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Getting ready to install a cam to give it that little lopety lopety lope at idle. 1978 C3 Pace Car L48. Anyone have any history doing this and can make recommendations as to what size cam would be best and what else I'll have to upgrade with it? Thanks in advance... Retired Air Force (1992)
Please. To avoid dozens of opinions that could be right or way off, just call a few of the cam co. 1-800 numbers and talk to a cam rep. Have all your information in front of you and your intentions with the vehicle. See if all of the responses from the cam companies have a common denominator and then compare prices.
Comparing apples to oranges is never a good idea when selecting camshafts. Meaning, no one else has the EXACT engine specs as you.
Its your money & labor time. Chose wisely.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jan 3, 2020 at 06:28 PM.
HeadsUP is right on with this advice.
Wading through all the opinions you'll get here could be a daunting process at best.
I called Isky Cams (310 217 9232) here in LA with all the specs on my 1965 L-79 and they sent me the perfect cam.
Greg
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
If you actually want a cam that's so big that it gives you a Harley-style lopety-lopety idle, you will severely regret it. That's way too much cam to be street drivable in your otherwise near-stock low-compression '78. You can bump that cam up to a nice CompCams XE268H for a really nice improvement in performance with the low compression heads, but this cam still idles smooth enough to provide good power brake vacuum and street manners without doing major carb modifications and ignition system re-curving. It is not a "lopey" cam that you're seeking - such a cam would be a really bad idea. Anything more towards the lopety-lopety is going to cause you significant tuning and drivability issues that I doubt you want to deal with.
If you actually want a cam that's so big that it gives you a Harley-style lopety-lopety idle, you will severely regret it. That's way too much cam to be street drivable in your otherwise near-stock low-compression '78. You can bump that cam up to a nice CompCams XE268H for a really nice improvement in performance with the low compression heads, but this cam still idles smooth enough to provide good power brake vacuum and street manners without doing major carb modifications and ignition system re-curving. It is not a "lopey" cam that you're seeking - such a cam would be a really bad idea. Anything more towards the lopety-lopety is going to cause you significant tuning and drivability issues that I doubt you want to deal with.
Lars
I agree with Lars..... I owned an 81 Camaro and used that cam.You may require a 2500-2600 stall convertor to give it a decent launch though.
I had a 3.08 gear and it was a bit lacking off the line.
I really appreciate all the input. I knew I would get some good advice. Not wanting anything extreme, just a slight hint of a bigger cam. Now I am leaning more toward not doing it. Will have to give it a little more thought....... Thanks to all, Mr. lopety lope
. ....
Not really concerned with enhanced performance, I just love that cam sound.
The cam is matched to the engine's performance. The sound is just a by-product. You really can't have one without the other. Modify the engine for performance, and match the cam accordingly.......the sound will be there.
The 268H Comp cam was basically designed for this engine. But don't even bother unless you put long tube headers and a true dual system on the car. But the two together here is a huge shot in the arm and would make a different car out of it.
Just be sure whoever is doing the work needs to pay attention to the timing.....it will need to be curved and set by the "total" method and not the card on the firewall......
L-82's had some good parts in them but besides a whole point of compression.....everything else is the same......so adding the 268 cam and a real exhaust will make it run better than one.
And if you are going for sound....it will not sound worth a s#&t with the stock exhaust system on it.......do the cam, do the exhaust and you have the best of both worlds....
Not really concerned with enhanced performance, I just love that cam sound.
Now you know why the Thumper Series was invented. Its all about the sound. Not better performance, not a lot more torque, not more horse, not the best choice for anybody serious about a build. Just great sound. And that's done by holding the exhaust valve open a little longer so you can hear it.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jan 4, 2020 at 06:33 PM.
This is a Comp Cams 268 camshaft, in the beginning it is running on the choke(high idle) after it is kicked down to idle it has some noticeable lope, but not car shaking.
You should check with your State smog laws before you lopey a new cam.
The laws in your State may prevent the mod and you'll end up pulling it out when you try to register your car.
Comp cams has a nostalgia series not far off of your factory specs. N+300HP. 112 lsa for needed vaccuum, same as factory I believe. Add headers and dual exhaust and it might sound nice. Perform a bit better also. Call comp cams tech. Ask about it. Good luck.
Last edited by Greaser69; Jan 11, 2020 at 01:33 AM.
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