Thread: camshaft for torque

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lobster, the key to doing what you say you want to do is a looser converter. Any cam you screw into a naturally aspirated motor will have an effective "window of operation" of about 3,500 rpm's, so nobody can grind you a cam that will operate effectively off-idle to over 5,000 rpm's with a stock converter.

Here's an example of a cam that will give you low-end grunt from 1,000 rpm's with a stock converter, but runs out of breath at 4,600 rpm's..... It is ground on a 110 centerline.....
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=brows...tType=camshaft

Here's the next cam on the list, making power from 1,400 to 5,000 rpm's. Personally, I'd be using a looser converter in the 1,600 to 1,800 stall range with this cam if I were doing it....Also ground on a 110 centerline.....
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=brows...tType=camshaft

This cam may be getting closer to what you're looking for, making power from 1,600 to 5,400 rpm's, but again, personally I'd install a converter with a stall of 1,800 - 2,000 rpm's.....again, 110 centerline.....
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=brows...tType=camshaft

Let me say this about specing a cam. Crane probably has the most realistic power range listings of any grinder I've used. Some of the other grinders will lead you to believe that their cams have an effective window of operation of well over 4,000 rpm's, but it just ain't so, not naturally aspirated it ain't.

Pay close attention to the required static compression ratio to be run with any cam you put in the motor and try to build the motor to the middle of the c.r. spec with zero deck and a 0.039" compressed gasket for a tight squish. That will allow you to run normal spark lead on crap pump gas.

As far as manifolds, I'd use a standard Performer with any of the 3 cams I've listed to keep velocity up for good cylinder filling. Read these recommendations from Edelbrock and make your own decision, paying attention to the operating range of each.....


Performer® Manifolds (idle to 5500 rpm)
Performer manifolds are dual-plane, low-rise intake manifolds with a 180° firing order and patented runner design that you won't find in other brands. This patented design greatly improves torque over a wide rpm range for excellent throttle response, especially off-idle through the mid-range. Throttle Performers are ideal for passenger cars, trucks, 4x4s, tow vehicles and RVs. There are EGR and non-EGR versions available for most domestic V8 and some V6 engines. Most Performer intakes are 50-state street legal, when used with the correct carburetor and in the correct application.

Performer RPM™ Manifolds (1500 to 6500 rpm)
Performer RPMs are dual-plane, high-rise intakes with 180° firing order to produce incredible top-end horsepower while retaining good throttle response. Their larger plenums and runners match the free-flowing exhaust, high-lift cams and other modifications of a high output engine. They are intended for high-performance street or competition engines that run up to 6500 rpm. They are not for emissions equipped engines. Edelbrock's Performer RPM gives you the ultimate in street high-performance.

One last thought, keeping in mind that power is in the heads, pay attention to the post by 76GMC1500 about the Vortec heads. They will outflow any of the Gen I Chevy heads ever produced and will make excellent full-time-street / part-time-track heads.