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Cam selection review before purchase

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994 views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  53ProStreetHenryJ  
#1 ·
I got a recommendation for 2 different cams from comp cams. I would like you guys to look it over and add any input or changes before I buy. I'll post my car info. Then the two recommendations. And then my thoughts.
Warning, this is going to be a lot of info. Lol

Car info:
77 camaro. Weighs around 3000lbs

400 sbc bored .030 over to make it a 406 cubic inch sbc
11:1 compression ratio
200 cc aluminum dart pro 1 heads port matched, bowls worked a little, nothing major
64cc chamber
1.5 roller rockers
Weiand Team G single plane intake
750 holley double pumper
1" intake spacer
Balenced rotating assembly
Melling High Volume oil pump
Eagle I-beam 5.7 rods
floting .030 over speed pro flat top 4 valve relief hypertonic pistons
4:10 rear end
th 350 tranny
Stock crank

Solid roller Cam

Cam number 1: 12-773-8
Operating Range: 3200-7200 RPM
Duration @ .050'' Lift: 254° Intake / 260° Exhaust
Valve Lift w/1.5 Rockers: .582'' Intake / .588'' Exhaust
Valve Setting: .016'' Intake / .018'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation Angle: 110°
Requires 3500 stall

Cam number 2: 12-908-9
Operating Range: 4200-7200 RPM
Duration @ .050'' Lift: 264° Intake / 270° Exhaust
Valve Lift w/1.5 Rockers: .630'' Intake / .630'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation Angle: 106°
Requires 4500 stall

Thoughts:
I can't find anyone to flow my heads, however I did find a forum with a guy who had my exact motor and heads. He said his flowed

Ported & Polished Dart Pro-1 200cc Specs,
INTAKE:
0.100" = 62.6
0.200" = 134.1
0.300" = 190.7
0.400" = 241.4
0.500" = 262.2
0.600" = 272.7
0.700" = 277.1

So as you can see they flow well up to .600 lift but it's not much more than .500 and even though it increased at the .700 mark, it's not by much. So, I think my best lift on a cam would be between the .550 and .600 lift. I already have the 3500 stall converter, however having to get a different stall converter isn't going to stop me from getting a better cam for my application.

I don't really care about Street ability. I might drive this thing to the local dairy queen or car show but my goal is for this car to be fast and I'm willing to sacrifice some comforts to get that. I want low end torque and I want to jump off the line.

From my research, I feel like cam number one would be better but I'm willing to hear others opinions or different cam suggestions. Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Comes down to where the Camaro will spend its time. Mostly street with occasional race then cam number one will be easier to live with.

If racing is your only concern and you don't care about street manners then cam number 2.

Either choice will place a lot of demand on reworking the suspension system. Going sudden and fast is a lot more than sitting behind a nasty engine.

Bogie
 
#4 ·
Big tube headers? Full exhaust out the back? Are you going to try and run it at the track in the 8th mile or the quarter mile? Are you looking for a time slip or just a quick fun car? If you are going to sport around on the street I would be looking at something with 250 duration at 050 on a 108 lobe separation and at least 600 lift.
 
#5 ·

Admittedly I'm a bit more of a "top of the page" cam guy than some of the higher rpm, longer duration stuff further down the list. It's a conservative size as roller cams go, but it will definitely rev beyond 6000 with ease. With 1.5 rockers it would also be milder valve lift numbers. The link is just a jumping off point from the milder side of things with a hydraulic roller.

The mention of low end torque is what would steer me toward a more conservative cam and probably a dual plane intake with the 1" spacer if you're more likely to spend most of your time part throttle and cruising. A used performer RPM, Stealth, etcetera is pretty easy to find on the cheap.

Jumping off the line, low speed torque and fast in your post reads to me more like "seat of the pants/stop light acceleration" feel and less about drag racing time slips. The cam and intake suggestion is aimed in that direction. On the flip side you mentioned a streetable combination isn't a priority. If you're going for more of a drag car set up that you street drive here and there, the approach would be different.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Comp is very popular still; but you can call up tomorrow and get 2 recco's that are not these 2 recco's, and very little explanation as to the whys and wherefors.

Fill out a cam recco for Jones Cam Designs and Bullet.
Edit:
click on the box at the top that best describes your useage and fill out the form

Bullet doesn't have a cam recommendation form on their website at this time and asks you to call
662-893-5670

But given your specific question for a burger stand brawler? Choice 1. Lifter choice for a solid roller on the street may be a little more important.