Best Cam For Street Use? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

WHYBYNU · 07-08-2002, 02:05 PM

Well it's funny how the mind works, Im in the middle of summer and already thinking about what I'm going to work on this winter.
I'm going to change cams and go with after market heads on my 350. I'm thinking about Comp Cams 268H or 270H and a set Dart Iron Eagle heads. My 350 is running a Performer intake and 1406 carb K&N 14"x 4" air cleaner, HEI ignition I also run a 350 trans built to handle a fair about of horse power and the rear is stock with 3:07 gears(I like to cruise 65 @ 2300 rpm). I want 325 plus horse power. I'm just not sure how to get it and still drive comfortable on the street. If you guys have any better combos short of blue bottles and big blocks let me here what you think.

Super Chevy · 07-08-2002, 02:16 PM

sounds good to me, might wanna go bigger then that 600cfm you got though, get the 64cc 2.02 iron eagles... Should be above 325hp, probably closer to 350+

S-C

**MikeB** · 07-08-2002, 06:21 PM

Heads are the most important part of your combo. They determine how much POTENTIAL horsepower can be made. I have Iron Eagles (180/72) but can't recommend them due to cobby castings, valve seats not lining up with ports, etc. And here's the biggie -- the head thickness at the outside headbolt holes is prox 1/4" thicker than stock, so you give up 4 threads penetration into the block. Stock length bolts at 65ft/lbs MAY STRIP the block threads. If you go with the Iron Eagles, be sure to use ARP bolts without the washers. For a little more money, get the Edlebrock Performer RPM heads. If you're on a budget, I would highly recommend Vortecs with upgraded springs (stock springs are good for .440" lift) and screw-in studs. I believe Chevy High Performance Magazine has coaxed more than 400HP out of a set of these on a 350. I would go with a Performer Vortec intake, 600 cfm carb, 1-1/2" or 1-5/8" headers, and a cam in the range of 220 duration at .050" lift, like a CompCams High Energy 268 (218) or Magnum 270 (224). A quick run on Desktop Dyno 2000 using the flow numbers from my Iron Eagles, 9.5:1CR, 600 cfm carb, generic dual plane manifold, small headers w/mufflers, and Magnum 270H cam w/ 1.5 rockers shows 384 lb/ft torque at 4500 rpm and 366HP at 5500. Torque at 2500 is 344 lb/ft, so that's good torque near your cruising speed. The 268H cam increases torque to 390 at 4000RPM and lowers HP to 360. If accurate, that's a good trade -- more torque at lower RPM with only a few lost ponies.

Low69CST · 07-08-2002, 06:31 PM

If you get Dart heads make sure you get small intake runners. With a 350 and mild cam, if it was mine i'd go with 180cc or possibly 165cc intake runners. I just got back from taking my Darts to the machine shop. He told me they are good heads, but they don't machine them to very close specs from the factory. He said its best to order bare heads, then have them checked by a machine shop and then have the valves and stuff done.

Another way for "free Horsepower" is compression. I'd put the compression around 10 to 1. That should be safe for a daily driver if you buy good gas. A 268 would be a good streetable cam as well. My dad has one in his truck. With that cam, heads and headers you should be in 270-320 range, depends how well its tuned.

mikep · 07-08-2002, 10:41 PM

with the performer intake, the 600 cfm carb and the 268 cam you'll be looking at the hi side of 300 HP with stock heads. Your big limiting factor is your desire to keep the 3.07 gears. They wont let you rap it up far enough to make good flowing heads do their magic.

Ive used quite a few world product heads in the past and have seen a lot of dart castings and I think the WP are better finished. A set of SR torquers and the 268 cam will get you right into the ballpark or even higher without killing the bottom end you'll need with those gears.

WHYBYNU · 07-08-2002, 11:20 PM

You guys are great so it sounds like I'm in the ball park of the right ideals like I said this going to be a winter project and I love to here what everyone else has to say. I have a few more
monthes to come up with the right combo. Winter is to long for this southern boy from ARKANSAS so I will need somthing to pass the time and what better way than make your truck faster for spring & summer so keep the ideals coming . I'll let you know what I end up tring. Anybody from the Rochester, NY area ?

07-08-2002, 02:05 PM	#1
WHYBYNU WHYBYNU when old will do Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Hot Springs, AR. Posts: 643	Best Cam For Street Use? Well it's funny how the mind works, Im in the middle of summer and already thinking about what I'm going to work on this winter. I'm going to change cams and go with after market heads on my 350. I'm thinking about Comp Cams 268H or 270H and a set Dart Iron Eagle heads. My 350 is running a Performer intake and 1406 carb K&N 14"x 4" air cleaner, HEI ignition I also run a 350 trans built to handle a fair about of horse power and the rear is stock with 3:07 gears(I like to cruise 65 @ 2300 rpm). I want 325 plus horse power. I'm just not sure how to get it and still drive comfortable on the street. If you guys have any better combos short of blue bottles and big blocks let me here what you think.

07-08-2002, 06:21 PM	#3
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Heads are the most important part of your combo. They determine how much POTENTIAL horsepower can be made. I have Iron Eagles (180/72) but can't recommend them due to cobby castings, valve seats not lining up with ports, etc. And here's the biggie -- the head thickness at the outside headbolt holes is prox 1/4" thicker than stock, so you give up 4 threads penetration into the block. Stock length bolts at 65ft/lbs MAY STRIP the block threads. If you go with the Iron Eagles, be sure to use ARP bolts without the washers. For a little more money, get the Edlebrock Performer RPM heads. If you're on a budget, I would highly recommend Vortecs with upgraded springs (stock springs are good for .440" lift) and screw-in studs. I believe Chevy High Performance Magazine has coaxed more than 400HP out of a set of these on a 350. I would go with a Performer Vortec intake, 600 cfm carb, 1-1/2" or 1-5/8" headers, and a cam in the range of 220 duration at .050" lift, like a CompCams High Energy 268 (218) or Magnum 270 (224). A quick run on Desktop Dyno 2000 using the flow numbers from my Iron Eagles, 9.5:1CR, 600 cfm carb, generic dual plane manifold, small headers w/mufflers, and Magnum 270H cam w/ 1.5 rockers shows 384 lb/ft torque at 4500 rpm and 366HP at 5500. Torque at 2500 is 344 lb/ft, so that's good torque near your cruising speed. The 268H cam increases torque to 390 at 4000RPM and lowers HP to 360. If accurate, that's a good trade -- more torque at lower RPM with only a few lost ponies. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

07-08-2002, 06:31 PM	#4
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	If you get Dart heads make sure you get small intake runners. With a 350 and mild cam, if it was mine i'd go with 180cc or possibly 165cc intake runners. I just got back from taking my Darts to the machine shop. He told me they are good heads, but they don't machine them to very close specs from the factory. He said its best to order bare heads, then have them checked by a machine shop and then have the valves and stuff done. Another way for "free Horsepower" is compression. I'd put the compression around 10 to 1. That should be safe for a daily driver if you buy good gas. A 268 would be a good streetable cam as well. My dad has one in his truck. With that cam, heads and headers you should be in 270-320 range, depends how well its tuned. __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks

07-08-2002, 10:41 PM	#5
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	with the performer intake, the 600 cfm carb and the 268 cam you'll be looking at the hi side of 300 HP with stock heads. Your big limiting factor is your desire to keep the 3.07 gears. They wont let you rap it up far enough to make good flowing heads do their magic. Ive used quite a few world product heads in the past and have seen a lot of dart castings and I think the WP are better finished. A set of SR torquers and the 268 cam will get you right into the ballpark or even higher without killing the bottom end you'll need with those gears. __________________ No truck :-(

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07-08-2002, 02:16 PM	#2
Super Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,025	sounds good to me, might wanna go bigger then that 600cfm you got though, get the 64cc 2.02 iron eagles... Should be above 325hp, probably closer to 350+ S-C

07-08-2002, 11:20 PM	#6
WHYBYNU WHYBYNU when old will do Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Hot Springs, AR. Posts: 643	You guys are great so it sounds like I'm in the ball park of the right ideals like I said this going to be a winter project and I love to here what everyone else has to say. I have a few more monthes to come up with the right combo. Winter is to long for this southern boy from ARKANSAS so I will need somthing to pass the time and what better way than make your truck faster for spring & summer so keep the ideals coming . I'll let you know what I end up tring. Anybody from the Rochester, NY area ?



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