Thread: VS Cam Build.

Originally Posted by GTPpower

No, you will probably want an input shaft and 7/8" chain as well.

Thanks for the reply

So is the sonnax upgrade a yes or no are there stages or just one?

So harden 4th, 4340 IS, 7/8th chain and shift kit good enough?

Also is this hard to install?

Originally Posted by GTPpower

No. Stock rockers are not a fixed ratio. The higher the lift, the higher the ratio.

pls back up....

not pickin on ya, just wanna learn

Originally Posted by GTP89

Thanks for the reply

So is the sonnax upgrade a yes or no are there stages or just one?

So harden 4th, 4340 IS, 7/8th chain and shift kit good enough?

Also is this hard to install?

Talk to Dave. He can get you everything you need. I would buy the valve body from him, as well as his 3rd gear upgrade. Hardened 4th would be good as well.

Originally Posted by Seachicken

pls back up....

not pickin on ya, just wanna learn

What is the stock rocker ratio on a 3800? | ZZP News

When measuring the above rocker using the shiny part as a contact point the rocker ratio varies from 1.53 to 1.81. Pretty crazy huh?

does that not happen on all pushrod engines........(contact patch on rocker)

edit: a 1.6 rocker with 257 lobe lift, is still a 1.6 rocker at 300 lobe lift

Originally Posted by GTPpower

Talk to Dave. He can get you everything you need. I would buy the valve body from him, as well as his 3rd gear upgrade. Hardened 4th would be good as well.

I did before this and he suggests a whole new kit plus upgrades which the kit alone is like 800 plus performance parts which seems a little too much for me personally.

Also as far as the cam goes LS retainers and 60 injectors good and all that is needed to be safe?
Also should I leave my heads alone or try and do some slight port work on the exhaust side since that is where you have the most gain.

Originally Posted by Seachicken

does that not happen on all pushrod engines........(contact patch on rocker)

edit: a 1.6 rocker with 257 lobe lift, is still a 1.6 rocker at 300 lobe lift

No, roller rockers are a fixed ratio. Stock rockers are not a fixed ratio. The higher the lift, the higher the ratio. (to a certain extent, obviously.)

Originally Posted by GTP89

I did before this and he suggests a whole new kit plus upgrades which the kit alone is like 800 plus performance parts which seems a little too much for me personally.

Also as far as the cam goes LS retainers and 60 injectors good and all that is needed to be safe?
Also should I leave my heads alone or try and do some slight port work on the exhaust side since that is where you have the most gain.

LS retainers and 60lb injectors should be all you need.

You won't get anywhere close to 350whp on stock heads with a VS cam. If you want those numbers, ported heads are a must.

Originally Posted by GTPpower

No, roller rockers are a fixed ratio. Stock rockers are not a fixed ratio. The higher the lift, the higher the ratio. (to a certain extent, obviously.)

read #40

now tell me how they are not on a fixed ratio, the wear patch does not mean the ratio varies

Look at a stock rocker. The higher the cam lift, the longer the distance from pedestal to the tip is.

Ok guys will be taking out the cam today. In you're opinion should I take the heads to get the valves redone the engine was working 100% but give me the chance to clean up all the piston gunk as well as the heads.
Anything I should watch out for I am going to take off the rockers, pushrods, and lifters then install the cam in with some regular engine oil is that ok? Or do we need special lube to install it.

Originally Posted by GTP89

Ok guys will be taking out the cam today. In you're opinion should I take the heads to get the valves redone the engine was working 100% but give me the chance to clean up all the piston gunk as well as the heads.
Anything I should watch out for I am going to take off the rockers, pushrods, and lifters then install the cam in with some regular engine oil is that ok? Or do we need special lube to install it.

Are you pulling the heads off? If so, take them to a machine shop for inspection. If not, leave them alone.

Just look for anything that doesn't look right (damage, excessive wear, etc) when you pull the motor apart.

I always use assembly lube when doing a cam swap.

if it has some miles on it i would consider a valve job, a quick bowl blend with you new cam, yeahhhh!!!!!!


GTPpower, i found this to confirm you knowledge, thank you sir
Rocker Ratio

Originally Posted by GTPpower

Are you pulling the heads off? If so, take them to a machine shop for inspection. If not, leave them alone.

Just look for anything that doesn't look right (damage, excessive wear, etc) when you pull the motor apart.

I always use assembly lube when doing a cam swap.

Well as of now undecided if I should I mean the engine runs great but it has 100k so idk if I should pull them off and get the valves redone or keep them as is as well as try and port them idk if it is difficult to do.

Can I use regular motor oil if not where can I get the assembly lube?

Originally Posted by Seachicken

if it has some miles on it i would consider a valve job, a quick bowl blend with you new cam, yeahhhh!!!!!!


GTPpower, i found this to confirm you knowledge, thank you sir
Rocker Ratio

Honestly I don't mind getting it done my worry is that when I take them off small cracks will open up like between the valves which is what happened to my other set of heads.

Originally Posted by GTP89

Well as of now undecided if I should I mean the engine runs great but it has 100k so idk if I should pull them off and get the valves redone or keep them as is as well as try and port them idk if it is difficult to do.

Can I use regular motor oil if not where can I get the assembly lube?

I would leave them as is then...but, you will get nowhere near 350whp on stock heads with that cam, FYI.

I would use assembly lube...any auto parts store will have it.

I got a huge tube of the assembly goop from Napa. Nice price, good stuff.

Originally Posted by GTPpower

I would leave them as is then...but, you will get nowhere near 350whp on stock heads with that cam, FYI.

I would use assembly lube...any auto parts store will have it.

Yeah that is probably what I'll do then when I have the funds get them ported by a shift just enoug to give me some good power nothing crazy. Or I will call around to see f they can do the work don't enlarge to spend past day 3-400 do idl if that is even possible for head wok.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

I got a huge tube of the assembly goop from Napa. Nice price, good stuff.

Is there a presence to it a brand or type never bought this stuff before

So as far as the cam goes my only worry is lining up the sits on the gears take the bolt of the cam gear and take the gear off and replace cam put gear back on with the holes lined up and torque it to spec?