I have a #'s matching 72 SS 454. It is a 19,000 mile car. Even with Flowmasters it doesn't sound like a musclecar should. I have been thinking about replacing the cam (nothing too wild an XE268) I am mostly going for better sound but more performance wouldn't hurt. Will this kill the value of the car? It's not like it is a showcar or trailer queen.

IMHO, no. The cam you're looking at is a nice piece, and will still be fairly mild in a 454. Alot of guys while still doing their restos to " look " original, will still perfrom hidden upgrades, such as a cam swap. I'm all for it!

I actually enjoy the fact that guys do hidden mods; better cams, head work , re-worked carbs, roller rockers, ported exhaust manifolds,aluminum water pumps and rads painted to look original, steeper gears or maybe some aftermarket rear control arms.

The stock LS5 cam is the same as the 396-350hp cam, so it's quite tame when put into a 454. The XE268 is closer in spec to the LS6/L78 cam. You could probably go even bigger if you wanted to, and still maintain your engine vacuum for brakes and nice streetability.

You may want to post in the performance forum if you're looking for cam suggestions.

I already have an XE268 cam, lifters with matching springs & roller rockers so I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who would do the swap. Once the weather is warmer (in the northeast) it's cam swappin time!

I've got the following cam in my '72 LS-5 - has a little lope to it. Also have flowmasters. Sounds like a muscle car. Not sure how this cam compares to the stock cam, however.
Crane PowerMax Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft, Lift: .534''/.553'', Duration advertised 286 intake/296 exhaust, Duration at .050 226 intake/236 exhaust, LSA 112, Part # 270-134241 Grind # H-286-2 (Replaces CCH-286-2), Operating Range 2500-5500 rpm.

Scott

IMHO, no. The cam you're looking at is a nice piece, and will still be fairly mild in a 454. Alot of guys while still doing their restos to " look " original, will still perfrom hidden upgrades, such as a cam swap. I'm all for it!

I actually enjoy the fact that guys do hidden mods; better cams, head work , re-worked carbs, roller rockers, ported exhaust manifolds,aluminum water pumps and rads painted to look original, steeper gears or maybe some aftermarket rear control arms.

The stock LS5 cam is the same as the 396-350hp cam, so it's quite tame when put into a 454. The XE268 is closer in spec to the LS6/L78 cam. You could probably go even bigger if you wanted to, and still maintain your engine vacuum for brakes and nice streetability.

You may want to post in the performance forum if you're looking for cam suggestions.

I am in total agreement put a cam in it that will make it sound good! I put a Crane roller .510 lift with 230 ish duration. And it sounds like a muscle car. It don't idle like a new car either! Its got a nice lopey idle. Of course its got flowmasters on it as well (50 series). If you like louder get 40's.

I have the kit with 30 series muffs. I got a Comp XE268 224/230 @ 50 & 510/520 lift. with 110lc I think it will sound close to an LS6 but some here say that it will idle smooth. I just cant see it with a stock smooth idle.