I have a 68 455ci with C heads low miles came out of a delta 88, I am going to put it in my cutlass, I am putting a edelbrock performer intake and 750cfm carb on it and I would like any opinions on aftermarket cams maybe even change it to a roller if I can. What specs are you running and what do you think is best? Any help would be great as I dont know much about cams, Im not raceing or anything just addicted to HP and the car has stock gears I just want it to go at the drop of my foot.
Thanks Darin

 

check scan. This is the cam the motor builder picked out for mine. Motor was put back to stock. I have the Performer and 750 Holley. Also, W/Z exhaust. So, it sounds like we have the same motor. Idle is smooth, and go at the drop of a foot is no problem after the tires catch traction.

 

Hey hamm36 what are you running and what kind a trans do you have. I have a built 350 turbo now but I also have the stock 400 that came on the 455 do you think the 350 turbo would hold or should I build the 400? Thanks Darin

 

It has always had a 350 trans behind it w/shift kit. It was the way I bought it 18 yrs ago. Transmission was redone long time ago, no fault of its own. U joint came loose and DS smashed the back of it. I have not done any times trials on it and probably never will. I is/will be just a cruiser/rubber burner from me. It was a daily driver 15 yrs ago. Motor had a knock, so I though I should have it looked at, while I tackled the rusted areas. Motor builder said it was the forged pistons and cheap gas. One bolt leads to the other. It is headed to color soon. That is way I went back stock, and builder said, "only 93 octane!"
If I had a 400 and the cash, I would think about that only because it would be more appropriate. But I understand a different drive shaft, and/or yoke is also needed. I don't mind the 350 trans.

 

I don't think you would need a roller cam if you aren't going to race it, the 455 has gobs of torque and street worthy power. They have a whole sub-forum of builds over at Realoldspower.com, they are really into the power of it, hence their name.

 

Oldsguy, I respectfully disagree. Rollers aren't just for racing. I know the whole setup costs more but they offer some distinct advantages.
No worry about oils and additives, less friction results in more potential hp, and unless you buy an overly aggressive one, they're normally a bit easier on the valvetrain while offering overall performance gains over a similar flat tappet.
I had 2 Hyd. flat tappets in mine over the years, a Crane Powermax and an Engle. I thought they were O.K. until I did the Erson Custom Hyd. Roller.

I'll never go back to a flat tappet.

 

Hello bigde 53. I have used cams from several different companies. I have prefered Crower and Isky. But if this is going to be a daily driver I would just use a Crane W-30 455 original cam or maybe a new Extreme From Comp Cam. Look a cam with specs @.050 around .226- .230 lift around 480 - 520 with a ramp around 110 - 112 for a daily driver. I agree that the 455 has Enough Torque to pull a small mountain, so be conservitive. Hope this helps.

 

I run a very similar cam in my W-30. The .484 number is .488. I run a lock-up torque converter (2000 RPM stall behind a GN V6 so a little bigger on the Olds) and a 200 4R overdrive unit. I love the way the car sounds through true dual exhaust and the throttle is very responsive. Nevermind the fact that the factory carb pulls 14 in of vacuum with this cam. No probelm with power brakes or anything else running off vacuum.

Car made 350.2 RW torque while running slightly lean. Can't get accurate HP numbers because 200 4R won't stay in third at lower RPM.

 

Thanks for the advice. I was looking for rollers just for less to worry about even though it will cost more my dad keeps telling me to do it now or regret not doing it later but the moneys coming out of my pocket not his. What about a crane cam powermax hydraulic lift 484/512, duration 216/228 part #804541 or maybe edelbrock lift 472/496, duration 214/224. It seems some people dont like edelbrock why is this? Thanks Darin

 

Because they're old grinds and tend to be a bit lazy. I had that same Powermax in my 350 years ago, it was O.K. Nothing spectacular, again an older grind.

I just did a custom Lunati Hyd. flat tappet for a 363 Olds (4.125 bore, 3.400 stroke) I did for my buddy. Cam specs are 223/231 @ .050, lobe sep is 108, lift with 1.7 rockers is .525/.550. Runs great! Has a nice tone too. Has an older Performer intake with stock heads (2.00/1.62 valves) and a Street Avenger 670 carb.

Point being, don't fall into the "Engle makes the best cams for Olds", or "just put in an Edelbrock cuz they're made to go with the manifold etc". Simply not true. Think it out, what's the application, what are you looking for etc.

Good luck and let us know what you come up with.

Mark

 

bear in mind, bigger cam means higher rpm range, big blocks, especially 455's dont need them, because they have low redlines, and have peak torque at a low rpm range

 

290 Int, 300 Exh, (advertised duration) Int 224, Exh 234 (duration @.050) and .496 int, and .520 exh (Lift at the valves)
Your probably right I looked in the paperwork from the engine in the car now and this is the cam it has and it runs great. I read the descriptions for these cams and most have high rpm range and I think this is a cruiser so I dont need these but it helps to read what everyone else is running. Thanks Darin

 

Cutlassefi, is correct, that Lunati cam he is talking about is a great cam. Runs great and make plenty of power. A great cam.
Also like he said the hyd roller cam is a great improvement. A little more money at first, but make up for it in power and smoothness.

Gene

 

To go along with an intake upgrade, you might as well put a decent cam in it. Upper limit for lots of street use, and better with headers than exhaust manifolds is the 328 degree W30 cam or a more recent similar cam. The w30 had 244 deg at .050" lift, .475 lift at the valves. I still like that cam, although the only repro W30 cams i have seen are the smaller 232 deg at .050" (rated 308 deg) used in some W30s and the W31s.

If someone wants it, I have a 328 deg. cam (#402569) and lifters, slightly used but good (advantage: its already broken in successfully).

 

I'm running the older grind Crane right now. Now issues I see so far. But most people tell me their grandmother runs a bigger cam in their Olds.

 

Well I ordered up a W-30 cam and lifter kit. My uncle is going to dry ice blast the block at his shop for me. I also have ordered up some accesories to put on chrome all the way. I am going to take the 350 trans to a local shop to beef it up so the original 400 trans that came on the motor will not be used if anyone is looking for one its up for sale for best offer. I also have a 1971 455 buick and 400 trans if anyone is interested. Once I start making some headway I put up some pics.

 

Where are you located? My buddy needs an Olds 400 trans.

 

Also to save some cash on the roller setup, and machining, just use the comp cams roller tip rockers i think they are around $130 for the set.

 

I am about a half hour west of cleveland area code 44050 Let me know I keep this stuff at my parents and need to get ride of it I dont have room at my place.

 

Thats alittle to far for a trans. Thanks though.

 

No problem, probly to much to ship to.

 

 

I sell Olds Hydraulic Roller cams and lifter sets for $615.00 plus shipping, all American made. Large library of lobes and all the help you need.

IMO your dad is right, go roller and forget it.