New to v8's w/ cams. Little help please!

[88gmc1500]

I have a couple questions about throwing a cam in my 98 z71 w/ the stock 350 vortec. Engine has about 134,xxx miles.

I was wondering how big of a cam I could throw in without needing to modify the heads but still get a little power and that nice rough idle sound. I tried finding information on this specifically about Vortec 350's and I can't seem to find anything except that zz4 cam's will most likely require you to machine the head. I'm looking for something as simple as possible, basically a plug and play that will run on the stock tune (long enough so I can get money to get a real tune). Also, is it required (or highly recommended) to replace springs, lifters, rockers, etc?

I'm switching over from the Honduh world where all you need to do is take off 10 bolts for the cam bearings, pull the cam out, drop a new cam in, time it and you're done. Looking for a little bit more of a challenge than a 2 hour job.

[suspect327]

you can throw in any cam without modifing anything as long as it mild. (below .525" lift) i'm not a cam guru but this is a rought idea. a mild cam, you will be fine with everything stock, but with 134000 miles your springs may be wore out.
you can go up around .600" lift without hitting a valve on the pistons with all stock length pushrods, rockers, etc. but you would need to upgrade springs, trunnions, and custom tune, etc.
you mill the heads to raise compression, so you don't have to do this. plus that's when you have to worry about ptv clearance.

i may not even be the educated one to be giving you all the correct advice you want to know. but your not getting many replies because people can tell by your questions that you haven't put much effort into searching. you will learn almost every question by searching and even get side tracked and learn even more info. searches are awesome.

anyway, you have my respect that you left the honda world and came to the cubic inch side. welcome and get your hands dirty!!

[0352marine]

I would upgrade everything on the valve train. Use some Z28 springs. you won't get that rough idle like the old days of the carb world, fuel injection seems to tone it down but you will still hear a mild bump.

[severous01]

talk to comp or crane cams...get some info on them. but lemme tell ya one thing....if you're going through all the trouble of taking out the rockers/lifters and pushrods and then you're going to put stockers back on you're askin for trouble. save another 3-400 and get all new valvetrain...and timing chain. get high quality parts with a warranty. dont skimp out...you will regret it. doesnt mean you have to buy the top line of everything, but buy name brands and talk to people that sell the stuff. call summit racing or jegs, tell them what you want...do you want a torque monster or do you want a street/strip ride? because those are two different things, also, will you be wheeling or towing? is it lowered or jacked up? all these are things to think about and you have to decide what you want.

me personally in a truck i'd rather torque than power, only becaus really...how fast do you think a 5k lb truck is gonna make it down the line...but how often do you race a big truck? you shoulda bought a camaro if you wanted to race...