305 from 350

Hey does anyone know of a company that makes a hotter cam for a 96 5.7 vortec 350 that will still pass smog and work without messing with any of the stock computers? or will any 350 cam work?  

Both Comp and Crane have cams that will work with your '96 350 and are emissions compliant. I know the factory cam in that motor has only around .400" lift on the intake, a 110-degree lobe sep. angle, and is a roller. One thing you'll have ot watch for is the amount of valve travel you have available when selcting your cam, the factory guides on those heads are pretty tall.

I put a .429" lift roller cam from Crane in my '92 Silverado with a 350. It made a big difference, especially on the top end of the motor. Part. No was 119815. It has a 122-degree lobe sep. for good vaccum, idle-5200 rpm power band, smooth idle and is 50-state emissions legal.

If you're gonna change the cam, definitely change the valvesprings while you're there. The factory springs aren't the best in the world, they run about 80-lbs. of seat pressure. With a roller cam you want about 125-lbs. on the seat. I put a set of Crane's 96802 springs with 99915 retainers and machined steel locks, along with a set of one-piece pushrods and a set of roller rockers (1:5 ratio), and a double roller timing chain in place of the factory unit.

Comp Cams has similiar stuff, so I'd recommend calling both cam companies, seeing which one has the best deal for you and going from there. Another good idea if you dig that deep into the valvetrain, replace all of your valvestem seals while you're there, both the guide seals and the o-rings at the top of the valve.