Cam choices galore!

by driveit Tue Sep 29, 2015 1:00 am

Okay so I have been having some engine woes as some may know. Now I have decided it is time for a new cam. Question is, do I go for the same one as before or a different one.

The options that I am looking at currently. The top is the same cam I had previously. The next one is another I am looking at.
Comp Cams Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 268/280, Lift .477/.480 - 1600-5800 RPM
Comp Cams Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 279/297, Lift .479/.465 - 2000-5800 RPM

In the end this is a street car for now and probably won't see any track time. I just want something reliable and sporty. I want a bit of a rumble, but don't want to lose too much on the fuel economy side. Maybe I should go a bit on the milder side to get more mpg's any thoughts?

by driveit Tue Sep 29, 2015 1:04 am

Doesn't have to be Comp, that is just what I have had so far.

by Joe73 Tue Sep 29, 2015 5:37 am

I would also hit the howards cam site. Theres a link there for cam reccomendation. You fill in your info and they email you back.
I would also use either Howards direct lube or Crower cam saver lifters just for extra piece of mind.

by bracketchev1221 Tue Sep 29, 2015 6:13 am

The Lunati Voodoo line of cams is good also.

by driveit Tue Sep 29, 2015 7:17 am

The engine is a 355. Dart iron eagle heads, performer rpm intake, performer 750 carb, headers, flomasters. Should be around 350 HP as stated from TriStar performance who built it. It also have a custom pro torque stall convertor with 350 turbo tranny. I think 273 rear gear.

by bracketchev1221 Tue Sep 29, 2015 8:23 am

I would find out what cam is in it to start with. No point changing to something identical to what you may have.

by Hawk03 Tue Sep 29, 2015 8:52 am

Is this the same engine Wally gave you?

by pila Tue Sep 29, 2015 10:42 am

Cam choice will depend on your compression ratio for one thing.....Long duration cam on an 8.5 to 1, for just an example, will be a slug for sure.....
Do you know what chamber volume your heads have ?
Not really sure what you are looking for .......
That 2.73 gear ratio needs a cam with some low-end torque/power to get things moving Very Happy

by driveit Tue Sep 29, 2015 2:00 pm

Sam one from wally. It is the dart iron eagle heads. 2.02 and 1.60 I think on valves. 9.1 compression I think. That's about all I know. Thus is the can in it right now. Comp Cams Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 268/280, Lift .477/.480 - 1600-5800 RPM

by pila Tue Sep 29, 2015 2:19 pm

My 400 engine in my Malibu has a Comp Cams 280 Magnum, and around 9.5 CR. But I have Rhoads lifters with it, to calm it down at idle, and provide vacuum for the power brakes etc. It works very good, and has a very noticeable lope.
I believe it's a good cam for the street. Like you said though, lots of choices out there...

by driveit Tue Sep 29, 2015 4:46 pm

Yep. just trying to decide what would be best for my setup.

by Joe73 Tue Sep 29, 2015 5:31 pm

Most manufacturers have a cam recommendation page. They would know what would be best for your combo better than anyone's "guess".

by pila Tue Sep 29, 2015 11:21 pm

X2 on what Joe said....

by bigredlaguna Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:03 am

You will probably want to stay at or below the 272 degree range on the intake side. Any bigger and you will need to use some bleed down lifters (Rhoads) to keep good street manners. If it were my engine, I would keep the cam you have and just put some 1.6 ratio rockers on it along with new springs made for the increased lift.

How high is your converter supposed to be able to flash to? If it is a little looser than stock, that will help a little bit with a larger duration cam. The gears are going to severely limit how much duration the engine can tolerate and still be a fun car to drive.

Good luck!

by bigredlaguna Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:07 am

Is the 268 cam in the engine now? Or is it one you used in a previous engine? Your original post is a little vague on this point for me.

by bracketchev1221 Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:16 pm

I would pay more attention to the duration at .050" lift and LSA to dictate how your idle and low rpm driving will be.

by driveit Wed Sep 30, 2015 1:54 pm

bigredlaguna wrote:Is the 268 cam in the engine now? Or is it one you used in a previous engine? Your original post is a little vague on this point for me.

The 268 is what is in it now.

by alowerlevel Wed Sep 30, 2015 4:39 pm

I wouldnt put anything bigger in it than what you have now without changing the rear gears first. In my '67 I have the next step up (230/236 @ .050 .490/490 lift on 110lsa) comp cam from what you currently have, but it also has 3:73s and a 3k converter, its reasonably well mannered on the street and easy to drive but thats due in part to having the right gears and converter for the cam.

by driveit Sat Oct 03, 2015 11:09 am

Ok, so I think I have decided to go with the same cam as before. Should I go with Comp or find another brand that has the same grind? If I should check out another brand what exact specs do I need to look for?

by bracketchev1221 Sat Oct 03, 2015 1:42 pm

I'm not understanding. Why are you going to pull one cam out to put the same one in?

by alowerlevel Sat Oct 03, 2015 6:54 pm

bracketchev1221 wrote:I'm not understanding. Why are you going to pull one cam out to put the same one in?

x2 Im confused.... Give Me Beer

by pila Sat Oct 03, 2015 10:57 pm

I'll have one too.... Very Happy

by brian74montecarlo Sat Oct 03, 2015 11:17 pm

if going with a non roller cam it is extremely recomended to have the cam lobes and the lifters coated with the new __________ coating that prevents cam failures during break in. i forget what its called off the top of my head - but i kno its not compatible if you have coated lifters and not coated cam or vice versa - and it costs a tad more at purchace but its worth it in my opinion due to todays crappy oils for old school cams

by Joe73 Sun Oct 04, 2015 7:18 am

Yes, use the moly (dark grey, thick, sticky stuff) on the cam lobes and bottoms of the lifters. Do not put it on the sides of the lifters. If you have any left over then coat in between the cam lobes so when it starts to "melt" off it gets thrown around the lobes as well.

DO NOT USE THE RED STUFF..

by driveit Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:13 pm

My two cam lobes and two lifters were bad. I just need a new can in it. Now both of my cars.are down and I am driving my wife's car which leaves her with nothing. I just need to get it running. 200$ is standing in my way.

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