Can you guys help me with selecting a new cam for my '71 Chevelle? Here's the rundown:

</font> 350 block bored .040 over.</font> TRW flat top forged pistons</font> Edelbrock Performer RPM heads (out of box specs - no work done on them)</font> 0.015 shim head gasket</font> Edelbrock Performer RPM Airgap intake manifold</font> Harland Sharp 1.6 roller rockers</font> Holley 3310 750 Vac Sec carb. I also have a 650 DP I could use if necessary.</font> 3.50 gears in 9" ford rear-end</font> TH-350 w/B&M Holeshot 2000 TC</font> Current cam is Comp Cams XE-268 w/matching springs, retainers, locks, lifters from their kit</font> DCR of 8.5 ...approximately</font> Compression Ratio of right around 10:1</font> Headman Headers 1 5/8" w/ 2 1/2" head pipes to Flowmasters that dump before the rear-end.</font>
Is that enough info to go off of? I'm looking for a mechanical flat tappet cam. One that'll work with the 1.6 roller rockers (or I could go back to 1.5s). I just don't want to change the head gasket. This is mostly a street driven car, but I plan on some track time eventually. What do you guys think? Do I need a higher stall T/C? I was hoping for a Lunati/UDHAROLD cam. I want more power smile.gif Thanks!!

What about the Comp XS274s. The solid will act a little shorter than 274* on the seat because of valve lash, so it should run pretty similar to your current cam on the low end. But duration @ .050 is 12 degrees bigger which will give you a some mid-range and more top end.

There are probably some UD Harold cams out there that are pretty good too.

PS. The 650 DP ought to about perfect for all out performance, although the 750 vac secondary wouldn't give up much and should get better mileage around town if that is a concern to you.

Your current set-up sounds pretty good to me!

Originally posted by Alan:
This is mostly a street driven car, but I plan on some track time eventually. What do you guys think? Do I need a higher stall T/C? I was hoping for a Lunati/UDHAROLD cam. I want more power smile.gif Thanks!! What's the current E.T.? How much "power" do you have presently? I know everyone is getting caught up in the hype and romance of changing cams, including myself, but I think you should at least baseline your current set-up first so you know if you're actually making an improvement. IMHO.

Rod

You answered you own question!! Call UDHarold up at Lunati's and ask him what cam you "want"!!

As for myself, I would go with a good old CC 282S solid..

But I'm conservative on my cams...

pdq67

Thanks for the recommendation Eric! Sounds like that'll be a real nice cam. I'm trying to optimize the combo I have (or should I say refine it a bit?). I spent some time looking at the XS274S and I may get that if there are no other suggestions. Harold recommended a cam of his awhile back, but I can't find the thread anymore so that's why I'm posting again. I'd like to hear is recommendation again.

I do like the 650 DP, but the 750 Vac seems to have better throttle response. Then again neither carb has been modified as far as fuel flow or had any professional tuning to them. I like both, but I think the 650 would work better if I tuned it more smile.gif . Thanks again Eric.

Thanks for the additional replies guys!

Rmchevelle, I have never run it down the 1/4 mile so I can't tell you. I did chassis dyno the combo with the 650 DP, and 2.73 geared 10-bolt (before I went to the Ford 9") and it laid down 258hp @4900 and 326lb. ft. tq. @3250. Only change to the motor was the 750 vac and rear-end since that time. Here's the graph Chassis Dyno (http://www.geocities.com/chevyman1971/Pages/dyno.html) . I just think it's low on HP for the parts I have. With the 3.50 gears it's a whole new beast though. Woke the sucker up BIG TIME. I'm just looking for more ;) .

pdq67, I may just have to do that! Thanks for your opinion as well. Appreciate it guys!

I ran that old 282S for a long time in a 400. It was alot of fun!!

I'd suggest either that, or the XS274. I don't think you want to go a whole lot bigger than that if gas mileage is any kind of consideration at all. Also, that's not enough gear or converter to soak up huge duration with.

Originally posted by RB69SS396Conv:
I ran that old 282S for a long time in a 400. It was alot of fun!!

I'd suggest either that, or the XS274. I don't think you want to go a whole lot bigger than that if gas mileage is any kind of consideration at all. Also, that's not enough gear or converter to soak up huge duration with. Good point about the converter -- more converter would help a LOT no matter what cam you go with. Might be kind of hard to get tuned with only a 2,000 stall speed.

I don't want too much of a gas hog, since I do a good chunk of my driving on the freeway. Plus the gas prices these days :rolleyes: .

I'm open to converter changes. Since I hit the freeway quite a bit, I don't want to goto deeper gears. What do you guys recommend - with say the XS274? So basically I'm after a new converter and camshaft.

Thanks for the help!

Dirty, Lunati is rolling out a new line of smaller cams soon, to compete with the XS line.

If you are worried about gas mileage stay with what you got. A looser converter will kill your mileage unless you have a lockup converter/trans.

Something that will stall about 3000 RPM (like a Coan, ATI, BTE, etc 10") will work fine with the XS274. And a better converter will behave better on the street, so don't be cheap ;)

Thanks for the heads up Gene!

I've actually been wanting to upgrade to a higher stall converter. Hadn't done it because I was running the original 2.73 gears until very recently. Now I have some gearing and want to make the most of my parts. I'll take all of your suggestions into consideration. You guys have at least narrowed my search, which is cool. I'll look into getting another converter and cam. I'm going to 1/4 mile the current combo then swap out the converter and cam. I'll post back when I have results. Any other suggestion will be appreciated smile.gif Thanks again!