Help With Cam

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Oct 28, 2006 | 08:31 AM

toupstrio

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 751

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From: Lufkin Texas

Help With Cam

Sorry not trying to beat a dead horse I know this has been covered before even for myself. The last time I asked these questions though I bought a crate motor and everything was set up for me, this time the machine shop is building one.
Here are the specs
1979 L82 going 30 over, Vortec heads that have been polished and ported with 2.0 intake and 1.5 exhaust, edelbrock performer intake, headers, 2-1/2 inch exhaust, automatic transmission.
Now here is where I need the help, looking for a cam that will be in the ower range from 1500 to 5500 rpm I think maybe I am wrong thats where you guys help. I want a noticeable idle but also don't want any vacumn problems.

Please advise over:

Oct 28, 2006 | 09:22 AM

marshrat99

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 2,135

Likes: 2

From: Dayton Oh

I'll go first and start the debate. On my 79, I'm using a Compcam XE262. However, several here have the 268 or 274. The 262 has a fair lope at idle and torque is great. I've paired it up with a Edelbrock Performer EPS intake and vacuum is very good.

Oct 28, 2006 | 09:59 AM

toupstrio

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 751

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From: Lufkin Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshrat99

Thanks I heard good reviews about the comp cams.

Oct 28, 2006 | 10:48 AM

63mako

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Joined: May 2005

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From: Millington Illinois

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by toupstrio

Thanks I heard good reviews about the comp cams.

Check your springs for coil bind whatever you use. Vortech heads will only take A faily small lift thik it is around .480 maybe less. Do a search on the forum as this has been discussed recently. Remember if you go with 1.6 rockers it increases the lift at the valve so more chance of coil bind.

Oct 28, 2006 | 10:51 AM

toupstrio

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2005

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From: Lufkin Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63mako

Heads have been reworked and new springs good to 510 lift so i think i should stay with the 1.5 rockers now that i have learned how to figure the lift.

Oct 28, 2006 | 10:54 AM

63mako

Race Director

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 10,674

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From: Millington Illinois

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by toupstrio

Heads have been reworked and new springs good to 510 lift so i think i should stay with the 1.5 rockers now that i have learned how to figure the lift.

In that case I would go with the XE268. It will get plenty of vacumn and let those heads work! The hydraulic roller version will give you about 30 more HP and little or no maintainance issues

Oct 28, 2006 | 11:18 AM

toupstrio

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 751

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From: Lufkin Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63mako

In that case I would go with the XE268. It will get plenty of vacumn and let those heads work! The hydraulic roller version will give you about 30 more HP and little or no maintainance issues

I thought I read on the forum a retrofit to go with a roller cam in a older block did you see that article also?

Oct 28, 2006 | 11:32 AM

jackson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina

The conversion that retrofits OE-type late model hydraulic roller lifters involves quite a bit of grinding ... lotsa grinding dust. For all intents & purposes ... that conversion would require the motor to be completely disassembled & and thoroughly cleaned out. If you have plans to scatter & clean your motor tthen this might be for you.

There are plenty of hydraulic roller conversions that require aftermarket roller lifters ... the aftermarket hydraulic roller lifters alone start at about $375/engine set ... then you need a roller cam$ ... roller springs$ ... retainers$ ... etc$ etc$.