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Best cam duration for a 383?

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Old Jul 13, 2004 | 10:33 PM
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Default Best cam duration for a 383?

Hi all,

I'm putting together my design for a relatively conservative 383. Something that I can upgrade in the future but that will get me going for now. What kind of duration should I go for in a cam? I'm trying to emphasize power at low rpm's, as the 383's are known for, so I would think to go pretty low. Thoughts?

Thanks - Dave.
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Old Jul 13, 2004 | 11:25 PM
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So where do you want the 80 percent torque bandwidth to start?

Duke
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Old Jul 13, 2004 | 11:34 PM
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I assume that's the RPM range where torque is above or equal to 80% of it's max... ?

I'm not going to race it, so I'd like for the torque to be good off the line. Say idle-5000?

Dave
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Old Jul 14, 2004 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by humiliategravity
I assume that's the RPM range where torque is above or equal to 80% of it's max... ?

I'm not going to race it, so I'd like for the torque to be good off the line. Say idle-5000?

Dave
with a 383 i'd have it pull to 55-5800 rpm's, that's where i'm going for my truck 383
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Old Jul 14, 2004 | 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by comp
with a 383 i'd have it pull to 55-5800 rpm's, that's where i'm going for my truck 383
What kind of cam are going with? I've only been able to find a few direct comparison of cam durations in a 383. Check out this one:

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...be/index2.html

Theory holds that a 383 should be able to handle a higher duration cam, but from what I've seen the optimal is 215-225 at .05, erring to the low side.
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Old Jul 14, 2004 | 06:07 PM
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Default 383

Your intake type and emission compliance dictates how much cam to use. Then of course cam type.

232/240 @ .050 112 lc in roller cams make a 383 a TQ monster
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Old Jul 15, 2004 | 08:13 PM
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With a correctly built 383 your gonna make torque everywhere. I'm running 236 @ .50 and mine make so much torque on the low side it just blows the tires off. I even tried to calm it down with a 2" spacer under the carb, it helped a little but not much. Next cam will be in the 245 250 range just to help get some traction.
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Old Jul 15, 2004 | 08:47 PM
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Thanks guys. Both of you have advocated to use a cam in the 230's... I was thinking lower.

What could I expect if I used a 215/213 or a 225/224 at .05? Those are the ones I'm deciding between. If I go for a lower duration camshaft, the engine will idle a little better and I'll get better fuel economy (theoretically). Eddie, that's the first I've heard about too much torque Does the drivability of the car really suffer?
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Old Jul 15, 2004 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by humiliategravity
Thanks guys. Both of you have advocated to use a cam in the 230's... I was thinking lower.

What could I expect if I used a 215/213 or a 225/224 at .05? Those are the ones I'm deciding between. If I go for a lower duration camshaft, the engine will idle a little better and I'll get better fuel economy (theoretically). Eddie, that's the first I've heard about too much torque Does the drivability of the car really suffer?
If you're looking for the best drivablity instead of the most power something with about 224º intake duration would be a good compromise. Keep in mind that it's not just the duration or the lobe separation that determines how smooth or ragged a cam is, it's the combination of both. If fuel economy is a major consideration, put your money into an overdrive tranny instead of a bigger (and hungrier) engine.
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Old Jul 16, 2004 | 08:11 AM
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humiliategravity, I forgot to mention that mine isn't on conservative side.

Yes the drivability suffers if I ever get caught in the rain. Even trying to be light on the gas pedal it will spin from a dead stop, and between gear changes it breaks traction. I have to be very careful. But now on dry pavement it is a hoot to drive. Pulls very hard. Scares all my friends. Kinda reminds me of a dirt bike powerband. I love it.

If your worried about gas milage get a 700 or 200r4. and some good gears in the rear (3.73's) I get about 17-19 mpg on the highway, in town is a diffrent story about 10-12

Mine idles fine at 750 in park and about 625-650 in drive and it sounds awesome.
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Old Jul 16, 2004 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by EDDIEJ82
humiliategravity, I forgot to mention that mine isn't on conservative side.

Yes the drivability suffers if I ever get caught in the rain. Even trying to be light on the gas pedal it will spin from a dead stop, and between gear changes it breaks traction. I have to be very careful. But now on dry pavement it is a hoot to drive. Pulls very hard. Scares all my friends. Kinda reminds me of a dirt bike powerband. I love it.

If your worried about gas milage get a 700 or 200r4. and some good gears in the rear (3.73's) I get about 17-19 mpg on the highway, in town is a diffrent story about 10-12

Mine idles fine at 750 in park and about 625-650 in drive and it sounds awesome.
Sounds like what i'm after
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