Help with camshaft recommendations.

[wickedmach1]

These are the camshaft specifications that both Comp Cams and Cam Research gave me for the engine combo listed below. Remember the car is for the street, maybe sometimes strip, and needs enough vacuum for power disk brakes. My max street RPM will be around 6000. Both will idle around 750 - 800 RPM. I am trying to reach my goal of about 480 - 500 HP. What do you guys think?

#1 Comp Cams = Hydraulic Roller Camshaft (duration @ .050" = 232/240 ; valve lift w/ 1.6 = 565/574, Valve Overlap = 65 deg, Lobe Sep = 110 deg w/ 4 deg advance, 12" Vacuum, Operating Range = 2200 - 6200 RPM (Small Base Circle Cam)

#2 Comp Cams = Hydraulic Roller Camshaft (duration @ .050" = 224/232 ; valve lift w/ 1.6 = 555/565, Valve Overlap = 57 deg, Lobe Sep = 110 deg w/ 4 deg advance, 14 -15" Vacuum, Operating Range = 1800 - 5800 RPM (Small Base Circle Cam)

#3 Cam Research = Hydraulic Roller Camshaft (duration @ .050" = 230/235 ; valve lift w/ 1.6 = 556/556, Valve Overlap = 14 deg, Lobe Sep = 110 deg, 15" Vacuum, Operating Range = 2200 - 4500 RPM (Standard Base Circle Cam)


393w Stroker bored .030" over
Scat Crankshaft 3.850 stroke
Scat H-Beam Rods 6.200 length
AFR 185 Cylinder Heads w/ upgraded springs
Weiand Stealth Intake Manifold
Street Demon 750 CFM Carburetor w/ mechanical secondaries
Comp Cams 1.6 ratio Pro Magnum Roller Rocker Arms
10.0:1 Compression Ratio w/ Forged Probe Pistons
1 3/4" Headers
MSD Ignition
Edelbrock Water Pump
T-5 G-Force Tranny
9" Rearend w/ 3.89 gears and locker

 

[D.Hearne]

If it's any help, I ran a Ford B303 roller in a 30 over 302, with Canfield Heads. It had plenty of vacuum for the brakes. Lift and duration was .510 and 224 @ .050 The Canfields are the equivalent of your 185's. So , Yes I assume those cams should give you what you want with 90 more cubes than I had. If you can't afford the roller cam route, a slightly milder flat tappet cam would also work.

 

['69Stang]

I think any of the cams would work very well. Personally, I like the spec’s on the Cam Research cam, I think that will hit your sweet spot. It should give you good power with being very streetable. 14”-15” of vacuum is a lot. However, I think the operating range you listed for the Cam research cam is a little low – 2000 – 4500? I’d think it would be closer to 2000 to 5800. I vote for Cam research.

 

[PoliceInterceptor]

I like number one.

 

[D.Hearne]

I think that with the shorter valve overlap, the Cam Research grind may be hard to run on pump gas though with a 10.0 to 1 comp ratio. Would be great on a lower comp motor though.

 

[ratio411]

I like #2.
Just right for your cubes IMO.

 

[brianj5600]

The overlap #s don't jive. Overlap on 3 should be somewhere between 1 & 2. You have some really nice parts. Why not get a custom cam from fti? This is not the time to save money. My next cam will come from Ed Curtis (FTI) or possibly Jay Allen (Camshaft Innovations).

 

[2bav8]

I'd rather spend a few extra bucks and get an Ed Curtis cam. You'll know you have the RIGHT cam, plus an extra 20 HP

 

[wickedmach1]

Ed Curtis? Please give me information on who he works for and his number. What can he do that Comp or Cam Research can't do?

 

[PoliceInterceptor]

http://www.flowtechinduction.com/

 

[brianj5600]

Ed Curtis? Please give me information on who he works for and his number. What can he do that Comp or Cam Research can't do?

Some of the big cam companies have off the shelf customs. If you call them for a recomendation you will possibly get a specialty cam not a custom. People like Ed design a cam from scratch. Stroke, compression, port flow and cross section as well as many other variables determine not only lift and duration, but timing of events as well. Big companies can design great cams, but it seems like smaller companies give more personalized service.

 

[D.Hearne]

How many of y'all have actually run an "off the shelf cam" , then swapped in a custom ground cam into a motor, without doing any other mods other than to accomodate the cam's valvetrain needs ? I mean, NO different pistons, heads, intakes, carbs, etc.? That would be the ONLY way to tell just how good a custom grind is, and how good a value one is over an off the shelf grind.

 

[brianj5600]

How many of y'all have actually run an "off the shelf cam" , then swapped in a custom ground cam into a motor, without doing any other mods other than to accomodate the cam's valvetrain needs ? I mean, NO different pistons, heads, intakes, carbs, etc.? That would be the ONLY way to tell just how good a custom grind is, and how good a value one is over an off the shelf grind.

I have never owned a custom cam, but I have never heard someone with a custom cam say it is a waste of money. It is not hard to find a good engine builder that will tell you the importance of the correct timing events. Most tell you it is the last part to buy so that it is right. You might get lucky, but it may cost you 30hp.

 

[BlueMonster65]

i think that your #2 coice is the best for what you are trying to accomplish. however i have always been a big fan of crane cams and stronly recommend you check out some of their offerings. i have had really good results with their cams. also something to consider is whether you plan to add a power adder of some sort. you would want a cam with a little more lobe separation.

 

[D.Hearne]

I would think that with a power adder, you'd want a tighter lobe separation, to improve cylinder scavenging and to somewhat reduce the dynamic compression to compensate for the increased compression resulting from supercharging.

 

[PoliceInterceptor]

I would think that with a power adder, you'd want a tighter lobe separation, to improve cylinder scavenging and to somewhat reduce the dynamic compression to compensate for the increased compression resulting from supercharging.

And you would be incorrect.

 

[D.Hearne]

Why?

 

[brianj5600]

I don't know all the why's, but turbo cams usually have more intake lobe and blower cams seem to have more exhaust lobe. Both seem to run 114*-116* lsa. That is to reduce overlap. Blower like more duration and turbos like neastock type.

 

[BlueMonster65]

D.Hearne the answer can be found at most superchargers websites. i suggest you start with www.procharger.com there is alot of technical info availible there and then check out www.cranecams.com there is so much tech info it will make you insane. seriously

 

[D.Hearne]

I don't know all the why's, but turbo cams usually have more intake lobe and blower cams seem to have more exhaust lobe. Both seem to run 114*-116* lsa. That is to reduce overlap. Blower like more duration and turbos like neastock type.

Thanks for the info. Never having run either turbo or superchargers in a gas motor, I didn't know that. But still seems like a little more overlap would be a good thing to improve scavenging even in that situation.