You reccomended a 280h or a 270 comp cam, then asked about my converter for my sreet 396. Do I need a stall or will they pull well w/o the converter? This is refering to the post "roller valve train" Thanks for noting you run the "stock" items in your rig , that leaves me $ for other things! :rolleyes: Also tou mentioned a Ultradyne but no other info? can you specify some?THANKS!

For optimum peformance,even if you don't go to the track,you'll want a stall convertor.
My cam of choice and the one thats in my 454 is an Ultradyne flat tappet hydraulic 280/288 221/231 @ .050 .525/.550 112 LSA
Has a mild lope,and pulls like a freight train.Does nice 40 MPH rolling burnouts too :D

being i've got the little brother(396) is that too much cam or should i see similar results? Are you running an auto even tho you go by 4speed?

There are several 396's using this cam with good results here on TC.
best ET with a 396 using this cam w/auto and 3.73's is a mid 12,and that was traction limited.
My username is deceiving..when I signed on this website almost 5 years ago,I owned four 4 speed musclecars(2 Chevelles,a 442 and a 'vette),so then name came naturally smile.gif
..now I don't any 4 speed cars..they're all autos.
Not by choice,it just kinda ended up that way

I thought I heard a mention of that on another post you sly dog tongue.gif Does that cam still idle ok and perform w/o a stall or do I need a mild stall? Where can you get that cam , i thought ultradyne was no more?

The cam is now ground by Lunati
It will have more lope in a 396
I would reccomend a stall,just to get optimum performance.Its border line not having it with this cam IMHO

Thanks 4speed = I found it on the lunati site! How much rpm will it need to idle?

When I bought my '66 several years ago, it had a transplanted '71 396/402cid engine. I NEVER could get it idle correctly. I was pretty inexperienced then, but when I tore that engine down a year or so ago, I found something interesting. First of all, it had been bored .060 over, so that put it at about 408cid or so. FYI.

Then, I noticed that somewhere along the way, a Comp 280H Magnum cam had been installed. The car still had a stock converter. I really feel like this is why I couldn't get the car to idle no matter what I tried.

If you really would like a nice boost in performance, a converter that is correctly matched to your combo is just about the best way to go. It's not difficult to change out, but give yourself a nice, extended afternoon to do it safely.

So, in my experience, if you go with a Comp 280H Magnum, get a converter. Comp recommends it and I believe 'em on this one.

P.S. I just noticed that you were looking at Lunati's and such. I don't know you're exact combo, but either contact Harold Brookshire at Lunati or grab a catalog and do some research. If you are unable to afford a converter, pick one that is speced to work with a stock one. If you are looking for a nice running combo and can afford it, pick the best cam for your application and then research for appropriate converters. When you get them matched, you shouldn't be disappointed.

Good luck!

My car idles @ 600 rpms in gear

I put the 280/288 in a 402 for my velle. I have a 4:10 and a 4 speed and that cam pulls hard. It idled choppy, I had about 15 vacume, and it idled around 800 for me. Then somehow the mains got wiped and now I'm gonna build a 454 like Mr4speed but I might run the 268 voodoo cam instead of the 280/288 not sure yet.

70malibu / Kev68 thanks for the input ! I have been trying to contact UDHAROLD but have had no luck yet.It seems like everybody everbody wants a piece of him! :D

I tried to get ahold of Harold when I was undecided about the cam but called Steve who worked with Harold at ultradyne and now works at Lunati also. Harold left his name and number if anybody couldnt get ahold of him awhile ago and said Steve would be able to give good cam opinions. Called him and asked if I should go with the 276/286 or 280/288 and he told me I would be happier with the 280. I enjoyed the cam for about a week and then my oil pressure was dropping. My combo was a 71 402 bored 30, oval port closed chamber heads, standard valves, around 9.5 comp, holley 750 vacume sec carb, performer rpm intake, headers, msd ignition, and 2 1/2 duals with ultraflo mufflers. I dont know what your combo is going to be but mine worked pretty good. Good luck on your 396.

Kev68- that is almost exact to mine ! Did you have any converter stall? What's up with the oil problem? Are you still running it now? With a description of "pretty good" i'm a little concerned!And oil problems? :eek: Sorry -just reread your post-you had a 4speed! redface.gif

Well the 396 I had in it wiped a cam and then I had bought a fresh rebuilt 402 and checked it out but somehow the main bearings got scratched up. I drove it for a week and noticed the idle oil pressure dropping, then pulled it out and the mains were all scratched up. So now the car is sitting but I have a 454 block that i'm gonna rebuild. I have the m20 tranny and with the 4:10 gears it pulled hard in my opinion. I was happy with the cam and I think it matched my combo perfectly. I was also surprised at how well the throttle responce was.

Originally posted by Kevs68:
I was also surprised at how well the throttle responce was. ..you and me both..you can't tell where the power starts or ends.I have had mine up to 6K,and it pulled hard there too,but it likes 5500 at the track as far as shifting goes.