Hey, guys, need a little advice here. Now that I'm building the '78 Malibu into a drag car I'd like to put a milder cam in my 70 Chevelle. The cam that's in there now is used on the Merlin 509's, and is pretty radical for my little 414 BBC. I used to run the Chevelle at the track a little bit, but I've found the cam is not as streetable as I'd like. The cam I have in it now is a Crane hydraulic 236/246, .553/.571, 114 lsa. I'd like to stick with something hydraulic for ease, and such.

Here's the combo:
414 cid BBC (402 .060 over)
781 heads, 2.19/1.88 valves
forged GM crank/rods
KB hyper pistons, final comp 9.75:1
Edel RPM AG
750 dp
Mallory comp 9000, MSD blaster coil
MSD 6AL
M21 tranny
GM 12 bolt, 3.73 gears

The rest is in the signature. I haven't made up my mind completely about this, but the car, as is, doesn't even 'clean up' and start pulling strong until 3000+ rpm's.

Suggestions, comments, criticisms? Thanks.

Sean,

I think Harold's 280/288 (302A7LUN) would be about perfect for your setup. I think this is the cam that Chris (Mr 4 Speed) runs in his 454.


280/288 deg advertised
223/231 deg @ 0.050"
.525"/.550" lift
112LSA (I would go 110 though)


Years ago I ran something very similar but made by Crane and no longer made (280/290, 224/234, .525"/.550", 114LSA) in my 454 and it ran real nice. Had a slight lope at idle, made good power from idle to about 5800-6000 rpm. Could have been used for a true daily driver.

You might also check out this Isky grind, 270/280 Mega. Looks like a nice cam, but if it were me I would tighten up the lobe seperation to 110 LSA.

http://www.iskycams.com/partnum_template.php?compid=69&dealer=no&partnumber=396271%2F281-14&go.x=10&go.y=7

Hope this helps. smile.gif

I second the 302A7LUN/old UD 280-288
Get 112 LSA if you want the smoother idle.

If you arw willing to wait a little, the new Lunati Voodoo cams are coming out soon. I would think the 268 cam maybe a good choice. Harold said this series would out perform any of his previous designs. Sounds like they should be out soon. Summit and Jegs allready have them listed on their websites.

That used to be called a 304 Commander,I used it in my 402.
That needed 20°or more @idle and an 11" 2800 converter to run well.

Originally posted by 1968 hot rod:
That used to be called a 304 Commander,I used it in my 402.
That needed 20°or more @idle and an 11" 2800 converter to run well. Are you referring to the cam I have in my Chevelle now?

Sean,
yes I was referring to your present camshaft.

Originally posted by mr 4 speed:
I second the 302A7LUN/old UD 280-288
Get 112 LSA if you want the smoother idle. It comes with 112 lsa, but that always seemed a bit wide to me. Somewhere in my cloudy memory I recall folks talking about having it cut on 110 lsa, giving it a little more chop, and a little better performance in the upper range. Or maybe I'm thinking it was how the cam was degreed in.

anyone?

Sean I ran the 280/288 on a 112 in my 408 bigblock. The cam ran good from idle to 6,000 for me with 4.10 gears and 4 speed. The idle was choppey and had decent vacume. I'd run it on a 112.

thought i would share my combo since our engine are SO close.

414ci 396
10.5 to 1 comp.
delta hyd. cam 233/239@.050 with .548/.551 lift 111 lobe seperation, rhoads lifters
'390 ported heads, 2.19/1.88 valves
rpm intake
750 VS carb
summit headers
2500 brake stall
3900 lbs
street tires and full exhaust, factory cold air induction.

runs over 107 mph in the 1/4 and pulls so darn hard to 6500 rpms (shift point) idles at 800 rpms in park and 650 in gear. over 13" of hg at idle.

very tame motor for everyday, with a very nice idle.......

stand on the brake, bring the rpms up to 2000 rpms, let of the brake and floor it......this can light the rear tires all the way thru first gear to 6500 rpms, shift and then burn them thru 2 gear to 6500 rpms, shift and it grabs split sec after shifting.......

runs on nothing but 87 octane fuel.....initial is at 21 degrees, total at 38 degrees, all in by 2500-2600 rpms.......