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cam selection

5K views 37 replies 6 participants last post by  prostcelica 
#1 ·
I finally decided on a set of heads and ordered them today. I went with a set of E-Streets that I am going to port(after an exstensive amount of research) now it is time for cam selection. I would appreciate anyone who wants to chime in. I know I want to put a roller in it just not sure between solid/hydraulic. It will be a street car that I occasionally take to the track. Please see my combo below and pass on your recomends.

sbc 355 stock internals 6000rpm max Maybe 6500 if im feeling lucky:D
Flat tops 4 valve reliefs
10.3:1 compression
Edledbrock E-Street heads (ported)
RPM Air gap intake
Holley 670 street avenger
4 speed manual
ford 9" 355 gears (probably go to a taller gear)
Car weighs 2500#'s

I am a little worried about VTP clearance. I have a Magnum 270 cam I will use to mock up and check the clearance so I have an idea where Im at before I spend the $$$ on a roller
 
#5 ·
If you can afford/justify a roller cam? thats even better.I would contact a grinder and get a small,street friendly solid roller.If the car is driven daily,then go for a .560 ish lift and get them to figure best duration and lobe angles for your application. Personally I prefer lower intake centerlines and a bit more duration.Makes for a chopy idle.also makes the cam come in earlier. With more separation and higher intake centre line numbers you get a smoother idle and higher rpm potential or less overlap with similar duration.Dont talk to the guy answering the phone,get a true tech to talk to. You dont want a generic shelf cam
 
#9 ·
vtp

always check clearance,always always,,,so many variables,,,Ive used TRW pistons and had lots of room. no guarantees though. Making room is not that big of deal.Is the engine apart or out of the car?
If the valve is close,also check with cam 4 degrees ahead and retarded.In the future you might want to move the cam for testing next cam choice
 
#15 ·
F-BIRD'88 just trying to save you some money in the long run. Once you take it to the track a couple of times you will want more power. With a good heads and the compression you have, intake and 750 cfm, all that would be needed for more power would be a cam change. Besides with your short block with the upgrades and the cam you are looking at you can still drive it on the street. Ain't you ever heard the expression "HOT Street". I have a 454 I've had since 1997. At first I ran a set of oval port factory heads heavily ported. I decided to freshen it up about 5 years later. Eagle 4.00 forged crank, new Eagle I-beam rods, new rings and bearings. I already had a Crower solid roller .641/.636 and 256*/266*. I wanted a set of aluminum heads. I found a deal on the internet on a set of Edelbrock Performer RPM rectangular heads #60559 for $1395.00 (New assembled.). Now when I look back I wish I had bought a set of Brodix, Dart, or AFR's. It's not the intake runner size, it is the exhaust runner size that is small on Edelbrock heads. BTW, my last Christmas present from me to me was a 489 Eagle forged rotating assembly... Runs on pump gas too.
 
#16 ·
Hey cdminter59. THis ia going to be a 99% street car. If Im being honest with myself I will probably go to the track once a year. I wish I could afford a set of AFR's or Dart's but it just wasnt realistic at this point as I want to got to a roller as well. As far as the E-street head go they have a 60cc exhaust runner vs a 64cc on the AFR 180. After they are cleaned up Im sure they will be close to the afr in size. I know you think a 180 head is to small but for my application Ive spoke to lots of people that said that is the perfect size for a street car withh my motor.
 
#17 ·
Prostcelica, I went to Edelbrock website and read the info on the E street heads. Flow rate isn't much different than the performer rpm head. The listed valve spring diameter is 1.25" and the performer rpm valve spring diameter is 1.46. Max lift is .550, max lift on performer rpm is .575. Under technical notes it says use with hydraulic flat tappet camshafts .550" lift. Not compatible with hydraulic roller camshafts.
 
#19 ·
Hey Guys. Thats what turned me off off the E-street heads originally.(1.25 valve spring diamiter) I called Edelbrock on Friday to inquire and the tech told me That as of April this year they are know putting 1.46 od springs in the E-street heads. They just havn't updated there web site yet. When I ordered the heads I had the guy measure the OD of the valve spring just in case. They are deffinatly 1.46. The Edelrock tech also said they are the same casting as the performer Rpm with different valve train and no cnc port work. So I think with some port work and a valve sping change could be a good set of heads.
 
#20 ·
Back to the subject of valve springs. Call cam manufacturer of the cam that you want to use. Get the info on the lifters, valve springs,retainers, and locks. Just curious, post the diameter of the valve springs that are recommended. Idk but on my big block with a mechanical roller the diameter of the valve springs are 1.550.
 
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