What Cam? Help

[Arellano82c10]

Hey everyone I am new to this forum stuff and wanted some input on what cam I should drop in my 82 C10. Its a stock 350 and all im really looking for is a nice sound, not really worried about hp or anything else at the moment. Thanks in advance.

[79Betty]

The best advice is right here, get someone else's! Lol call the manufactures of the cam you want and talk to a tech line guy. They know their product better than anyone so they can point you in the right direction.

[cory d]

yes i would call isky, comp, lunati and others to find the cam for you.

[4x4k30]

i would go with a comps cam 12-242-2 i have built a couple stock 350s and used it with good sound. just my 2cents

[68post]

Hey, new here,( but not new anywhere else). If you have a stock engine and cam it for sounding good - you will not be happy with the way it drives under 3,000 rpm.

The last cam I bought for a truck was a Comp 260HE , and it drove great - but already had 3.73 gears along with other upgrades.
Hope to be buying one or two more cams soon and they will not be "stock" engines. At least one of them will be cammed so mild that it may sound stock. I do have an Comp 262XE on the shelf that may or may not get used.

It will be easier to make power than it will be to make it sound good and run good in a stock setup.
I wouldn't call the large cam companies their opinions vary widely. Are you going to change the stock valve springs or leave them ?




One man's street cam is another's race cam and another's stockish cam.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

What do you mean by good sound? Personally I wouldn't run comp cams again for anything. After doing much research I've started disliking thier ramp profiles on the xe series

A crane 266h10 is a good cam for a stock motor. It's got a fat amount of torque down low to mid. And sounds pretty even.

[68post]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

What do you mean by good sound?

If you were asking me , I'm just trying to relate to the OP concerning buying a cam for it's "sound" vs. one that truly adds power - but "sounds" tamer.

The newer fast ramp profile cams seem to be a Pandora's box and may very well be contributing to so many of the flat lobes that are all too common place nowadays.

Crane Cams are a much better cam company than Comp in my opinion also. $0.02

Comp's XE series of cams seem to be what started all the controversy with them. I wouldn't be afraid to run my other Comp cam - but its' a solid roller for a winged sprint.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by 68post

If you were asking me , I'm just trying to relate to the OP concerning buying a cam for it's "sound" vs. one that truly adds power - but "sounds" tamer.

The newer fast ramp profile cams seem to be a Pandora's box and may very well be contributing to so many of the flat lobes that are all too common place nowadays.

Crane Cams are a much better cam company than Comp in my opinion also. $0.02

Comp's XE series of cams seem to be what started all the controversy with them. I wouldn't be afraid to run my other Comp cam - but its' a solid roller for a winged sprint.

No I was asking the OP what kind of sound he was looking for.

A stock engine can only take a lil more than an RV cam with low compression and restrictive intake and exhaust. Makes it hard to get a lopey idle without making the engine a dog at the low end.

[Arellano82c10]

Thanks for everyones input on my question, ill just keep doing some research and call the tech guys. I just want a nice sound with a good lope to go with the new exhaust and headers I plan on doing.