LT1 Cam
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
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From: Madison NJ
LT1 Cam
I have a stock 1970 350/300 motor with an Edelbrock maniflod ,Holley carb and have have been offered an original 1970 LT1 Cam.
Would this be a good choice or should I look to get something else?
Would this be a good choice or should I look to get something else?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
The LT1 is a decent cam but the technology is old. A long duration with a low lift. A shorter duration with a high lift will give you more grunt. A lot depends on your rear gear and transmission. A 3.08 geared automatic the cam would be a dog. A 4.11 geared stick it would work OK. I ran the LT1 cam in my LT1 for a few years and canned it for a more modern cam. Still solid lifters and it ran a lot better. I still run a big solid cam in my 385 motor but I have a low 1st gear and 3.70 gears out back, plus a lot of other mods. In a short answer I would pass on the cam and go with a more modern design cam.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Madison NJ
The LT1 is a decent cam but the technology is old. A long duration with a low lift. A shorter duration with a high lift will give you more grunt. A lot depends on your rear gear and transmission. A 3.08 geared automatic the cam would be a dog. A 4.11 geared stick it would work OK. I ran the LT1 cam in my LT1 for a few years and canned it for a more modern cam. Still solid lifters and it ran a lot better. I still run a big solid cam in my 385 motor but I have a low 1st gear and 3.70 gears out back, plus a lot of other mods. In a short answer I would pass on the cam and go with a more modern design cam.
What is the RPM operating range of that old LT1 Cam?
Last edited by Sweet; Oct 16, 2007 at 12:32 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
You'd be happier with one of the CompCams High Energy cams that's better matched to those gears such as the 206H or the 268H. You're limited to around .450 lift with the stock heads/springs.
The LT1 cam is made for high RPMs, and as a mechanical flat-tappet it's not a great street cam IMHO. CompCams still makes this grind under P/N 346S if you want to compare the specs.
The LT1 cam is made for high RPMs, and as a mechanical flat-tappet it's not a great street cam IMHO. CompCams still makes this grind under P/N 346S if you want to compare the specs.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 39
From: Fremont CA
My wife thinks the LT-1 cam is too small. The 1970 LT-1 roadster we have dosen't lope at idle like my 72 LT-1 with a solid roller cam, she wants me to put a bigger cam in the 70. Thats why I love my wife!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 78
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From: Nashville NC
You've got a keeper there. Not many like that around. That's why I'm single I guess.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,360
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
Given your engine configuration at 10:1 SCR, and assumed stock exhaust manifolds you might want to look at an Engle Cams 21040-H, 215/222 @ .050" with .453"/ .471" ground on a 112 LSA.
For a cheaper alternative, you could use a Sum-K1103 with similar durations on a 114LSA but shorter lifts.
Just as a comparison, the L-46/L-82 cam specs are:
0.050” 224*/224*, 450”/.460”, icl 114*, ecl 114*, LSA 114* (intake close 47* ABC)
For a cheaper alternative, you could use a Sum-K1103 with similar durations on a 114LSA but shorter lifts.
Just as a comparison, the L-46/L-82 cam specs are:
0.050” 224*/224*, 450”/.460”, icl 114*, ecl 114*, LSA 114* (intake close 47* ABC)
Last edited by Scott Marzahl; Oct 16, 2007 at 06:39 PM.
