Short throw

[240ZMan]

If you haven't already seen this, check out

http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/transmission.html

I have an 81-83 5spd with 4.11 and love it, but I like to shift a lot. Also, I've upgraded my cam so the engine makes useful power up to 7k rpm. This combination wouldn't be as much fun with the stock cam.

You should take your engine plans into account when planning your driveline.

[sblake01]

That combo would be more 'fun' with the stock cam than a 4 speed. The main reason I'd use that five speed with a 4.37 is that it would still allow you to drive on the freeway at roughly 1000rpm less at 70mph.

[WingZr0]

If you haven't already seen this, check out

http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/transmission.html

I have an 81-83 5spd with 4.11 and love it, but I like to shift a lot. Also, I've upgraded my cam so the engine makes useful power up to 7k rpm. This combination wouldn't be as much fun with the stock cam.

You should take your engine plans into account when planning your driveline.

Makes since :rambo:

That combo would be more 'fun' with the stock cam than a 4 speed. The main reason I'd use that five speed with a 4.37 is that it would still allow you to drive on the freeway at roughly 1000rpm less at 70mph.

Not sure what you mean by more fun with a stock

cam than a 4 speed

I Think I'm missing something...

Ruby's got an N42 block with N47 head with

R200 diff which I believe is a stock ratio.

Not sure what pistions I have (Flat tops or dished) cause the engine was rebuilt 2 PO's ago.

Thinking of going with MSA camshaft part #10-2006 partly because it

says Competition Only .

Lift .620/.624 Intake/Exhaust with 304/318 Duration

Power from 4500-8500 RPM

Or maybe one of these other two cams.

Part #10-2004

.495 Intake/Exhaust with 290 Duration.Describe as having rough idle.

Midrange and top end power for well setup car.

Drag or track racing.

Part #10-2005

Lift .560 Intake/Exhaust with 300 Duration.

Excellent road race power from 4,000-8,500 RPM

OK so maybe part #10-2003 is more realistic.

.460 Intake/Exhaust with 270/280 Duration.

Rougher idle, excdellent performance.

Pulls hard from 3,000 to 6,500 RPM :rambo:

I don't know, what sounds good to you guys?

~Z~

[WingZr0]

Maybe E31 head down the way also

[Arne]

Maybe E31 head down the way also

Personal opinion here, but I think that the vaunted E31 head is highly over-rated. Blasphemous, I know.

The E31 needs bigger valves, so it requires custom work to get the most out of. Have a little port and/or chamber work done on a later head like a P79 or P90 and you've got a much better package.

[WingZr0]

Personal opinion here, but I think that the vaunted E31 head is highly over-rated. Blasphemous, I know.

The E31 needs bigger valves, so it requires custom work to get the most out of. Have a little port and/or chamber work done on a later head like a P79 or P90 and you've got a much better package.

Point taken and noted

The only thing Blasphemous is not getting the most Horse Power :laugh: :rambo:

[Arne]

For max power, I think I'd start with a P90, since it has the most modern chamber design, with good squish if used with flat top pistons. Clean up the ports and cc the chambers, mill it down about .070" to increase the compression, shim the cam towers back up. Consider using the earlier valves with longer stems to keep the geometry close. Get a really good valve job on it, 3 angle at least, maybe 5 angle on the intakes.

Just my opinion, based on knowledge gained from prior car projects. Don't know how well it'd actually work, but it should do well.

[sblake01]

Not sure what you mean by more fun with a stock

cam than a 4 speed

I Think I'm missing something...

I just meant that with a 4.11 or 4.37 rear, a 4 speed would be okay for driving in the city but you'd need a 5 speed to drop the rpm at freeway speeds. I'd stay away from the 240z heads like the E31 if you intend to keep the EFI.

[240ZMan]

Ruby's got an N42 block with N47 head with

R200 diff which I believe is a stock ratio.

Not sure what pistions I have (Flat tops or dished) cause the engine was rebuilt 2 PO's ago.

Thinking of going with MSA camshaft part #10-2006 partly because it

says Competition Only .

Lift .620/.624 Intake/Exhaust with 304/318 Duration

Power from 4500-8500 RPM

Or maybe one of these other two cams.

Part #10-2004

.495 Intake/Exhaust with 290 Duration.Describe as having rough idle.

Midrange and top end power for well setup car.

Drag or track racing.

Part #10-2005

Lift .560 Intake/Exhaust with 300 Duration.

Excellent road race power from 4,000-8,500 RPM

OK so maybe part #10-2003 is more realistic.

.460 Intake/Exhaust with 270/280 Duration.

Rougher idle, excdellent performance.

Pulls hard from 3,000 to 6,500 RPM :rambo:

I don't know, what sounds good to you guys?

~Z~

A few things:

Some of the cams you're looking at are pretty big for the street meaning they won't be much fun to drive in any kind of traffic.

You should determine if you've got dished or flat top pistons. A big cam with dished pistons further hurts your low end torque.

How much street vs. track driving do you intend to do? I had my stock cam reground to the roughly the same specs as the last cam you listed. I was able to run with the stock valve springs and retainers and only had to change my lash pads. It is NOT the most HP you can achieve in any way, but it's a very streetable engine that pulls well to 7k and beyond. You might consider that as a stepping stone to see how you like an engine that makes most of its power at high revs. Coupled with a later 5 speed and 4.11 (or 4.37) and it's a very entertaining package to drive. BTW, this is with an N42 head.

Last, I agree with the comments earlier about heads. E31 is desirable mostly for those who are racing in classes that restrict what can be done. For the street, I'd say take 1 of these approaches:

- If you don't want to do much machine work/porting, go with an N42 or N47. They're easy to find and have the bigger valves and on a flat top L28 make a CR of about 10.3:1. With a bigger cam you should be able to run on premium without having to retard the timing.

- If you're going to do head work, go with a P90 (or P79), mill it, shim the towers, etc. It's got a better (higher quench) combustion chamber and if you're going to invest hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on porting, it's the better head to start with.

[Darrel]

damn threadjackers.

[Arne]

damn threadjackers.

Oops! Very true. Sorry...

[240ZMan]

Good point Darrel. There's another thread discussing the same topic (cams, timing, etc) that I've been participating in and I forgot which is which. Sorry.