Trying to decide on my christmast present this year (from Me to me http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif )

I want to do a cam swap this spring, but since this will be my first time doing it, I'd like to keep it as simple and cheap as possible- IE- don't really want to have to mess with pulling the heads and changing the valve springs.

I have a stock 350 with stock 194 heads. Can i stab in a Comp XE262 or a Crane Engergizer 260(i think thats the one) without changine valve springs?

I know the XE268 is supposed to need heavier ones than stock.

Also- Will there be a noticeable performance increase using one of these cams over a stock one? I'm not looking for anything crazy, just a little more punch.

Thanks!
Ben

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Ben Rambow
1970 El Camino SS (http://www.elcaminoclassics.com/code/rambow1.htm)
My old 1969 El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/july2001.html)
The El Camino Classics Club (http://www.elcaminoclassics.com)
"Whats the matter with the car I'm Driving? Can't ya tell that its out of style..."

Sorry to say, but the answer is no. You will have to change those springs. Changing the springs is easy with a spring compressor and an air compressor to use air to hold the valve up in place. And to boot, it will be good experience for you. You run the risk of floating your valves..ouch!! if you don't. And you will be in for a big surprise as to what carnage that can do.

The springs should run you under $100.

just wanted to add that you don't need to pull the heads to change the springs using the compressed air to hold up the valve.

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'71 468 Street/Strip Monte Carlo 3950lbs, 9.8:1, 3.90's, 11.367 @ 117, 7.21 1/8 mile
1.585 60'

[This message has been edited by mc71454 (edited 12-10-2002).]

Ben,

Email me if you'd be interested in a slightly used (2000 miles) XE-262 and lifters.

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Chris Avery
'69 Nova, 355, 9.3:1, Keith Black 12 cc D-cup hypereutectic pistons, 180 cc Dart Iron Eagles w/64 cc chambers, Comp XE-262, Crane Energizer 1.6 ratio roller rockers, Performer RPM, Holley 650 DP, TH350 w/B&M shift kit, B&M 2400 RPM Torkmaster converter, 4.10 10-bolt posi. Best 1/4: 13.098@103.41, 1.949 60'

I have been running stock springs with my XE262 and vortec heads with no problems. Maybe I just have been lucky but that would be a first.
Mark

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mdd71:
I have been running stock springs with my XE262 and vortec heads with no problems. Maybe I just have been lucky but that would be a first.
Mark<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think the vortech heads have better springs than the older stock heads do(I think they are good to .510 lift or something like that...

Chris- Thanks for the offer, but if I'm gonna have to change the springs- I will go ahead with a more radical cam- XE268 or maybe even 270h . I wanted to see if I could get away with one of those mild ones and not changing springs.

Thanks for the help guys, i appreciate it! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Im running the 262 comp cam and I was told by Comp Cam to change the springs. I do like the 262. Tons of torque and still sounds good with my Flowmasters.

I run the XE262 in my 350, and I like the cam. I am using the stock springs for an L82 Vette. It turns 5800RPM fine, no valve float, but these springs are fresh, and probably better than the springs included on GM heads for a base engine, which you appear to have.

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Mike Newby

69 Chevelle 355/TH200-4R
97 Grand Prix GTP
64 Chevy C10 Pickup
79 Suzuki GS550

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AHSOM70:
...I think the vortech heads have better springs than the older stock heads do(I think they are good to .510 lift or something like that...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

More like about .450. I've heard (read) several stories of guys bending pushrods when using an XE268 with stock Vortech Springs.

If you're gonna pull the heads anyway, why not switch to Vortechs, there only $460 a set, assembled.

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Paul Hesco
www.chevelles.net/nfc (http://www.chevelles.net/nfc)

I did just that, installed a XE 262 with lifters on a stock valve spring, it worked great! It sounds super good too. It really woke up my 350. Do it you won't be sorry. Don't listen to these knowitalls that are so technicle about everything. They are afraid of snagging their nylons anyway. For a list of cheap goodies I installed see my posts. "yankeerodder"

Ben,
I have some cams...PM me....maybe a bit too big for your evil purposes...

Check out Midwest Motorsports and their che-, er, eh, inexpensive Elgin Z-28 type springs, stock short and .600" lift jobbers and you will be fine imho.

pdq67

Check out Midwest Motorsports and their che-, er, eh, inexpensive Elgin Z-28 type springs, stock short and .600" lift jobbers and you will be fine imho.

pdq67

Hey... Hosers... This post is 6 years old! :clonk:
That car and that engine are long gone! :D

Looks like DIAMOND DAVE from Beaverton Oregon dug it up.....
I thought you were talking about your white pick-up......:wacko:

So what, still trying to help WHOEVER!

pdq67