Alternate cam for a ZZ502?

I am installing a GM 19433158 502 short block engine in my 42’ Sport Fish. Will reuse the existing AFR 265 Heads, Stainless Marine manifolds, and standard length risers. Boat cruises 3400 to 3800 RPM, and trolls on one engine.

I am concerned about reversion, short block comes with ZZ502 cam # 12366543, 224/234 .527/.544 110 degree LSA. I would prefer to replace it with an off the shelf cam that will give the same if not better performance than the GM, but with a wider LSA. I have spent some time looking online, but I can’t seem to find what I’m after.

Boat currently has Marine Kinetics custom cams that work awesome, but I’ve had lifter issues with them in the past, and don’t trust them. It’s time for off the shelf units.

Any cam or cam supplier suggestions? (someone who has customer service) I need solid 500 hp per engine or more for boat to run the way I want.

Thanks in advance!

Steve

You could try Bullet Cams,

What were your lifter issues?

also Bullet in Olive Branch would be a good contact.

Are they Morel lifters ? noisy

You should look at the Lunati EFI series. Stock GM lifters and maybe a little more spring than the zz cam. Should run reliably forever. They have a 226/236 or they could do a 226/230. When you get into lobes that require a lot more spring, price and maintenance go up and longevity goes down. Also, I am sure that someone could copy the zz lobes and put them on a wider LSA.

first thing is to make sure you identify your max lift duration so you don’t create reversion, mine was .224 but that can’t be guaranteed for all applications. So double check what yours is.

then I’d look at Hardin-marines info on cams and see what’s out there. I’d suggest roller lifters, and be prepared for a spring upgrade on the heads.

Texas speed, comp cams, lunati, Brian tooley, all good name brands. Texas speeds customer service was outstanding.

I did an LS build with a Texas Speed truck stage 2 high lift cam, per their recommendation. 212/218 @.600 112LSA.
Doesn’t make as much high end hp but makes lots of tq down low. I don’t run wide open i high speed troll so good match for me.

One lifter decided it had enough, threw the wheel, and ruined the cam, as well as filling the engine with metal.
Supplier blamed defective valve spring (which I bought from him). Motor had to be disassembled,
cleaned, re assembled with new springs and lifters. I had valve issues before this happened. Root cause was the
cams. Finally installed huge springs with HD lifters to fix the floating valves.

No more custom cams for me.

I think I had Morels, then had to go with Johnsons on one engine after the lifter failure because of time constraints.

This cam seems to fit my needs. I'm assuming that I can use it with the GM lifters?

https://www.hardin-marine.com/p-1159...-camshaft.aspx

be careful on changing parts plunger depth need to stay the same so you dont get into changing push rods also