building up engine need some cam sugestions
 

picked up my short block today from local machine shop it was one they already had built 350 2 bolt 40 over stock cam and pistons I'm going to change the cam I ordered my heads today 64cc 2.02 valves I should get over 9:1 compression and i can go up to .510 lift with the heads I was wanting some cam suggestions I thinking of running the comp cam magnum 280 duration it has .480 lift it has an operating range thats starts at 2000rpm do you think i can get away with running it with a stock torque converter if not what type of cam should i use?

one more ? Can i reuse my balancer off my 327 on this 350?

Comp Cams has an excellent tech-support line that is made for questions like that. I believe it is 1-800-CAM-HELP but I can't say for certain.

B-4 picking a camshaft you should set realistic goals as to what you want it to do and how you want it to do it

I would think your compression would be a little higher than that, most 350 are 8.5cr w/76cc heads, I would think more in line with 9.6cr with 64cc heads. I would think you would be a little better off with the XE268 than that old school cam, you'll find with the shorter intake duration to get a little better lowend and with the exhaut duration longer will equal that of the 280 your looking at for the topend, and should work ok with a stock converter but would work a little better with a 2000/2200 stall. A lot of guys are hitting into the low 13's and some even into the 11's with a 383 and the xe274.

that comp 480 isnt that great . Get a crane 480 alot better cam for alot less money and both will work with a stock convertor I have seen it I ran a crane with a stock convertor and my friend built and engine with that junky comp 280/480 and he ran stock convertor

IMO the crane is a better grind Just seemed to run better as to where my friends comp always sounded like it was all lope no talk.

thanks for all the info gents im going to look into the crane and the xe

by the way it will be a daily driver wel about 3 days a week

But what do you expect out of the engine? Do you still want to maintain some low RPM torque, or do you just plan to use your truck as a cruiser with more upper rpm power? As to the harmonic balancer, you could use the one from your 327, but an SFI approved balancer isn't really that expensive. Maybe it's just me, but unless I'm doing an "el-cheapo-get-me-another-6-months" rebuild, I always use a new one.

ill go with a new one I want a cruiser but for a truck i still need low-end torque I don't plan on going to the strip or anything and i don't plan on going 100 mph everywhere either

If you want torque or to pull something get a comp 268 or a crane powermax

I had the smallest crane powermax in an engine a few years back with flat tops and a performe intake it was a stout combo the cam was a 427/454 lift

It would run good and still haul stuff. It smoked a new R/T Dakota Wich was back In 99 i guess My cousing had An 2000 R/T

get a marine cam, they are cool in trucks

Its a toss up between the xe268 or xe274 it says to have a 2200 rpm stall on the 274 is it possible to run with a stock converter

You will be happier with the xe268 in a 350, the xe274 would be a little better in a 383 or 400, I haven't heard of to many guys complaining about the xe268. if you have around 9.5cr that will perfect for the xe268 but might be a little low for the xe274 in a 350 plus to take advantage you this cam you would also need some low gears, probally in the line of 4.33's or 4.56's for it to operate descently.

ill go with the 268 thanks guys for all your input

Does anybody have the Crane 480 grind number?

It's a really good came for the money Here ya go

270-100072 Advertised Duration: 284º
Duration @ .050: 228°
Lobe Separation: 112°
Gross Lift: .480''
RPM Range: 3000-6000 $99.99

i run a comp cams xe268 in my 350 with 10:1 comp and an edelbrock c-26 intake manifold (dual quads). i can pull up the hill to my house (pretty slow and steep) at 1000 rpms in second with 3:73's and 35 in tires. it can pull down low but it doesnt start making power until about 2500 and realy pulls from 3k+

Definetly gonna have to go with an higher stall coverter with the CompCams 280H. 1000rpm over stock should work.

lata
CHRIS

lifters
 

what kind of lifters are you running?
i have a crane cam like yours that i am about to put in my 78 blazer 4x4 350/th350
i was wondering if roades lifters were any good?
any suggestions?

I am running the lifters that came with the cam I had a set of rhoades lifters but i didnt want to jack with them as i recall they had to be set like solids I figure that crane sends the lifters with the cam and they are suited for it isnt that radical of an idle

I have mine set up 4 degrees advanced with one of them cloyed double roller chains .
That gives the came more bottom end

Are you insane? hahaha Saying the Comp 280H (.480lift) isn't all that great of a cam. The 280H is a very good cam. Not a throw it in and go cam like a 4x4 cam or a RV cam. But if you want a small torquey cam that you wont have to run a stall in go with one of those. But saying the 280H isnt a great cam is silly. My 500hp 355ci SBC shows just how bad it is! BAD to the bone maybe. And people said it couldn't be done. hahaha :) :) :D :D :D

lata
CHRIS

Well thats all well and good But Im My Opinion and experience i do not like the comp 480 lift 280 duration cam

Id rather have the crane 480 lift 284 duration

I put in several of both and i am very happy with the crane seems a better cam to me

On my setup, I'm going to have a:
355 9½:1 Bottom End
Vortec #885 Heads (Upgraded to accept a .525 lift cam)
Comp XE274 with 1.5:1 Roller Rockers
Performer RPM Air-Gap
Holley 750cfm 4160.
Backed by a TH350 with a 2500 stall and 3.42 gears with 28" tires.
Hopefully, with my combo, good air and good traction, I can click off 12's.
BTW: The XE274 is 230/236 490/490 @ .050 on a 110 LSA. Makes power from 1800-6000. :metal:

Well I must say I was assuming that you were using some sort of ratio rocker. I am using CompCams Magnum 1.52s and that may be the difference maker.

Of course everyone has opinions...But they know what 'they' say about those... hehe :)

I am sure the Crane is a fine cam but to say that the Comp 280H is a "not all that great cam" would be out of line to me.

lata
CHRIS

I'm running the comp 280h in my 358ci. I absolutely love the cam! It sounds awesome I didn't need a new torque converter. This cam will definately wake up your engine in the 2k and up range. And to say this cam is junk doesn't sit well with me. I'm not so hot on the same grind crane cam. I've had experience with both and made more power with the comp.