[307malibu]

Allright, crew--I picked up a 1996 vortec truck motor (roller cam). I've also got a set of vortec heads with 2.02 / 1.6 valves and a pocket port job done by competion products out of Oshkosh, WI. I'm going to drop it in a '71 Chevelle in place of my original 307. I've got 2.73s in the back but I could go up to 3.08s or 3.23s if needed. Mileage and highway driveability is a concern though--with gas at what it is and some longer road trips in the works. Oh, I've got a TH350 in there too. I've never used roller cams before, and I know they have broader spreads of power, so I'm asking you experienced old salts (and young salts).


Which of the following cams would you go with? Thanks!

CAM #1
Howards, Hydraulic Roller Cam, Chev SB, .450/.465, 262/272
Chev SB
Lift: .450"/.465"
Adv. Duration: 262/272
Duration @ .050": 208/214
Lobe Center: 112
Great daily usage, smooth idle, great fuel economy

CAM #2
Comp Cams HYDRAULIC ROLLER-Mild performance
1200 to 5200 rpms
Adv. Duration: 264 / 270
Duration @ .050": 212 218
Lift: .487" / .495"
LSA: 110°
applications, good mid-range,
3.23-3.73 gears. Slightly noticeable idle.

CAM #3
Crane PowerMax Hydraulic Roller Cam
Pt. No. 104228
PowerMax Adv. Dur. 272/286°
.050” Dur.: 210/224°
Valve Lift: .479/.518”
LSA: 112°

[chrismac]

Stay away from comp cams

[1drwgn]

might want to try the zz4 cam from gmpp, (bunch on evilbay for 105 shipped) with heads should give about 350 horses and halfway decent mileage, slightly less perf than your selection #3 but good all around check it out.

[307malibu]

I've taken a look at the ZZ4 cam and it's tempting, esp. for the price. But is the wide split between intake and exhaust detremental to cylinder pressure and torque? It's like 208 / 221! That Howards' Cams one is 208 / 214, which without more intake, more exhaust won't matter . . . . right?

[Guy Hiltz]

The Howards or Crane with a wider LSA might be the better choice in a street car.When I went from a 112 to a 110 in my big block I was disappointed,so now I am going back to a 112.I also have doubts about using Comp products,they dont tell you that their roller cams are NOT made from billet steel,but are made from an austempered cast iron,although billet can be ordered.Also they farm out a lot of their stuff,some of it is made overseas and the quality is questionable.If you want help in selecting a cam,call Harold Brookshire,he is one of the top camshaft designers in North America.

Everyone,

Now I've done it........
I am now selling ALL of my previous work from 1980 til now, and into the future.
If you want an original UltraDyne, or one of my Lunati or VooDoo cams, or one of my Custom Camshaft Rollers, or what I may be doing in the future, please give me a call.
I will be getting a new phone number by the first of January, but my home phone number is still 662-562-4933.
I was a little late getting back from PRI, my son had scheduled impacted wisdom teeth surgery for Monday morning, and wanted me to be his designated driver, so I ended up staying a couple of extra days down there.
Unfortunately, I saw very little of the show, as most of my time was spent discussing 'deals' with cam companies.
Most of the valve train components will be from Lunati, as they have the good Morel lifters, including micro-polished ones, and with oil holes on the faces, and the Pacalloy springs, including the BeeHives.....

If I made it, I sell it.

[307malibu]

Yeah, a tight LSA seems to me to be one of those things the car mags make it seem like it's okay on the street but in reality would not make a good daily driver. I've never run a cam with tighter than 112 though, so I can't say for sure. Any input on this one?