New member and very impressed with everyones knowledge and expertise. Wanting to get some ideas on best cam for my car. 72 LS5 chevelle. 468 with RPM heads & intake.(out of box).10.4:1 compression,304 crane (238/248@.50).544/.567. 800dp, tight 10" converter & 4:10 gears. Been to track once since broke in. 11.86/113mph.Dissapointed in 60ft. 1.74 best. I thought with the weight, over 3800lbs with cowl hood, these were fairly good #s. But falls short of a lot of the times I see posted. Thinking about a hydraulic roller. If anyone has any ideas for my combination, I can use the help. Keep it pretty simple. I'm old school and can get lost in some of your conversations.

I've had good luck with my Crane hydraulic roller. It has an iron distributor gear pressed on, no need for bronze distributor and all that jazz. Also, the cam is ground on a steel billet core, none of this cast stuff. I avoid those cams ground on a so-called "cast billet" there's been problems well documented on this board over the last couple years. I'd recommend you think along lines of Crane-Isky-Crower.

Tom

I have the RPM oval heads and Air Gap intake also on my 454 .I just bought the Edelbrock hydraulic roller PN 2261 it is a cast cam .Edelbrock recommends itas part of their RPM package. I haven't installed it yet, so I can't say how well it will run. Here are the specs. dur.@ .050 Int 236 exh 245
lift @valve int.625 exh.639
lobe sep.112

Alot of members here can recommend cams .As well as critique them.

No problem with a cast core roller cam as long as the spring pressure doesn't get above mid 300's (say 350), If the valvetrain geometry is perfect ( ie. lifters track correctly) you can go higher. If you have any problems, guarantee you will score the cam. I know so first hand. Billet cores can run in the 400's for hydraulic roller and up for solids. I am inclined to think that the over the nose spring pressure is on of the reasons Comp is making their hyd rollers with lower lifts now.

Actually,your ET,MPH,and 60 ft. are very respectable.
If you're disapointed in your 60 ft. don't change the cam.The cam would be the last thing to change IMHO
What's your rear suspension set up?
What's your launch technique?
What size slicks,etc. ?
What is your ET goal?
Have you done any carb tuning?

If you do change the cam,I think a flat tappet solid will be more cost effective and not sacrifice any performance.

Thanks Chris. I guess the 60ft is OK but I see a lot of 1.60s with setups that appear to be close to mine. I've only been to the track once so I haven't had the chance to work with launch techniques. I built it up to around 2200rpm. Tried once to shock it from idle but slowed to a 11.92. I've got 29x10.5 Goodyears and the rear suspension is stock with just air bags and poly bushings in the arms. Lower arms were already boxed from the factory. I bought some 18" extensions that I want to try next trip. I've also installed a complete 3" X-pipe system from Pypes Exhaust with 18" Goerlick Exelerator mufflers. How do you think this system will compare to open headers? Any ideas on carb modifications (jets,squirters) would be appreciated. Thanks again, I need all the help I can get.
Danny

Danny,don't change a thing,component wise.
again,nice times and there is certainly more to be had with some tuning.
The 2200 rpm launch sounds good to me.
Tire size,gearing etc. is about right on.
The 3" Pypes system should hold its own performance wise vs. open headers..I'm guessing the times you posted was with open exhaust?
You just need more seat time at the track..I can't stress enough not to change anything unless its jetting,timing,etc.

11.86@113? I think that's pretty impressive to get in the 11's at only 113mph. With the airbags in the rear can you individually adjust each side? Have you seen any video of your launch from outside the car? Maybe get a friend to tape it, and look for any 'wasted motion' such as side to side movement, shaking, etc. Any movement in the rear other than forward is just wasted energy. You could probalby squeeze some more 60' out of it by experimenting with tire pressure and adjusting your airbags.
Then as others have side, just concentrate on fine tuning the motor, see if you can't get 114 or 115mph out of it without going into the motor.

If I was only to the track once I wouldn't change anything until I went more often and could dial in what I have.

Decent times for a street car first time out...

Thanks guys for your comments and suggestions. Like I said I wasn't dissappointed with times. It just didn't measure up to some of the other member ETs. Only made 4 passes. 11.92,11.86 and my son driving (12.03,11.95). Maybe I'll just tinker with carb and make a few more trips before changing anything. Thanks alot, you people are gonna save me time and money. this tech forum is great!
Danny