Help With Cam Selection

Poncho Villa · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 10:23 am Post subject: Help With Cam Selection

Hello all,
I'm trying to pick from the different Summit cam kits and don't really know which one to pick. I have:

'77 El Camino
Performer intake
stock QJet
stock exhaust manifolds (but may add headers later as finances permit)
2.25" dual exhaust w/ turbo mufflers
stock engine otherwise
2.56 open differential
TH350 transmission

I hope to get something that sounds a little more lopey than stock and give me more performance but I don't really want anything outrageous as the El Camino will be more of a cruiser / driver. I don't plan to mess with the compression or valvetrain either so I'd like to get as much cam as makes sense without going overboard.
Hopefully that's enough information to get a recommendation.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
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Poncho Villa
1977 El Camino Classic

72Sprint · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 12:08 pm Post subject:

Check out the Comp Cams camshafts page. I think they have a pretty good lineup of products. Based on what you said, I think the High Energy 268H would be good for your engine combo. You probably want to stay away from the Magnum series.

Also, I had a buddy who had the 327 CI/350 HP grind camshaft from the mid-sixties Chevy II in his '55. It had similar performance characteristics and had a nice rasp to the idle. I think you can still get this grind from any of the aftermarket cam manufacturers.

7d8ss · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 1:43 pm Post subject:

This was brought up on another website I frequent & the people with more knowledge than I have, recommended the Isky 201264/271-6. It is a duel pattern cam (which will give you some lope). It is a 214/221 duration with a .450 lift. It should retain your torque, which you will need with those highway gears, & still give you somewhat of a lopey idle. This was for a basically stock small block with tall gears. Jon
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Poncho Villa · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 5:04 pm Post subject: Thanks!

Many thanks to you! These are great suggestions. I'll try the Comp Cams site to see what they have and look around for that Isky cam. I'm hoping to order a cam soon so appreciate the quick replies.
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Poncho Villa
1977 El Camino Classic

Tommy · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject:

I have a edelbrock performer cam to match my intake. I am pleased will it cause I wanted power from idle on.
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7d8ss · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:11 am Post subject:

Almost forgot, Make sure that whichever cam you choose will work with stock valve springs. You said you didn't want to get into the valve train so your cam will have to work with the stock springs. Jon
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86camino · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 1:50 pm Post subject:

try luanti. it's made by holly. the one i have has a lift of 444/467 and it sounds good with the headers.

427chev67 · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 6:03 pm Post subject:

The Comp cams 268H grind is the biggest cam you can run with a stock torque conv. It has a noticible lope at idle. It will get on it also. I have one in my '81 and am pleased. It also will work with your stock stuff.
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Cars Having Excellent Velocity Running Only Low Elapsed Times '81 elco 350, '67 chevelle 427

workNprogress · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:45 am Post subject: cam

I use a Comp Cam XE274...but you have to do a spring upgrade to use it....i upgraded to .550 lift just to make sure as the cam has a .487/.490 lift.....but my when i pull up to a light and idle next to a Ricer or Pukestang GT...the damn body rocks from the lope and it sounds like it is gonna die I have it idled at about 500rpm in gear.....LOVE IT.

Just installed a low pro-file Areo Scoop, small version of the pro stock type scoops on door slammers. With the 275/60's on back and 225/14's on front, it has a VERY aggressive look and sound. All I need are good rear end gears, as I am running 2.41's. But I drive 100 miles round trip to work and back so I think 3.73'2 might not work. Wow that got of topic.
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race prepped 350 .040, msd ignition(6-AL, billet distributer, MSD Blaster 2), L-31 vortec's, .488/.488 lift cam, 670 street avenger, air gap intake, roller rocker arms, TH350, 2500 stall, 3.73 gears. Exxon loves me!

Mrapii · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 4:04 pm Post subject:

Say Workinprogress didn't that 274 kill your bottom end especially with 2.41 gears?
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1979 El Camino\r\n1955 Chevrolet Del Ray\r\n1962 Corvette\r\n1966 Corvette Coupe

ElkyPete · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:25 am Post subject:

I have the Comp Cams Xtreme Energy 268 Kit and changed up to a 1.6:1 Extruded Aluminum Roller Rocker. Comps data on that cam is: Cam Kit Grind: 268 Lift: .515''/.520'' RPM Range: 1600-5800 With the 1.6:1 Ratio Rockers the lift turns out to be about 545 I & 550" E, which puts it just under the 274 Kit which has a 245 and 255 lift.

Here is something I picked up from Super Chevy. If your running a stock engine with Stock Heads you can change all the Intake Rockers to a 1:6:1 rocker and gain something like 30 horse power with your stock heads and valves. Here is another deal, if you change the cam and keep stock heads you could be killing any power gains your getting from a larger lift cam and stock GM heads are not actually set up for anything with more lift than .500" actually .490".

You can buy a set of Vortec Heads from Jim Pace Performance part that are made for "Pre 87" engines so you can use the older intakes but the valve covers still are the center bolt type. They are roughly $40.00 more than the regular Vortec Head which is going to run you just under $500.00 a complete set. This is one of the Best Performance upgrades and fuel economy upgrade you can make. They flow better than the older "FI" or Fuelie or Camel Hump heads that so many people like.

Just a thought.

A 2.73:1 Rear end killed my power curve and led to me braking the bell housing on the 350 THD in my Elky. Its just too much torque in a power takoff for the drivline and insted of putting it at the tires it twisted the transmission. I am also running a 383 with a 6" rod so I am producing a lot of torque.
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1972 El Camino Custom 400
1976 El Camino Classic
1980 El Camino Super Sport
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workNprogress · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:42 pm Post subject:

workNprogress · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:38 pm Post subject: New ratio

Mrapii · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:45 pm Post subject:

Let us know how long that mini-spool lasts on the street.
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1979 El Camino\r\n1955 Chevrolet Del Ray\r\n1962 Corvette\r\n1966 Corvette Coupe