[NovaSS350]

Hello,
I am considering switching to a roller cam in my Nova. The current setup is as follows.

Engine:
350 9.5:1
Trickflow Specialties 23degree heads. (195 runners, 2.02 intake 1.60 exhaust)
Rpm Airgap
Speed Demon 750
MSD pro-billit HEI + 6AL
Full length headers

Drive train:
M-20
8.5 10-bolt 3:73

My current cam is a 280H from comp and I am happy with it but of course would like more. I could get way more lift out of those heads and a roller is the only good way to do it without huge durations. Any suggestions for a cam would be great.

[engineczar]

hydraulic or solid roller?

[NovaSS350]

Most likely hydraulic but mechanical is not ruled out. It will be street use.

[454C10]

With your compression and gear I would keep the same size cam but just switch to a roller for more lift.

But, save your old 280H cam and keep the lifters in order, just in case you want to put it back in.

You could use 10:1 or 10.5:1 cr with that size cam and those heads. The engine would make more power per dollar spent by increasing the compression ratio than adding a roller.

A roller cam requires a lot of stuff to get it to work. Lifters, cam, bronze distributor gear, bronze tipped fuel pump push rod, shorter push rods, stronger valve springs, roller timing chain cover, roller rockers, roller bearing timing gear, and cam button. All this can add up to over 1000.00.

I think it would be the same money to build a 383 short block with 10:1 cr than to install a roller cam in your 350. This should give you an increase in power from 400 to 440hp and also increase the torque by 40ftlbs. A roller cam of the same size that you have now may only increase the hp by 20 with only a minor torque increase.

[firestone]

I dont know how much of a rough idle you are willing to deal with, or if you have power brakes, but as far as a good match to the heads and cam,If you did not mind going with a solid roller, I would recommend the XR276R (236 242 @.050 .564 .570 or .594 .600 with 1.6 rockers) or the extreem energy hyd roller with the same duration at .050 and the 1.6's. The solid roller would make more hp, but you would have to set valve lash every once in a while. I think this cam would be fairly choppy at idle, and may not provide a whole lot of vacuum, but it should perform well. If you are happy with the responsiveness of your current cam, you could go with a roller with the same duration at .050 and add some 1.6 rockers. For example, the xr282hr (230 236 @.050 .540 .550 with 1.6's) or the xr268r (230 236 @.050 .552 .564, .582 .594 with 1.6's). One last idea to consider; If you like how the single pattern cam works, and want a hyd roller the 286HR (230 @.050 .590 lift with 1.6's) would would give you the lift, but keep the duration similar to what you have now to retain driveability. I would recommend a dual pattern based on the flow data given on the site below. According to comp cams, unless your exhaust to intake ratio is around 75%- 80% minimum, a dual pattern cam will be beneficial. Also, 454C10 made some good points about the added costs of a roller cam.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...se/index5.html

Adam

[Mustangsaly]

have you heard about the crane roller cam 4 7 swap ? changes the firing order on cylinders 4 & 7 do a search on it.







Mustangsaly

[NovaSS350]

Yeah I have heard of the 4-7 swap cam.

Ok new question. As mentioned before stroking to engine may be a better option. So with my combo what do you guys think would provide the best bang for the buck?