JIM'S w30

anyone use this cam? wondering how it would work in a 400 g block with 30 over JE pistons, mild ported heads, all ballanced 4 speed car Comp Cam XE274H 520-523 lift 274-286 dur,110 lobe sep ?

BLUE72RAGTOP

I'd like to hear any feedback as well. I put this in my 455 but not sure when I'll actually get the car put back together.

JIM'S w30

I just got my engine back last week and don't want to fire it up yet if it's not going to be enough cam I can still replace it.

BLUE72RAGTOP

I've had a couple of people tell me to go bigger for the usual reasons, but when I compared hp peaks vs rpm with the next bigger xe cam, it will only make more power at an rpm I don't plan to get to. I figure 6000 or 6200 would be as high as as I want to go with a balanced cast crank and 2-bolt mains with no girdle of any type. This cam should make as much or slightly more power where I plan to run it as a larger cam of same type would, but I am not an expert.

McIntosh

I know this is a very old thread but I just wanted to say I have this cam in my .030 over 455 with headers, 2300ish stall converter and 3.42:1 gears and it pulls well. I don't have any experiance with other cams, but I'm pleased with it. Has a noticably rough idle without being over the top. Sometimes I wish it was a little rougher maybe. Very streetable cam. I don't want to rev over 5500 rpm so I'm not sure the next step up would have given me any better performance.

BangScreech4-4-2

Might be a bit much for G-block, though. I have an XE262 in mine and that's plenty. As mentioned above, anything more would probably only make power at an RPM that would make the poor old 400 puke its rods into the pan.

Andy

I like the xe series, especially at 9:5-1 or less compression. I had a 268h and it was a great street cam, my brother has the xe274, pulls hard mid to 6000 rpm. Unless you want a race car its plenty..

acavagnaro

You'll take a 400G to 6000+rpm.

Once.

Fun71

Decrease the initial advance and the idle will get rougher. You can make up the difference in the mechanical advance.

Andy

Its the power band of the “cam”..nobody said take your 400g to 6k.

BangScreech4-4-2

Still, a bit of a mismatch ... why would you install a cam that makes power to 6000 in an engine that's only good for 5200?

Andy

A 400g is more capable than 5200 rpm if the builder knows what they are doing.. sounds like your just one of those know it all’s..enjoy yourself

CANADIANOLDS

where did the max 5200 come from?

BangScreech4-4-2

I made it up. That's as fast as I'll spin mine.

Chesrown 67 OAI

thar cam is plenty big for your street build. i would suggest going to the smaller xe 268 or even xe262yo keep you in a good power band that will allow you to stay below 5400 and have great street response/

CANADIANOLDS

So it’s bs

BangScreech4-4-2

Gee, you're a clever one aren't you? Got a 400G? How high do you rev yours?

sysmg

Anyone have a tach on a 442 with a 400G? Where does the tach show red. That should be your max RPM, if you haven't done any lower end upgrades (forged components, girdle etc..). I would expect it would be quite a bit lower than 6000RPM.

My 1966 Starfire with a 425 that's known for being more rev friendly than a 400G. On the factory tach it shows a redline of 5400-5500RPM so a 400G should not go higher than that and probably lower.

chadman

Some of these replies are so ridiculous they are down right hilarious.

Andy

The dang original question was what folks thought of the xeseries 274 cam in the OP’s 400 g..nobody ever said rev your stock 400g with a simple cam swap to 6000 rpm, the comment was made that is the advertised power band of the cam. Now its turning into a shitfest because some folks cannot figure out that yes you can use that cam, is it the best cam for a stock build? No, but the OP said he has a 400g bored 0.30 over with JE pistons, ie, lighter pistons, balanced assembly and ported heads. Is it the best cam for his build? Ask cutlessefi, he is actually an expert on camshafts.. however the xe series are fine cams, and that xe on his engine with the mods made would be a solid contender..especially being a 4 speed car, only unknown is rear gear ratio/ tire size. hopefully 3:73.. That doesn’t mean he should rev it to 6k to see how well the bottom end holds up. But hey, if others can make a recommendation outside of his original question by all means let us all know..

OLDSter Ralph

Some posts do have an "Entertainment" factor. Some people are more consistently entertaining.

BangScreech4-4-2

You get the last word, dude.

CANADIANOLDS

Real world experience..ive used that cam n both 400's, early and late. with a dual plane and around 10 to 1 comp it makes 12" to 13" of vac at idle in gear. a little more with a stick.

with a single plane and an auto..about 10" to 11" so you may have power brake problems.

matt69olds

I believe there is a old saying “there is no such thing as too big a cam, just not enough engine!”

The very first performance cam I bought for a engine was a Comp Cams Magnum 280. I also worried about being too much cam, with a low compression 455 it was fine. It definitely idle like it has am some cam, but didn’t shake the fenders off the car. I’m guessing a milder 274 cam in a small displacement 400 will be basically the same.

Compare the .050 specs of the 274 cam and then compare them to the factory performance cams, I’m guessing there won’t be much difference. Granted, the way camshafts are manufactured today is different than 50 years ago, but Olds (or any other car manufacturers) would put so much camshaft in their engines to cause customer complaints or additional warranty work.

CANADIANOLDS

comparing the lobe intensity, .003” to .050”, of the comp XE’s to a factory cam is you’ll see the biggest difference,, or the .200” tappet lift durations

truckman5000

A good camshaft is not like sex life.
Big throw, small duration and time is key.
And anti friction. Like rollers, and lube of sorts.