Summit k1103 cam and lifter kit ($100) summit spring, keeper, and seal kit ($60) gaskets another 50 or so. I've used this cam a number of times and it will do just fine with your stock carb, intake, heads, and headers. Good idle, strong bottom end and mid-range. It will still pull into the higher rpm range, but your exhaust from the headers back will start choking it off above 3500rpm, and you will be able to feel the power dropping. Later on, when you have some coin for heads, I'd suggest a pair of aluminium heads with 180 cc runners and 64 cc chambers, plus upgrading your exhaust. The 1103 cam will love the heads and better exhaust.
Your stock carb and intake are not bad pieces either. Hunt around and find Lars' q-jet tuning paper.
If you are looking for good power and street manners, this is a good cam, if you want a rumpy-rump idle, this isn't the cam for you.
​​​​​​​I'm sure there will be other suggestions, good luck !

 

L48 or L82? The actual compression ratio sucks on both but is different enough that it matters for cam selection, IMHO.

Adam

 

Sorry but, IMHO, the Summit "Classic Cam" line just makes awful low end torque in a low compression L48. They're old lazy lobes with a 288/298 advertised duration that don't keep cylinder pressures up nearly high enough.

A lunati Voodoo 256/262 cam (has DRAMATICALLY better advertised/seat-to-seat durations with a roughly similar 213/219 @ 0.050" and still a 112 LSA and .454/.468 lift. --Not sure if old, wornout stock springs will like the aggressive lobes- to be safe you'd ask Lunati for the required spring specs and then call Summit to get springs that meet that requirement and swap the springs at the same time. (If you've got the specs of the current head's springs, you might be able to ask Lunati to how many RPM you'd be safe at, and you might be abel to get by running at lower max RPMs, but it's hard to say what the actual spring pressures are if the springs have a ton of miles on them...)

Play with a dynamic compression calculator and compare the Summit K1103 and the Voodoo 256/262 -32 degrees difference is a HUGE difference.
You're not getting any of the benefits of switching cams in 2018 if you go with a "Classic" profile. Complete waste of time and $$$, IMHO.

If you're going to go with higher perf aluminum heads later, consider the 262/268 cam instead of the 256/262 cam, too.


Friends don't let friends buy cams with lazy lobes designed in the 60s with an abacus.


Adam

 

Smitty: Use the search to decide what questions to ask.
The forum will want to know EVERYTHING about your combo and intended usage! lol

Some excellent advice from a pro: Do all your homework to decide on the best cam for you.
Then go one size smaller!

R

 

The generic Summit RV/edelbrock performer cam is crap...cant really tell any difference from stock.
A little more modern 256 to 264 type cam works great on a st 350. Even an 80s tech Isky is worlds above them and dont have radical enough ramps to flatten lobes.
Dont overlook some of the older cam companies, I personally avoid the marketing giants. Youll be getting subpar garbage to pay for those fancy ads.

 

I must be real easy to please, I've had good results using the summit cams, have also used Erson and crane over the years.
I'm happy with lazy lobes, since I have to mix up a witches brew of oil and zink additives (that some folks claim is detrimental to the additive packages) every time I change the oil. Unless I want to buy some beautique oil than some joker I've never heard of mixes up in his basement and sells online.
And in 2018 if you don't buy a roller cam you are wasting your money also.
Might as well just go buy a turnkey 427 SBC and be the king of power.
​​​​​​​Oh, wait a minute, the man is on a budget.
Don't knock the abacus, it is the first calculator.
Have a fabulous day,
JW
Last post

 

This is a good cam for your build.....
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/200105/10002/-1

 

You must be easy to please. You made a mistake if you were looking to get the best torque, hp, and MPG for your time and money; learn and move on. Misery loves company, but no reason for Smitty Doo to follow in your footsteps as they lead to sub-par results.

The Lunati cam kit is only $80 more than the Summit Classic cam.
Better torque, better HP, better MPG, for $80 extra.

I'll stop talking in vague generalities and run the numbers in a dyno program in the next 2 days.
It's not going to be small difference between those two cams. (The difference will be smaller with the stock poor flowing heads than the good heads later, but still significant with the 882 smogger heads.

 

Good compared to what? 282/292 advertised duration is still pretty big and the duration @ 0.050" is bigger than the L82 cam, if he's got an L48 with low compression the low-end torque numbers are going to suffer.

That cam has a rated RPM range from Jegs of 2,200 - 5,700 RPM; the stock L48 auto Torque converter has a stall speed of 1,600 RPM... too big of a seat to seat duration for the compression and TC stall if he's got an auto.


I still haven't seen the OP even post whether he's got an L48 or an L82. #CompressionRatioMatters
[Edit] He posted it in the first post; I'm blind or I can't read...

Adam

 

Assuming it is an L-82 with 8.9/9.0:1 compression, before I completely rebuilt/upgraded my OEM L-82, I was seriously considering this lunati Voodoo cam:

Voodoo Hydraulic Flat Tappet Cam - Chevrolet Small Block 262/268

Product Description

Lunati's Voodoo series of Hydraulic camshafts deliver more area under the curve than any other series of Hydraulic camshafts. This means more throttle response, quicker acceleration, more vacuum, better efficiency, combined with maximum horsepower and torque!Hydraulic Flat Tappet. Mid-level performance street cam with excellent drivability. Exceptional replacement for muscle car type cams with automatic transmissions. Works well with stock type exhaust manifolds and dual plane intake with mild 4 bbl carb. This is an Awesome 4X4 and performance marine cam.

• Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 262/268
• Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 219/227
• Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .468/.489
• LSA/ICL: 112/108
• Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd
• RPM Range: 1400-5800
• Includes: Cam Only

Any stock type configuration of heads and cam, requires a much smaller duration cam for decent bottom end. Note cam operating range 1,400-5,800 RPM which is perfect for an auto with good low end grunt. I agree any cam with an operating range of 2,200-5,700 RPM would be poorly suited for the street. My built L-82 355 has a roller cam with 219/225 duration and operating range of 1,500-5,600 RPM and is a blast for street/highway driving...a BLAST!

 

"I recently got a great deal on a 78 Vette. It needs a ton of work all over because it has been sitting for a long time.

First thing is pulling the engine/transmission and overhauling. I plan on replacing heads, intake, and cam. But I can’t afford everything right away. I have too much to do everywhere else in the car. I am doing a complete overhaul … it needs it!!!

So… while the engine is out and stripped, the Cam and lifters will be done along with all seals and bearings.

Can someone recommend a cam that will work with stock heads and still give me nice head options for future?

‘78
L48
4speed
Bone stock except for long tube headers"

I read his post and it says he has a 4 speed........not sure what you read....

 

64 CC heads with the Voodoo cam above could work if he is going to do heads/cam, assuming everything is in decent shape internally..BIG IF. I would not do it piece meal...wait and do it it once and right

 

Good catch on the 4 speed.
282/292 duration for the abysmal static CR of the L48s is still too big and lazy of a cam on the bottom end. I understand he can just rev it more before letting out the clutch as he's got a 4 speed, but still way too big a cam for that motor on the street, IMO.

Great CF post showing the actual vs. advertised static CR on these late L48s...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...mber-size.html



Adam

 

He's got an L48. Would you still recommend the Voodoo 262/268 or would you recommend he goes down one size to the 256/262 given the lower compression?

• Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 256/262
• Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 213/219
• Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .454/.468
• LSA/ICL: 112/108
• Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd
• RPM Range: 1000-5500

Adam

 

I see you can't read, or you were in too big a hurry to jump down my throat for having the audacity to suggest a cam that doesn't agree with your world view.

OP said he has l48 w/ 4 speed and some headers.

You ain't the only one with DD, I ran the numbers and I would still choose the summit/performer grind to the lunatic since the lunatti falls on its nose after 4k and only peaks 5 HP higher. I will admit the lunatti shows a broader flatter torque curve, but the performer type grind is still pulling all the way to 4500 with 15 more HP.
Now slap a set of heads on it and I would still go with the performer for similar reasons. The performer is still winding up and producing power. Again the lunatti has a broader flatter curve, but falls on its face.
I am curious if you jump on people to make yourself feel better, probably your dick is too small to pleas anything but a mole.
​​​​​​​Report this post and go stick your little weenie up your ***

 

This is how my 82 was. It sat in a garage for over two years. I had to replace all the rubber and I freshened the engine and upgraded the converter. I was on a budget so I had to do a little at a time. I ended up with a stock engine with a cam and headers along with a reprogrammed chip. I later built a 355 forged motor and swapped it out with the stock motor. You have been given some good recommendations that will work when you upgrade the top end.

 

Agree...256/262 Voodoo with the L-48

 

Its called 'nostalgia'... What you or me or anyone else may like or more importantly want is completely different than what someone may like, need or want.

As long as bad advice isn't given it doesn't really matter. Some people want a 30/30 or LT1 solid lifter cam or whatever for their own particular reasons. Its not always about squeezing every last hp out of it.

 

Using the #'s from the L48 Piston Dish Size, you get a Static Compression ratio of 7.75 on a stock L48.
8 cylinders
4.0" bore
3.48" stroke
Combustion Chamber as measured: 78.5cc
Deck Clearance: 0.025"
Gasket Thickness: 0.017" shim gasket
Gasket Bore: 4.020"
Dish Relief: 19cc given REELAV8R's measurements.
5.7" Rod

Dynamic Compression Ratio https://www.jeepstrokers.com/forum/calculator/ with 288 degrees advertised intake duration (Summit K1103 Cam): 5.69:1; Overlap: 69 degrees
DCR for Jegs Cam Posted with 282 degrees advertised intake duration & 5 degrees advance ground in: 5.99:1; Overlap: 59 degrees

DCR for Lunati 256 Cam: 6.62; overlap: 35 degrees
DCR for Lunati 262 Cam: 6.5; overlap: 41 degrees


Summit Cam (doesn't list any ground in advance; may just be missing the spec):
281 ft lbs @ 2,000 RPM
340 ft lbs peak @ 4,500 RPM
329 hp @ 5,500

Jegs Cam:
304 ft lbs @ 2,000 RPM
348 ft lbs @ 4,000 RPM
323 hp @ 5,500

Voodoo 256:
373 ft lbs @ 3,500 +92 ft lbs vs. Summit Cam
377 ft lbs @ 3,500 +37 ft lbs
291 hp @ 4,500 (-38 hp) -the HP is down to 286 @ 5,000 and 263 @ 5,500)

Voodoo 262:
362 ft lbs @ 2,000 RPM +81 ft lbs
375 ft lbs @ 3,500 RPM +33 ft lbs
300 hp @ 5,000 RPM -29 hp

Voodoo 268:
350 ft lbs @ 2,000 RPM +73 ft lbs
374 ft lbs @ 3,400 RPM +36 ft lbs
322 hp @ 5,000 RPM -9 hp


The Jegs cam did better than I thought, but the Voodoo 262 and 268 seem to be the sweet spot.
With the Voodoo 268: Is $80 worth 73 ft lbs down low, +36 ft lbs @ the peak to give up 9 hp at the HP peak? -The average power will be much better.

I've also played around with the differences LATER if you were to keep the new cam and swap to 64cc aluminum heads to get the compression and flow up. (I used the 185cc Profiler Heads, available from Jegs for $998 shipped on sale, because I loves em!)

64cc heads ups your static CR to 8.82:1.

Jegs Cam:
DCR: 6.78:1
316 ft lbs @ 2,000 RPM
384 ft lbs @ 4,500
385 hp @ 6,000

Voodoo 262:
DCR: 7.37:1
378 ft lbs @ 2,000 RPM: +62 ft lbs
407 ft lbs @ 4,000 RPM +23 ft lbs
361 HP @ 5,500 (-24 hp)

Voodoo 268:
DCR 7.32:1
364 ft lbs @ 2,000 RPM +48 ft lbs
410 ft lbs @ 4,500 RPM +26 ft lbs
390 HP @ 5,500 RPM +5 HP

The $80 now gets you +48 ft lbs down low +26 ft lbs peak, and +5 HP at 500 rpm lower than the Jegs cam. Comparing to the Summit cam is kinda pointless after the tests on the 882 heads. -The AVERAGE power is much better, the fuel economy will be better.

I did the estimates with a stock-flowing dual plane intake, small tube headers and full exhaust with mufflers, and an 850 CFM QJet. I also used DesktopDyno 2003 and the durations @ both seat-to-seat and 0.050".


Now you haz the data to balance the opinions.


Adam