Changing performer intake and cam too ?

[jb1dsl]

I am not satisfied with the performer cam and intake on my car so I have decided to put and rpm intake and possibly a rpm cam in it. The cam and lifters have only been in the car for about 200 miles (max) so should I just reuse the lifters and getnsome other kind of cam? I was thinking of buying the rpm cam and using the new lifters and selling the performer as the whole kit? what other cams do you guys recommend? Car specs in sig.

I feel like the performer cam does not do my heads justice?

Anyone intersted in a performer intake and cam kit?

 

[5.0ina66]

I wouldn't buy the performerRPM cam, there are smoother running cams that make more power for less money. I'd look at a comp XE or a Lunati Voodoo. Also, see if you can pick up the intake used, I scored my PerfRPM for $60.

BTW: Do you happen to know your compression ratio? That will have some effect on lowend torque and cam selection. Offhand, I'd recommend a Comp XE256H
HTH
--Kyle

 

[jb1dsl]

Yeah I got my intake for 100 bucks but it was brand new. My compression ratio is around 9.0, i have the stock 289 pistons (9.3) but the edelbrock heads I have are 58cc not 54 like my original heads. the xe256h seems pretty small too (212/218@50).

 

[iskwezm]

DO not reuse the liters and if you resell them kepp them marked in the order they came out.

I think the RPM is pretty good, i made some decent power with it, but you moght need about 9.5:1+. It was more streetable then my Comp Cam 270 and it sounded good too..

 

[jb1dsl]

according to one of my old posts the c.r. for a 66 a code would a have been 9.8 stock so im thinking I have around 9.5:1 or higher because my heads are 58cc(60cc milled .020). I looked back on it because I had forgotten.

 

[coolblue65]

I have the RPM cam and I really like it, it is pretty big cam for a 289 though. However it sounds awesome at idle- definately a nice lope to it, most people don't think its a 289 when the hear it. It lacks power below 2500 rpm but after that it comes on really strong and easily pulls to 6500rpm.

 

[jb1dsl]

I will pull the other lifters and tag them for cylinder and valve designation for the next owner and get new lifters

 

[jb1dsl]

anyone elso got some recommendations or advise?

 

[fasttback]

IMO - one way is to look at other combinations (online and work of mouth) and what these combinations provide in the way of drivability and power (this is what your doing now). Another way is to look at getting a custom cam for your setup and expected use. I played around with Isky, Crowler, CompCams, and they all worked for my 289, 302, and 306 motors, but now I am using a custom solid roller cam made exactly for my setup...I should have started out with a custom cam.

Also I will not use a dual plane manifold again. If it's for the street Weiand X-celerator (loss of torque is not an issue with this manifold) and for the strip Edelbrock Victor Jr.

 

[jb1dsl]

anymore?

 

[D.Hearne]

Why are you not satisfied with the cam? After only 200 miles, I doubt you'd be happy with something else either. Not meant to flame you, but you have not stated exactly why you're not satisfied either.

 

[jb1dsl]

im just not satisfied with it. I knew that after ten miles much less 200. The power just was not there. I changed the cam, heads and all at one time and was not too excited about the power made. I feel im not doing the heads justice with this intake and cam. I went to a holley carb after the changes from a edelbrock and that helped but I was still expecting more.

 

[D.Hearne]

Your problem might also be related to the compression ratio drop. And you did drop it, unless you bought 58 cc heads, then milled them to get the chambers down to 54 cc's. Might want a cam with less overlap. I don't know what ratio is recommended for a Performer cam. Your 289 probably had a ratio in the 9's before the swap. Could be into the 8's now. Not good with a cam with lots of overlap. I'd check too to make sure you didn't wipe a lobe or two on break-in. Been lots of those lately.

 

[jb1dsl]

i milled them to 58cc so i should stillbe in nines for c.r.

 

[67Dylan]

i milled them to 58cc so i should stillbe in nines for c.r.

IF you figured out the CR and it's still in the 9's you're fine: the difference between 9.0 and 9.9 CR's not much of a HP loss, ~10hp.
If you want the most out of the combo go custom cam w/the RPM intake; Ed Curtis or Buddy Rawls are the top 2 names that come to my mind. I will never go off the shelf again and IMO the extra money spent on a custom is worth it since the cam will make or break the combo.

For example, local guy w/a 93 LX here in Phnx has dyno'd 292RWHP/330RWTQ on a stock block 302; Buddy Rawls cam, ported E7's, stock ported shortened intake, 65mm T-body and LT's. Not too shabby IMO. Torque curve is flat as hell and comes on strong down low.