Guys, I need you help! My Camaro 73RS, still under restoration, has the following
engine tag code:T1208CKU.

CKU - 350ci, t/h, L48, 150 HP, 4 BBL, 8.5:1

I need to known (without disassembly http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif ) if the lifters are mechanical or hydraulic...

What is the max. rpm I can achive with the standard camshaft/lifters/springs/...

Thank you!
Regards,
Fabio Martins

If the engine is stock than it will have a hydraulic cam, the max rpm will probably be around 4500 rpm, thats where they stock ign usually starts getting weak.

Joekoll, thanks for your help.

Let me ask you one more question:
If I improve may ignition system (pertronix), change the intake manifold (Edelbrock Torquer) and the carb (600 cfm), which will be the "new" max rpm before valve floating, using the the stock cam/lifters/springs ???

Thank you again!
Regards,

Fabio Martins.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Joekool:
If the engine is stock than it will have a hydraulic cam, the max rpm will probably be around 4500 rpm, thats where they stock ign usually starts getting weak.</font>

The stock springs should allow 5500 without a problem if the cam design is still making power up there, your factory carb, intake wont prevent 5500, but it would probrably get there faster with a different intake
performer, perfermer RPM,
What are the specs on that factory cam?

------------------
262 hp with only one stage of nitrous!15.23 @ 87 and dropping

Thanks, Mwilson!

I don´t known the specs of this stock cam/lifters/springs...

Anybody can help me with this specs???


Thank You,
Regards,
Fabio Martins

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Mwilson:
The stock springs should allow 5500 without a problem if the cam design is still making power up there, your factory carb, intake wont prevent 5500, but it would probrably get there faster with a different intake
performer, perfermer RPM,
What are the specs on that factory cam?

</font>

The stock springs will start floating shortly therafter i think, remembering back to an old 4spd car i had as a teenager it was
all stock and i changed just the cam, it would float valves like crazy somewhere between 5500-6000

You can buy replacement springs that will extend the rpm range for around $35, you can add intakes, carbs, trick ignition but your still dealing with a cam that noses over around 4000-4500rpm. RPM's are nothing but beating up on the rotating assembly once you pass the effective range of the cam. Besides, the L48 motor was designed for lowend grunt, emmissions requirements, and reasonable fuel milage. Most of the cars they were installed in are 2 series gearing and tight converters. If this is what your car is equipped with, making changes that move the power up the rpm scale could EASILY make the car a slug in the drivable rpm range. I think you should pay close attention to what Wilson is telling you,,, a Performer or at most a PerformerRPM intake is best suited to the package (if it is the high gear, smogger package) ,, a Torquer single plane intake is going to kill low end torque. If you have the tall gears and tight converter, you'd be shooting yourself in the foot.

I would recommend changing the springs anyway to make sure they will handle the rpm you plan on spinning the motor to. Springs will eventually fatigue and your 30 year old springs will not control the valves the way they did when new.

Yeah if its under restoration, you might as well figure out what kind of HP you want and rebuild the entire motor if its already a fresh motor then redo the top half or replace entire valve train assembly
figure out what gear/converter your going to use and build the motor to get the best combo
gear/converter/HP and RPM

[This message has been edited by Mwilson (edited January 09, 2005).]

Thank you, Marv!

My Camaro is stopped for many years.
I bought this car without ride it! (Crazy!!!).

I still have a lot of doubts about my transmission...
Before to choose the new rpm range that
my engine will make power, I need get more details of my transmission.
Looking under the car, the pan seems to be TH350 one (http://www.nastyz28.com/transid.html).
The pan shape is "square" but have a "chanfer" on passenger´s side.

How I can get more info about the transmission without disassembly?
(using data like year, engine tag, etc...)

Have I 3 gears? 2 gears? 800 rpm torque
converter? 3.08 axle ratio?

Can anybody help me???

Thank you a lot!
Regards,

Fabio Martins.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Marv Davis:
You can buy replacement springs that will extend the rpm range for around $35, you can add intakes, carbs, trick ignition but your still dealing with a cam that noses over around 4000-4500rpm. RPM's are nothing but beating up on the rotating assembly once you pass the effective range of the cam. Besides, the L48 motor was designed for lowend grunt, emmissions requirements, and reasonable fuel milage. Most of the cars they were installed in are 2 series gearing and tight converters. If this is what your car is equipped with, making changes that move the power up the rpm scale could EASILY make the car a slug in the drivable rpm range. I think you should pay close attention to what Wilson is telling you,,, a Performer or at most a PerformerRPM intake is best suited to the package (if it is the high gear, smogger package) ,, a Torquer single plane intake is going to kill low end torque. If you have the tall gears and tight converter, you'd be shooting yourself in the foot.</font>