Camshaft question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sprintracer15 · 10-22-2005, 10:15 AM

Hello all,

I am new to this site, but have read it for a while. I have a 72 Chevrolet fleetside longbox pickup that I recently purchased and have lowered with aftermarket spindles and springs. I just wanted to thank you folks on this site as your information was very helpful with everything from how to lower it to how much to lower it and what parts to use THANKS!!!

Now for my engine related question. The truck has a 1970 350 in it, headers, and edelbrock performer intake, 350 turbo, and I think 3.07 gears. I am trying to decide on an aftermarket cam for it. I would like it to have some of the lope at idle, I just don't want it to be rediculous. I do not have a stall converter, nor power brakes. I was thinking about something with about a 270 duration and .450"-.470" lift. Does this sound about right for what I am wanting to do? Also, would any of you have a suggestion on brand?
I am a transmission guy, but kind of limited on engine stuff, know just enough to be dangerous.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have, you guys and gals have some really sharp truck on here, and obviously a lot of knowledge!
Thanks again.
15

chevy72blu · 10-22-2005, 10:33 AM

I ran close to that cam on a near stock motor.

Look into the Comp 272-HR. Its about as far as you can really use without going crazy on the heads. You will need to replace the valve springs with "Z-28" springs, which are quite cheap.

You will be VERY happy with the results- although I reccommened much taller gearing.

sprintracer15 · 10-22-2005, 10:36 AM

Thanks a lot! What gearing would you suggest, I do want to drive it on the highway from time to time, but it is mostly just a weekend cruiser.
Thanks again.
15

SSC's76 · 10-22-2005, 10:41 AM

Well dont bother going that big on your cam. It's a stock engine with stock heads so keep it closer to a stock cam or your will gain nothing and might even loose power. I'd suggest a mild cam so theres no valve spring replacement involved with the swap. A RV cam like the Melling MTC-1 will give a you a slight lope at idle and a nice increase in power with no need to swap valve springs.

cableguy0 · 10-22-2005, 10:49 AM

whatever cam you choose use the reccomended springs for that cam. if that engine is from 1970 the valve springs are as well therefore they are well worn. you at least need to change the valve springs. be careful going to big on the lift and duration or you will pull the studs clean out of the heads.

red86chevy · 10-22-2005, 01:34 PM

I put a Comp 270h in my stock crate 350. It sounds great! You can definitly tell it has a "chop" to it. It can be run with stock converter and there is no need to change your springs unless they have a ton of miles on them. mine had 30,000 miles on it when I did a cam change and I have spun it up to about 5,900 with out valve float. IMO an excellet cam.

It has .470 lift with 270 degreese of advertised duration and 224 degrese of duration at .050" lift, on a 110 LSA.

Jeremy

crm318 · 10-22-2005, 02:52 PM

i have the 268H .454/.454 with a high flowing motor and 3.07s i can boil the tires off off the line and it pulls to 5600. its a great cam with all around power, choppy and utilizes the factory converter.

chevy72blu · 10-22-2005, 04:14 PM

when I put my 272H in, I replaced the factory crate motor heads with a pair of slighly modified swirl-port TBI's. I had them laying around. They only flow slightly better than the crate heads, and took a solid 2 seconds off my 1/4 with that motor.

tmcgrawlookalike · 10-23-2005, 11:18 AM

might consider the gm 327 350 horse cam,about the same as the 268 comp,but can be bought at a whole lot cheaper price than paying for the comp name.oreilly`s has this available,even in kit form.works good with stock components.good luck!!

4x4Poet · 10-23-2005, 08:05 PM

Today's gas prices make those 3.07 gears great for a weekend cruiser or highway runner.

Jason915 · 10-25-2005, 10:59 AM

I wouldn't make a cam swap to someting that has a idle lope unless you want to run a stall and lower gears. Big cams sound cool but are hell on MPG and driveability will decrease without a stall converter and lower gears. With a cam swap you'll be shifting your power up into the higher RPM's and without a higher stall converter and lower gears you could lose excelleration. If you want to keep your Highway gears and stock converter and you are set on swaping cams I would recomend a RV type cam I really like my CompCam 4X4 cam it's got great low end and response. If you want the spects I can give you them if your interested.

chevy72blu · 10-26-2005, 12:08 AM

I ran the 272 on the stock stall for a long time just fine. It is the largest I would go on the stocker converter... but still.

This was with 3.56 gearing, at the time.

Fred T · 10-26-2005, 12:18 AM

I will recommend you call the cam manufacturers and talk to the tech departments. They should be able to help you figure out what to get. They will need to know all of the drivetrain specs, from the carburetor to the differential ratio.

10-22-2005, 10:15 AM	#1
sprintracer15 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 7	Camshaft question Hello all, I am new to this site, but have read it for a while. I have a 72 Chevrolet fleetside longbox pickup that I recently purchased and have lowered with aftermarket spindles and springs. I just wanted to thank you folks on this site as your information was very helpful with everything from how to lower it to how much to lower it and what parts to use THANKS!!! Now for my engine related question. The truck has a 1970 350 in it, headers, and edelbrock performer intake, 350 turbo, and I think 3.07 gears. I am trying to decide on an aftermarket cam for it. I would like it to have some of the lope at idle, I just don't want it to be rediculous. I do not have a stall converter, nor power brakes. I was thinking about something with about a 270 duration and .450"-.470" lift. Does this sound about right for what I am wanting to do? Also, would any of you have a suggestion on brand? I am a transmission guy, but kind of limited on engine stuff, know just enough to be dangerous. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have, you guys and gals have some really sharp truck on here, and obviously a lot of knowledge! Thanks again. 15

10-22-2005, 10:33 AM	#2
chevy72blu Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,189	Re: Camshaft question I ran close to that cam on a near stock motor. Look into the Comp 272-HR. Its about as far as you can really use without going crazy on the heads. You will need to replace the valve springs with "Z-28" springs, which are quite cheap. You will be VERY happy with the results- although I reccommened much taller gearing. __________________ RIP EastSideLowLife '72 C20 SWB convert. 5 lug, LS1/4l60e

10-22-2005, 10:36 AM	#3
sprintracer15 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 7	Re: Camshaft question Thanks a lot! What gearing would you suggest, I do want to drive it on the highway from time to time, but it is mostly just a weekend cruiser. Thanks again. 15

10-22-2005, 10:41 AM	#4
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: Camshaft question Well dont bother going that big on your cam. It's a stock engine with stock heads so keep it closer to a stock cam or your will gain nothing and might even loose power. I'd suggest a mild cam so theres no valve spring replacement involved with the swap. A RV cam like the Melling MTC-1 will give a you a slight lope at idle and a nice increase in power with no need to swap valve springs. __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

10-22-2005, 10:49 AM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Camshaft question whatever cam you choose use the reccomended springs for that cam. if that engine is from 1970 the valve springs are as well therefore they are well worn. you at least need to change the valve springs. be careful going to big on the lift and duration or you will pull the studs clean out of the heads. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

10-22-2005, 01:34 PM	#6
red86chevy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sc Posts: 77	Re: Camshaft question I put a Comp 270h in my stock crate 350. It sounds great! You can definitly tell it has a "chop" to it. It can be run with stock converter and there is no need to change your springs unless they have a ton of miles on them. mine had 30,000 miles on it when I did a cam change and I have spun it up to about 5,900 with out valve float. IMO an excellet cam. It has .470 lift with 270 degreese of advertised duration and 224 degrese of duration at .050" lift, on a 110 LSA. Jeremy __________________ 86 c-10 383 w/ sportsman II heads comp 286h cam Edlbrock RPM Performer intake Holley 750 th350 w/2400 stall 3.73 gears with powertrax No-Slip posi unit. Just broken in good. Will get a 1/4 time this week.

10-22-2005, 02:52 PM	#7
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: Camshaft question i have the 268H .454/.454 with a high flowing motor and 3.07s i can boil the tires off off the line and it pulls to 5600. its a great cam with all around power, choppy and utilizes the factory converter. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

10-22-2005, 04:14 PM	#8
chevy72blu Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,189	Re: Camshaft question when I put my 272H in, I replaced the factory crate motor heads with a pair of slighly modified swirl-port TBI's. I had them laying around. They only flow slightly better than the crate heads, and took a solid 2 seconds off my 1/4 with that motor. __________________ RIP EastSideLowLife '72 C20 SWB convert. 5 lug, LS1/4l60e Last edited by chevy72blu; 10-22-2005 at 04:14 PM.

10-23-2005, 11:18 AM	#9
tmcgrawlookalike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: warr acres,oklahoma Posts: 650	Re: Camshaft question might consider the gm 327 350 horse cam,about the same as the 268 comp,but can be bought at a whole lot cheaper price than paying for the comp name.oreilly`s has this available,even in kit form.works good with stock components.good luck!!

10-23-2005, 08:05 PM	#10
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	Re: Camshaft question Today's gas prices make those 3.07 gears great for a weekend cruiser or highway runner. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

10-25-2005, 10:59 AM	#11
Jason915 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 693	Re: Camshaft question I wouldn't make a cam swap to someting that has a idle lope unless you want to run a stall and lower gears. Big cams sound cool but are hell on MPG and driveability will decrease without a stall converter and lower gears. With a cam swap you'll be shifting your power up into the higher RPM's and without a higher stall converter and lower gears you could lose excelleration. If you want to keep your Highway gears and stock converter and you are set on swaping cams I would recomend a RV type cam I really like my CompCam 4X4 cam it's got great low end and response. If you want the spects I can give you them if your interested. __________________ 1971 GMC K1500 SWB Fleetside, 4" skyjacker softride and, 14 Bolt FF, HD Dana 44 4.10's 1970 K5 TBI conversion lifted etc SOLD 1968 C20 camper truck SOLD “To ban guns because criminals use them is to tell the innocent and law-abiding that their rights and liberties depend not on their own conduct, but on the conduct of the guilty and the lawless.” Jeff Snyder

10-26-2005, 12:08 AM	#12
chevy72blu Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,189	Re: Camshaft question I ran the 272 on the stock stall for a long time just fine. It is the largest I would go on the stocker converter... but still. This was with 3.56 gearing, at the time. __________________ RIP EastSideLowLife '72 C20 SWB convert. 5 lug, LS1/4l60e

10-26-2005, 12:18 AM	#13
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Camshaft question I will recommend you call the cam manufacturers and talk to the tech departments. They should be able to help you figure out what to get. They will need to know all of the drivetrain specs, from the carburetor to the differential ratio. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.