Need help on camshaft choice please...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Avon CO
Need help on camshaft choice please...
Hey Guys,
Have just recieved my new heads and need to pick a camshaft. Im runnin a flat piston, aluminum fastburn 62cc heads(just recieved), and a torker manifold, with an edelbrock carb,havent looked at cfm yet. I have really been thinking i would get an xtreme from comp cams. It seems as though this is the best option for performance for me. But i cant decide wether to get the 268 or 274. I have heard that increasing duration reduces vacuum, and considering i am still running vacuum on the headlights and brakes i still need it around. So what do you guys think?
Have just recieved my new heads and need to pick a camshaft. Im runnin a flat piston, aluminum fastburn 62cc heads(just recieved), and a torker manifold, with an edelbrock carb,havent looked at cfm yet. I have really been thinking i would get an xtreme from comp cams. It seems as though this is the best option for performance for me. But i cant decide wether to get the 268 or 274. I have heard that increasing duration reduces vacuum, and considering i am still running vacuum on the headlights and brakes i still need it around. So what do you guys think?
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Re: Need help on camshaft choice please... (billlambeer)
street or track?
transmission?
rear gears?
what type of drivability are you looking for ?
transmission?
rear gears?
what type of drivability are you looking for ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: WESTLAKE LA
Re: Need help on camshaft choice please... (billlambeer)
I went with CompCams 270H Magnum.sounds great.preformance wise,not sure as car is still on lift waiting for me to finish replacing brake lines and installing exhaust. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Avon CO
Re: Need help on camshaft choice please... (COMMANDER370)
street, but will be taking it to the track, so i sorta want a medium, something that will give me lots of performance, but isnt gonna kill me while im driving around town. The transmission is stock for 79, its the same as earlier c3's, but its the turbo version, 4 speed. Rear gears, i havent looked at yet, im getting around to tearing this thing apart, its hard since i am pretty much working a 9am to a 9pm job right now, so i dont get alot of time to work on it. So i know this isnt exactly the best answers, sorry about that. As far as drivablility, im pretty much fine if it shakes and rattles and bangs, im a young kid, so im almost looking for something that will do that, but i still dont want to be frustrated by having to get the engine up to 3000 rpms to get any torque, since i do live in denver most of the time.
[Modified by billlambeer, 9:31 PM 7/1/2004]
[Modified by billlambeer, 9:32 PM 7/1/2004]
[Modified by billlambeer, 9:31 PM 7/1/2004]
[Modified by billlambeer, 9:32 PM 7/1/2004]
Drifting
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From: Reno nevada
Re: Need help on camshaft choice please... (billlambeer)
Are you saying 4 sppeed manual? I use the Crane solid 238/248 114 lc. Lots of get up and go and good gas mileage. I do have to adjust the valves about every 4000-5000 miles.
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Re: Need help on camshaft choice please... (billlambeer)
I have the 274 and I have no problems with the level of streetability. Probably because I came down from a 292.
For reference, with a manual trans, 3.70 rear gears, 72 cc chambers, 9.5:1, Performer intake, 600 double pumper carb, and skinny street tires, I'm running 13.2@106.
For reference, with a manual trans, 3.70 rear gears, 72 cc chambers, 9.5:1, Performer intake, 600 double pumper carb, and skinny street tires, I'm running 13.2@106.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
Re: Need help on camshaft choice please... (billlambeer)
This probably isn't a popular suggestion because it's a "small" cam but I had the Comp XE262 in my car and it ran the equivalent of a 12.5 1/4(7.991 1/8). Unfortunately after 6 years it ate some lobes and I'm stepping up a notch to the XE268. Hopefully the performance will step up a notch also or at least not decrease.
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Drifting
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Re: Need help on camshaft choice please... (billlambeer)
I called Comp Cams earlier this year and they recommended a grind similar to the XE274, but it made a little more vacuum to help with the Corvette lights, etc. Don't have the specs here at home.
What is your compression ratio?
Is this an auto or manual (you said TH400, which is a three speed, and then 4 speed). For the bigger cams you will need steeper gears and/or a stall converter with an automatic.
A friend of mine had an XE268 in a Pontiac 400 with 3.55 gears but otherwise similar mods to your car. He put in an XE274 and a 2200 stall converter and got slower in the 1/8 mile. It was too much cam for his setup.
I think you should call Comp if you are looking at their cams and see what they say.
Jeff
What is your compression ratio?
Is this an auto or manual (you said TH400, which is a three speed, and then 4 speed). For the bigger cams you will need steeper gears and/or a stall converter with an automatic.
A friend of mine had an XE268 in a Pontiac 400 with 3.55 gears but otherwise similar mods to your car. He put in an XE274 and a 2200 stall converter and got slower in the 1/8 mile. It was too much cam for his setup.
I think you should call Comp if you are looking at their cams and see what they say.
Jeff
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From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Need help on camshaft choice please... (billlambeer)
I've had the comp cams XE-284 and XE-272 and no way would I put one back in my car. I've experimented alot and the absolute best all around cam I've found is the ISKY 270/280 Megacam. Part #201271/281-12. Idles nice and choppy at 700 rpm, cleans out instantly when stepping on it and it will rev freely with power to 6500. This cam will go in every sbc I build from now on.
