Best cam for a stock 350 crate w/ edelbrock preformer intake and holly 600 carb

[Dabigman04]

I am looking to do a few performance upgrades on my almost all stock 350 crate motor with edelbrock performer and holly 600 cfm carb. I am unsure about which cam to choose as this engine has stock heads and is going to be my daily driver.

[bigmac73]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet

[Dabigman04]

thanks, that one looks good

[bigmac73]

actually i went back and looked at the summit 1102 , take a look at that one and see if any one else chimes on

[swb4me]

Read this hot rod article. It's a 3 part series, but the 1st part about the cam swap will be the most helpful to you.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/3502...-great-part-1/

[AussieinNC]

Is this stock 350 an early series or is it a Vortec 350?

Early series use flat tappet cams....and have 2 piece rear seal

Vortecs use a roller cam....and use a one piece rear seal

You could put a roller conversion into an early 350....but it can get expensive...

[Mts67C10K20]

This is my favorite sbc driving cam
Have it in 3 different trucks
Cheap too

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...make/chevrolet

Good luck
Have fun

[rpmerf]

The crate engine - What heads, and compression ratio?
What rear?
Tire size?
Trans? Torque converter?
Usage? Hauling? Cruising? Racing?

These will all have an effect. Don't want to go too big, or it will be a dog getting off the line.

I have the equivalent of a 1100 in my truck. I am considering going with an 1102 or 1103.

[BROWN 70]

hi guys, I,ve had two 350 engines in my 70 gmc. the original 9.0 comp and the goodwrench 8.0 comp both have summit 1102 cams in them both idle like stock engines. 18 inchs of vacuum at idle. but more torque and power than stock. my truck weighs 4500 lbs. but will get 14 mpg on the freeway. hope this helps. BROWN 70

[tj1970cst]

I have one you might like for sale. It's the same as a summit 1104.

[Dabigman04]

its got 8.5:1 compression, it's a low rider and my semi-streetracing daily driver, th350 trans

[Dabigman04]

its a stock early 80's crate motor and my budgets pretty tight

[geezer#99]

Tight budget!
Leave it alone!
Minimal gain over your stock cam.
You might see 10-20 hp and torque but at a higher rpm.

[Mike C]

The 204/214 @ .050 cam that you see as a Melling/Elgin/Summit/Edelbrock grind (yes, it’s the Edelbrock Performer cam) is great for a mild street 350 and the same cam we did in my kid’s Jimmy project

[Dabigman04]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Tight budget!
Leave it alone!
Minimal gain over your stock cam.
You might see 10-20 hp and torque but at a higher rpm.

I would leave it but im pretty sure i have a flat lobe

[bigmac73]

if the cam is going flat, it is best to pull the engine and strip it down. You are sending camshaft material into your bearings the more you run it and will do more damage.

I would think rebuild and possibly stroke it out, But i also understand budget as well

[OldBlue70C10]

I would go with the Summit 1102 or 1103, if you want a little bit of lope.

[bigmac73]

I went back and looked at your profile, I now understand your budget concerns, However is anyone helping you with the flat lobe diagnosis?

I have had bad plugs in the past cause my engine to pop back through the carb like a cam going flat. On a brand new crate engine

[68 P.O.S.]

Here's a good one. The description sounds perfect "Exceptional replacement for muscle car type cams with automatic transmissions. Works well with stock type exhaust manifolds and dual plane intake with mild 4 bbl carb."

https://www.lunatipower.com/voodoo-h...k-262-268.html

[tdangle]

Years ago I put an Edelbrock performer cam in a Camaro with a stock 350 I believe it was a 2102. Was very happy with it

[Dabigman04]

Originally Posted by bigmac73

I went back and looked at your profile, I now understand your budget concerns, However is anyone helping you with the flat lobe diagnosis?

I have had bad plugs in the past cause my engine to pop back through the carb like a cam going flat. On a brand new crate engine

I have yet to get a second opinion on the lobe wear but ive replaced every electric
componet of the ignition system(distributor, plugs, plugwires) and adjusted the timing with a light. it is probably not bad plugs, as the problem continued even immediately after i replaced them.

[ManNamedJed]

I have the Summit 1102 in my Goodwrench 350. It made a nice improvement in how it revs, and now pulls up to 5000 where before it seemed to fall off at 3000. It certainly added some torque in the 2000-4000rpm range.

However it was not a very big improvement. I wish I'd gone a bit more aggressive. I'd gone too big in cam in the past and hated how it drove (and didn't get along with the stock heads), so I was pretty conservative this time.

I'd suggest the Summit 1103. Word is it gives a touch of lope, which would be cool. It also supposedly plays well with Chevy TBI systems.

FTI - I have 2.5" Rams Horn manifolds, Edelbrock 1406, and a Performer EPS manifold.

[bigmac73]

I would drop the oil pan and check for residue and cut open your oil filter and look for particles as well.

[GASoline71]

If a cam has a lobe going flat... the engine needs to be torn down. The metal from the cam will embed itself into the bearings and cause catastrophic failure eventually.

Ask me how I know what happens when you ignore it...

Gary

[Dabigman04]

I was recently told by a mechanic that he believes my engine is perfectly fine. He says that it has a massive cam, far too much for the stock heads to handle. Also my carb jets needed adjusting and it runs a good bit better now.