged lately ? --- or, will you Ever have it smogged ?

Those driver-side valve cover Circle Track breathers may or may not pass muster --- and same goes for the cam and/or exhaust alterations you ponder. No expert here, but have general understanding most all Kali-registered street cars manufactured since about 1975 are Required by Kali law to be smogged on a scheduled, biennial basis --- about every two years?

My understanding is also that --- if car cannot/does not pass smog inspection & test--- its Kali DMV registration will Not be renewed. Perhaps, somehow, yours is exempt from those laws, dunno? YMMV

https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/smog-check-brochure.pdf

Not worried about smog. Thank u tho

 

[G72Zed]

I have the stock motor in now. And your saying a cam in stock wont sound good? Appreciate the feedback. What about strait pipes?

Tom3 is correct. If it's the "Sound' you want, work on the exhaust and mufflers.

Engine "Sound" by way of more aggressive cam, that affects many things, like required CR to name just one, not enough CR to support/compliment the cam timing = getting beat by grandma in her old Venza, not fun.

 

[BonzoHansen]

Straight pipes lol. Sounds like crap, adds virtually no extra power over a real exhaust, and gets you tickets. And I keep reading about how CA has really clamped down on exhaust noise. Not that long ago there was a story about a bone stock car running afoul with the noise police in CA.

And yeah, that's an ecm controlled engine. So a cam and tuning is more complicated. if you do exhaust other than catback you have an O2 sensor to deal with too.