Hey everyone. I will be upgrading my engine here soon and was curious what any recommendations are for camshafts. I have been looking at comp cams. Have been told by a friend that the magnum camshaft 280H is a good choice. I have the engine rebuilt years ago but it was either done poorly or I wasn't aware of all the break in procredures and my engine runs like ****.

My engine is olds 350. I have an edlebrock performer intake, MSD distributor, coil and wires. Also new fuel pump and plugs. Has anyone used the 280H in an olds 350?
I am also going to be getting the timing set, lifters, rocker arms and pushrods from comp cams. And lastly I will be having the heads machines and ported and a valve job done. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

I ran the 280 . With 10 to 1 compression which is a must imo. I had too tight of a converter and too small of a carb and ran 13.3 in the 1/4 mile. I would go with a cloyes timing set. I would go with the rpm intake on this setup personaly. You also need to determine usage , what you want to keep from your previous rebuild and what you want to upgrade. To say that cam will work for what you have I would say no way imo. You will need compression, there is better cams too. What's your goals ultimately.

 

If you are curious this is what it sounds like.

 

Can't even begin to recommend a cam without knowing the compression ratio, among other things.

 

I don't know the compression ratio right now. I will be figuring that all out when I disassemble it. I thought the engine builder gave me a printout of compression and parts used but can't find it.

I'm not looking for a daily driver. I am wanting an engine that has good power in the top end. Want it to be able to get up and go quickly.

If the pistons are good, I'll keep those depending which ones they are and everything. Difficult to say right now because there are so many factors I don't know yet. I just wanted to know if anyone had good results with the 280

 

I know the guy I bought my ported #6 heads ran it in his 350, I believe he ran 12.7's but said power brakes weren't the greatest so I passed on that cam. I would talk to Mark, Cutlassefi on here about a cam. Many dislike off the shelf comp cams for the Olds V8's.

 

I had enough vacuum with the 280 H. Even wi th my current lunati I have plenty for power brakes which I still run.

 

That 280H cam sounds milder than most of the cams at our local track.

 

I run the 268 with 9.5:1 compression and 3.73 rear and I've never been disappointed with the power, ever. Ran 170* max in 100*+ conditions this weekend without a hiccup. If you're looking to build something more radical maybe a full roller set up would be best. knowing what I know now the next small block I do will have a hyr roller and fully done heads, just my .02

 

32567, Have you checked what the rear end ratio is now? My 70 came with 2.56 gears, changing to 3.42 made all the difference in the world. Too much cam with tall gears will not make you happy and you will not have the "get up and go quickly" that you're looking for.

 

I'm swapping a new cam into my '72 350 and finally settled on a Howards CL510011-12 cam/lifters kit along with a set of their matched springs.


Looks to be well suited for a stock 8.5 compression upgrade that should be easy on the brake vacuum and play nice with the A/C - . My 54k original actually came in 2bbl form, so I'm also moving on to an E-brock 2711 intake and Qjet carb to compliment it. Rear is being upgraded from 2.73 open to 3.08 Posi as well. Dual exhaust and HEI also installed.


Cam Style: Hydraulic flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range: 800-4,800
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 205
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 215
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 205 int./215 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 259
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 269
Advertised Duration: 259 int./269 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.448 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.475 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.448 int./0.475 exh.
Lobe Separation (degrees): 112
Computer-Controlled Compatible: No
Valve Springs Required: Yes
Camshaft Manufacturers Description: OE and performance replacement. Increased low-end torque.

 

Here is my combo.

This the current build

355 Olds in my 72 cutlass

10 to 1 compression speed pro flat tops
lunati voodoo cam 522/539 lift 233/241 duration @ .050 lift
Prw roller tip rocker (7) and one comp cams roller tip rocker
Pro gear timing chain
#6 heads done by rocket racing just bowl work no porting 2.07 in. 1.63 ex.
full length headers ,x pipe
34 degrees of timing on 93 octane
edelbrock performer rpm intake
holley 3310 750 cfm carb box stock
proform hei dist

crank is .010/.010, bore is .030 over bored with a tq. plate , it was balanced

Engine built by me


backed by a th350 Built by me and 3.73 gears out back


I have since gone to 3.90's But prior to the change i went 12.63 @ 105.79 mph. I can get in it and drive it anywhere still have power brakes but no a/c no power steering . I drive to the track and back 120 miles round trip. Its a bare bones street strip car but pretty damn reliable and has great street manners for having a decent sized cam. This year we went 12.77 @ 105 in hot humid weather so i think there will be gains in the fall .

Pretty basic stuff so dont go nuts. Just careful planning and usage go hand in hand.

I went 13.8's with a 9 to 1 350 with a 260 h cam . stock 73 350 block and stock 72 7A heads edelbock intake headers etc etc. Nothing fancy but it all worked well together.