What to do?

[sandlapper]

New or Used, USA or China; at minimum have the VJ and surfaces checked by a pro.

I don't understand that Odessa cyl heads ad for New 906 Vortec ... with a claimed a 185cc intake port volume? What am I missing or what have I forgotten?

 

[G72Zed]

@G72Zed
You recommend getting a new set of AFR heads surfaced and a valve job?
As far as springs go, I was hoping to get by with the PAC springs that are already installed for rollers up to.600 lift.

Yes I am, they are an economy castings, everything should be checked over by a pro at the minimum, decks, VJ, guides and a block/intake test fit as well. Lot less expensive doing now than after.

Having the right springs for the cam is critical, if the springs fir the cam lobes & manufacturers recommendation, then that's great, just know that having "600 lift springs for 500 lift cams" is not the best thing, too much bind clearance is actually a negative in many cases.

 

[Ratty_81]

@G72Zed @sandlapper
Thank you very much for your expertise. I’ll factor that into my cost estimate.
I learning a whole lot and starting to understand why folks buy bare castings and build up from there.

 

[Ratty_81]

I found a cheap used ZZ3/4 cam. What do you guys think about it. Is it worthwhile to upgrade to this with my current L98 heads or should I hold out for something a little hotter that will compliment better heads?

 

[sandlapper]

JMO, ZZ3/4 cam rather lame. Even if cheap & used, it'll still be lame YMMV
Instead, find a cheap used GM LT4 Hot Cam pn 24502586
https://paceperformance.com/i-62556...oller-camshaft-lt4-hot-cam-camshaft-only.html

OR

or a new billet steel summit SUM-8802 or SUM-8803 ... price just increased but still under $270 new
https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/camshafts/product-line/summit-racing-pro-sbc-camshafts

to be clear ALL above are hydraulic ROLLER cams and Require Roller LIFTERS ... quite unlike your present lunati hft cam.
Also, ALL above have a different (smaller) cam sprocket bolt-circle; again ... quite unlike your lunati.

 

[Ratty_81]

JMO, ZZ3/4 cam rather lame. Even if cheap & used, it'll still be lame YMMV
Instead, find a cheap used GM LT4 Hot Cam pn 24502586
https://paceperformance.com/i-62556...oller-camshaft-lt4-hot-cam-camshaft-only.html

OR

or a new billet steel summit SUM-8802 or SUM-8803 ... price just increased but still under $270 new
https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/camshafts/product-line/summit-racing-pro-sbc-camshafts

to be clear ALL above are hydraulic ROLLER cams and Require Roller LIFTERS ... quite unlike your present lunati hft cam.
Also, ALL above have a different (smaller) cam sprocket bolt-circle; again ... quite unlike your lunati.

Yeah, zz4 cam is sold anyway. Fully aware that they’re rollers. I want to upgrade.
I was seriously considering the summit 8803 already, but I think I’m gonna buy heads from Eric Weingartner and get a cam recommendation from him. He’s a comp cams dealer so we’ll see what he says.

 

[sandlapper]

billet steel rollers under $300 tough to find ... most rollers in the $275-$325 range, including comp, are cast iron.

 

[Ratty_81]

Weingartner only specs billet cores.
That probably equals $$$$ from Comp