Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 41
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Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam
I'm considering a Comp Cam XE274 (274/286 adv dur, 230/236 @ .050, 487/490 lift with 1.5 rocker ratio). I currently have a 2.20 1st gear and 3.70 rear gear. I'd like to find out if I can pull out without riding the clutch and how low of a rpm will it idle at?.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
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From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam (bungoo2u)
How much low end you'll have with it will depend a lot on the rest of your engine and also how much weight it has to get moving. I'm running the XE274 in my 327 with 3.36 rears, 2.56 first, and it pulls well from idle without much clutch action but with less gear it probably would require slipping. My overall gearing in first is equivelent to a 2.20 first and 3.91 rear. My car is also under 3,000 lbs and I'm sure that that helps some also. With everything else being equal, the few extra cubes of a 350 should compensate for a little taller gearing. My 327 has 10.35 cr, Edelbrock RPM heads, 1 5/8" headers, Torker II single plane and 700 dp carb with electric choke. The engine can sit for week but will still light up immediately at the twist of the key after one pump to set the choke and, once warm, idles well at 850 with 13+" vacuum. Warm restarts require turning the key. Though it's idle isn't radical, it's obvious that it's not a stock cam.
Depending upon your goals, and it sounds like drivability is one of them, the XE 268 might be a better choice for you. Though I don't suffer any drivability problems with the XE 274, I consider it on the "edge" and probably wouldn't be so happy with less gear, more weight, or with less low end.
Depending upon your goals, and it sounds like drivability is one of them, the XE 268 might be a better choice for you. Though I don't suffer any drivability problems with the XE 274, I consider it on the "edge" and probably wouldn't be so happy with less gear, more weight, or with less low end.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,897
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From: La Fontaine Indiana
Re: Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam (bungoo2u)
You didn't say what engine or car so hard to say what your car will do but if it has a 350 it should work ok. The 350 has a lot more torque than a 327. If you have something bigger than a 350 thats better yet. I would idle that cam at about 900 rpm at that speed it would be fairly smooth with just a small amout of lope. If you want it to run like stock go with less cam but in a 350 this should be a good streetable cam with good performance. To be any more detailed would need to know what mods you have on your engine as this effects the way the cam performs. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
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Re: Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam (bungoo2u)
Thanks for your response guys.
Adding to my description, It's a 65 vette with a 327, 11:1 comp, 2.02/1.60 64cc cast iron heads, factory 350 hp alum intake with a Holley 600 cfm vac sec, 1 5/8" headers with 2 1/2" factory side exhaust. I have'nt weighed my car, but it should be around 3000 - 3200 lbs.
Yes, drivability is my main priority. I'm looking for a cam with the lummpiest idle but still be able to pull out without riding the clutch too much. I was also considering the Edelbrock Performer RPM cam but I think its too radical. I'm not too concerned about vacuum because I don't have any vacuum accessories.
More suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Adding to my description, It's a 65 vette with a 327, 11:1 comp, 2.02/1.60 64cc cast iron heads, factory 350 hp alum intake with a Holley 600 cfm vac sec, 1 5/8" headers with 2 1/2" factory side exhaust. I have'nt weighed my car, but it should be around 3000 - 3200 lbs.
Yes, drivability is my main priority. I'm looking for a cam with the lummpiest idle but still be able to pull out without riding the clutch too much. I was also considering the Edelbrock Performer RPM cam but I think its too radical. I'm not too concerned about vacuum because I don't have any vacuum accessories.
More suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 379
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From: Helsinki
Re: Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam (bungoo2u)
I called Comp cams and they suggested XE262 to my 327 (9.5 CR, 291 heads, stock manifolds & exhaust, 3.36 with 4 speed wide ratio). I wanted good driveability and response off idle. I cannot give you any real world experiences, because my cam is still in delivery.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
From: La Fontaine Indiana
Re: Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam (bungoo2u)
The 327 would use a flat tappet cam you can't use as aggressive of profile as on roller cam. I would suggest that you call comp cams tech help line and tell them what you want. Your looking for something that don't really exist because what causes a cam to lope on idle is a lot of duration where valves have overlap and exhaust is blowing into the intake at high rpm it makes big power but suffers from lack of low end torque so whatever you get must be a compromise. There is no such thing as a cam with a strong lope and good low end power.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam (bungoo2u)
bungoo, I would recommend that you convert the Muncie to a 2.52 first (M20). It would work much better with that 327. You'll need a new input shaft and cluster gear (around $400 for brand new parts)
-Joe
-Joe
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Re: Drivability of XE274 Comp Cam (Flareside)
I have the xe262 cam in my 350. It's kinda lopy and has good low-end power with great top end. If I had to guess on a 327 it will be very lope won't want to idle and have very little bottom end.
