[4-door Chevelle]

This is the one Comp suggested for my setup. They said it works well with the lower compression engines like mine ... stock, probably 8.5 to 1. I wanted to check here before I order the full kit to include cam, lifters, springs, timing set, etc. to get your opinions good or bad.

Thank you!

 

[ss3964spd]

Darren,

Comp XE cams have a well documented history of making a LOT of noise - rather like a solid lifter cam, that NO amount of rocker adjustment will aleviate. Very agressive ramps that slam the valves onto the seats. If you're ok with that then go for that grind - should work pretty well.

Dan

 

[O'Man]

I have a 268 in the small block in my Vette. Not sure I would express the noise level as high. There is a definite tick there but remember the car is a fiberglass POS that has no ability to stop noise or heat. In a steel car I doubt the nosie would be discernable.

Is it as quiet as a 300 HP GM 327 cam...no. Is it louder than modern a solid lifter cam no again. Is it even as loud as a solid lifter cam such as the old Chevy 30/30 or the follow on cam that came in the 1970 LT1 ? No again!

Another comment here just to fuel the fire. My 268 had a very very hard start up life. I had a couple of Pontiac rocker arms installed in the engine. Sealed Power had mis boxed them in one of those skin pack carboard packages, They had Chevy lock nuts and Chevy balls but they were Pontiac rockers. I had no end of trouble trying to figure out why the engine ticked and ticked. Lots of low RPM idle while I adjusted and adjusted and adjusted.

The cam survived with no wiped lobes. Just my .02 and all the "Comp Cams are trash" guys can crawl out of the walls if they want. That is my experience with the Comp product. TO BE SURE I lubed that thing with Moly Paste before I started the motor and I prelubed the engine (20 weight oil) with a drill before I first fired it. The paste lube is also part of the reason I missed the difference in the rocker arm ball socket size. There was enough moly on the rocker arm ball socket and the ball that the thing just sat there as if it fit correctly. My engine runs Edelbrock heads with the Edelbrock supplied valve springs.

I sometimes think some of the "Comp Cams" suck urban legend is due to running springs with tension enough to replace the front suspension springs or other issues at start up. Considering my combo and the trouble I had and the fact that my lobes are OK I gotta attribute some of the failures that are reported to spring tension and lubrication at startup. Anyway that is my experience

 

[ss3964spd]

Oman,

Wasn't trying to bash at all, just restating what my experience with an XE grind was, others here have said, what Comp said when I emailed them about the noise. "It's just the nature of the cam".

To be sure, everyone's set up is a little different and what made noise in my engine may not make noise - or as much, in someone elses. For each Comp that has gone flat - for whatever reason, there are dozens and and dozens that don't.

My XE gring DID end up loosing a lobe but not until the engine had a bit over 3000 miles on it. The heads were professionally assembled and spring heights were checked/set using the springs recomended by Comp (911's) to match the cam. Indeed, the entire engine was professionally assembled, pre-oiled, and it fired immediately upon initial start up. It's still a mystery.

Dan

 

[MikeN]

Consider a smaller cam if your static compression is really 8.5 and you are running stock GM heads. If you like the XE grinds, consider the XE262 or even the XE256. I think the XE268 with 8.5 static will be a dead dog below 2500rpm's. Just a thought.

 

[4-door Chevelle]

Yes, it is about 8.5 and will still have the stock heads when I am done with this particular upgrade. I have never bought a cam before which is why I am relying on your experiences as I make a decision. I am going to call Comp back in a few days with at least the one suggestion above plus sometimes when you get a different tech you get a different answer to the exact same question.

 

[travis g]

Originally posted by Georgia69:
Consider a smaller cam if your static compression is really 8.5 and you are running stock GM heads. If you like the XE grinds, consider the XE262 or even the XE256. I think the XE268 with 8.5 static will be a dead dog below 2500rpm's. Just a thought.

Absolutely. I have about 4 years on the XE268 in my truck with 9.4-1 compression. It pulls good right off idle but really comes alive after 2500 rpms. Mine is also noisier than the 294s solid in my 388, but it runs good. I have approx. 15K miles on my XE268 with no problems.

 

[19Nova72]

I have had the 256XE and now have the 268XE, niether of which were/are noisy or lost lobes. I agree that the 268 with 8.5 is just a tad to little compression. Maybe try the next smaller cam.

 

[BB485]

My xe 274 is awsome huge amount of torque.Just because someones a pro builder doesn't mean mistakes never happen.

 

[sinned]

XE274 here. Love that cam, way better than the solid roller I had in there before. I little noisey at idle but it has over 20K miles on it, no problem. I drive it everyday.

 

[Mike Feudo]

I have the 256 and it really is too mild for my setup. It has power from 800rpm even in 4th gear with 3.08s. It is a little noisier than most but not that bad.

 

[blaster]

I love my xe262. My chevelle does have fairly high compression though and i run a few gallon of race fuel per tankfull. Tons of low and mid range.

 

[4-door Chevelle]

I just got off the phone with Comp. We talked more about my setup and he also landed on the XE268. I asked about the noise and he stated they have a faster ramp and you hear the valves opening and closing. After some discussion he suggested the XE262 cam which I am seriously considering. Same cost as the 268, little less aggressive but will produce plenty of torque from 1,300-5,600rpm. With this in mind I am backing down on the convertor as well and instead of the B&M Torkmaster 2400 may go with the B&M Torkmaster 2000.

Waddaya think???

 

[travis g]

Either the XE262 or 268 will be fine. Considering your gearing and the fact you want to use a 2400 stall convertor I would lean more towards the XE268. I also wouldn't bother with the torquemaster line of convertors. I broke 2 behind a 305 in a 4000+ pound car with a mild 305. The holeshots will withstand a whole lot more. I have a 2000 holeshot in my truck (flashes 2100) that has been there over 4 years now. I tow with it, a little racing, pulling, hauling, etc...and its still working great.

 

[4-door Chevelle]

I actually am leaning more towards the 262. Thanks for the experience on the B&M, I will go with the Holeshot 2000.

Thanks.

 

[MikeN]

I run the XE262 with a 2000 stall and 3.42 gears, and I am solidly in the 13's with a best of 13.65 at 99mph. The only advantage I might have is better heads (I run Dart IE180's). I think the combo you have decided on will be really nice for street and strip.

 

[blaster]

I run the xe262 in my 350 with small chamber aluminum corvette heads and really like it.Its got mega torque but lacking in the upper rpm.