[ko.17]

hi, i am trying to decide whether or not to change from a flat tappet cam to a roller cam set up, but i am not sure if the hp gains will be enough to justify the $$$. my current cam has duration @ .050 of 230 and 480 lift. last year the car was on the dyno and put out modest hp and torque. 250 hp @ 5500 and 290lb/ft @ 2300 rpm. i have since replaced my camel heads with vortec(600 lift springs) and my rpm performer with an air gap intake. the car has 4:10 gears and a 2500 stall. i am interested in a roller cam set up but don't know if A) it's worth the price for the hp gains and B) will i lose my early peak torque. how much hp can realistically be expected from a roller cam with specs such as 225-230@ .050 and 500-510 lift. keeping in mind the i can achieve the lift numbers by simply adding 1.6 rockers.
thanks for your time
keith

[Lonestar]

You need to provide a lot more info. Please detail your set-up.

[bracketeer]

2500 stall isn't much when you start talking rollers. I am not a fan of 1.6 rockers. But under your circumstances. Its the way I would go. You would get about .513 lift which is still a little high for your convertor.

[firestone]

Usually on a street motor like yours, you can assume around a 20 hp increase with the roller due to the reduction of friction. If you got a cam that was roughly the same size, it should not hurt low end performance. The 1.6 rockers would be a good cheap way to go, but overall, the roller will make more power. Some things to think about before you spend $600 on a roller setup, do you have a good carb/exhaust/ignition? Also, how well does your car hook up now. If you are not getting the power to the pavement now, a new cam will just make that worse. Rollers are great, but if you have other places where the money can be spent, I would consider the 1.6's and focusing on other things.

Adam

[NXS]

that stall would be more than enough for that cam.

here is a vortec headed engine with a 224@.050 & 510" cam
clicky keep in mind this had the wrong valve springs limiting it to 5000 rpm

[ko.17]

Originally Posted by Lonestar

You need to provide a lot more info. Please detail your set-up.

hi, not sure exactly what info you're looking for, it's a 350 30 over, not sure exact compression ratio. vortec heads stk valve sizes, 2500 stall, i have both a 600 and 750 cfm holley carb, headers, 2 1/2 " exhaust, air gap intake, current cam 230, 480 lift, with this cam i was just going to add 1.6 roller rockers but i am thinking that while the heads and intake are off it would be a good time to change cam if that's what i wanted to do. not sure what else about the engine i can tell you.

[ko.17]

Originally Posted by firestone

Usually on a street motor like yours, you can assume around a 20 hp increase with the roller due to the reduction of friction. If you got a cam that was roughly the same size, it should not hurt low end performance. The 1.6 rockers would be a good cheap way to go, but overall, the roller will make more power. Some things to think about before you spend $600 on a roller setup, do you have a good carb/exhaust/ignition? Also, how well does your car hook up now. If you are not getting the power to the pavement now, a new cam will just make that worse. Rollers are great, but if you have other places where the money can be spent, I would consider the 1.6's and focusing on other things.

Adam

hi, when on the dyno with old set up the 600 and 650 performed pretty equal. the 750 not as well. this year with all the new parts i plan on trying all 3 carbs again. i will also be putting on a pair of flowmaster super 40's to help the exhaust side. the car already has headers. as for the ignition, it may be lacking as i currently use an accel super coil. the car has traction bars and seems to hook up well. just thinking that if i am going to change the cam and lifters, now is the time with the heads and intake off.

[ko.17]

Originally Posted by NXS

that stall would be more than enough for that cam.

here is a vortec headed engine with a 224@.050 & 510" cam
clicky keep in mind this had the wrong valve springs limiting it to 5000 rpm

thanks for trying nxs, but i can't seem to open attatchment.

[NXS]

It idles well with a stock 700r4 converter and has plenty of power to flat smoke the tires..

[firestone]

In that case, If you have the money to spend, I think a roller would be the next logical step. I would consider the XR276HR .502 .510 lift 224 230 @.050 1900-5600 RPM. With this roller cam, you should be close to 400 hp.

Adam