[mrv777]

Hello,

I was wondering if you guys could tell me if there is a better cam choice for me. Here are my current specs:

Chevy sbc 350
-1.94/1.50 open chamber iron heads 462624
-9.6 compression
-Cam .454"/.480" 272/284 ( I think its the Crane H-272-2)
TKO-600 w/.64 overdrive
3.42 rear gear

Now I plan on getting some Brodix IK180 heads and I was wondering if there is a better choice of cam for me. I currently can get about 17mpg on the highway and don't want to get less than that, so I don't want a crazy cam, but I'm hoping it can still pack a punch.

Thanks in Advance

 

[mr 4 speed]

The Comp XE268 has done well for the SBC guys here

 

[mrv777]

Will I still have enough power at 2000rpm for highway cruising with the overdrive? Right now the low end is a little weak for the highway. I need to be going 70+ to really be able use 5th gear

 

[Guest]

Probably a cam that's down around 258 to 262 and even Isky's 264 Mega cam will be fine!

Glad you are looking at actual road speed rpm cam cruise range b/c some don't and then find out that they've installed a cam that's two size's too big later.

And as alway's, jmho.

pdq67

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[mrv777]

So the XE268 would probably be too much cam for highway driving with my overdrive? The 264 Mega cam seems like its good for my specs with the info on their site.
Cam info

 

[fabio]

the isky mega cams work well, but with the 108 lsa they won't get the best of milage like you're looking for. I would just stay with your current cam, it's already broken in. Maybe just throw some 1.6 rockers on to get more lift.

 

[novaderrik]

i've been looking at those same heads- they seem like a good bargain for the money.
maybe step back the same cam i've got- it is the Speed Pro version of the Edelbrock "Performer" cam that has .420/.440 lift and something like 270 duration.
with 9:1 or so compression and gears in the 3.42 range, it is a very good street cam. and it's cheap, too- i paid $120 for the cam, lifters, oil pump, and complete engine gasket set from Northern last spring.

 

[mrv777]

fabio
I am looking to get a new cam, because my current one is no good for my setup on the highway because of the the overdrive. Unless, your saying the lifters will help out with that. Sorry, I don't really know much about the lifters and how they effect everything

novaderrick
Is this the cam your talking about: Cam

Also, I was wondering if I could get your guys input on the VooDoo 60102 for me. It looks decent and I believe it has 112 lsa, which from what I understand can help out with gas mileage

Thanks

 

[fabio]

no I was saying just to use the cam you already have. Btw you can't reuse the lifters as they are already broken in. When you buy a new cam you also need new lifters. But the voodoo is pretty much the same cam. Look at the duration at .050 numbers,
yours is 218/230 and the voodoo is 219/228. That's pretty much the same cam you have now imo. That's some good mileage your getting. Another question is, what's the chamber volume of your old heads? Those new heads should outperform you old ones from idle to the top end.

 

[jeff swisher]

Do one change at a time...
The engine with new heads will act completely different ..
624 heads had approximately 76cc chambers take off .030 and unshroud a little and 72cc would be close...
Hope you are getting 64cc IK..That will increase mileage and torque through the entire rpm range...IN THEORY.. if you keep your foot out of it

 

[Guest]

Imho, the old 204/214, .420"/.442" lift Performer cam will be a DANDY, although small. You can buy it from Summit for less than a "C"-note w/ new lifter's the last time I looked??

It is a one-step up from the great old GM -929 cam at 195/202, 112/108, .390"/.410" lift.

Also, please consider Crane's 266 H10 Energizer at 266/210, 110/105, .440" lift hy-cam.

And here is another, this little-bitty solid lifter cam b/c again, I bet it is a DANDY!!

A Clevite, PN 229-1998;

258/219/270/229, 114/110, .456"/.479" gross lift and need's .022" lash on both sides. Sucker should rpm up until it scare's you even tho it's tiny just b/c it's a solid lifter cam!

pdq67

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[mrv777]

There's a real science to picking the right cam and I still have a lot to learn. I'm thinking I might just stick with the cam I have for now and see how new cylinder heads change things, once I get them.

Thanks

 

[Jason Snyder]

There's a real science to picking the right cam and I still have a lot to learn. I'm thinking I might just stick with the cam I have for now and see how new cylinder heads change things, once I get them.

Thanks

Ive been in a car that ran that 272 crane cam . I was amazed at what a slug the car was . with the lsa there is almost no lope ! bUT it should get great gas mileage. I think this cam will be fine cruising at 1700 rpm.

 

[Guest]

264 Mega.

pdq67

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[novaderrik]

novaderrick
Is this the cam your talking about: Cam

Thanks

yeah, that's the cam.. i didn't realize it was only $39.99. .damn, that's cheap..
i don't have any proof- but i think that's the exact same cam that Edelbrock sells as the Perfromer. it has all the same specs, except Speed Pro says it has .443 lift instead of the .442 of the Edelbrock parts- which, i think, would be well within production tolerances either way.. i still have the E.O sticker that came with my cam, and if i could find someone with an Edelbrock cam, i would like to compare E.O. numbers to confirm it..

 

[Guest]

I figure it's the same cam E-brock is selling as their Performer for a bunch more money to those that aren't into this like us guys are.

I bought a new in the box Perfect Circle one years ago for $30 at a swap meet. The guy had a stack of them.

pdq67

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[mrv777]

I have a question:
What's more important to look at? Duration .050 numbers or the other duration? Or is it just that manufactures take the other duration at different numbers? Like I've seen that take it at .005 and .008.

Thanks

 

[fabio]

you look at both, mainly you look at the duration at .050, then I look at ad duration. When you compare the duration at .050 to ad duration you get an idea of how intense the design is. For example if you look at older cams from the 60's, the ad duration is in the low 300's for a cam that is only around 221 duration @.050". But the cam companines use take the ad duration at different times. For example crane uses .004, while others might use .008" Taking it at .004 will make the numbers bigger, while the .008 will do the opposite. Atleast solids have a standard at .020". But if your confused, call up a smaller cam company and ask what they suggest. For example isky, reed cams(great prices), howards have great customer service and tech guys.

 

[Jim Elliott]

From PDQ....--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Imho, the old 204/214, .420"/.442" lift Performer cam will be a DANDY

PDQ, Stuck in the Comp cam (255 DEH) 203/212 into a "Heavy chebby" (74 Impala) and that 406 engine pulls like a mule......Plus when driven 70 MPH or under the milage is around 18 MPG.....
In my 355...A (265 DEH 211/221) is in it and for a 4100 pound car it also trots along with great milage (2004r) 16-19 MPG

 

[Guest]

And the General used something stupid like .001"!!

That's why the -346 or 30-30/fuelie cam is rated at 346!

pdq67

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