Thumpr Cam
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Buffalo NY
Thumpr Cam
I'm looking to put in a Competition Cams Thumpr 279TH7 into my stock 1980 Vette. As I read up on it, I find out I should probably upgrade my stall converter...then if I upgrade my stall converter, I'll probably need supplemental transmission cooling, and so on. My issue is every time I look to do something, i go down a rabbit hole of other things that my upgrade will require...get overwhelmed and stop researching. I'm a novice with engines, so i have a general idea of what i want to do but i lack the knowledge of knock-on effects it will have.
So, simply...can I put that cam in my stock 350 small block with no other mods and is it worth it? If not, what cam can I put in? Any performance bump is just a bonus, I'm after the sound...I'm really looking for a cam to get that choppy, glugging idle (putting in long tube headers and chambered exhaust this winter).
Also, if this is a stupid way to go about getting that sound, let me know. Thanks.
So, simply...can I put that cam in my stock 350 small block with no other mods and is it worth it? If not, what cam can I put in? Any performance bump is just a bonus, I'm after the sound...I'm really looking for a cam to get that choppy, glugging idle (putting in long tube headers and chambered exhaust this winter).
Also, if this is a stupid way to go about getting that sound, let me know. Thanks.
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Lars
Last edited by lars; Jun 22, 2018 at 11:43 AM.
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From: Buffalo NY
If your engine is otherwise stock, with stock exhaust manifolds and exhaust system, the installation of the 279 Thumper is not a good idea. My experience is that the Thumper cams sacrifice performance for the sound, and you can get better performance, with good sound, using a better designed cam. If your car is otherwise stock, you will be much happier with the XE262, which closely resembles the L82 cam with just a tad more area under the curve. At the most, run the XE268, but this cam likes headers and free flowing dual exhaust. Anything more than that and you need to consider other upgrades to make the combination work right for you. The car will not be enjoyable to drive by simply bolting in a Thumper 279 in an otherwise stock platform.
Lars
Lars
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Spring Park MN
If your engine is otherwise stock, with stock exhaust manifolds and exhaust system, the installation of the 279 Thumper is not a good idea. My experience is that the Thumper cams sacrifice performance for the sound, and you can get better performance, with good sound, using a better designed cam. If your car is otherwise stock, you will be much happier with the XE262, which closely resembles the L82 cam with just a tad more area under the curve. At the most, run the XE268, but this cam likes headers and free flowing dual exhaust. Anything more than that and you need to consider other upgrades to make the combination work right for you. The car will not be enjoyable to drive by simply bolting in a Thumper 279 in an otherwise stock platform.
Lars
Lars
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: League City Tx
If your engine is otherwise stock, with stock exhaust manifolds and exhaust system, the installation of the 279 Thumper is not a good idea. My experience is that the Thumper cams sacrifice performance for the sound, and you can get better performance, with good sound, using a better designed cam. If your car is otherwise stock, you will be much happier with the XE262, which closely resembles the L82 cam with just a tad more area under the curve. At the most, run the XE268, but this cam likes headers and free flowing dual exhaust. Anything more than that and you need to consider other upgrades to make the combination work right for you. The car will not be enjoyable to drive by simply bolting in a Thumper 279 in an otherwise stock platform.
Lars
Lars
We just finished a 357" with a XE268, 9.5-1, headers, RPM air gap intake, 750 vac sec, with stock double hump heads and the cam sounds/drives and runs great. It does need a little converter though, we used a Hughes 2600 and 3.55 gears (Its a 1970 Nova SS)... I definitely wouldn't put a larger cam then that in anything that's close to stock, with stock exhaust etc etc.... But it is a nice running little cam and sounds plenty good.
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From: Buffalo NY
We just finished a 357" with a XE268, 9.5-1, headers, RPM air gap intake, 750 vac sec, with stock double hump heads and the cam sounds/drives and runs great. It does need a little converter though, we used a Hughes 2600 and 3.55 gears (Its a 1970 Nova SS)... I definitely wouldn't put a larger cam then that in anything that's close to stock, with stock exhaust etc etc.... But it is a nice running little cam and sounds plenty good.
Last edited by Tim McNamara; Jun 24, 2018 at 12:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: League City Tx
Yeah at a minimum, you'll want to do headers/exhaust and probably the intake when you do a cam. I would NOT run a ThumpR cam regardless.....
Cam it to make power and good driveability, not sound..... It will sound good enough.
All that said, we built a L79 327/350hp for my dad's 66', we used stock intake and exhaust manifolds and chambered side pipes, basic stock rebuild. For the cam though, I used a Crane Z-274, its 224/230*, .473/.486" lift on a 110 LSA, lightly ported the heads w/beehive springs, screw in studs and guide plates, cut the guides for PC style seals etc etc....and it runs pretty strong (for what it is anyway), sounds good and drives excellent around town. I wouldn't hesitate to use it in a mild 350 build...You'll likely need screw in studs for it though. Its very similar to the Comp XE268 but with a milder lobe...You can definitely hear it though.
Last edited by ajrothm; Jun 24, 2018 at 01:45 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I thought it was so weird when i first read about thumpr cams they pretty much admit they are based on old grinds for sound and not only dont help but can hurt performance,
All the money and work to chang a cam just for the sound of being badass to the uninformed but little if any boost in power,
An import tuner pringles can exhaust tip will do that too
All the money and work to chang a cam just for the sound of being badass to the uninformed but little if any boost in power,
An import tuner pringles can exhaust tip will do that too
Last edited by The13Bats; Jun 24, 2018 at 05:25 PM.
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Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo NY
I thought it was so weird when i first read about thumpr cams they pretty much admit they are based on old grinds for sound and not only dont help but can hurt performance,
All the money and work to chang a cam just for the sound of being badass to the uninformed but little if any boost in power,
An import tuner pringles can exhaust tip will do that too
All the money and work to chang a cam just for the sound of being badass to the uninformed but little if any boost in power,
An import tuner pringles can exhaust tip will do that too
