L98 cam in an L31?

Alright, so I'm putting together Dad's 99 L31. I had put head gaskets/fixed a cracked head, put it together in the truck, ran it 40 miles and the rods started knocking. Severe oil starvation from lack of maintenance. So I pulled the engine, found every bearing toast, oil pump p/u blocked etc. Sent the block off, cleaned and honed, got new rings, bearings and a crank kit. Heads are recleaned and ready to go back on and I got to thinking....

I have the 88 L98 cam from my last project (88 Corvette). It specs out at .415/.430 lift and 207/213 duration compared to the L31's .414/.428, 191/196 duration. It's not much of a difference, but since I already have it, would you do it? Can the ECU compensate for the longer duration? thoughts? Am I retarded?

Should be fine. You could try using a LT1 cam from a Camaro or Vette too. You may need a computer tune for perfection.

Got confirmation from the truck guys that the L98 cam would cause a loss of lower end torque over the L31 cam. I was considering using it because I HAVE it, not buying him a cam that has to have a tune to run.

It should run, it will just run better with a tune. At this point you might as well get the right one. Ebay has 'good used' ones for $100 or so.

I have the right one. I'm not buying a cam. His old cam is fine. I was just contemplating installing the old L98 cam in it's place.

i wouldn't.. the only GM cam that's worth putting in the vortec truck engines is the HOT cam, but that also requires work to the valve guides...

i suppose maybe something like the HT383 cam would also work well for a truck motor.. specs as listed on Pace Performance website:

Cam Lift: .431” Intake / .451” exhaust Cam Duration @ .050”: 196 deg. Intake / 206 deg. Exhaust Lobe Separation: 109 Degree

.. should be able to pick up a brand new takeout cam for cheap from places like Scoggin Dickey or Pace Performance...

Yeah, we're doing a rebuild on the cheap here, not swapping in a cam unless I already have it. The one I have is not worth the effort, so the stock cam (which is perfectly fine) will go back in.

Again, not buying a cam. I have the original stocker that is fine. I had the L98 cam sitting on a shelf.

I saw L31 and was expecting Datsun content

novaderrik wrote: i wouldn't.. the only GM cam that's worth putting in the vortec truck engines is the HOT cam, but that also requires work to the valve guides... i suppose maybe something like the HT383 cam would also work well for a truck motor.. specs as listed on Pace Performance website: Cam Lift: .431” Intake / .451” exhaust Cam Duration @ .050”: 196 deg. Intake / 206 deg. Exhaust Lobe Separation: 109 Degree .. should be able to pick up a brand new takeout cam for cheap from places like Scoggin Dickey or Pace Performance...

yeah i run that one in my belair. i got a brand new takeout on ebay for $35 when i built my engine. i think they use it in the 320hp 350 vortec crate motor too.

Bobzilla wrote: Am I retarded?

Dunno. Have you checked your timing?

so bob, are you buying a cam or what?

I got 3 of them on order. I figured if one was good, 3 would be better right?

do you happen to have a gm part number for it? i need a couple too, building a couple mild roller small blocks in the near future.

Nope, but I could sell you the one I have.

Bobzilla wrote: I got 3 of them on order. I figured if one was good, 3 would be better right?

You're going to need at least one more crank and a high performance per belt to take advantage of them.

I am liking to be purchasing you old camshafts. Do to my father's recent overthrow by oil hungry pirates my assets are tied up in bank of Swaziland. My father's estate will happily sent $10,000 for you items directly to yore bank account. All they are kneading is your routing information, birth certificate, and you hat sighs.

Your going to need a new intake to go along with the three cam two cranks motor your building there.

Wally wrote: I am liking to be purchasing you old camshafts. Do to my father's recent overthrow by oil hungry pirates my assets are tied up in bank of Swaziland. My father's estate will happily sent $10,000 for you items directly to yore bank account. All they are kneading is your routing information, birth certificate, and you hat sighs.

OK, here's my BIRTH CERTIFICATE

My routing umber is 123456789-0000. Hat size is a 7 1/4.

Bob, I hear you're looking to buy a camshaft.

I know you know that I'm in the cam business, but I don't ship to the states, so please stop hassling me.

So you were born yesterday, at least according to that most official document.

absolutely. Why else would I fall for that trick?

Bobzilla wrote: Nope, but I could sell you the one I have.

i meant for the ht383 roller cam, assuming those are the 3 you bought.

This is quite possibly Bob's best thread ever.

i DUNNO... the Ridgeline one was pretty good.

If this is Bobs best thread ever then it needs to be hijacked..because it takes a village.