Thread: OK...which cam is behind door number 2?

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Well I removed my intake manifold last weekend and found one of the roller lifters had broken a retainer and turned 90 degrees out. And YES...it destroyed the cam in short order. I have checked it as good as I can with the naked eye and I do not see any more damage than the lifter & cam.

So my question is for you SBC gurus out there. If you had the following goodies...which cam would you select if you wanted the most rumptidy...rump sound combined with the most power for a fuel injected (I know, I know...before you chastise me for installing the new technology, I have regretted installing the computer and all of its high dollar partners in crime from the start...but that is done so we have to do the best with where we are...right?) small block. The car is a 34 Tudor Sedan (3000 pounds), power brakes (vacuum, vacumm, vacuum), has a 6 speed with 4:11s in the rear (so low end torque is no problem...this thing will make you feel 16 again).

Any suggestions or help is appreciated. I have fought with this injection unit for years and didnt want to go to the trouble of yanking the cam to solve the problem since it still ran great (only very rich). Now that the old Comp 280HR cam is history, I am curious which cam would be my best choice for the next 25,000 miles!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Troy

I would go with a cam that has a tight LCA with the 383 overlap is important. bout 106-104 is optimal if I remember right if you haven't done so already I would pick up a copy of david vizard's "how to build max performance small blocks on a budget" it has some awesome tips on how to spec yer cam for maximum effect.

Thanks Boogie Man for the response...

I waited as long as I could for someone to respond and finally ordered a new cam from Comp today. I ordered the following:


Grind Number CS XM 276HR-12
Description

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Intake Exhaust
Valve Adjustment 0 0
Gross Valve Lift 0.503 0.51
Duration At 0.006 Tappet Lift 276 282

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Valve Timing At 0.006
Open Close
Intake 28 68
Exhaust 75 27

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These Specs Are For The Cam Installed At 110 Intake CL
Intake Exhaust
Duration At 0.05 224 230
Lobe Lift 0.335 0.34
Lobe Separation 112

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Recommended Valve Springs 986-16


By the way...what does LCA mean and why is it important?

Thanks again!

let's see LCA means "lobe centerline angle" I don't really know how to explain its function because I'm just not good at that kind of thing, but I do know that the more cubic inches you have the overlap requirements are more also, up to a point anymore than what is required will kill bottem end torque for a 383 the optimum LCA is 106 degrees. The best advice that I can give you is to ready that book vizard is a genius when it comes to this kind of stuff and gives some awesome input on how to build a chevy from ground up. He also shows some trick stuff on how to port your heads and other awesome speed goodies.

Boogie Man, David Vizard is a friend of mine. Glad to see you reading his books. He's now teaching at the University of North Carolina. Fantastic guy.