cam question- solid 350
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 6
From: CT
cam question- solid 350
Hello,
I was hoping to build a 383 stroker this summer, but I might end up just doing a cam swap in my current 350.
I was looking at a few Comp Solid cams. I want to make a honest 400-420hp. But I don't want to go too big with my cam selection.
Here a few cams I was looking at: (the last two much be too big)
1. XS274S- 274/280 236/242@.050" .501/.510 110 LSA
rpm 2000-6400
2. XS282S- 282/290 244/252@.050" .520/.540 110 LSA
rpm 2400-6800
3. 294S - 294/294 248/248@.050" .525/.525 110 LSA
rpm 2500-6500
Has anybody here ever used one of these cams before? Are there any other solid cams that would be good for my set up?
Thanks,
Kevin
I was hoping to build a 383 stroker this summer, but I might end up just doing a cam swap in my current 350.
I was looking at a few Comp Solid cams. I want to make a honest 400-420hp. But I don't want to go too big with my cam selection.
Here a few cams I was looking at: (the last two much be too big)
1. XS274S- 274/280 236/242@.050" .501/.510 110 LSA
rpm 2000-6400
2. XS282S- 282/290 244/252@.050" .520/.540 110 LSA
rpm 2400-6800
3. 294S - 294/294 248/248@.050" .525/.525 110 LSA
rpm 2500-6500
Has anybody here ever used one of these cams before? Are there any other solid cams that would be good for my set up?
Thanks,
Kevin
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 6
From: CT
I almost forgot to list my current set up
I have a 4spd with 3.73 gears
motor:
350ci
10.25:1 compression
XE268 cam
Roller tip rockers
Sportsman II heads (200cc, 2.02")
PRM Intake (I might switch to a single plane)
750cfm speed demon (runs rich with current set up)
1 5/8" headers and 2.5" flowmasters
I have a 4spd with 3.73 gears
motor:
350ci
10.25:1 compression
XE268 cam
Roller tip rockers
Sportsman II heads (200cc, 2.02")
PRM Intake (I might switch to a single plane)
750cfm speed demon (runs rich with current set up)
1 5/8" headers and 2.5" flowmasters
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,087
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
I run the Comp XS282s in the 355 in my Z28- pics in my photo album if you're interested. I don't know how the flow numbers for your Sportsmans compare to the AFR 195s that I have but my comp ratio is pretty close to yours at 11:1. With that cam the idle is fairly nasty but throttle response is good, with very strong mid range & top end power.
My combo should be comfortably around 450+ HP according to everybody I talked to before deciding on that cam. I'd go with a split pattern cam with your heads and I'd stick with the dual plane intake. I run a Weiand Steath intake w/ a 1/2" phenolic spacer. If you want to give up a little peak HP and play it safe in terms of street usable torque the XS274s looks pretty good. Either way you should hit your goal of 400+ HP.
My combo should be comfortably around 450+ HP according to everybody I talked to before deciding on that cam. I'd go with a split pattern cam with your heads and I'd stick with the dual plane intake. I run a Weiand Steath intake w/ a 1/2" phenolic spacer. If you want to give up a little peak HP and play it safe in terms of street usable torque the XS274s looks pretty good. Either way you should hit your goal of 400+ HP.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,170
Likes: 72
From: State of Confusion
While others may argue, I'm not even-sure you really need a solid-lifter cam to achieve 400-425 HP.
I have a 355 CID SBC in my '79 Z28 that weighs-in at 3700+ pounds at the strip:
it is 10.3:1 CR, uses 1989 iron DART heads (2.020"/1.600"/64cc), Victor Jr. intake, 750 double-pump Holley, and has an 'old-technology' CC 292H cam.
With a THM400, 10" converter, and street tires, it has run 13.60s @ 105 thru the pipes, which is (maybe???) quicker and faster than the lighter 1970 370/360 HP LT-1 Z28s or Corvettes.
I have a 355 CID SBC in my '79 Z28 that weighs-in at 3700+ pounds at the strip:
it is 10.3:1 CR, uses 1989 iron DART heads (2.020"/1.600"/64cc), Victor Jr. intake, 750 double-pump Holley, and has an 'old-technology' CC 292H cam.
With a THM400, 10" converter, and street tires, it has run 13.60s @ 105 thru the pipes, which is (maybe???) quicker and faster than the lighter 1970 370/360 HP LT-1 Z28s or Corvettes.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 6
From: CT
thanks guys
Les- That sounds like an awesome combo you have there. I think those AFR 195 are alot better then the sportsmans.
Motorhead- did you use the 282S or The SX282S? I think the 282S is a single pattern a step below the 294S. How was the torque and what gears did you run with it?
Les- That sounds like an awesome combo you have there. I think those AFR 195 are alot better then the sportsmans.
Motorhead- did you use the 282S or The SX282S? I think the 282S is a single pattern a step below the 294S. How was the torque and what gears did you run with it?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 6
From: CT
thanks guys
Les- That sounds like an awesome combo you have there. I think those AFR 195 are alot better then the sportsmans.
Motorhead- did you use the 282S or The SX282S? I think the 282S is a single pattern a step below the 294S. How was the torque and what gears did you run with it?
Les- That sounds like an awesome combo you have there. I think those AFR 195 are alot better then the sportsmans.
Motorhead- did you use the 282S or The SX282S? I think the 282S is a single pattern a step below the 294S. How was the torque and what gears did you run with it?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 6
From: CT
I just always thought that solid cams made more power then hyd. flat tappet. Since I'm going to replace the cam and lifters I figured why not go Solid.
Are there any disadvantages of running solid v. hyd lifters?
Are there any disadvantages of running solid v. hyd lifters?
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Ashburn VA
L82kid, Im putting together a 350 with edelbrock rpm heads ( I had laying around, not my first pick) and am gonna use the xs282 with a victor jr, 750 holley. I should have it together in a few weeks, I will let you know how it runs. Its going in a 71 c3 4spd with 411's.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,087
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Originally Posted by L-82kid
thanks guys
Les- That sounds like an awesome combo you have there. I think those AFR 195 are alot better then the sportsmans.
Motorhead- did you use the 282S or The SX282S? I think the 282S is a single pattern a step below the 294S. How was the torque and what gears did you run with it?
Les- That sounds like an awesome combo you have there. I think those AFR 195 are alot better then the sportsmans.
Motorhead- did you use the 282S or The SX282S? I think the 282S is a single pattern a step below the 294S. How was the torque and what gears did you run with it?
The only downside to solid lifters is adjusting the valves from time to time- not a big deal though. Like Bob said, the lifters with the oiling holes are a good idea. I got mine from Crower.
I have a couple of short vids if you want to hear it running. They were taken before timing & valve lash were dialed in but you can still get a pretty good idea. I'll email them to you if you're interested.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,641
Likes: 187
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Torque was 334 at the rear wheels, nice cam I probably would have gone with the dual pattern but it wasn't too available back then 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,170
Likes: 72
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by L-82kid
I just always thought that solid cams made more power then hyd. flat tappet. Since I'm going to replace the cam and lifters I figured why not go Solid.
Are there any disadvantages of running solid v. hyd lifters?
Are there any disadvantages of running solid v. hyd lifters?
when my Z28 was built, with the intention of racing weekly at the local strip, I had no truck or trailer, and I had to run on street-tires, so I figured a hydraulic cam wouldn't be destructive on the drive-train or spin the tires.
When I finally did get a tow vehicle and trailer, the car was deadly consistent, even more-so with slicks and an 8" converter, so I decided against changing the motor:
it currently runs 12-eighties at 105 MPH.
Last edited by Glensgages; May 6, 2005 at 05:04 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,170
Likes: 72
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by Les
Glen, those are some impressive numbers 
Hell, when we began, I was just hoping for consistency and durability.
The 'power-to-weight' calculations, based on MPH, show approx 290 RWHP, while numbers based-on ET (much-less accurate) say approx 345 RWHP:
either-way, the numbers are-what-they-are, and these figures might help-out anybody pondering this choice of cam-styles.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I am running a 292S in my 350 motor. It has around 10 to 1 compression. AFR 190 heads and the stock LT1 intake. I have run a best of 12.7 at 110. I feel there is a little more in my combo. I should be able to run mid 12s. This is all on street tires. It has a pretty hairy idle and will pull to 7000 rpm so your short block should be able to take it. I have thought about changing it but every time I drive it I change my mind. Next cam would be a roller.