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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 01:08 PM
  #1  
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Default Looking for Cam Recommendations

When I bought this car, it had a Summit circle track cam in it. It is extremely lopey and sounds great, but it does not like to idle, has no low end power, and has so much overlap at idle you might as well put your face in a bucket of gasoline.


Camshaft Type:
Hydraulic Flat Tappet

RPM Range:
3250-6750

Intake Duration:
298

Exhaust Duration:
300

Intake Duration (.050" Lift):
238

Exhaust Duration (.050" Lift):
244

Lobe Separation:
106 °


I'm in the process of pulling the engine now for a yet determined problem, but while it's out, I'm going to swap it for something a little less aggressive.
Any recommendations? Looking for something hydraulic that still sounds fancier than stock but it more street-able.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 01:24 PM
  #2  
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go junkyarding. find an 880 block vortec L31 engine. put an LT4 Hot Cam in it. retire that flat tappet block.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 02:15 PM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by bluthundr
When I bought this car, it had a Summit circle track cam in it. It is extremely lopey and sounds great, but it does not like to idle, has no low end power, and has so much overlap at idle you might as well put your face in a bucket of gasoline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlSJ2qqeWQQ

Camshaft Type:
Hydraulic Flat Tappet

RPM Range:
3250-6750

Intake Duration:
298

Exhaust Duration:
300

Intake Duration (.050" Lift):
238

Exhaust Duration (.050" Lift):
244

Lobe Separation:
106 °


I'm in the process of pulling the engine now for a yet determined problem, but while it's out, I'm going to swap it for something a little less aggressive.
Any recommendations? Looking for something hydraulic that still sounds fancier than stock but it more street-able.
That 106 LSA is what is killing it, plus that is just a big cam.
I would go with some in the 112 to 114 range with a mid 220 intake and mid 230 exhaust. Will run good have good power everywhere and sound like it has a cam
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 02:58 PM
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Is it a 350? Or does that say 383 on the valve cover? Just curious, with the cam you have now, is there enough vacuum for headlights and brakes?

Last edited by BKbroiler; Apr 30, 2021 at 03:00 PM.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 03:04 PM
  #5  
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What trans, gearing do you have? Hard to give an answer really.
stock compression and heads?
Dave at Crower Cams and Ron at Isky can get you the right one the first time.

Last edited by cv67; Apr 30, 2021 at 03:05 PM.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 04:37 PM
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This is the cam I just picked up for my 79, I haven't ran it yet but it is reviewed well.

https://www.compcams.com/magnum-230-...all-block.html
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 05:03 PM
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Its impossible for anyone here to pick the perfect cam for your app w/o any data on your engine.
It requires about 20 questions to verify exactly what you have and what your intentions with the vehicle will be.

Please, call a pro at any of the cam manufacturers and have them set you up. Its what they are paid to do.

Last edited by HeadsU.P.; May 1, 2021 at 07:36 AM.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 09:02 PM
  #8  
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Look through the compcams extreme energy line. They sound good and have great streetable manners. Ive used them for years.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 09:11 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by 79SLWL82
This is the cam I just picked up for my 79, I haven't ran it yet but it is reviewed well.

https://www.compcams.com/magnum-230-...all-block.html
That was a nice cam in my L-82 but I had about 1 more point of compression over stock with Kieth Black domed pistons and 4.030" bore, stock 2.02" heads. Ran really well.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 09:39 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by BKbroiler
Is it a 350? Or does that say 383 on the valve cover? Just curious, with the cam you have now, is there enough vacuum for headlights and brakes?
It is the original block bored out, and not at all. Brakes are ok but converted to electric motors for the headlights.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 09:49 PM
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Always liked the 280 type cams. Comp was ok, Isky, Elgin; strong midrange.
Needs some gear or a converter though .

Last edited by cv67; Apr 30, 2021 at 09:50 PM.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 09:51 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by cv67
What trans, gearing do you have? Hard to give an answer really.
stock compression and heads?
Dave at Crower Cams and Ron at Isky can get you the right one the first time.
Stock heads besides just rockers, original L48 block bored out with original T10 transmission
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 09:54 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by HeadsU.P.
Its impossible for anyone here to pick the perfect cam for w/o any data on your engine.
It requires about 20 questions to verify exactly what you have and what your intentions with the vehicle will be.

Please, call a pro at any of the cam manufacturers and have them set you up. Its what they are paid to do.
Not really asking for anyone to pick the perfect cam for my car, just asking for what types people are running and happy with.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 10:00 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by resdoggie
That was a nice cam in my L-82 but I had about 1 more point of compression over stock with Kieth Black domed pistons and 4.030" bore, stock 2.02" heads. Ran really well.
I'm guessing I have about 11:1 with flat top pistons and 4.030" bore
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 10:46 PM
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The cam you choose depends very much on your compression ratio. Do some research on 'dynamic compression ratio' and select a cam that will give you about 8.5:1 with aluminum heads or about 8:1 with cast iron. Personally I like about 224 degrees of intake duration (@ .050") and a 110 deg. LSA. You might want to use a dual pattern cam with a little more exhaust duration depending on your heads. To me these numbers represent a nice compromise between performance and driveability, but if you put one in an engine with too much compression you will have a detonation problem. If you put it in an engine with too little compression it will be a dog.
I agree your engine has way too much cam. Sounds cool but it must be a bear to live with.
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Old Apr 30, 2021 | 11:36 PM
  #16  
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No doubt that 106 lobe separation doesn’t like low rpm , that cam would be fine or a lot better on a 110
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Old May 1, 2021 | 12:36 AM
  #17  
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If those heads are 76cc your compression is somewhat low
64cc without the block or heads decked youd be lucky to see 10:1
Pistons can be .025 to .045 in the hole
If you pop a valve cover there will be a part number cast in (they are raised). What are the last 3 digits?
Id be temped to say an Iaky 270 mega cam without knowing more.
Sounds good makes more torque than the 350hp cam. Fun to drive, will work power brakes
Can be used with a stock converter but works real good with a 2600

Dual patterns with tight lsa blow all your torque right out the tailpipe unless you got lots of rpm
Opinions may vary...man would an upgraded set of heads wiht that cam be fun...nice 180cc piece.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 11:19 AM
  #18  
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Agree with the above. Talk to a pro at the cam mfgrs. Or 2 or 3.
Stay under 230 degrees or less for a great street cam. 230 and above you very quickly sacrifice idle quality/vacuum/low rpm TQ
In your case it is not the 230 degrees that is killing it, it is the extremely tight race only 106 lobe center. That needs to go!
110 to 112 is probably a minimum.
The rest of the details will depend on you compression, gearing and intended use. Have all that available before you call or they can not really help you.

BTW my 230/240 duration roller on my 454 generates 15 " of vacuum at idle due to it's 110LC. Sounds great and has peak TQ at a low 3300 rpm with a 2200-6300 powerband.

Last edited by leigh1322; May 1, 2021 at 11:21 AM.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 02:02 PM
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The Comp 268H was designed for these type stock smog era engines. You cant go wrong with that one.
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Old May 1, 2021 | 07:24 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by cv67
If those heads are 76cc your compression is somewhat low
64cc without the block or heads decked youd be lucky to see 10:1
Pistons can be .025 to .045 in the hole
If you pop a valve cover there will be a part number cast in (they are raised). What are the last 3 digits?
Id be temped to say an Iaky 270 mega cam without knowing more.
Sounds good makes more torque than the 350hp cam. Fun to drive, will work power brakes
Can be used with a stock converter but works real good with a 2600

Dual patterns with tight lsa blow all your torque right out the tailpipe unless you got lots of rpm
Opinions may vary...man would an upgraded set of heads wiht that cam be fun...nice 180cc piece.
Heads are numbered 3998993 - 182
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