Camshafts
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Brookhaven Mississippi
Camshafts
Ok so i have come to the conclusion that i have a basic GM 350 motor that was put in the car about 5000 miles ago before we purchased it. Im not sure of the cam thats in it yet. whether its flat tappet as it was stock or if the PO placed a roller cam in. But in the case that it is still flat tappet, what kind of cam kit should i get? the best/best price.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Brookhaven Mississippi
just from looking around and hearing guys talk everyone suggests changing to roller cams. what is the purpose in it?
and also is it ok that im using 10w 30 oil in this? i have been taking a couple long trips so i have been changing the oil myself and placing this grade in there.
and also is it ok that im using 10w 30 oil in this? i have been taking a couple long trips so i have been changing the oil myself and placing this grade in there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 10
From: Brooklet Ga.
Changing a cam just for the sake of changing is not what I would do. Why would you want to do that. Cams need to be matched to heads, compression, valve size, combustion chamber size, rear end gear and a lot of other things. A lot of people think getting a bigger cam will make them faster or sound really cool and then don`t understand why the car runs like crap. Think about what you use the car for and then build an engine for that purpose. IF IT AINT BROKE DON`T FIX IT
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
If it is a flat tappet camshaft, you should run either ZDDP additive or oil that already has high zinc in it listed here : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ppet-oils.htmlWill
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Brookhaven Mississippi
i know they have to be matched im just wanting improved performance and especially more hp... im taking a wild guess right now that im pushing about 350 with this engine and the upgrades. im checking the cam tomorrow to see if im lucky and there is already a roller in place.
ok so with the oil.. once i check the cam and do find out it is a flat tappet. will this increase in zinc cause the car to perform better or is it just for the sake of engine life?
ok so with the oil.. once i check the cam and do find out it is a flat tappet. will this increase in zinc cause the car to perform better or is it just for the sake of engine life?
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: West Columbia SC
Cams
My 2 bits on this, I would not convert to a roller cam without some thought, as this can run into more changes than you might think. My first rebuild I stayed with a flat tappet cam and ended up with cam wear problems that resulted in a tear down of the engine. I went back with a roller cam the second go around and this was in a very expensive attempt to avoid any further cam issues. There do seem to be a growing group of people who believe that failures of flat tappet cams are of epidemic preportions. If not for the expense the build and then rebuild cost me, it is almost laughable to watch the big blame circle go around. The builders blame the cam company, the cam company blames the oil maker, the oil maker blames the people providing the cores for the cam company. Still before dropping alot of money in building a motor I would read up on it. I also see now that some of the cam people are selling their own brands of oil additives for breaking in flat tappet cams. Then still you have others that continue to use flat tappet cams and have not had any issues at all
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Changing a cam just for the sake of changing is not what I would do. Why would you want to do that. Cams need to be matched to heads, compression, valve size, combustion chamber size, rear end gear and a lot of other things. A lot of people think getting a bigger cam will make them faster or sound really cool and then don`t understand why the car runs like crap. Think about what you use the car for and then build an engine for that purpose. IF IT AINT BROKE DON`T FIX IT
And for the reasons stated above I use more custom cams now to properly tune an engine package for my needs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 10
From: Brooklet Ga.
[QUOTE=phildawg19;1574775847]i know they have to be matched im just wanting improved performance and especially more hp... im taking a wild guess right now that im pushing about 350 with this engine and the upgrades. im checking the cam tomorrow to see if im lucky and there is already a roller in place.
ok so with the oil.. once i check the cam and do find out it is a flat tappet. will this increase in zinc cause the car to perform better or is it just for the sake of engine life?[/QUOTE
I seriously doubt you have a roller, I have built both flat solid, flat hydraulic and rollers and have never had any cam problems. You didn`t tell us is the car an automatic or manual. a big cam will cause converter and vacum problems. What are you going to degree the cam at or are you just going to sitck it in and hope for the best. Degreeing a cam with the engine in the car is a hassle at best. Do you have a degree wheel and dial indicator to set it up with? I`m not trying to rain on your parade but it sounds like you are going to spend a bunch of money just to sound good at the drive in on Sat night and you may do all of that and be dissapointed with the results. You could put in a huge cam and then have small heads with a stock intake and not enough carb to feed it and end up with a dog.
ok so with the oil.. once i check the cam and do find out it is a flat tappet. will this increase in zinc cause the car to perform better or is it just for the sake of engine life?[/QUOTE
I seriously doubt you have a roller, I have built both flat solid, flat hydraulic and rollers and have never had any cam problems. You didn`t tell us is the car an automatic or manual. a big cam will cause converter and vacum problems. What are you going to degree the cam at or are you just going to sitck it in and hope for the best. Degreeing a cam with the engine in the car is a hassle at best. Do you have a degree wheel and dial indicator to set it up with? I`m not trying to rain on your parade but it sounds like you are going to spend a bunch of money just to sound good at the drive in on Sat night and you may do all of that and be dissapointed with the results. You could put in a huge cam and then have small heads with a stock intake and not enough carb to feed it and end up with a dog.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
i know they have to be matched im just wanting improved performance and especially more hp... im taking a wild guess right now that im pushing about 350 with this engine and the upgrades. im checking the cam tomorrow to see if im lucky and there is already a roller in place.
ok so with the oil.. once i check the cam and do find out it is a flat tappet. will this increase in zinc cause the car to perform better or is it just for the sake of engine life?
ok so with the oil.. once i check the cam and do find out it is a flat tappet. will this increase in zinc cause the car to perform better or is it just for the sake of engine life?
Wild guess is correct! Unless you have upgrades that you are not mentioning.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Brookhaven Mississippi
i do. i just found out today i have diff heads, performer eps intake, 1406 carb, hooker headers and i know im missing a couple more things but oh well. ive decided im not worrying about my cam right now. it is flat tappet and i know now i need to add oil withhigher zinc levels. but right now shes running beautifully so i wont touch a thing
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 10
From: Brooklet Ga.
i do. i just found out today i have diff heads, performer eps intake, 1406 carb, hooker headers and i know im missing a couple more things but oh well. ive decided im not worrying about my cam right now. it is flat tappet and i know now i need to add oil withhigher zinc levels. but right now shes running beautifully so i wont touch a thing
