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Old Dec 30, 2014 | 02:42 PM
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Well guys this is it. Having my original L-46 rebuilt. Hopefully for the last time. While there at it new clutch, rebuild transmission also. Might as well get it all don't at once. Then the only thing I will need is a great paint job. Everything has been replaced on her. All underneath, down to the screws.
So my mechanic and I have agreed putting a roller camshaft and roller lifters in, he uses and recommends comp. hopefully this will not break the bank. Will post quoted price when I receive it.
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Old Dec 31, 2014 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by bugzbunny
Well guys this is it. Having my original L-46 rebuilt. Hopefully for the last time. While there at it new clutch, rebuild transmission also. Might as well get it all don't at once. Then the only thing I will need is a great paint job. Everything has been replaced on her. All underneath, down to the screws.
So my mechanic and I have agreed putting a roller camshaft and roller lifters in, he uses and recommends comp. hopefully this will not break the bank. Will post quoted price when I receive it.
What Comp roller kit are you going with? Any changes from stock besides cam (carb, intake, ignition, heads, exhaust....)?
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Old Jan 1, 2015 | 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by TedH
What Comp roller kit are you going with? Any changes from stock besides cam (carb, intake, ignition, heads, exhaust....)?
I know I'm gonna use comp roller lifters and cam, new springs. Probably get a kit. My mechanic can get it wholesale.
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Old Jan 1, 2015 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by TedH
What Comp roller kit are you going with? Any changes from stock besides cam (carb, intake, ignition, heads, exhaust....)?
No other major changes to engine. Want to keep it stock as much as possible. The only reason I am changing cam and lifters is the new technology, even though it's a bit pricey.
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Old Jan 2, 2015 | 01:06 AM
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Your original L46 has 11 to 1 compression and iron heads. The factory cam has real long lobes that close the intake late and reduce dynamic compression. If you are rebuilding you need to reduce compression or, to get a cam with a modern fast ramp (Roller) you will have to go to the bottom of the page and it won't pull until 3-4000 rpm. What trans and rear gear do you have? Flat top pistons and good quench will get you down below 10 to 1 to run modern fuel and cam.

Last edited by 63mako; Jan 2, 2015 at 01:09 AM.
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Old Jan 2, 2015 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 63mako
Your original L46 has 11 to 1 compression and iron heads. The factory cam has real long lobes that close the intake late and reduce dynamic compression. If you are rebuilding you need to reduce compression or, to get a cam with a modern fast ramp (Roller) you will have to go to the bottom of the page and it won't pull until 3-4000 rpm. What trans and rear gear do you have? Flat top pistons and good quench will get you down below 10 to 1 to run modern fuel and cam.
I will probably have to have it made by comp. in there forum they already made one for some guy with the same car engine I have. I have flat trw in now, but would like to get it back 11.01. Just the highest octane they have or add something to gas to handle it. Now I'm not sure what gear I have in the rear, I think it's the m20, but not positive. It's either 3.55 or 3.73. How do I find this out, since my mechanic will need that info to.
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Old Jan 3, 2015 | 01:14 PM
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Point I am trying to make is as compression increases, intake closing point increases to run pump gas. To maintain valve events where they need to be to make power, with modern ramp rates your operating range moves up. A hydraulic roller has a safe upper rpm limit of 6200 to 6500 RPM max. If you have to pick a cam that don't come on until 4000 RPM to be able run 11 to 1 on pump fuel and it is done at 6200 you have a circle track engine not a street engine. If you drop compression to 10 to 1 it makes for a much more street friendly engine without losing the character of the car.
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Old Jan 4, 2015 | 03:31 AM
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Originally Posted by 63mako
Point I am trying to make is as compression increases, intake closing point increases to run pump gas. To maintain valve events where they need to be to make power, with modern ramp rates your operating range moves up. A hydraulic roller has a safe upper rpm limit of 6200 to 6500 RPM max. If you have to pick a cam that don't come on until 4000 RPM to be able run 11 to 1 on pump fuel and it is done at 6200 you have a circle track engine not a street engine. If you drop compression to 10 to 1 it makes for a much more street friendly engine without losing the character of the car.
Guess I don't have a choice. That's what is in there now. He went with flat top Pistons, back in 1986. It just bumes me that you can't have the car built the way the factory intended. Even if I had a camshaft made to order it still wouldn't work?
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Old Jan 4, 2015 | 03:58 AM
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Originally Posted by bugzbunny
Guess I don't have a choice. That's what is in there now. He went with flat top Pistons, back in 1986. It just bumes me that you can't have the car built the way the factory intended. Even if I had a camshaft made to order it still wouldn't work?
We don't have the fuel available to run a 11 to 1 engine with old school ignition and a carburetor.
What Mako is saying with the cam technology today, the same or more HP and torque can be made on pump gas with a 10 to 1 compression ratio, in a much more friendly and usable RPM range.
Off idle torque is your best friend in a street driven car any day over peak Horsepower !
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Old Jan 4, 2015 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by PcolaPaul
We don't have the fuel available to run a 11 to 1 engine with old school ignition and a carburetor.
What Mako is saying with the cam technology today, the same or more HP and torque can be made on pump gas with a 10 to 1 compression ratio, in a much more friendly and usable RPM range.
Off idle torque is your best friend in a street driven car any day over peak Horsepower !
You can have your cake and eat it too. It can have the old school rumble and sound, run pump gas instead of trying to find 100+ octane @ $5.00 a gallon, run a performance timing curve, make more bottom end power, higher peak HP and not worry about wiping a lobe.
You can get a factory type long, slow ramp and run higher compression but you give up a lot of performance.

Last edited by 63mako; Jan 4, 2015 at 04:04 PM.
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