Hello again forum members. I wish to select a cam for the following combination: 455 Stock '76 block, freshened (but stock) E heads, Offenhauser 360 intake. Rear gears will be a 3.25-3.50 posi. Pickup truck 2 wheel drive. Have spent much time studying the Comp/Lunati offerings. I really need someone who has hands on, done this feed back. The max lift before needing adjustable rocker arms is ?. On a budget mission, this go round. Next time will involve E-brock heads to make those gain's. Thank-you for the time.

 

Max lift on stock rockers is stock lift lol! J/k! You can run up to about a .500" lift on a stock set of rockers. I used to run stock rockers with an Engle 20-22 cam (.496" int, .512" exh, lift with 226-230 duration at .050") and it hauled ***** for a mild engine. Hell, I have that cam in my convertible now and it is great!

What exactly is your budget? That would help narrow down some ideas I've got floating around in my head.

 

Budget: Low! Stock torque converter, stock exhaust manifolds. I do understand that scrubbing off some low end is ok, because there is a lot of it to begin with. Stock heads are done by 4800-5000 RPM. The off the self cams are described in general terms, and then wildly go up and down the scale in their descriptions.

 

Well, in your case that Engle would work great. It's just big enough to give you a power boost but not so large it won't work with a stock stall and manifolds. In fact that is how it is set up in my convertible.

Check out that Engle 20-22 cam. Of course a cam will need new lifters and possibly pushrods, a new timing chain...etc. I hope you are prepared for those types of things.

 

Yes, I have factored in the complete cam kit: Springs, chain, keepers, seals, ect.

 

Ok good deal...

Like I said, that cam has worked for me in the past with stock "E" heads. Good luck with it whatever you decide!

 

The page (file) for this camshaft will not open. I have read elsewhere that this Engle company is top notch.

 

You can call them to order: 562-232-7079

Here is a screen shot of their catalog listing:

 

Very good, and thank you. A complete cam kit would be great.

 

the 68 H/O cam(other applications i think) would work nicely from supercars unlimited...nice lopey idle

 

I run the 22/25h, most likely not suitable for your application. I do like Engle cams, sound good and perform well.

 

Comp has several cams in the range you need, about 215-225 deg. at .050".

 

I use Engle.

Good products and tech support.

If you have a cruiser, you can't beat the 20-22.

Good vacuum and idle, pulls strong (especially in the mid range), and is very driveable.

The bigger the cam, the higher up in the RPM range the power band is.

I do 99% of my driving from 5-70 MPH. That is where I want my powerband to be.

 

Yes, I intend to travel (highway) places and needed the choices narrowed to a cam that is done by 5000ish RPM due to stock heads and freeway usage. The 'baby' cams (.445) seem a bit small. A 470 intake-480 exhaust looks maximum in my case.

 

From your other post I was assuming you wanted to wake it up a little bit...a 470-480 cam is not much waking up if you ask me. In fact, I think it's gonna be a bit of a turd if you go that small.

 

Yes, the info for these cams are light and vague. A cam that goes to 5800-up is not being fully utilized because of the stone stock heads. A 480-490 is that. Feed back from drivers would help. Stock converter. No headers. Others running larger cams are using those. The limit of .500 non adjustable rockers also plays a role in the choice. I plan on 4-5 hour interstate driving. Sustained 60-70 MPH speeds. This motor is going from a bone stock J head '76. So anything cam wise is waking this old dog up. It is how far up I can go, before diminished returns occur.

 

Who sells the Engle brand? A complete kit (cam, lifters, chain, springs, retainers, seals ect) pricing. So a 490/501 ish cam would be the maximum of real street-highway driver?

 

Don't tell that to this guy . No it's not an Engle but rather the dime-a-dozen 214/224 duration, .472/.496 lift cam:

http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/...pic.php?t=5294

Actually, if i had to do it over again, i would've gone with something like your Engle with .496/.512 lift since i ended up porting the heads and going with 2.07/1.71 valves. Live and learn.

 

Again, ported heads-.500 cam. Un-ported stock heads can usefully take on what lift?

 

You need to provide a little more info on your build. Example what is your compression ratio? Did you retain the stock pistons? What is the weight of the truck? Make and Model? Carb? Based on your original post Pilot gave you some sound advice.

 

The motor is a '76. Low compression. Most of the cars running 490-510 are modifying the stock heads. Hoping for someone whom has researched the best cam for a stock headed 455. The 1/2 ton chevy is similar to full sized cars in weight. 4000+ pounds. 400 turbo. Really the heads are done at 5000. The 5800 cam is not utilizing that lift. Offenhauser 360 intake, stock issued Q-jet. Stock manifolds, dual exhaust.

 

Slam , get a hold of "cutlassefi". He's on this board and the 73-77 forum too. His email lastyear was fastone01@hotmail.com
Got me exactly the grind I needed for my mildly beefed-up big block last year. He reps several aftermarket suppliers of "the good stuff". Quick response and delivery. The price was good too. Good Luck.

 

I guess I misunderstood your first post, I thought "freshened but stock" was for the block...not the heads. Yeah, if you've got an uber low compression block it's not going to like a lot of duration. However, if you've got that low of compression (8-8.5) why not wait until you can put money in the bottom end or heads?

You can cam that all you want, but I don't think you are going to see any real improvements with such low compression.

Also, those stock E heads will take that .496-.512 lift all day long at cruise or WOT...unported or ported, no problems. It's not the heads that are killing your engine, it's the compression. I run that cam in my 9.5:1 convertible with absolutely stock E heads and it is my highway queen. Made a trip to Austin and back in December, put 500 miles on it in 2 days. Ran great with no problems.

 

There. This is real world feedback. A point or 1.5 compression is worth- 25-30 horse? I can live with this. Someday a 10.5 forged slug, E-brock headed beast will happen. Than-you for input. Of the 3: Lunati, Comp., Engle. Which kit is thee one for set up?

 

Based on the information you have provided I would recommend the follwing compcams and you can choose from any of these:

HYDRAULIC 42-304-4 260AH-10 260-8 268-5 212 218 .447 .456 110°

HYDRAULIC 42-306-4 268AH-10 268-4 276-4 222 226 .494 .494 110°

 

Talk to Charles @ Camcraft. he's an Olds nut and can give you solid advice on what cam would do a good job for you.


www.camcraftcams.com

 

Hello again. Ihave dropped off the E heads to a machine shop. A member gave me a quote on an entire cam kit. But I have misplaced or deleted the email. Could this fellow compile another list please.