ok...i've done the searches and read alot of posts, but im still not sure what cam i should choose. many of the posts conflict with each other and i know its pobably because of the different components that everyone has. i'm going to order one this weekend, so your advice would really be appreciated.
here is what i have...76 l-48 350, stock bottom end (82,000 miles but good compression), 3.08 rear gear, stock auto trans (with B&M shift kit), stock converter, stock tire size, hooker headers with side pipes & baffles, hei dist with lars recurve kit, 650 speed demon with elec choke & vac secondaries, edelbrock rpm intake, 70 cc edelbrock rpm heads, comp roller tip rockers (going to get the pro magnum full rollers when i order the cam, not sure on 1.52 or 1.62 ratio either).
i know that in addition to the components that you have, satisfaction in a cam choice is based on what you want and how you drive. i dont race it, and its not an everyday driver (i do drive it to work sometimes when the weather is nice). its mainly just a weekend cruiser that i want to be fun to drive (ie. occasional tire chirp or burnout ). im interested in torque, 2 lane passing power, and in general throttle response that you can feel in the seat of your pants. an upgrade to 3.55 gears would probably help, and that may be my project for the winter after next followed by suspension upgrades (next winter will be alum radiator with dual spals), but now is the time to decide on a cam.
i like what i've read about the lunati voodoo cams (.437"/.454" lift, 250/256 dur), comp cams he 268h (dont think i will gamble on the xe series), the edelbrock performer plus cams (.420"/.442" lift, 278/288 dur), and the crane powermax (.432"/.459" lift, 256/268 dur). which of these (or what other) would be a good choice for what i want? any advice and all responses will really be appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

just a thought if your are scared away from the XE series why are you attracted to the voodoo cams? Cams are like girl friends you will get a million different responses....i have the XE 268 and i like it....maybe the 268h would be good choice for you they are different then the XE series, the other two cams (from crane and edelbrock) seem ok also. just not sure why you would want the voodoo if the XE scares you

 

with the xe cams, you dont have to read many posts to hear the dreaded "wiped lobe" phrase. i remember having read that you had excellent results with the xe 268. many of the problems could be caused by improper break in & etc., but if there are quality control or manufacturing issues, with my luck, i would be sure to get a defective one.

 

Buy yourself a GM 151 camshaft. This is the 350 HP 327`s mid 60`s hydraulic camshaft. Also get a new set of springs, retainers, and lifters plus 16 long slot rocker arm sets. Check the guide to retainer and coil bind clearances and if OK, then put it together and button it up. Forget about that roller valve train junk, it`s not really for the street and first time do it yourselfers contrary to the highly promoted and hyped users. You wont gain but a very few if any HP. What you will have is a bunch of very high maintance parts and also a set of valve covers that may not fit. But this combination works and trouble free with zero drive anywhere problems.

 

I wonder if that cam would be happy with low compression (8.5 v 11:1),
auto trans. and 3.08 gears. My L-79 (68) with that cam doesn't start pulling till 3,000 rpm.

 

i wasnt sure, but was thinking the same thing. but, the compression is probably a little higher than the stock 8.5, because the stock heads were 76 cc (i think) and the edelbrock heads are 70 cc.

 

I saw that after I posted, but that 151 cam was designed with 11:1 pistons in mind...you probably have 9.2 or so...

 

I have used it in my 84 and it brought some HP to the table where as the 84 Vette was about the slowest slug ever built. That engine had absolutly nothing except the dual throttle bodies. The Nash 4+3 couldn`t help it either, but the GM 151 cam did. It has some characteristics of the 70 LT1 solid lifter cam that makes it a good choice.

 

if you have edelbrock RPM heads and an RPM intake why not go with and Edelbrock matching cam? and let them give you recommendations?

 

thanks big G. i wasnt really sure what the c/r would be now.

 

I see your point on the 84, but tkeio440 has an auto. trans. with 3.08 gears, and that cam needs a 4 speed to let it rev.....

 

from what i've read in the posts, the matching edelbrock rpm cam would be a dog off the line with my rear gear & stock converter. im not sure though, thats why im asking the forum. while lurking, i've learned alot from what i've read here on all kinds of topics, and i really value the experience and opinions that all the members have. i learn as much about what NOT to do as i do about what i should do.

 

edelbrock plays around with there stuff alot and they have real engineers doing it......if they put together a package i bet it would be as good as they advertise it to be. they are not over inflating their products as other do....

 

There is a big diff 3:08 vs. 3:55. Either way you need Torque! A 268 needs a hi stall converter to work. Think 262, it gives a little extra from the bottom where you need it w/auto. A 268 would work w/3:55s and more stall.
Best advice I ever heard on cam choice:
Do all your homework, find the best cam for your car/driving habits.
Then get 1 size smaller cam! JMHO

Rick

 

sounds like solid advice. still was curious what everyone thought would be good with what i have.

 

You beat me to it, great street cam (262), good manners, etc-will make plenty of usable torque. Edelbrock RPM cam way too big for an auto, stock converter and gears.

Nothing wrong with a hydraulic roller, over 124,000 miles, no problems at all

 

ttt

 

The L82 cam (.450/.450) might not be a bad cam with the setup, however, it would probably like more gear, or a 4 speed.
I guess I would look for a cam that really maximized the torque.

trw

 

Here is a direct comparison between flat and roller cams and valve train junk. http://www.idavette.net/hib/camcon.htm

Looks like a good modification to me.

BigBlockk

Later.....

 

Look at this page.

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...0707&langId=-1

Number 270-100042 is the one I would get.

BigBlockk

Later.....