[novatech]

Hey everyone! I want your guys opinion. I have a pretty stock 350 that has an rv cam in it and an intake manifold, exhaust, etc. Pretty much stock. I want to put in a comp cam and some new heads. The motor only has 8000 mile on it right now. Should I throw the new cam and heads on the motor or should I wait and build a new motor. I've heard good things about the AFR 190cc heads and was thinking about getting those. Any thoughts? The motor is still pretty new with only 8000 miles on it. Just want something with a little power for the street. Hopefully around 400 hp/tq. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[crazy larry]

i imagine that would be fine. some will say to swap the lifters out, and some will say you dont need to. if it was me, i would. just break the cam in right.....

course, if your gonna run it, you might think about building a strong bottom end to handle the top.......

[hotroddesigner]

Please excuse my dumb question, but by an "rv" cam, do you mean like one that was used in an RV (camper)?

If that's the case, you may find that the engine has 4-bolt main bearings, which would be great for power and reliability.

However, I'd recommend swapping the cam. It's good for torque, but on a 350, the power probably dumps out around 4200rpm.

I had a '77 Z28 that had a 350 from a pickup installed. It had 4-bolt mains and a cam designed for low-end torque. With the M21 4-speed and the 3.73 rear end, it developed insane torque, and would smoke the tires through 2nd. However, you could feel the power drop quickly as the motor revved. Highway cruising was fine, but when you needed high-end power, the motor sucked, even after downshifting.

[jimfulco]

What kind of pistons do you have?

[gt2betubbed]

Originally posted by jimfulco
What kind of pistons do you have?

Yes, your compression will limit you on your cam choice if it's not that much. They it's better to go too small than too big with cams. Your bottom end can handle a lot stock, so go with the heads cuz that's where the power is at. I would also change the lifters with the cam (get a matching set), it's better to be safe than sorry.

Do it right, or do it twice...

[1BAD80]

Limited on torque converter to cam if automatic.

[novatech]

I have dished pistons on the motor, it is a stock bottom end. The compression ratio with the new heads should be about 9:1. I was thinking about going with the comp cams xe-268 kit. A guy at work said this would be a good set up because it's something like he used to have. I have a stock torque converter and I heard this cam is the largest you can go with a stock torque converter. My block is a 3970010 block with 4-bolt mains. Do you think these heads and this cam will be a good set up or is the cam going to be too big? Thanks for the help! I checked desktop dyno and it said this set up should make pretty good power.

[1BAD80]

The best thing is to call the cam manufacture that you plan on using and have a good talk with them and they will recommend the best cam for your setup.
Without knowing your complete car we are only guessing.

[gt2betubbed]

1BAD is telling the truth, but my guess is that the xe cam should work well.