RV Cam? What, Where & How much? Do I need one? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1970CustomCamper · 05-13-2007, 04:29 PM

What is a RV cam?
Do I need one for my HD and towing applications?
Wher do I get one?
How much do they run?
I'm debating a GM crate 350 with 250hp. I have a 1970 GMC Custom Camper 3/4 ton with a 350TH tranny. I use my truck to tow daily. Please see my other thread for more details about my situation.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2171960

Thanks,
Dan

JAKES 68GMC · 05-13-2007, 04:50 PM

An RV cam is a cam for more low-end torque, and good to use in trucks. Usually the RV is the .420/.442 lift Summit cam( you can buy them from Summit for $60-$70, with lifters). I guess they run good, I've never had any experience with them. They don't idle rough or anything if thats what you're asking. I would get one for a truck if I was towing every day, but there are better cams out there that make more power.

Slammed70 · 05-13-2007, 04:54 PM

An RV cam is nothing more than a step or two over stock, a little higher lift and more duration. Which opens the valves more and holds them open longer.

If your towing, I would go with a little meaner cam....get all the low end torque you can.

You can get them anywhere, O'Reilly, Autozone, Jugs, Scrummit....

The price varies, get a good cam though....plan to spend $175+ for a good cam and lifter set.

RACINJASON22 · 05-14-2007, 01:58 AM

I like this question.

You will get lots of answers I'm sure.

"RV cam" IMO is a catch all for alot of people I think.

I would guess Slammed70 pretty much summed up what most consider an "RV cam" but there is no set #'s that I am aware of but, the term sure is used alot for some reason

Go with what fits your Needs mainly a cam that will make the most amount of torque is what I feel you should be after but, I'm also sure that you have already gathered that, Right?

RJ22

**67 cst swb** · 05-14-2007, 02:20 AM

There is a point that, the larger cam you go with the less bottom end you have...
find a cam that has an RPM range in accordance to where you need the power... I had a Sealed Power .420/.442 with 204/214 duration (If I remember those #'s right) It was good for towing...
But, most importantly... what rearend gears are you running, with how tall of tire...? That really plays into towing abilities...

jkeady · 05-14-2007, 02:43 AM

You've gotten good feedback so far, but to add a little...

With a stock set of heads, and valve springs, an "RV" grind will give you a little extra kick power in the low-mid range. When you start opening up the motor, you create a lot more potential for better power with a more radical cam.

Point being, if you're not doing much to the motor beyond an intake manifold, there's no point in going too crazy on the cam.

05-13-2007, 04:29 PM	#1
1970CustomCamper Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 12	RV Cam? What, Where & How much? Do I need one? What is a RV cam? Do I need one for my HD and towing applications? Wher do I get one? How much do they run? I'm debating a GM crate 350 with 250hp. I have a 1970 GMC Custom Camper 3/4 ton with a 350TH tranny. I use my truck to tow daily. Please see my other thread for more details about my situation. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2171960 Thanks, Dan

05-13-2007, 04:50 PM	#2
JAKES 68GMC Aluminum slot wheels rule... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 6,212	Re: RV Cam? What, Where & How much? Do I need one? An RV cam is a cam for more low-end torque, and good to use in trucks. Usually the RV is the .420/.442 lift Summit cam( you can buy them from Summit for $60-$70, with lifters). I guess they run good, I've never had any experience with them. They don't idle rough or anything if thats what you're asking. I would get one for a truck if I was towing every day, but there are better cams out there that make more power.

05-14-2007, 01:58 AM	#4
RACINJASON22 GEARHEAD Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CENTRAL,PA Posts: 2,284	Re: RV Cam? What, Where & How much? Do I need one? I like this question. You will get lots of answers I'm sure. "RV cam" IMO is a catch all for alot of people I think. I would guess Slammed70 pretty much summed up what most consider an "RV cam" but there is no set #'s that I am aware of but, the term sure is used alot for some reason Go with what fits your Needs mainly a cam that will make the most amount of torque is what I feel you should be after but, I'm also sure that you have already gathered that, Right? RJ22 __________________ 72 SWB 2WD MY PROJECT 72 LWB 4X4 FUTURE PROJECT SUBSCRIBE HEREBOARD VENDORS HERE NORWOOD MEET SURVIVOR!

05-14-2007, 02:20 AM	#5
67 cst swb Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 2,281	Re: RV Cam? What, Where & How much? Do I need one? There is a point that, the larger cam you go with the less bottom end you have... find a cam that has an RPM range in accordance to where you need the power... I had a Sealed Power .420/.442 with 204/214 duration (If I remember those #'s right) It was good for towing... But, most importantly... what rearend gears are you running, with how tall of tire...? That really plays into towing abilities... __________________ My Trucks: 1967 Chevrolet Short Wide Box 327 TH350 9" w/3.90 gears paint will be White - Current Project 1967 Chevrolet Custom LWB 283 TH400 3.73 Posi, no-AC, no-PS, no-PB, bench-seat, small-window - mostly orig driver 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB originally a 327 TH400 3.73 Posi AC PS PB, had Buddy Buckets, Small Window - parts truck 1967 Chevrolet CST LWB, 283 MT 3.73 had Buddy Buckets, Panoramic Window - parts truck 2001 Chevrolet 3500 2WD Crew Cab Dually 8.1L Allison White Last edited by 67 cst swb; 05-14-2007 at 02:21 AM.

05-14-2007, 02:43 AM	#6
jkeady Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 127	Re: RV Cam? What, Where & How much? Do I need one? You've gotten good feedback so far, but to add a little... With a stock set of heads, and valve springs, an "RV" grind will give you a little extra kick power in the low-mid range. When you start opening up the motor, you create a lot more potential for better power with a more radical cam. Point being, if you're not doing much to the motor beyond an intake manifold, there's no point in going too crazy on the cam. __________________ Josh '70 Custom Camper / 20



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