I was going to order my cam and lifters this week. I was hoping to get a few different choices and what kind of benefits I may get from each. Heres what I am working with:

-454 .30 over
-Speed Pro Pistons .90 Dome (Hyper)
-Stock crank and rods
-Oval Port re-surfaced & Tanked Closed Chamber heads 100cc
-Probably an air gap manifold
-Full length headers
-750cfm DP Edelbrock
-Probably using stock rockers or an affordable upgrade w/ new pushrods (Not sure what size)

How do you guys choose a cam anyways? Ive put a couple in, really mild ones on small blocks. I want a real radical sounding cam, and performance of course. Thanks

Phil,the perfect cam for your combo IMHO is a Lunati bracket master the part # is LUN-00026LK over at www.summitracing.com (http://www.summitracing.com)

I have one of these on the shelf for my next build up,and I think it would work well with what you're looking for.
Specs are 232/239 @.050 .549/.558 110 LSA
It will work w/your valvesprings too.

Hey Chris. Cool, I was hoping youd show up with a part number, we have really similar engine specs here I like your combo. This Lunati cam is what your currently running or going to run on your next build?

What kind of lifters and pushrods are good to use with this cam?

Hey I read a little on this cam, it comes with lifters and has that "lopey idle" I think im sold...
smile.gif

Phil,the part #is a cam/lifter kit.
Stock 3/8 pushrods are fine.
This cam is the next step up from mine.
My specs are:
223/231 @ .050
.525/.550
112 LSA

The Lunati is for my next buildup for another car,as I don't really want to touch my current motor/car,it runs very well as is.

I always liked the Comp Cams 280H Magnum. I ran high 11's in my 70SS 454 Chevelle with it.
Also had closed chamber heads, but mine were the 107cc models. Perf RPM, HEI, 2" headers, 3" exh and a 3310 Holley.
3.55 gears to boot.
Ron

The Lunati Kit looks nice I may order it. It would be a little easier to find specs just like those but on a comp cams, being what we carry and stock at my work. It would be quicker and cheaper for me to go w/ comp smile.gif Oh yeah, pretty important, Im close to positive I have stock gears. 350 Transmission w/ stock converter (for now)

How about Xtreme Energy Comp Cams PN#11-250-3 It's the "XE284H" 2300-6500 RPM Operating range. Duration Valve Lift is higher than the Lunati, not sure if this is too high or not .574/.578 The compression is 9.5 which is pretty close, it says 2800+Stall, so I think id actually need a converter with this one?

How about an Isky 280 Mega on 110 centers?? 280/232, 110/?, .565" lift.

Powerful cam, imho...

pdq67

Hows that handle with a stock converter? Hey, so what happens if I use a stock converter on something that wants a stall converter, big trouble? Alot of cams with rough and lopey idle want non stock converters, I mean there are some, but more limited.

The Lunati will work with a stock convertor,however,even a mild 12" from Summit is better than stock as far as stall is concerned.
About $100 or so.
SUM-G2702

Not sure about your budget,but they are reasonably priced and certainly work well with mild combos like mine or something similar.
In reality,a tight 10" convertor that flashed to about 3800 would be perfect if you where racing it and had 3.73 gears,but for milder street use,you can get by with something that will give you better launch than stock.
If you don't have a posi,the Powertrax/Lockrite is a good upgrade too.
With a 454 built like this,you will need it :D

Any cam with a real rough sounding idle is an indication that this particular cam makes power at mid to high rpm, and not a whole lot at low rpm. It will be inneficient and struggle at lower engine rpm. If you try to run a stock gear and converter with any of these camshafts mentioned, your car might sound better, but it will be slower off the line. Reason being is that these cams will not be capable of making the snappy response and torque right off idle that your stock cam does, and without a higher stall converter and the right gear, your motor will have to struggle through the lower rpm with the larger cam, and wont come alive til a higher rpm.

Some of the cam choices can be made to work out all right with a stock converter, but Id reccomend about a 2400 rpm converter and a 3.42 rear gear just to help the cam out, but some of those cams will work BEST with even a larger converter and gears. I stress the word BEST, cause even though it may work out well enough with stock stuff, it would still work out better with a better matched converter and gear, cause obviously, the cam is no longer stock so keeping everything else stock isnt totally optimum, or isnt the BEST you can do. See what I mean.

The actual gear selection and converter stall rpm will depend on your car weight, your overall motor combo when its done, tire height, and even your intentions with the car(like race only, drive it a lot.....whatever you plan to do with it)

Thanks guys, cleared up alot of questions I had. One thing that may help me is a brief explanation of what exactly the converter does. Hence the word convert! But you know, maybe some converter 101 if you can.
Thanks smile.gif
I got new pistons today by the way!

You could run a solid and gain a little more power with no real increase in cost, but you'll need to check the valve lash settings once in awhile. Shoot for a DCR of around 8-1. Your springs should also match the cam you select. Post some pics of that firewall you've been building. Bob