So I have looking at buying new heads and camshaft for my current BBC. I have spoke to two well known engine builders that are popular on this board. Both are knowledgeable and nice enough to speak to on the phone. But they have different thoughts on cam specs and how they should be ground for my application. I am not an expert on this at all, but I have to work hard to save up money for these upgrades. With that said I am having a hard time on deciding who I should spend my hard earned dollars with. I'm confident both would put together a top notch combination, but I would hate to give up a noticeable amount of power output due to going with one guys parts over another. How do I choose which person should spend my money for me. Both have comparable prices.
Engine builder choices
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What was the reasons for their differences?
Which is better for my application.
Who do I believe I can work with the best?
Realize that for every gain, there is a loss, same goes with money.
Nutt up and shut up, why are you waiting?
Sorry, thought I was on Yellow Bullet , please edit last remark.
Really, you only can base it what you have and who can meet your needs.
You might post what you have and the differences in their builds.
Which is better for my application.
Who do I believe I can work with the best?
Realize that for every gain, there is a loss, same goes with money.
Nutt up and shut up, why are you waiting?
Sorry, thought I was on Yellow Bullet , please edit last remark.
Really, you only can base it what you have and who can meet your needs.
You might post what you have and the differences in their builds.
Just my two cents...
There are many ways to meet the same goal. I would assume both builders are well respected and have proven their ability to produce an engine and meet the customers goals.
You mentioned both have different ideas - what fits you the best? Are they both pump gas, both building a street motor, one going to rev higher? All things to consider. If you gave us a little more detail, maybe we could help identify what suits you.
What are your goals?
There are many ways to meet the same goal. I would assume both builders are well respected and have proven their ability to produce an engine and meet the customers goals.
You mentioned both have different ideas - what fits you the best? Are they both pump gas, both building a street motor, one going to rev higher? All things to consider. If you gave us a little more detail, maybe we could help identify what suits you.
What are your goals?
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Eric, as long as you understand there is more than one path to any destination, you can trust that both are giving you good advice. A difference of opinion to the same goal shouldn't matter unless you have trust issues. I doubt you should.
If you called a cam company tech line 3 times and gave your exact info to 3 different techs you would probably get 3 different cam recommendations. Each engine builder has his own way of getting to the desired goal. If you gave an exact goal no compromise in getting that goal, you may have to tweak any cam you get.
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Were the heads/intake etc exactly the same? Each combo would need a different cam.
Look at the results that each of them produce...if it's what you want..then they will get you there.
Tell us what combo you picked and what they're cam choices were. That will help explain maybe why one chose a particular lobe. Often in two different combinations a customer will seem to emphasize one trait more than another. In the next discussion he will say the same things but the next guy doesn't pick up on what was being emphasized...or maybe during that one you might have discussed idling in traffic...or maybe planning an O/D trans or a gear swap..or mentioned your wife likes to drive it...etc that changed the cam direction. This often happens without the speaker even knowing he did it.
JIM
Look at the results that each of them produce...if it's what you want..then they will get you there.
Tell us what combo you picked and what they're cam choices were. That will help explain maybe why one chose a particular lobe. Often in two different combinations a customer will seem to emphasize one trait more than another. In the next discussion he will say the same things but the next guy doesn't pick up on what was being emphasized...or maybe during that one you might have discussed idling in traffic...or maybe planning an O/D trans or a gear swap..or mentioned your wife likes to drive it...etc that changed the cam direction. This often happens without the speaker even knowing he did it.
JIM
I guess like everyone else that is in this hobby, I want my cake and eat it too. I was really impressed by the 454 based combination that Mike Lewis did for Devin (SS427). 643 HP out of a pump gas 454, I think is awesome. But the only thing I would like is a hydraulic roller. If builder A said use this cam & head package and make X amount of power, I'd be sold.
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I'm not sure exactly where this is headed. FWIW my Mark Jones 468 roller (625 HP/625 TQ) is a fantastic motor, hands down. Simply took it out of the box, installed it, hooked up a starter and fuel lines and exhaust and she started right up and hasn't had a hiccup. I have won the last 9 races in a row at the track.
Exactly how much HP do you need?
Exactly how much HP do you need?
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:secret: Ask Mark about his motor he is using in his car. I believe its a little 468. 10's even 9's is completely realistic. You will have to do your part with the car of course. That will be 90% of the battle when headed into those ET's.
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For street life, I'd go with the one that needs less valve spring pressure if you have confidence both combos will get you where you want to be (and are properly specing the springs).
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