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How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

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Old 08-21-2001, 08:01 PM
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How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

I just bought a rebuilt stock 350 and would like to have the cam changed to one with more power and at least a fair idle. Thanks
Old 08-21-2001, 08:07 PM
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ede
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without more info on your heads and such i'll say .475 is about the max lift you'd want to run

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Old 08-21-2001, 08:14 PM
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Stock heads I guess, I bought the 350 from a local parts dealer. It is a 69-77 stock 350 with a 4 bolt-main.




[This message has been edited by RayZeR14u (edited August 21, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by RayZeR14u (edited August 22, 2001).]
Old 08-21-2001, 09:31 PM
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i've ran a .488 lift cam in a stock engine, but ended up putting in a stahl converter to make up for the lack of torque. the cam i recomend would be comp cams no. 12-231-2. it's 206 and 214 at .050 with .432 and .453 lift. if your going for low price, summit cam k1103 would work with 214 and 224 at .050 and .442 and .465 lift. you'd notice considerably less torque and drivability with this cam than the other but it would work ok. i do believe summit has a sale right now on engergizer series cams and you could buy 100052 cam with 216 at .050 and .454 lift across which would also be a decent cam in that stock 350 cheap.
Old 08-21-2001, 11:32 PM
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"Stock" 350 heads covers alot of ground; from 165 HP smog crap in the mid 70s, to L98 heads and LT-1 heads in 1970, and a whole lot in between....

Chances are though, you have some sort of smoggish, low-compression heads. Your best cam choice would therefore be one with relatively low duration, that would create as much cylinder pressure as possible.

Look at one of the Comp XE series, or others of a similar design with aggressive ramps and high lift, but relatively low duration; and a much bigger exhaust lobe than intake; and 110° or closer lobe centers. 210-216° intake and 220-226° exhaust is plenty. The first 2 that zippy mentioned (the Comp and the Summit) would probably work well, although the next bigger Comp would probably be better.

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Old 08-22-2001, 09:51 AM
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Watch out for lobe seperation! Less than 112 can drive the stock computer crazy. I was told by comp that 206/218 430/440 112* is pretty much the largest you can go without running into computer problems. But, I have heard of people running larger without problems. good luck
doug
Old 08-22-2001, 10:34 AM
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There is no computer or smog equipment on my ride.


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 85transamtpi:
Watch out for lobe seperation! Less than 112 can drive the stock computer crazy. good luck
doug
</font>
Old 01-08-2022, 02:39 AM
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Re: How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Originally Posted by 85transamtpi
Watch out for lobe seperation! Less than 112 can drive the stock computer crazy. I was told by comp that 206/218 430/440 112* is pretty much the largest you can go without running into computer problems. But, I have heard of people running larger without problems. good luck
doug
I do have a 1981 computer Corvette but i have a stage 2 Jet Chip i found for it. It suppose to keep the knock sensor from retarding for what may just be a loping cam vibration rather than gas knock or ping.
Old 01-08-2022, 12:21 PM
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Re: How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Originally Posted by 81MOD LAD
I do have a 1981 computer Corvette but i have a stage 2 Jet Chip i found for it. It suppose to keep the knock sensor from retarding for what may just be a loping cam vibration rather than gas knock or ping.
Wow, almost a 21 year old thread bump. Might be a record.
Old 01-08-2022, 12:27 PM
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Re: How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Looks like a new guy getting caught up on the old posts. Welcome to the world of third gens!
Old 01-09-2022, 09:18 AM
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Re: How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Originally Posted by 89fast5oh
Wow, almost a 21 year old thread bump. Might be a record.
Hold my beer...
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