I have a 406 small block in my 71 chevelle. It's being rebuilt right now. The only thing I have left to do it pick out a cam. I'd like to go with the biggest cam possible, while it still idles for driving it on the street. Do you have any suggestions?

I HAD A 406 THAT I BUILT AND THE 292 COMPETION MAGNUM CAM WAS GREAT.iT GREAT WORK HORSE AND REAL STREETABLE.

OK,

I have a Melling CRV-1, 280/230, .480" 112/? cam in my, now sitting in a box, 406 and with my M-20, 3.31's and about 26.5" tires.

It just wasn't all that good down low when cruising around town. Used to really **** my wife off when my car got ta jumping idling around town....

I guess what I am trying to say is match your cam to your rearend gears and tire diameter so this doesn't happen... pdq67

With stock converter, stock gears, power brakes, and A/C, the SB276H12 works just fine. It is 221 at .050, .454" valve lift, and 112 LSA. We put them in at 106 ATDC int CL. They go about 100,000 miles with normal care, and have a very wide torque band, about 3500 rpm(2000-5500) in a 406 with about 40 ftlbs variation.

UDHarold

Thanks UDharold. But I have 373 gears in my car with a 3000 converter, and depending on the cam I go with, I may switch over to 430 gears.

I also do not have air conditioning.

Ahhh, a SB288/296H8 man!!!

The SB288/296H8 is one of the 2 most popular SB hydraulic cams I make. It is 288/296 at .0045", 282/290 at .006", 231/239 at .050", .485"/.507" valve lift, and 108 LSA.
It should put your car into the low 12s or possibly the high 11s......
The 3.73 would be the minimum gear I would run, and it will love the 3000 SS converter.
ake sure you put it in around 102 ATDC (use the 4 degree advance keyway on a Cloyes True-Roller), and use a good high-volue Holly or Carter mech pump and 1/2" #8 fuel line fro tank to carb....

UDHarold