Thread: cam selection help
Threaded View
-
02-21-2017 05:18 PM #1
cam selection help
Hi all,
I have been searching the interweb for ideas on my engine rebuild. Found this forum to have a lot of knowledgeable and helpful people.
My engine is a gen 6 454. I got the engine about 4 years ago and it is my first BBC so I am still in the learning phase. The engine was in an 80's truck when I bought it and I was told that it had been rebuilt somewhat recently. It ran great! I wanted to do a few upgrades and use the engine in my 4x4 for mud bog competitions. I didn't know it was a gen 6 or that there was different gens until after much frustration in matching parts. It has ran awesome the last 4 years but I am getting some low compression readings on a couple of cylinders so I am going to pull it and have it checked out. I also suspect due to my recent research that I am running the wrong intake on it. But my main concern is the cam. The cam I used works great but I think after researching that there may be some better options out there. Supposedly this motor should have came with a roller cam but it did not have one when I got it. I just assumed it was stock and replaced it with a Lunati flat tappet "10110703" 268/276 227/233@.050 .542/.554. Also converted it to adjustable rockers.
So while I have the engine out I am wondering if I could find a roller cam that will give me better performance. The heads are 10114156 which should be "peanut" port small valve heads. I don't plan on replacing them because they work great for my application. Lots of low to mid range torque. I am thinking my compression ratio is probably 9:1. My intake is an Eldebrock rpm performer but I suspect that it is made for large oval ports rather than the small ovals so I plan on replacing it with a performer for the small ports. I also have headers, MSD ignition and a Holley 750. I run it with the transfer case in low range giving me a final drive of 6:16 with 38" tires and a 2500 stall.
The class I race in requires full exhaust and the engine must pulll 15" of vacuum at 1000 rpm. I have to advance the timing at idle a lot to get the 15". As I said the engine runs like a beast so I have no problem leaving it as is other than the intake but am open to ideas for a roller cam that might give me better performance and better vacuum.
Thank you!!!
John's ride to the cemetery, his beloved Billings OK bus, The Baby Elephant!! Traveling in style!! As his service was starting I couldn't figure out what the music was, heavy on a flute in a jaunty...
John Norton aka johnboy