Z/28 302 camshaft selection

[markjohnson]

A wide-ratio Muncie with the 2.5 First Gear is an immense help towards getting those 302's rolling from a dead stop. What they lack in low-RPM torque needs to be compensated for by gear-multiplication.

[drdave69]

I concur with the opinion on gearing and the right transmission. My old Z/28 had the stock replacement cam with M20 and original 4:10 rear. It performed pretty well (except on the freeway).

[Hotrodpaul]

I wonder what the little 302 with a street friendly solid roller cam, modern tremec 5 speed with low first gear, and some 4.10's out back would be like? A similar situation exists with the Mustang Cobra's 4.6L 4 valve engine that has little bottom end but loves to rev. I had a 98 model with T45 trans and 4.10's and the car was a blast! That low first gear (3.37 I believe) with the 4.10's gave great torque multiplication with the overdrive (.67) dropping the cruising revs on the freeway. This would be a great tranny for a swap into a non concours first gen Camaro.

Paul

[Lynn]

Thanks for the offer Dave. I went ahead and ordered two of the comp cams.

I have run a 140 cam with a single four barrel, and it absolutely screamed from 6000 to 8000. I didn't find the idle that objectionable. Kept it set at about 1,000 warm.

[Salvatore]

Most people work on the wrong end of the car when talking about a sb Chevy, especially the 300 inch motors. I like the 4.56 and the M20 for the Z/28's. Keep the hood closed and jack the rear up.