Need to put in the best cam in a stock 396/325hp in my 66 Elky. Would like to maximize low end torque since I am running 3.73s in the rear with a Viper t56 6 speed where first gear is 2.88 and 6th gear is 0.5. So I am hoping for some low end grunt and the ability to cruise at 75mph at 1800RPM. Don't want a real noisy setup or to spend a bunch of time adjusting valves, so felt a hydraulic would be best -- not sure if a hydraulic roller would buy me anything either. Any experience or opinion would help me a bunch. TIA

Sounds like a Comp 260H High Energy cam
part# 11-203-3) would work well for what you want. Good torque, for 3.73 and higher gears and smooth idle.......... graemlins/thumbsup.gif

My 69 El Camino is running a 427 big block,D&D Viper T56,and Fab 9 rear w/3.50 cogs(soon to be 4.11 or 4.30's). My cam is a Comp Cams XR282HR hydraulic roller.
BTW,first gear in a Viper T56 is a 2.66,not 2.88.

i have the perfect cam for you i did so many cam swaps this summer and the best low end torque cam for my 396 was the elgin grind i have that is 214/224 @ .050 with a .501 lift intake and .527 on the exhaust the idle would go down as low as 350-400 rpms and idle pretty smooth at 600 rpms.....it really moved my 4000 lbs ride but it seemed to give up just past the 5000 rpm mark and that was with a stock low rise intake and a 1600 stall convertor..............im running a stronger cam now that is 233/239 @ .050 pretty rough idle ..................i have a few other cams but they are bigger and little more rough idle.............


if you like i have that cam up for sale it had less then 1000 miles on it nothing wrong with it and if your in the lower 48 staes i will ship it to ya for 35 bucks........... just the cam...........let me know at ddeennis@yahoo.com

I just ordered a Lunati cam for my 396 and spoke to the guy that started Ultradyne and now grinds 'em for Lunati. Very interesting insight to "off-the-shelf" cam grinds - he doesn't think much of them; cookie-cutter-cams he called them. Try calling Harold Brookshire (UD Harold here) now at Lunati, (901) 365-0950 [ext 135], for one of his designs. For my particular application, he recommended 207º/211º and .490/.500 on a 114º lobe separation.

Be prepared to listen to what he has to say...a wealth of experience and knowledge.

66ElkyBB,i have a NEW in the box NEVER USED crower hyd cam that would be very good for what you want .

Specs are 209/218 dur @ .05,.481/.503 lift,on either a 112 or 114 deg L/S angle (have to check that out) But either way it would idle good,have good torque,and is more cam than the stock 396/325 had which was 198/198 dur @ .05,.398/.398 lift,on a 114 or 115 L/S which was a very mild/whimpy cam.

I would let let it go for $40.00 (cost $100) plus shipping so email me if interested.

Scott

Dale - Thanks for the advice. I just got through spending about a full hour with Harold and he has an amazing amount of knowledge. I really like his approach to lobe design which would seem to better guarantee longevity. We decided on a 221/230 degree cam @ .050, with .515 lift on both valves and 110 degree lobe separation. Should have plenty of low end grunt and also enough vacuum for the brakes. He also said I should have it by the end of next week and the cost was extremely reasonable - I am a happy camper. Thanks to everyone for your help and offers!

Scott, I sent you some e-mail.

Is that the Crower "Baja-Beast" torque monster cam??

pdq67