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Author Topic: Adding a roller cam to 87-up engine  (Read 3040 times)

Offline TexasRed

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Adding a roller cam to 87-up engine
« on: October 07, 2008, 09:38:47 pm »
I have I think a '93 truck block, 5.7L, it appears to have at least some of the work for the roller cam. It looks like it's got at least some of the machining to hold the spider deal to keep the lifters from rotating in their bores. CompCams offers cams for engines that did not come with a with a lot of duration that I don't really want for my setup (good idle, lots of vacuum, stock converter). It's going into an '84 SWB 2 wheel drive pickup 1/2 ton with a 3.42 rear end.

I'm thinking this cam: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CCA%2D08%2D409%2D8&view=1&N=700+150+
and this setup: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=NAL%2D12371042&autoview=sku

along with a cam button to make sure she doesn't walk out on me. What else do I need? I have vortec heads and the rockers from the engine they came off of. I know I'll be buying pushrods so that's a cost I'm going to incur any way. Obviously, I can't go too hot with the vortec heads without running into geometry problems, so I think this cam might be the best for me.

Thanks for any input.
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Adding a roller cam to 87-up engine
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2008, 10:54:48 pm »
If you already have a roller block you have the cam retainer which prevents the cam from walking and you will have the lifter retainers. Just pick a roller cam and you're good to go.
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Offline TexasRed

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Re: Adding a roller cam to 87-up engine
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2008, 11:27:29 pm »
It's out of a truck and came with a hydraulic flat tappet cam.
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Adding a roller cam to 87-up engine
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2008, 07:32:14 am »
I wouldn't bother retrofitting to a roller with such a mild cam. It's not worth all the extra $$. If it was already a roller block fine but you can get a better performance hydraulic flat tappet cam and lifters for under $100 bucks.
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              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline TexasRed

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Re: Adding a roller cam to 87-up engine
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2008, 09:26:44 pm »
It wouldn't be retrofitting as such because the block seems to be ready for a roller minus the parts. I don't like doing things twice so I'd prefer the cam not lose a lobe to oil issues (lack of ZDDP) or because of poor quality flat tappet lifters. Plus, not sure how much I'd be driving it.
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Offline Captkaos

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Re: Adding a roller cam to 87-up engine
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2008, 10:21:49 pm »
If it is a roller block it is just a matter of getting a cam and lifters as Vile pointed out.
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