Wich Cam?

[r0lf-]

Im really torn on wich cam to shove into my project 350.

Either the Comp cam...

260H High Energy .440 lift

or the

268H High Energy .454 lift.


This is going to be on a basically stock '80 350, it will have a Performer Intake and carb with EGR and some Edelbrock Headers. But other than that, no head work or anything. I want some really strong torque and a mean, but workable idle. The motor has 80,000 miles on it, but it wasnt abused.

[swervin ervin]

I would go with the XE line from Comp. They are specifically designed to make torque, while still providing upper rpm power. The fast ramp speeds are what does it. With stock heads and converter, I would go with something like the XE256H or XE262H. A EGR likes a cam with dual patterns. Single pattern cams will have more lope though. Their 4X4 cams are nice too for torque.

It's tough to have really strong torque and a mean, but workable ide without some good heads. For all this, the engine needs to be able to breath. Something stock heads lack real bad.

Remember, biggest thing you can do to kill torque on a stock engine is overcam it.

[r0lf-]

yup, I know all about overcamming. All my buds know nothing about how an engine really works and they want to put .500 lift cams on their stock engines. They think they will have a hotrod on their hands.

I was looking into some vortec heads, but I dont know of any good EGR manifolds that are cheap to use with them. Ill look into those cams though. Thanks.

[r0lf-]

Wow. I took a look at the XE256 and I really like the numbers on it. Power range is from 1000-5200, I really like the torque down low. I have to run a bunch of vaccum for EGR and emissions, so this might be a winner.

I could even use my stock converter with this badboy.

The only question is, Is it CA emissions legal? Well... I guess thats not the big question. They arent going to pull my cam at the smog check place, will it pass smog?

[swervin ervin]

Originally posted by r0lf-
The only question is, Is it CA emissions legal? Well... I guess thats not the big question. They arent going to pull my cam at the smog check place, will it pass smog?

In a word, no. None of the XE series cams are smog legal, but what the hey. I have the XE268H in my truck, with Edelbrock heads, etc., and pass sniffer tests real easy. I know out here we have nowhere near the stringent tests you do, but I would think it should be easy to pass with the XE256.

You are right, I doubt they will pull your cam and mike it.

[84Stepper]

I have the xe268h in my truck and I love it. You will be happy with either the xe256 or the xe268h. I also agree with getting the heads for the power, because with out them your not going to have the power you want. Man it sure is nice living in Oklahoma, since we don't have to go through all of those dang inspections.

[Tom]

Two things. 1: the XE line of cams are not 100,000mile cams. The ramp rates are way too fast to last that long. 2: single pattern cams make more torque down low then split pattern cams. Id give ultradyne a call and talk to harold. Or shoot him a mesage on www.chevelles.com
This guy knows his stuff!

[Senor_paco]

I use the Crane Cams 272 Extreme energy cam, and it made a HUGE diff over stock. Of course now I have to get a looser converter and lower my 3.07 "freeway flyer" gears, but if I have to do it, so be it. I have a 4.11 locker, but that may be too much without a 700r4 tranny.