Newbie Needs Help!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Newbie Needs Help!
Gentlemen, Have a 71 car with a 78 L82 motor (220HP). Spent most my cash on purchase so the first few upgrades have to be minimal cost. The Cam has lost a lobe so that's the first thing (otherwise it runs pretty darn good on 7 cylinders 
). Have ordered a Comp xe268, with new timing chain/gears. Will install this weekend.
Here is a stupid question, does this thing have points or HEI originally (1978 L82).
Can't do heads today but I am told I will get a nice boost from this cam up grade, Oh, it's a 4 speed.
What are your thoughts?
Want a hot little street - daily driver when I am done.
). Have ordered a Comp xe268, with new timing chain/gears. Will install this weekend. Here is a stupid question, does this thing have points or HEI originally (1978 L82).
Can't do heads today but I am told I will get a nice boost from this cam up grade, Oh, it's a 4 speed.
What are your thoughts?
Want a hot little street - daily driver when I am done.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
I hope you are upgrading the valve springs with that XE268. The '78 motor did originally come with HEI but you should look to see if someone used an earlier distributor with tach drive. With that cam, read the posts on here about oils to use with agressive flat tappet cams and ZDDP additives.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
A couple of thoughts.
When a cam fails much of that particulate ends up in the engine - it's an open and active debate if an engine can survive it long-term...but I would be sure to cut open your filter and have a look. My luck there has been mixed, but generally bad.
That .477/.480 lift cam is likely to put the stock springs into coil bind, or is certainly right on the edge...if you choose not to just change them, at least be darn sure you check the clearances very, very carefully before starting. If you plan on having a heavy right foot and running near the redline, it's also worth changing them period.
You didn't mention what gears you have, but if they're high you may want to make another pick. With the stock intake and exhaust manifolds, that cam isn't going to provide a ton of bump...I would tend towards a milder choice like the 262 or 256 if everything else is stock. Honestly, the stock L-82 cam isn't all that bad for a completely stock engine. There are slightly more modern versions of it available as "nostalgia" cams...
Just one guy's take...certain to start wild debate
When a cam fails much of that particulate ends up in the engine - it's an open and active debate if an engine can survive it long-term...but I would be sure to cut open your filter and have a look. My luck there has been mixed, but generally bad.
That .477/.480 lift cam is likely to put the stock springs into coil bind, or is certainly right on the edge...if you choose not to just change them, at least be darn sure you check the clearances very, very carefully before starting. If you plan on having a heavy right foot and running near the redline, it's also worth changing them period.
You didn't mention what gears you have, but if they're high you may want to make another pick. With the stock intake and exhaust manifolds, that cam isn't going to provide a ton of bump...I would tend towards a milder choice like the 262 or 256 if everything else is stock. Honestly, the stock L-82 cam isn't all that bad for a completely stock engine. There are slightly more modern versions of it available as "nostalgia" cams...
Just one guy's take...certain to start wild debate
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
I bought that cam and like it a lot. The link below shows my dyno readings before and after the swap.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...mp-xe268h.html
Since the swap I had to change the torque converter to 2800 rpm and the rear end gears to 3.55 for everything to match up well.
In my next motor I am going to try the Lunati 60103 which is the Voodoo equivalent 268. If you have not purchased the cam you may look at its reviews.
Also, you may think about Rhodes lifters with that cam to help boost low end . It is a fun streetable cam that pulls very well from 3k-5.5k but the rest of your drive line has to allow it to work in its power band.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...mp-xe268h.html
Since the swap I had to change the torque converter to 2800 rpm and the rear end gears to 3.55 for everything to match up well.
In my next motor I am going to try the Lunati 60103 which is the Voodoo equivalent 268. If you have not purchased the cam you may look at its reviews.
Also, you may think about Rhodes lifters with that cam to help boost low end . It is a fun streetable cam that pulls very well from 3k-5.5k but the rest of your drive line has to allow it to work in its power band.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Wellllll, already bought and halfway thru the install. Guess I will see what happens. Just looking for a fun daily drive, got a 10' paint job and 4 speeds and its a conv. so I will have fun if it runs even decent.
