Technical Big block cam recommendation

Isky jet boat grind, endless powerband

 

This is the most I can find
2.06 1.72 Open chamber 116cc

 

Thanks, that's more than I could find!

 

I have had plenty of luck with peanuts on budget 454s. What pistons do you have? I would likely run a cam in the @ .050 duration of 224 in 235 exhaust on a 110 lsa. Though those heads lay over at 5k or so should still easily make 400hp and 500ftlbs of tq.

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oh and the heads are 230cc intake with 116-118 cc chambers

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I'm using:
Speed-Pro Hypereutectic Pistons H693CP.

22 cc dome, should give me approx 9.2 compression ratio

 

ok good, most guys have the belief that flat tops get you to 9s. Most of these engines are 7.8-8 stock. They still have big displacement and can handle more cam than the one would think. I would go 265 AFRs if I had money or 781/049s if I was poor and port them like shown on vortecpros YouTube videos.

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I didn’t read every reply, so sorry if this is redundant. It’s been a while since I had a BBC, but it was a real barn burner on the street with a setup similar to yours (except 3600 lbs, 3.31 gear). Lift 0.555 I, 0.565 E, duration 300 I, 310 E. Not a HAMB vehicle, a ‘70 Chevelle 402. Look for something like that in a hydraulic flat tappet and you’ll be happy.

 

Yeah, those AFR's look awesome, but are spendy! I just don't have that kind of disposable income unfortunately
I'll build with what I have for now, and I can always upgrade the heads at a later point

 

Gotta be fair. Too new for the HAMB.

 

Absolutely. I have a couple of big block cars in the garage right now. One is a 427 in a 80 camaro that I took on drag week in 2011. It has Brodix heads and a solid roller with 10 to one compression and on the bottle make right around 1025 based on the RWHP. The car is 1/2 apart waiting on me to finish the front coil over conversion.

On the complete other side of the spectrum I have a ultra budget 454 I got for free in a 1970 chevelle. I added 228/235 duration erson hyd cam when it was stock with peanut ports and used it in my 74 chevelle sedan. When I pulled it out for the 1970 I inspected the stock short block and it has a significant ring ridge that needs bored. I rubbed "never mind" on it and added small chamber early 396 heads to get the compression to 9.5 to one. Topped it with a GM version of a Performer RPM qjet and a 78 454 Qjet. It really runs good for the junk it is. I am building a dual upper air bleed qjet for it so I can lean out the cruise A/F and it may someday get overhauled but for now I am happy.

You don't have to spend all the money to have fun and that is what this hobby is about, just get out there. Really a mild BBC make great streeters and even garbage ones make great torque and reasonable hp.

Remember with a cam change you need to do valve springs and those peanut ports will have rotators under the exhaust springs. Guys will tell you that you need to replace them with spacers, but I have welded or brazed them solid so they become a spacer. I would get 3/8 pushrods & guide plates at the same time (the 5/16s are super small). I usually steal the guideplate off a 366 or some other bbc for free/cheap and buy/find stock 3/8 pushrods . The biggest concern I have about specing your cam is the stall speed. It should still make enough torque but I hate converters that fight you at the stoplight.

 

Whatever cam I end up with I will either buy in a kit with lifters, timing chain and sprockets along with new springs, or I will get all that separately. Either way, I'll get new springs! The heads I have now have rotators under both the intake and exhaust. What is wrong with using rotators? I thought that would be a good thing, no?

I'm using a stock converter with a TH400.

 

you DO realize you can get a custom grind for about the same price as a shelf grind!?
Take the best 'parts' of the Comp Cam and the VooDoo cam and get a perfect cam. With those tiny runners(peanut) look at a cam with A LOT of lift. Don't go nuts because rockers and springs need to be considered. I like the 110 LSA of the Comp Cam or maybe a 108 LSA if you want more bottom end. Tighter LSA gives better grunt but idle quality(a little snotty) MAY start being a concern. A well tuned carb and the large cubic inch should still allow a decent idle while in gear (in traffic) Even with the tiny heads this thang should still yield more scoot than the factory hot rods of the 60's. Hope you're going with the Quadra jet carb/750 cfm
6sally6

 

With more spring pressure you want to eliminate the rotators.

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I tend to favor 108s for how they come on the power but they don't like the N2O.

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Sorry, I didn't understand the bolded part.

And yes, I am using a Quadrajet

 

Ah, OK got it

 

Not to hijack your thread, but I believe I am eventually in the same boat as you. What intake will you be using? Do you guys suggest the same cams with the stock intake?

 

I don't have the intake yet, but will probably get a performer rpm.

 

Have you decided on which cam to choose? Where to go for a custom grind cam?

 

I'm leaning towards the Lunati VooDoo cam. Don't think I'll go the custom grind route. Mounted the pistons on the rods today. First time doing it and it went well. I was nervous doing it, but now I'm a pro!

 

I have screwed more good running engines up with long duration, short lobe separation drag cams then I care to remember. Pick something that will give you 18" or more vacuum at a smooth idle and give piles of torque right off idle. The street is so different then the drag strip.. On the street you need power now not in a couple thousand rpm..

I have a stock 1978 truck 454 with 781 heads. All I did to it was advance the timing to 20 initial, 14 mechanical and took the vacuum advance off. It runs like a scalded cat and gets great gas mileage all on 87 octane..

 

Only thing I would add is you could rethink the rear gearing, that 454 will be fine turning 3.08's/3.23's, etc and like 65-70 MPH a bit better. My 454 is an LS5 from a '70 Vette, don't recall the cam spec, but supposed to 10.25 CR, only significant changes was adding a Edelbrock Performer 2.0 and Holley to it. Factory "rated" at 390HP. PU has 3.08's, tall tires (L60-15's) in the rear. Not posi, but could spin them or be very repeatable off the line. Stock converter, no creep and sounds like GMA's car at a stop light. Oh, TH400 as well.

I know that doesn't help you with cam choice, but a 454 doesn't need low rear gear to get going.

 

Peanut port heads? Stock cam or an RV cam of some sort. The heads won't breath worth a flip and be pretty easy to over cam it.

 

Check with Ken @ Delta Cams........in Tacoma Wash. They treated me very well. Told
'em what I had and what I 'thought' I wanted . He made several suggestions and I am more than happy. They do A LOT of re-grinds and custom grind stuff for the PNW racers.
Their price was in line with Howard and some others...actually less than Comp Cam shelf cams!
Google 'em
6sally6

 

Can you just open up the slots in the stock guide plates to fit the 3/8" pushrods? I have access to a milling machine and would be able to do it easily and accurately.

 

probably but 3/8th guide plates are everywhere. Where do you live?

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I'm in Barrington NH

 

I’m running the Edelbrock 2162 grind, the operating range is off idle -5500 rpms. Good vacuum and drivability for a street cruiser with awesome low and mid range torque. It’s well mannered in traffic and cruises effortlessly on the freeway. The rest of my combo is a TH400, 3.55 rear, 28” tall tires, Performer Q Jet intake and Q Jet carb.

https://www.edelbrock.com/performer-plus-camshaft-kit-for-big-block-chevy-396-427-454-v8-2162.html