[Pampered-Z]

With 160K on the clock I wouldn't even bother to put any mods into that engine. You should really think about sarting fresh with a total rebuild or look for another block to work with, LT1 blocks are fairly cheap. Once you start modding you're going to be adding more cylinder pressure and stress, and you will most likely need to spinning the engine higher. You are easily risking of a spun bearing and finding yourself with allot of blowbye, oil problems etc. Since you aren't the original owner you really won't know what state the engine is in until you open it up... Could be OK, but could also be a mess? Even if you can reuse the bottom end, the lifters are probably too worn to handle the higher pressure of new springs as well.

So you really need to budget for having the bottom end freshend up. Rings, Bearings, oil pump. Depending on how well the engine was treated you might get away with the above, but with that many miles I'd honestly budget for needed to bore the block and go with oversized pistons.

Also don't forget that LT1 parts like the timing chain and gaskets aren't cheap like a standard small block. Make sure you budget for them.

As far as Cam selection, the Hot cam Kit is really a good street cam, It comes with the proper springs and rockers so it's an easy install. With a good tune you should be able to pick up 20-25HP, bit more with headers. But it you really want to wake the car up you really need to look at something else. Keeping the car emmisions leagal the Comp 305 cam (114LSA)will work nice, With a good set of Cats on the car the 305 cam ( 112 LSA ) or the extreem 502 cam should sneak thru. If you not worried about the sniffer, the 224/230 cam is what I feel the best street/strip cam for the LT1. If you have the heads to support it the 224/230 has a high lift grind too! ** You aer again going to need to get into springs to support the cam and the rest of the valve train parts, and the $$ add up quickly.