Cam choice
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Cam choice
Im relatively new at the car building scene, i bought a '78 vette, well kept with about 78 thou miles on a 350 L-48 small block. I opened up the exhaust and installed headers, replaced the motor mounts, took out the non working ac etc.... But my next project in the near future i am hopeing to do is replace the cam, get a performance carb and, a performance intake manifold. but in wanting this i have no idea where to even begin. i was looking at a demon carb but i think i should do the cam and intake manifold first to get the engine ready for the carb. I would, Though like to do all of it at once because for all three jobs other than the carb it would require removing the engine pretty much[i think] if for nothing other than being able to work on it easier. All in all, what kind of cam should i get? i was looking at a few performance edelbrock cams from jegs, but as far as intake manifolds go i really have no idea what to look for. Is Demon the best choice for my car?
Pro
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From: Southeast
This past summer, I had my engine rebuilt and those were a couple of things I had done. I got a Edelbrock Performer Series aluminum high rise intake. I also have a Edelbrock Performer Series carb which I may change out in the near future because I don't really like it. I had a Comp Cams camshaft put in. The lift measured .462 .482 which is probably a little much for you if those things are the only things you're replacing. I've been really happy with it though. Hope this helps.
Melting Slicks
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From: Engineers do it better.
Originally Posted by Matt Gruber
comp 268H
Isn't that a bit big for L48 heads?
With my L-48 heads, I change to HE260H and was relatively happy.
I wanted more power, so I am doing a head/cam swap again. You might want to do the heads at the same time, money permitting of course.
Good luck.
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is swapping heads really necessary? im looking at the comp 270H Magnum, 268H High Energy, or 275 Dual Energy. althought i still dont really know what exactly needs to be done to determine how to pict one out.... 
Last edited by C3Muscle352; Mar 1, 2005 at 03:26 PM.
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by C3Muscle352
althought i still dont really know what exactly needs to be done to determine how to pict one out....
you need a big picture view of what you want....then you can go at it in piece meal fashion, if you like....go to the book store and there are books on engine buidups...read these and you can see how the componets are interrelated and what they cost....then figure how much you want to spend, and how much power you want, and go for it....the BIG PICTURE must come first though or you will waste money....
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: WESTLAKE LA
Originally Posted by C3Muscle352
is swapping heads really necessary? im looking at the comp 270H Magnum, 268H High Energy, or 275 Dual Energy. althought i still dont really know what exactly needs to be done to determine how to pict one out....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Swapping heads will give you much more bang for your buck than carb and intake -- these items are not as bad as you might think. But the heads well and truly suck.
I would do heads and cam first. Summit sells a really sweet set of "Summit"-brand heads for $650.
I would do heads and cam first. Summit sells a really sweet set of "Summit"-brand heads for $650.
Last edited by page62; Mar 1, 2005 at 04:03 PM.
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as far as heads go i really need alota help in choosing this. ok aluminum or iron ? SUM-151124 were the ones i found from summitt. What brand would be best for the hp gain for the money? i need alot of guidance in the choice of heads. the cam ill more than likely get will be the comp Magnum 270H, at least thats whats in the plan now.
Race Director
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
this book is filled with engine builds, well worth the $19
HPBooks,ISBN:1-55788-400-5, Small Block Chevy engine build ups, by Chevy High Performance....$18.95
HPBooks,ISBN:1-55788-400-5, Small Block Chevy engine build ups, by Chevy High Performance....$18.95