V8 307 Cam Question

[DEAK71C10]

Would like a slight lope in a stock V8 307 (71 C10), 3 on tree, 2 Barrel, with Rams Horn Manifolds, dual exhaust. Didn't see answer in a quick search, but may have missed it. Appreciate any comments on these Cams or others I missed. For summer use, car shows, truck is not a daily driver. Not looking for a racer, just want it to sound good with a growl. Want a bit of lope but nothing so harsh it won't idle or run on basically a stock motor.

COMP Cams Xtreme Energy 268H Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft Small Kit Lift: .477"/.480" Duration: 268°/280° RPM Range: 1600-5800

Summit Racing® Classic Camshafts SUM-1103
Camshaft, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 288/298, Lift .444/.466, Chevy, Small Block

[trac209]

Though I think both cams are too big for that engine I’d go with the 1103 if that’s what you’ve got your mind set on

[Steeveedee]

Just set the mixture a little too lean when you want a lope. It'll be nice and lumpy, and you'll save a fortune.

[Coley]

Take note......Small blocks in heavy vehicles with lumpy cams tend to be sluggish off the line so hopefully this is not something meant to add performance where most truck guys most use it....down low.
I had one guy recommend to simply set up a spark plug wire or two to ground out with the flick of a switch.
That way, when entering a parking lot show'n shine situation you can flip the switch...get the 'lumpy' rough sound effect, but keep your money and your existing low end performance.


...just thinking out loud here.

[AussieinNC]

My choice would be a https://www.jegs.com/i/Crane-Cams/271/100032/10002/-1

260/260....nice small lope and best of all, will not rob low end power...

Make sure you grab new springs , retainers and keepers...plus a new gear and chain set....

Make sure you use the assembly lube supplied and prelube the engine before first fire up...

You should keep engine at around 1800 rpm for at least ten minutes after first start or you risk ruining cam lobes due to low lubrication issues...also make sure your oil has sufficient ZDDP additive....

More details available at

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2011...-in-procedure/

I do hope that two barrel is at least a Holley 350 CFM....

Have fun...

[Mike C]

The Edelbrock Performer cam with 204/214 at .050 is a good cam for that 307. It can also be had Summit branded or Elgin. I'd buy the Elgin cam from Competition Products. Oh, and we did for my kids Jimmy project and it's 350.

[special-K]

I built a 307 years ago that ran ideally in the K/20 work truck it was in. I don't have the specs but it was a Crower Blazer cam which was an RV cam. That's what you want, designed for bottom end torque and better cruising fuel consumption. I put a GM 4bbl manifold with a Holley Performer in 450cfm. I also put heads with 1.94s and an HEI with weight & spring kit. The truck pulled as strong or stronger than a 350 and got 13.5 mpg with 4.57 gears, 37/14.50 mud tires, utility body full of tools, ladder rack loaded with ladders & scaffold, and a bed full of siding.

[DEAK71C10]

Thank you all for the thoughts and ideas, much appreciated. I'm leaning to the Crane Cam, sounds like what I'm after. I'm a noob at this stuff ;-)

[DEAK71C10]

I was initially looking for rv cam, but just couldn't find the right fit. If anyone has a specific one that would work well in a 307 I'm all ears. Yes, it will get new lifters and timing chain/gear set.

[Average Joe]

Originally Posted by mike c

the edelbrock performer cam with 204/214 at .050 is a good cam for that 307. It can also be had summit branded or elgin. I'd buy the elgin cam from competition products. Oh, and we did for my kids jimmy project and it's 350.

x2

[67 chevelle]

put some vortec heads on there , should be a stout engine , will add about 30 horse , better than just a cam swap

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by Coley

Take note......Small blocks in heavy vehicles with lumpy cams tend to be sluggish off the line so hopefully this is not something meant to add performance where most truck guys most use it....down low.
I had one guy recommend to simply set up a spark plug wire or two to ground out with the flick of a switch.
That way, when entering a parking lot show'n shine situation you can flip the switch...get the 'lumpy' rough sound effect, but keep your money and your existing low end performance.


...just thinking out loud here.

X2!!!
The 204/214 cam would be the MAX for a 307, and it's a bit much. It would help if comp ratio was some what higher with that cam.

Smaller engines are very sensitive to cam specs, larger engines not nearly as much. The 307 will perform best with a cam similar to what they came with. THe Sealed Power CS174 (I think, memory fade) is the stock replacement cam for almost all small blocks, it would be my choice. I ran a 283 for 175,000 miles with this cam, 307 is too close to same cubes. A friend "built a 307 with same cam, it ran great (for a 307).....

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by DEAK71C10

I was initially looking for rv cam, but just couldn't find the right fit. If anyone has a specific one that would work well in a 307 I'm all ears. Yes, it will get new lifters and timing chain/gear set.

An "RV" cam is just a small cam that helps boost low speed performance. Anything less than 210 degrees at .050 would fall in this category IMO. That's the Crane 266, the Comp 260 or the Performer cam.

For the $$$, I would buy the Elgin Cam from Competition Products part#E923M for $94.95 for cam and lifters.

But there are other choices. Once again, stay below 210 at .050. There are at least 6 Elgin grinds in the Comp Products catalog that meet that criteria. The next one down is 202/207 at .050 on 115 LSA and will idle even smoother than the 204/214. Part # E860SM with lifters for the $116.95

For comparison, just about every small block since the mid 60's came with the 3896929 cam which is 194/203 at .050 on 116 LSA. That one is $89.95 with the lifters.

The biggest cam I would consider on the list is 208/208 on 110LC. It is $119.95. Here is a link to the Elgin grinds at CP.

http://www.competitionproducts.com/E...products/2119/

My advice remains the same as the 204/214 grind is a good size and better price. They sell it as a "BlackICe" cam as well which has not just special tempering treaments but uses cryogenics as well. That's only $119.95 with lifters. Part #ELGICE200923CL.

http://www.competitionproducts.com/E.../#.W3wNduhKjIU

[DEAK71C10]

Thanks again, looks like the two best options are:

1) Edelbrock 2102: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/e...ions/year/1971
Cam and Lifters, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 278/288
Lift .420/.442, Chevy, Small Block, Kit
Basic Operating RPM Range: Idle-5,500
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 204
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 214
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 204 int./214 exh.


2) Crane 100032: https://www.jegs.com/i/Crane-Cams/271/100032/10002/-1
Energizer Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft & Lifter Kit
Lift: .427''/.427''
Duration: 260°/260°
RPM Range: 1000-4600
CARB E.O. #D225-21
Operating Range: 1000-4600 RPM
Duration Advertised: 260° Intake / 260° Exhaust
Duration @ .050'' Lift: 204° Intake / 204° Exhaust
Valve Lift w/1.5 Rockers: .427'' Intake / .427'' Exhaust

Gonna be a hard choice, guess it's pick one out of the hat time ;-)

[DEAK71C10]

Thanks Mike, will have to throw the Elgin 204/214 BlackIce in the hat.

[special-K]

The 307 will take some cam just fine. Especially with heads to match. For me that's a given... change cam/change heads. This matters more the smaller the displacement.

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by DEAK71C10

Would like a slight lope in a stock V8 307 (71 C10), 3 on tree, 2 Barrel, with Rams Horn Manifolds, dual exhaust. Didn't see answer in a quick search, but may have missed it. Appreciate any comments on these Cams or others I missed. For summer use, car shows, truck is not a daily driver. Not looking for a racer, just want it to sound good with a growl. Want a bit of lope but nothing so harsh it won't idle or run on basically a stock motor.

COMP Cams Xtreme Energy 268H Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft Small Kit Lift: .477"/.480" Duration: 268°/280° RPM Range: 1600-5800

Summit Racing® Classic Camshafts SUM-1103
Camshaft, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 288/298, Lift .444/.466, Chevy, Small Block

Any cam mentioned will be good cams. The COMP XE268 you listed is a nice cam, and had a nice lope in my old 350, but, with the shorter throw on the crank, it would more pronounced. As already stated, it may hurt low end torque.

All in all, we need more info. What's your gear ratio? Do you plan to swap to an auto or different manual trans later? These will all alter how the engine utilizes it's torque curve.

FWIW, I'll never buy a catalog cam again. Custom built cams are the way to go!! Also, steer clear of Summit branded stuff. Most of it is made in China and just isn't good quality. I'm talking from experience!

The 307 is the red-headed stepchild of the sbc family. They can actually make some decent power and be great engines. They just got a bad rep because of the wheezy heads GM put on them because they intended for them to be "economy" engines for base model cars. The guys telling you to swap on some Vortec heads are spot on. They flow great out of the box, and will really wake up that 307.

Here's an article from Super Chevy where they made 315hp/330tq from a 307 with some mild upgrades.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...e-performance/

[B Myers]

I think the cool idle lope sound your looking for comes partially from the lobe separation angle, the lower it is the more interference in air flow at low rpm thus more of the lope. Mine sounds great on a mid range cam with a 106 degree lobe separation with 218 @ 50 duration and .450 lift.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

Go with a melling towing cam. You wont regret it. Number i think is mtc-1

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by BCOWANWHEELS

Go with a melling towing cam. You wont regret it. Number i think is mtc-1

That Melling cam is the same 204/214 cam as the Performer cam, the Summit cam, and the Elgin cam I site above. And I agree, that is a good choice.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mel-cl-mtc-1

[BCOWANWHEELS]

melling is usa made

[Mike C]

Elgin says theirs are as well.

http://www.elginind.com/performance/

I would guess there is one major grinder, whether it is Sealed Power or Elgin or Melling, or... that still grinds cams and supplies them to just about everybody else. At least if they claim USA made.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

buy what you want but its melling in all my engines for me

[hjewell2]

Originally Posted by B Myers

I think the cool idle lope sound your looking for comes partially from the lobe separation angle, the lower it is the more interference in air flow at low rpm thus more of the lope. Mine sounds great on a mid range cam with a 106 degree lobe separation with 218 @ 50 duration and .450 lift.

[DEAK71C10]

Good info guys, thanks for all your input, appreciated. I'm also leaning to throwing on new vortech heads. I was actually thinking of doing top end, which would have included a 4 barrel carb and manifold, but just hear too many iffy stories. I'm not doing the work, just purchasing all the "stuff", lol.

If I were to put new heads on, but left the current intake manifold with 2 barrel carb, is that a bad move?