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Cam spec question for my custom build.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 552
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From: Dubuque Iowa
Cam spec question for my custom build.
I am looking at purchasing a FIRST Fuel Injection intake system for my stock '87 350 with a manual trans. I will eventally want to run AFR 195's. I can get a cam thrown in with the intake that is: 480/480 lift with a 306/230 intake and exhaust at 108 LSA, and is an Elgin Custom Grind.
Would this be a good combination?
Or should I just spend the extra money and get a custom Comp Cams set up?
I want this engine to make good midrange power for out of the corner acceleration in road racing.
Any input is welcome.
Would this be a good combination?
Or should I just spend the extra money and get a custom Comp Cams set up?
I want this engine to make good midrange power for out of the corner acceleration in road racing.
Any input is welcome.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: WV
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Dubuque Iowa
No I mean Elgin. http://www.elgincams.com/ I had never heard of them either. But then again I don't know much about Cams, which is why I was asking about the numbers. I think I will be better off to call Comp Cams and tell them what I have and what I am looking to get out of it.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Elgin has been around a looong time. What you got sounds like an old school cam that might work good on a carbd application with an old factory head. Youre really cheating yourself if you plan on using it.
Many mfrs out there to choose from spend some time, do some research and choose.
Many mfrs out there to choose from spend some time, do some research and choose.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: The Motor City
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 552
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From: Dubuque Iowa
Elgin has been around a looong time. What you got sounds like an old school cam that might work good on a carbd application with an old factory head. Youre really cheating yourself if you plan on using it.
Many mfrs out there to choose from spend some time, do some research and choose.
Many mfrs out there to choose from spend some time, do some research and choose.
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From: Dubuque Iowa
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '10
Le Mans Master
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From: Kempner Texas
No I mean Elgin. http://www.elgincams.com/ I had never heard of them either. But then again I don't know much about Cams, which is why I was asking about the numbers. I think I will be better off to call Comp Cams and tell them what I have and what I am looking to get out of it.
Sure, most guys who have been around engines for a long time have their favorite cam company and tend to bad-mouth other companies, but, to me, peer-review is what's most important to consider. I don't make my decision merely because someone on a Forum says ABC cam company is the BEST. Everyone has to make his own call on this though.
Jake
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From: moraga ca
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
Most 1.6 rockers will fit under the stock covers. The drip tabs usually need to be trimmed. I can't tell you how much lift you can go with the stock pistons and compression. Maybe someone else can chime in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
If you buy the correct cam you don't need the 1.6 rockers for extra lift because the valve lift
is built into the cam ( why pay twice for lift ?)
Last edited by rodj; Dec 8, 2010 at 11:03 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Million companies out there, sure most can cut or already have a cut something thats on the shelf to work for you.
Comp is heavy into marketing so they seem to be most popular.
Like patronizing the "little guys" myself.
Find someone you know or someone knows of thats a proven builder who can help you choose....taking the advice of a $10/hr kid who is merely going down the list of "this cam may work with XXX part", not for me.
Comp is heavy into marketing so they seem to be most popular.
Like patronizing the "little guys" myself.
Find someone you know or someone knows of thats a proven builder who can help you choose....taking the advice of a $10/hr kid who is merely going down the list of "this cam may work with XXX part", not for me.
Last edited by cv67; Dec 9, 2010 at 12:55 AM.
Drifting
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From: Perth Western Australia
St. Jude Donor '10
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Lake Junaluska North Carolina
Might want to check specs. with cam Mfg. for your paticular engine combo(block, heads, crank..etc...). They have usually tested their cam(s) with many different set-ups and can tell you what grinds, springs, rockers, lifters and lifter rods... even timing sets to use; so it has a good chance to work....
Like...
I thought gross cam lobe lift is limited... so in some cases you have to do smaller base circle with longer rocker ratio to get desired lift. (Cam mfg should have information on what should work for block/crank/piston/head set-up.)
I also thought you are limited in lift due to valve spring specs.... look out for coil bind above stock lift... might have to change valve springs.
Again, Cam mfg should have information on what should work... seems like comp has this info listed with cam selections but I think you should still call them or have engine builder call them.
Also, Cam ramp speed and duration (cam timing) can be issue with lift. Cam mfg should have information on what should work; you do not want to do cam development in your own garage... if you do... you probably are asking questions you already know the answers to.
After all that ... usually the engine builder should re-check clearances for problems.
Right?
Like...
I thought gross cam lobe lift is limited... so in some cases you have to do smaller base circle with longer rocker ratio to get desired lift. (Cam mfg should have information on what should work for block/crank/piston/head set-up.)
I also thought you are limited in lift due to valve spring specs.... look out for coil bind above stock lift... might have to change valve springs.
Again, Cam mfg should have information on what should work... seems like comp has this info listed with cam selections but I think you should still call them or have engine builder call them.
Also, Cam ramp speed and duration (cam timing) can be issue with lift. Cam mfg should have information on what should work; you do not want to do cam development in your own garage... if you do... you probably are asking questions you already know the answers to.
After all that ... usually the engine builder should re-check clearances for problems.
Right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
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From: S.L.C. UT
No I mean Elgin. http://www.elgincams.com/ I had never heard of them either. But then again I don't know much about Cams, which is why I was asking about the numbers. I think I will be better off to call Comp Cams and tell them what I have and what I am looking to get out of it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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I am looking at purchasing a FIRST Fuel Injection intake system for my stock '87 350 with a manual trans. I will eventally want to run AFR 195's. I can get a cam thrown in with the intake that is: 480/480 lift with a 306/230 intake and exhaust at 108 LSA, and is an Elgin Custom Grind.
Would this be a good combination?
Or should I just spend the extra money and get a custom Comp Cams set up?
I want this engine to make good midrange power for out of the corner acceleration in road racing.
Any input is welcome.
Would this be a good combination?
Or should I just spend the extra money and get a custom Comp Cams set up?
I want this engine to make good midrange power for out of the corner acceleration in road racing.
Any input is welcome.
Once you convert to AFRs, you can go up in lift. But you still won't need much duration for a FIRST keeping rpms below 6k rpms. The 268XFI cam would be a good choice for an off-the-shelf cam. With my TPI setup, I chose a custom-ground, single-pattern cam to increase torque (reduce exh duration). It's a philosophy born out of the rediculously good AFR exhaust flow numbers.
So, consider a single-pattern cam with duration in the 214-218 range. Lift with 1.5 rockers (or stock rockers) would be in the .520 range. When you convert to the AFRs, include a set of 1.6 or 1.65 roller rockers. That gets you to the new lift you'd be wanting with the better heads.
Most people stay above 110LSA for EFI.
The cam you listed in the OP would be a VERY bad choice.
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Dec 9, 2010 at 10:17 AM.