I am doing a 2004 4.8 into a 1979 Chevy Nova,my set up will be as follows, holley terminator x with tbss intake with 92 mm throttle body with hooker exhaust manifolds with ar5 5 speed and 3.40 gears, stock bottom end with a set of 706 heads, may later get a set of mildly ported heads, the car is around 3400 pds this car will mainly be a street car and some times my

daily driver, I have check out a lot of cams, I have got some recommendations but I think some of them are way too big for a 4.8, any advice would be appreciated

 

Any reason you’re using the 4.8 over a 5.3 or 6.0?

 

because I have it, I have a 5.3 that need bored out it was in rollover got water in it and rusted one of the cylinders depends on how much it has to be bored I may make it in to a 5.7,4.8 has 110000 miles on it and I know everyone hates on the 4.8s, but where I live the 4.8s can be had for good price

 

4.8s are excellent motors, they just lack torque. I would love one for a car swap of various kinds, but for a truck they don't shine too well

I would suggest a 212/228 or other small cam to keep the thing alive down low

 

Use it then.

For that car you could go a little bigger in cam, use 4.10s and about a 3500 stall and it would be fun.

 

It's a manual car isn't it?

 

yes a 5 speed

 

you mean a 212/218 right?

 

In fact I do, I am sorry, fat fingered that on the phone and didnt proof read

 

We would recommend one of our stage 1 Vortec truck swap camshafts. We have three versions of the stage 1.

SUM-8718 is the tow/rv version and considered drop-in with no springs required. Specs (205/217 112+2 500/500). The powerband of this cam starts low just off idle with a 750-6,000 rpm range. It produces outstanding torque just off idle and maintains efficiency. Idle speed can be adjusted for a smooth idle or a slight lope.

SUM-8712 is the stage 1 truck drop-in with no springs required. Specs (209/217 112+1 500/500). This has a relatively low rpm start of the powerband at 1,800. It produces good torque off idle with a strong mid-range and top-end to 6,000 rpm. Idle speed can be adjusted for a smooth idle or a noticeable lope. No springs required but if stock springs worn LS6 springs are a good choice.

SUM-8719 is the stage 1 high-lift version with LS6 valve springs required. Specs (209/217 112+1 550/550).This has a relatively low rpm start of the powerband at 1,800. It produces good torque off idle with a strong mid-range and top-end to 6,200 rpm. The extra lift increases power and torque throughout the powerband. This will pull strongly past 6,500 rpm with the LS6 springs. Idle speed can be adjusted for a smooth idle or a noticeable lope.

This should give you a good overview of our stage 1 Vortec truck swap cams. Any of these would be a great option to help wake up the 4.8 in your 71 Nova.