[jr2009]

Hey everyone,

I am building my first engine at the moment, I will tell you all what I have to work with so far:
454 Mark IV Block machined .030 over
-12cc Domed KB Hypo Pistons
Eagle HBeam Rods
Eagle Forged Crank
Edelbrock Aluminum Performer RPM heads (assembled)


I have recently taken everything to the machine shop, where it was decked, line honed, and all parts were inspected and balanced.
I do not have a vehicle at this point in my build(I plan on purchasing a 67-72 chevelle, once the money is available). I asked the machine shop for some reccomendations for cam setups, they did not give me any saying that they need to know what vehicle I will be putting this motor into. I am not going to be racing this motor, so do I really need to know what vehicle I will be putting this into???

I want this motor to be a street motor but with as much performance I can have and still run this on the street. I also am planning on running a hydraulic roller setup.

My question is do you guys agree with the machinist in that I should know my vehicle I am running it in? if not what are some reccomendations for cams you guys would give?

thanks for any help
JR

[jginnovationspedshop]

I am Lunati Cam is the way to go good pwr curve,better throttle response , acceleration,vacuum just call summit racing ,tell them what you want and all them cars weight close to each other good cams

[matts37chev]

i would wait on the cam until the car rolls into the drive way
that way if you chage your mind i.e. truck ,drag boat, or drag car,youll be ready

[Jeff The Ruler]

Sure Lunati seems to make good cams but they arent the only good cams around, not sure what that all was about.

Agreed you should know what vehicle its going into. There is a bigger weight difference between some A-bodies than I had thought, I'm sure someone could post a longer list than me of ways how.

A good rule to live by is choosing the cam and torque converter last. Are you planning on having your shortblock assembled by him or just machined?

True you could pick a cam thats within range and have fun. You said you want the most performance possible, When builders go for everything its got they dont pick the cams till everything is in place.

[jginnovationspedshop]

I got a customer that has a 70 Chevelle and has a 454 he put in it and has went though a lot cams brands , a good street car about 11.5/1 compression and he settled with lunati cam and converter (2800) and he loves it , just one story , everyone has one , good to have the car first everything adds up and works together

[jr2009]

hey thanks guys for the input.

Jeff- no he is just doing the machining. I am assembling the short block.

I'm almost 100% sure I'm going to be getting a chevelle (as long as there's one out there still for me!) somewhere in the year range of 67-72. knowing that, I don't understand why I couldn't just get a good performance street cam? If I'm not racing it, do I really need to get THAT picky when it comes to the cam? could someone explain to me if I'm way off. does rear drive ratio come into play? if so couldn't I just buy the right gears, and converter for the car(after) to suit the motor??

I really do appreciate the input, I'm a newbie to this, learning tons as I go, and having fun along the way haha

[bonzipenguins]

Yea best to have the car first then put your leftover money into the engine

[jr2009]

Hey I know this is an old thread of mine, but I wanted to thank you guys on your input, I held off on buying the cam, and I just recently bought a 67 chevelle from ebay. Going to go pick her up in a few weeks.

what do you guys think?

I'm still going to drop the 454 bbc into it.

[matts37chev]

wow, thats great
66-67 chevelles are close to the top of my list of favorite cars

[Bowtie man]

That looks good, it takes time to do things really how you want them done. Good luck!

[jr2009]

yeah thanks, it's in pretty good shape from what I can see. I'll still going to be doing a frame off resto though.