big lifted truck cam choice

[bakerboys]

Ok guys I have a 85 k20 6 inch lift and 37 inch tires its big have a 400 trans

dual plane intake 600 holley headers 4.10 gears i am building new 355 with flat top pistons 882 heads 76cc and I am shooting for 9.5 to 1 compression
\MY question is WHAT is best cam shaft to run ??? I am looking for a noticeable idle but at the same time do not want to lose any low end torque
i am also having trans rebuilt so if i need to add a converter its not a big deal

here are my questions


1 - Best CAM for 4x4 355 chevy with 37 inch tires
2- If i run a bigger stall converter will that hurt the tranny
3- is it possible to build a 355 with lots of torque and have a little choppy idle


thanks in advance for any info

[bakerboys]

I called COMP cam and asked about their 4x4 cams
One guy said to run comp extreme 270 not to run 4x4 cam
another said it was to big and should run 4x4 cam so now i am confused

What are you lifted guys running for engine combo

[Mike C]

My opinion is I wouldn't go more than 216 degrees duration at .050, and if you had a 4 speed, 210 would be more like it.

More converter = more heat, so it could hurt the tranny depending on how much cooler you have. More important than anything else you have mentioned, is the gears that are in the truck. The smaller numerically the gear set, the smaller the .050 duration on the cam should be.

With the 4.10 gears, I would stay 210 or under with the 37" tires. If you swith to 4.56 or higher numerically, you can go bigger, but I would still try to stay under 220 in a driver.

I switched from a 228 @ .050 cam in my Jimmy (331 @ 9.5:1) to a 210 (Crane 266 which approximately = the Comp 260) and it is one of the best mods I have made as far as driveability goes and moving the power where it best matches gear ratios. I have 36" tires and 4.10 gears.

[bakerboys]

does it have any lope at idle

[Psycho71]

I have pretty much the same set-up as you, with the exception of the 4.10 gears. Mine has 3.73's in it.

I have a 9.5:1 CR, edlebrock rpm intake, Holley 670 carb, headers, th400, and NP208 transfer case. I went with the Comp extreme energy 262 grind cam with z28 valve springs on my 882 heads. Comp's camquest software, which I think might be a bit generous, shows my set-up at 330hp and 400ft lbs at 2500rpm. Like i said, i think that might be a bit generous. But this combo pushes the burb around real good. Driveability is good, and in low range on hardpacked gravel I can turn all four 35" tires. Actually snapped a front axle shaft the first time I romped it.

When i had the th400 in the shop, I told the builder what I was building for the engine. he recommended an HD low stall converter. I went with it, and it works great.

Mine has a noticeable idle. I have true dual 2.5" exhaust with magnaflow mufflers. I can idle it up just to about 700-750 rpm and smooth out the idle quite a bit. But I like leaving the idle set right around 600rpm so i can listen to the cam bump a little bit.

[bakerboys]

what is hd low stall converter

[Psycho71]

Heavy duty. I don't know exactly what the "low Stall is, it acts like a stock converter.

[BurnoutNova]

I run an Xtreme 4x4 X4254H cam in my 86 K10 with a 355, speed pro flattops and stock 882 76cc heads. Also has headers, a Holley street dominator intake and a Holley truck avenger 670cfm carb. Runs super strong with a 4 speed and 4.10 gears w/ 35" tires.

It has a pretty smooth idle compared to most performance cams, but doesn't exactly sound stock. Overall I'm happy with it, haven't driven it for about a year now though.

[Mr. 250r]

I never liked 4x4 cams because the power was in the low rpms which in my case in 4x4 i do not cruise through mud its mid to high so i consider most all of them tow cams