L31 swap in progress

[Supercharged111]

I have the 395 cam in my truck. It acts like stock as far as powerband, there's just more everywhere.

 

[ssn696]

I believe in the 7395 cam. I bought one new and one factory take-out from Pace. Two blocks, one .030 over rebuilt four-bolt, and one liquidation GM crate L98 short block. Two pairs of new stock Vortec heads, back when they were $270 each.
...and the world left me behind for the LS.

 

[John85SS]

I thought about going with an LS I have a 5.3 and trans I bought from a salvage yard awhile back. In the end I wanted the Monte to keep the vintage engine look. All my friends have swapped over to LS engines and 4L80’s in their hot rods but I am still holding out. I get that they are more fuel efficient and run better plus you can tune them and take advantage of all that has to offer. I get tired of the L31 I may stick it in my other car and LS the Monte. Neither of the cars are daily drivers. The Monte sat in my friends dads shop for 15 years until he decided out of the blue to sell it. Glad it’s now setting in my shop.

 

[John85SS]

I am amazed at how snappy and responsive the new engine is. Night and day difference from the 305. All I have is the 395 cam, edelbrock 7516 air gap intake, 1406 edelbrock carb, and headers. Aside from having everything machines it is stock. I did have a friend tune the carb using a afr meter with O2 sensor in the exhaust to get it AF ratio close in all rpm ranges. He said out of the box the carb was close. Edelbrock reccomended the 1407 750 with the intake I bought. I clearly didn’t need it. Maybe if I was running more compression and had the head worked to run a more radical cam..

 

[ssn696]

A decent 350 will push you back in the seat. There are few places to use more power these days.

 

[ssn696]

I used a 1406 for years. I did not have the time to keep a Holley tuned to beat the Edelbrock. I jetted for elevation and just drove it.

I have heard the 1407 is nowhere near as well-balanced across the RPM range as the 1406.

 

[Yav8]

So do you have the L31 installed in the car yet? If so how do you like it? That cam is the same one used in the 383 stroker for Gm and also the cam in the 350 Ram Jet crate motor. You can add the 1.6 rockers with no clearance problem with the valve springs just like GM does on the Ram Jet.

 

[John85SS]

So do you have the L31 installed in the car yet? If so how do you like it? That cam is the same one used in the 383 stroker for Gm and also the cam in the 350 Ram Jet crate motor. You can add the 1.6 rockers with no clearance problem with the valve springs just like GM does on the Ram Jet.

Yes. I love it! Factory specs plus the cam, intake, carb, headers, and dual exhaust.. she will blow the tires off until you let off.

 

[John85SS]

So do you have the L31 installed in the car yet? If so how do you like it? That cam is the same one used in the 383 stroker for Gm and also the cam in the 350 Ram Jet crate motor. You can add the 1.6 rockers with no clearance problem with the valve springs just like GM does on the Ram Jet.

I did not do the 1.6 rockers… thinking I need those?

 

[Gwarren79]

I am on here every day just looking and trying to help. These gen.1 vortecs (96=2002) are easy to work with because everything is almost the same as the millions of other small blocks. BUT these have the good heads. And these are in most junk yards and a lot of people have these under their bench. These can be had for $100-$300 cash and carry. Stroker kits from $800-$$$$ reground cams from $140-$200 new hyd roller cams $300+ Power 350-500 for under $1500. if you can do some of the work your self. Or just get a book and read. Its just a simple small block just like the millions that have been out their since 1955.

What is your thoughts on the 705 (LT1) camshaft or the 94666492 marine camshaft?