I am looking for a new cam to replace the L88 solid in my 454 since loosing an intake lobe last month. It was the wrong cam anyways! I am strongly considering the UD 280/288 Hydraulic based comments I have read here.

The combo in my 70 Chevelle is as follows:

454 w/10.25 C.R.
290 heads w/stock valves
Performer RPM w/780 Holley
M-21 4 Speed w/3:31 rear

The car is street driven with occasional trips to the track.

I have several questions about this cam.
-What is the best LSA for my set-up? I think Mr 4 Speed and CMT454 are running 112, but I have seen 110 recommended here also.
-What am I giving up by using the Hyd vs Solid version of this cam?
-What lifters are being run with this cam?
-Does this cam work best installed "straight up"?

Thanks for the feedback on this cam or any other recommendations!

Use the cam mean Gene's using...aint his the L88?

Mine is installed straight up,and ground on a 112 LSA.I used plain old Summit lifters-7,000+ miles and no problems.

Chris,
When you say straight up do you mean at 112 for your cam, or on the marks which would be with whatever advance is ground into the cam?
Just asking because some get confused about what straight up is which would technically be 112.

Mine is installed @106* ICL. 2 degrees are ground in, then it was installed 4* advanced. I also have mine on a 112 LSA. I have Lunati lifters. I have 22 Drag Strip passes and about 800 street miles on it and so far so good.

Without much gear something with about 230-236 would be about optimum. This will maintain some cylinder pressure. I don't particularly like hydraulic cams in the 454s because they always seem to oil the lifters poorly at an idle which generally produces lifter noise. I'd like to try some of the newer solids with the EDM oil holes in the face of the lifter to get more oil directly on the cam lobes and prolong the cams life. Some of the newer ones are also much lighter.

The above duration figure is at .050 lift.

Do anybody have a link to the newer lifters with the hole at the bottom to oil the cam lobes.

Originally posted by DEEBOO:
Do anybody have a link to the newer lifters with the hole at the bottom to oil the cam lobes. =
They don't show any info but here they are.
They have a .024 EDM'd hole in them
lifters (http://www.iskycams.com/partnum_template.php?partnumber=so-202-h&compid=69&dealer=no&x=9&y=10)

Mike,I used "straight up" on the timing gear which I guess would be 112

Chris,
If the cam came from Harold (Ultadyne) it is probably about 110. If it came from Lunati it is about 108 assuming everything is where it belongs which is a pretty big assumption :D

Just about all Comps stuff is ground with 4 degrees out of the box & far as I know most of Lunati's stuff is too.
Most of Harolds cores were usually 2 degrees.
If Harold happens by he can correct this if I am wrong

Mike,mine is from UD

Thanks for the feedback. I am pretty sure that I am going to go with the Lunati-UD 280/288. I want to run it through Pat's dynamic compression calculator as another check.

Jeff,you'll be glad you did..you'll see some new bests with my combo soon..with 2.73's graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by mr 4 speed:
..you'll see some new bests with my combo soon..with 2.73's graemlins/thumbsup.gif Sounds interesting....... I have got a few things up my sleeve as well :D

I checked the DCR with my current combination-posted above:

L88 cam DCR = 6.57
264/269 at 0.050
UD/Lunati 280/288 DCR = 8.16

Looks to be just about right!

I'm so happy with the 280/288 I'm still doing the happy dance. Mine's a Lunati at 112(installed dot to dot). A friend near by has one(Lunati)ground on 110(installed 4 advanced) and mine has a more noticable lope, but both of use are pleased. The difference in sound may be the different exaust though, not sure.

My combo is a 454, 10.5 comp, 290 heads, Lunati lifters, Perf RPM, 750 vac. secondary W/secondary metering plate, and a700R4 tranny.

The thing that has me amazed is I'm getting BETTER fuel milage than with the UD 276/286 I was running!!! graemlins/hurray.gif

Still haven't made it to the track but I have no doubt I will greatly improve my 8.57 1/8mi best time. I've made a lot of suspension upgrades that will cause it not to be a true back to back comparison but I am still running the same 2.73 rear at this time.

Originally posted by DEEBOO:
Do anybody have a link to the newer lifters with the hole at the bottom to oil the cam lobes. Competition Products, 1-800-233-0199, Direct Lube Solid Lifters, #651080DL