Need help picking a cam
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 7
From: Syracuse NY
Need help picking a cam
I’ve got a 400 sbc spare engine, going to use it as a temporary engine to drive my car while I rebuild the current engine.
its a stock 400, and stock ‘882 heads (garbage I know but it is what it is)
I don’t want to spend any more $$ than just a cam and lifters,
so with the limits of the ‘882 heads, in everyone’s opinion
whats the best cam I can get? I don’t wanna go crazy just a good upgrade to wake the motor up
Edit: auto 2004R transmission very heavy modification
exhaust dual homemade side pipe, long tube headers with only resonators 2.5”
carb: holly double pump 650
intake aftermarket single plane
gearing: low, want torque as much as possible no high end
this is a street occasional strip car.
its a stock 400, and stock ‘882 heads (garbage I know but it is what it is)
I don’t want to spend any more $$ than just a cam and lifters,
so with the limits of the ‘882 heads, in everyone’s opinion
whats the best cam I can get? I don’t wanna go crazy just a good upgrade to wake the motor up
Edit: auto 2004R transmission very heavy modification
exhaust dual homemade side pipe, long tube headers with only resonators 2.5”
carb: holly double pump 650
intake aftermarket single plane
gearing: low, want torque as much as possible no high end
this is a street occasional strip car.
Last edited by Averystingray75; Jan 31, 2019 at 06:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
More info needed:
Rear gearing -
Trans type - auto or manual
Exhaust system - stock/headers/dual/etc
Carb ?
Intake ?
What ya want it to do : DD, AutoX, Drag, Road race.........................
Rear gearing -
Trans type - auto or manual
Exhaust system - stock/headers/dual/etc
Carb ?
Intake ?
What ya want it to do : DD, AutoX, Drag, Road race.........................
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Cheap summit HFT Kit should work with existing OE springs, pushrods & rockers
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-k1103?rrec=true
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-k1103?rrec=true
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 7
From: Syracuse NY
exhaust dual homemade side pipe, long tube headers with only resonators 2.5”
carb: holly double pump 650
intake aftermarket single plane
gearing: low, want torque as much as possible no high end
this is a street occasional strip car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 7
From: Syracuse NY
this is is a temp motor I do not want to take apart heads or get into any more work than a cam swap
im saving that work for my other engine that I care more about. I just wanna have some fun in between the engine rebuild could take me years ro
complete and I want to drive my car still in the meantime
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 494
From: Salmon Arm, BC
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 658
From: Thunder Bay
Comp Cams has a program you can download to help you choose. Educate yourself about dynamic compression ratio and select a cam to get you in the 8-8.5:1 range. You will want something with an intake duration less than 220 degrees to maximize torque.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
This one would make my list: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet
Ooops - just saw Jackson (above) linked this same kit.
So i SECOND his pick !
Ooops - just saw Jackson (above) linked this same kit.
So i SECOND his pick !
Last edited by Fast81; Feb 1, 2019 at 04:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 658
From: Thunder Bay
This one would make my list: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Whatever cam you pick (The split pattern Summit cam gets my vote)......make sure you install this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Block...5.c10#viTabs_0
And a set of Umbrella seals......
Jebby
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Block...5.c10#viTabs_0
And a set of Umbrella seals......
Jebby
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 7
From: Syracuse NY
Whatever cam you pick (The split pattern Summit cam gets my vote)......make sure you install this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Block...5.c10#viTabs_0
And a set of Umbrella seals......
Jebby
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Block...5.c10#viTabs_0
And a set of Umbrella seals......
Jebby
thats a no for me, just want a cam and lifters probably gonna get a double roller.
do NOT want to do springs on the heads. It’s a sealed motor right now I wanna do as LITTLE as possible, this is a “beater” engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
what do you figure is DCR for that piece with 1103 cam? And do you think it passes muster?
also, I'd like to see new springs too (Z28 would be good) but OP states he does not want to go beyond a new cam. So I chose a cam which I think should work with his OE springs. I'd also like to see a new timing set; a $20 melling or cloyes set aok. OE set likely has plastic cam sprocket/gear.With or without DCR calc, the bigger the motor, the milder a given grind becomes. OP's working with a temporary stand-in 400; not a 350 keeper.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 7
From: Syracuse NY
what do you figure is DCR for that piece with 1103 cam? And do you think it passes muster?
also, I'd like to see new springs too (Z28 would be good) but OP states he does not want to go beyond a new cam. So I chose a cam which I think should work with his OE springs. I'd also like to see a new timing set; a $20 melling or cloyes set aok. OE set likely has plastic cam sprocket/gear.With or without DCR calc, the bigger the motor, the milder a given grind becomes. OP's working with a temporary stand-in 400; not a 350 keeper.
i will probably include a double roller timing chain set with the cam selection only because I have to remove that area.
i like your original cam selection.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
You need to do a lot of research on your engine and learn how it works.
Jebby
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
You can replace the springs and seals without cracking open anything more than the valve covers.
Your already cracking open the intake manifold, oil pan and front cover to do the cam- Valve covers are the easiest of the 4.
Just sayin’
Your already cracking open the intake manifold, oil pan and front cover to do the cam- Valve covers are the easiest of the 4.
Just sayin’
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,400
From: SW Florida.
When I said springs were too weak 40 years ago, I meant for the cam they were installed with. 40 years later they are weaker. You are gonna put in a cam with more lift and duration than the cam they already were overmatched by.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 7
From: Syracuse NY
Ok everyone what I mean by “cracking it open”
HEADGASKETS
the oil pan is off, I’m not worried about intake gasket. Valve covers I don’t really consider even a thing.
the timing cover kinda sucks but it is what it is
i just don’t wanna get into valve springs because it’s just a lot of work I already have so many projects
i can pop pop a cam into it in a couple hours not worried about that
HEADGASKETS
the oil pan is off, I’m not worried about intake gasket. Valve covers I don’t really consider even a thing.
the timing cover kinda sucks but it is what it is
i just don’t wanna get into valve springs because it’s just a lot of work I already have so many projects
i can pop pop a cam into it in a couple hours not worried about that