[1badLemans]

Hey guys i just bought a smooth, running 402/396 big block chevy motor that was in a chevy truck. The engine ran good but I plan on putting it into a 71 nova. Now here is where i need your guys help. I plan on resealing the engine except for the headgaskets due to it being a leaker. I want to run a stock converter in a th350 and 3.08 gears in a ten bolt. I am running headers and will change to a performer intake and 750 carb. Now i need suggestions for a mild cam that will work well with these mild parts. I want low to mid range hp and torque. I dont care if there is a choppy idle or not. I also would like to run stock valve springs if possible. Some guys swear by those summit camshafts. Maybe a vodoo 60202? Oh and this is a stock 396/402 so it will have the low compression head n piston combo. Thanx guys.

[F-BIRD'88]

You will at least need hi perf valve springs to run any cam that is bigger than stock in a BBC. The stock BBC valve springs are not suitable for high perf.

Mild BBC cam crane H-272-2 #113941... The required hi perf springs are drop on direct replacement.
The Performer RPM oval port manifold is a better deal.

[1badLemans]

Even with an "rv" type cam?

[vinniekq2]

120031-12 CL120031-12 269 279 215 225 .516 .527 112 108 Hyd. Hyd. 1
1200-5200 Great low & mid-range torque. OK in heavy vehicle.
from howards might be good for you?

re-113941 crane? is that a rat cam?

[F-BIRD'88]

Originally Posted by vinniekq2

120031-12 cl120031-12 269 279 215 225 .516 .527 112 108 hyd. Hyd. 1
1200-5200 great low & mid-range torque. Ok in heavy vehicle.
From howards might be good for you?

Re-113941 crane? Is that a rat cam?

#133941 ,,

[454C10]

The smallest BBC summit racing brand cam will do the trick. I have run stock springs with it and it works ok. Specs are 276/280 advertised, 208/218 at 0.050", 112 lsa, and 0.475"/0.500" lift. Makes power to around 5000 rpms and has a smooth idle. ($100 with lifters)

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...make/chevrolet

Upgrade to long slot rockers. Also summit racing ($65)

Always a good idea to check valve stack height. You can do it will the heads on. Use a valve spring compressor that attaches to the rocker arm stud and a caliper. Check a few intakes and a few exhaust valves.

If the springs can handle 0.050" more than the cam then run it. If you find the valves float at higher rpms, then install stronger springs later. Also not a bad idea to break-in the new cam with the stock (weaker) springs.

I recommend a holley 750 3310 carb and a dual plane intake with a square flange. Avoid carter and edelbrock carbs, as they tend to vapor lock and developed sticky accelerator pumps.

396 truck intakes are nice and work well with a q-jet. If you have the high rise truck intake with a good running q-jet then run that.

Also a good idea to use an HEI ignition and around 40 degrees total mechanical ignition timing. And get an adjustable vacuum advance and set it to 10 degrees and use a manifold vacuum source.

[1badLemans]

Thank you guys for the info so far. Im definitely leaning twards the summit 1300. Just throwing this out there, what do you guys think about the comp xe268? Is that too much cam for my goal?

[1badLemans]

Sorry guys i meant the xe262. The 268 requires 2000+stall converter.

[123pugsy]

If you're looking for off the line grunt, go with the mild cam.

My dyno shows more torque with the mild cam. You'll lose a couple of horse on the top of coarse.

[1Gary]

If you call:

Competition Products - Performance Engine Parts, Racing Engine Parts and Accessories

As to speak to the tech dept.Tell them what you have(exactly what you have) and what you want,they will hook you up with a Howard's.Now that is a no regret purchase.

[454C10]

If you get a cam like the extreme or voodoo or most any other aftermarket manufacture then you will need to change the valve springs.

The summit cam has soft ramps and relatively low lift which makes it easier for the springs to control the valves. Any more cam then this, and it will require a spring change.

Even with new springs, I would not use an extreme or voodoo cam as these cams have very aggressive lift rates and are very hard on lifter and cam lobes. So, these cam have a much higher failure rate, especially with todays low emissions oils (low on anti wear additives once needed to flat tappet cams).

Finally hard to beat the summit racing $98 cam and lifter set. Sure, power is a little less compared to the extreme cam due to the slower lobe ramps and lower lift, but the cam will last a long time. And it is a big improvement over stock.