Smaller cam for 383 chevy?????'s

2347 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by cobalt327, Jul 28, 2009

mupton

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2009

First of all I would like to think the folks that helped me out on the ZZ4 cam ?'s I had.The 96 long block I was going to use turned out to be trashed.So I'm back to replacing the broke crank in my 383.I'm now in the process of having it replaced.I would like to go to a smaller cam,than the XE268 I'm running now.My setup is vortec heads,9.7 to 1 comp,performer intake,600 carb,hei,headers,2.5inch duals.The motor ran very well with the XE268,but I would like to pickup more low end torque.I know that sometimes when using a smaller cam that you can raise the cylinder pressure to much.I'm trying to stay away from that.I don't care about max horsepower or a lopey idle anymore,I just want to build more lowend torque.This is my transportation on the weekends,just normal truck stuff.Hauling 2x4's,plywood,mulch for the wifes flower bed,and every now and then pulling a 16ft trailor with diesel tractor and bushog 200 miles one way to the hunting camp.I'm wondering if I should go with one of the CC4x4 cams or maybe one of the smaller Voodoo cams.Maybe the 262 or the 256(maybe incorrect on this cam)Vodoo cams.I figure what I lose in hp on the top I can gain back in tq on the bottom.Thanks for the help!

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

ap72

· #2 · Jul 27, 2009

As long as you use good oil (and not "Walmart good") I would go with the Voodoo 262. You'll give up only a slight amount of hp and gain some good tq.

Save

BogiesAnnex1

· #3 · Jul 27, 2009

mupton said:
First of all I would like to think the folks that helped me out on the ZZ4 cam ?'s I had.The 96 long block I was going to use turned out to be trashed.So I'm back to replacing the broke crank in my 383.I'm now in the process of having it replaced.I would like to go to a smaller cam,than the XE268 I'm running now.My setup is vortec heads,9.7 to 1 comp,performer intake,600 carb,hei,headers,2.5inch duals.The motor ran very well with the XE268,but I would like to pickup more low end torque.I know that sometimes when using a smaller cam that you can raise the cylinder pressure to much.I'm trying to stay away from that.I don't care about max horsepower or a lopey idle anymore,I just want to build more lowend torque.This is my transportation on the weekends,just normal truck stuff.Hauling 2x4's,plywood,mulch for the wifes flower bed,and every now and then pulling a 16ft trailor with diesel tractor and bushog 200 miles one way to the hunting camp.I'm wondering if I should go with one of the CC4x4 cams or maybe one of the smaller Voodoo cams.Maybe the 262 or the 256(maybe incorrect on this cam)Vodoo cams.I figure what I lose in hp on the top I can gain back in tq on the bottom.Thanks for the help!

A lot of work and expense for very little change in the power curve, the 268 is already a pretty mild cam especailly with the inches of a 383. You said the engine "ran very well" so why fiddle with a good basic set up.

Bogie

Save

SDLuck

· #4 · Jul 28, 2009

cam

I agree with bogie,the 383 should be making 400 pds/ft of torque at a flow rpm ,maybe you tune up is not correct or something else is wrong,converter to tight etc?

Save

mupton

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 28, 2009

Thanks for the replies.And I agree ,upon further reflection through out the day,I believe I will leave it like it is.I guess you sometimes get something in your head,about changing stuff ,and it just takes over.I really didn't figure it would add that much,just wanted to change something.Sometimes you build stuff up in your mind and make it bigger or better than it really is going to be.So I believe I will tune on it some more when I get it back from the machine shop.Thank you for talking me down from the cam swap ledge before I jumped.Will be back at a later date with some carb questions. mupton

Save

ap72

· #6 · Jul 28, 2009

If it works then don't change it, though for a hauling truck I would still prefer a 262 series.

Get on that carb and ignition though- you can give up a LOT due to improper tune especially at low RPM under part throttle- its the most ignored and most often wrongly tuned area. Most just tune for WOT and forget part throttle- I bet you spend 95% of your time at part throttle too...

Save

cobalt327

· #7 · Jul 28, 2009

mupton said:
First of all I would like to think the folks that helped me out on the ZZ4 cam ?'s I had.The 96 long block I was going to use turned out to be trashed.So I'm back to replacing the broke crank in my 383.I'm now in the process of having it replaced.I would like to go to a smaller cam,than the XE268 I'm running now.My setup is vortec heads,9.7 to 1 comp,performer intake,600 carb,hei,headers,2.5inch duals.The motor ran very well with the XE268,but I would like to pickup more low end torque.I know that sometimes when using a smaller cam that you can raise the cylinder pressure to much.I'm trying to stay away from that.I don't care about max horsepower or a lopey idle anymore,I just want to build more lowend torque.This is my transportation on the weekends,just normal truck stuff.Hauling 2x4's,plywood,mulch for the wifes flower bed,and every now and then pulling a 16ft trailor with diesel tractor and bushog 200 miles one way to the hunting camp.I'm wondering if I should go with one of the CC4x4 cams or maybe one of the smaller Voodoo cams.Maybe the 262 or the 256(maybe incorrect on this cam)Vodoo cams.I figure what I lose in hp on the top I can gain back in tq on the bottom.Thanks for the help!

Personally, I would consider the smaller cams if the rear gear ratio was less than optimum- like low 3's or high 2's, and/or OD tranny and/or tall rear tires. You would notice the increased torque especially when taxing the truck- pulling the loaded trailer, for example.

Otherwise, I would stick w/the 268 cam.

Good luck.

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month