Change camshaft or not?
#1
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Change camshaft or not?
What changes in motor characteristics can I expect if I change camshaft as illustrated, and keeping everything else as is?
Engine is a Chevy small block 350 factory roller block.
Holley carb.
Vortec heads modified for increased lift.
Compression was 9,3:1 with stock GM gasket. Have changed to 0,015" shim gasket that should pump it up to app 9,8:1
Manual transmission T56 w/ overdrive.
2700 lbs car.
4,09:1 rear axle ratio.
It works pretty well today, but I want to optimize it up to the maximum lift that the heads are cleared for ( around 0.525)
Is this change worth the effort?
I could of course change to a GM HOT cam as well, but to reach 0,525" lift with that one, I would have to change to 1.6 rockers as well.
And I already have a nice set of 1.5 full roller rockers.
I don't want higher lift than around .525" because the total clearance is .571.
Safety margin app .040 - .050" = max lift app .525.
From what I have read, the Vortec heads respond very well on lift up to app .525.
Tests show noticeable hp increase when changing from 1.5 to 1.6 rockers on the GM HOT cam and Vortec tops.
That's a change from .495 to .525.
I don't want to change to 1.6 rockers on my present combination. That wil be too much lift for my safety margin.
That's why I thought maybe my suggested cam change would make a difference.?
I know lift isn't all that matters, but my knowledge is limited when it comes to camshafts.
Engine is a Chevy small block 350 factory roller block.
Holley carb.
Vortec heads modified for increased lift.
Compression was 9,3:1 with stock GM gasket. Have changed to 0,015" shim gasket that should pump it up to app 9,8:1
Manual transmission T56 w/ overdrive.
2700 lbs car.
4,09:1 rear axle ratio.
It works pretty well today, but I want to optimize it up to the maximum lift that the heads are cleared for ( around 0.525)
Is this change worth the effort?
I could of course change to a GM HOT cam as well, but to reach 0,525" lift with that one, I would have to change to 1.6 rockers as well.
And I already have a nice set of 1.5 full roller rockers.
I don't want higher lift than around .525" because the total clearance is .571.
Safety margin app .040 - .050" = max lift app .525.
From what I have read, the Vortec heads respond very well on lift up to app .525.
Tests show noticeable hp increase when changing from 1.5 to 1.6 rockers on the GM HOT cam and Vortec tops.
That's a change from .495 to .525.
I don't want to change to 1.6 rockers on my present combination. That wil be too much lift for my safety margin.
That's why I thought maybe my suggested cam change would make a difference.?
I know lift isn't all that matters, but my knowledge is limited when it comes to camshafts.
Last edited by Hotrodder; 07-28-2021 at 04:02 PM.
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Hotrodder (07-09-2021)
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Hotrodder (07-09-2021)
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Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: Change camshaft or not?
I don't think that cam would be worth changing to doubt very serious it would make any more substantial power.
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Hotrodder (07-10-2021)
#5
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Car: 1983 G20 Chevy
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 14 bolt with 3.07 gears
Re: Change camshaft or not?
I would go with something more along the lines of 224/232 on a 108 or even 106. Between those other two cams you will not be able to tell the difference.
#6
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Car: 1986 IROC Z
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi
Re: Change camshaft or not?
Not worth the work and $$$ to do that cam swap. IMO, you'd notice zero change in the 'butt dyno.' Any substantial performance increase over what you have now (that engine with a 4:1 rear and only 2700 pounds should already be a rocket ship) will require changing a lot more than just the cam you propose to go to.
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Hotrodder (07-10-2021)
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