Need Help Deciding on Cam

[GMC Guy]

through little persuasion i decided it's time to slide in a new cam. the question is...which one? i have a GM crate 350, with dual plane performer EPS intake, edelbrock 1406, and true dual exhaust with long tubes. the motor has roughly 20,000 miles on it. and last time i had it somewhat apart, everything checked out as having "little to no wear." (rockers, valves, springs, etc.)

i've been looking at Comp cams, but not sure where to start. This will be my first cam install and i'm feeling confident i can do (i'm good at following directions )
I've read this article (very informative) like 3 full times.
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/cam.htm

I'm looking for something "somewhat" mild, but will pump up the hp and torque numbers, and give that signature cam idle sound

so what do recommend me using?

[GMC Guy]

oh ya,
turbo 350, 3.08's in the back (soon to change though)

also, would i need a stall converter?

right now i'm looking at a cam and lifter set, new push rods, new timing chain set, and of course all new gaskets...

which timing chain would be best? and push rods also?

[slugish]

Ihave a comp. cam 268(Ithink in mine ) it has a 048 lift -224-230 duration . I would highly redcommend it . Has a nice(choppy ) idle which is noticeable but not the radical lope in the higher performance engines . You know I love the steep radical lope of the larger cams , but they are not realistic for street vehicles. With your engine , alarger cam than mine would sound great but you lose in low end torque & low-med end power . To go with a cam that is less in duration numbers than mine will not give you the noticeable sound you want >(more like stock ) But your torque will be a little better --like an rv cam ) . So its a trade off . Astall converter ( if you have auto trans ) is not necessaary with a cam like mine , but it will help.

hope this helps

[GMC Guy]

thank you, that helps a lot actually.
i just want something that will work nicely with the my existing set-up.

[GMC Guy]

do you happen to have a part number on that cam? having trouble finding it on summit

[tapeworm]

do a check on car craft-this subject has come up over and over again in various magazines over the years

I had a Speed Pro (came with the engine rebuild kit)

220/230 @ .50, 468/480lift. This worked great my car with 3.73s and a 4 speed, but would be way too much in your truck, imoa anyways

Stick with something on the mild side for sure; the bigger the cam gets, the more the powerband moves up towards higher RPM. With 3.08s, tall tires, and a stock converter, most of your power will be made down low

Also, with stock GM heads, maybe go towards a split design with a little more on the exhaust; this may help as well

Also, do some searching on oil. This has been a big story for the past couple years.

Many of the oils do not come zinc in them anymore, which is essential to the older non roller motors. While many can get away without it in a stock worn out motor, you'll wipe a new cam out right away without it. Make sure to properly break in the cam, and run a good oil (or zinc additive)

Hope this helps

[GMC Guy]

how would one of these Comp cams Xtreme Energy 4x4 cams work? they seem to have the rpm range in the lower end, rather than high end.
again this is all new to me, so i appreciate the help figuring it out lol

[tapeworm]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

how would one of these Comp cams Xtreme Energy 4x4 cams work? they seem to have the rpm range in the lower end, rather than high end.

That could be a good idea

I've never used a 4x4 cam, but they would be the best for low end power

Be careful with the xtreme energy cams; it my memory serves me right, they were designed to have a decent idle

see if this link works

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/p...ion/index.html

If you want lopy, I believe you'll want something with a tighter LSA, usually no more than 110; this will give you more "overlap", causing a more lopy idle

I'd give comp cams or crane cams a call; they would be the best at knowing what will be the best for your needs.

For the anyone else reading, if I'm off on my info, let me know; its been a long time since I have picked out a cam


And...almost forgot

do valve springs as well

Most companies will recommend you doing them at the same time, though many can get by without it.

Same goes for degreeing the cam-its a good idea, and people are always told to do it. However many do not, especially on a low buck stock motor

Don't forget a good double roller chain as well