vt89rs

I'm looking at buying a 454 that has a Es1224r camshaft. the specs are Duration-230/230; Cam Lift-.320/.320; Lobe Center-107/111. lift at valve is .544/.544. does anyone have any experience with this cam? is it a ok cam? the engine I was told makes 550hp and 575tq. I don't know if this is right or not with this cam. thanks

Jonesyfxr

iTrader: (2)

I don't have any experience with that cam, but a decent BBC will easily do 550hp.

What else do you know about the thumper?

vt89rs

it's bored 30,has aluminum heads 320cc, 2.250 intake 1.880 exhaust valve. The flow numbers don't make sense that I have though. I think he sent the wrong sheet. 10.3 compression, dual plane aluminum intake

AlkyIROC

Sounds like a basic mild cam for a BBC.

Never trust HP or torque claims without a dyno sheet to make it up or an ET slip and race weight of the vehicle it was in.

vt89rs

I did get a dyno sheet. 550hp@5500 and 575tq@4500. I just didn't know if I should keep that cam or go with something different. was thinking like a lunati voodoo or a comp cams thumpr cam. it just seems like that cams a "cheap" one from what I can come up with

AlkyIROC

As long as the pistons, valves and valve spring setup can handle it, you can put just about any cam you want into it. Something with a bit more LSA will idle a bit smoother. Without checking all the required clearances, you're probably better off just running that cam.

The last flat tappet solid cam I had in a BBC was around .630 lift. It was the biggest flat tappet cam I could use. Hydraulic cams operate with a little less lift and if you want to go bigger, you need to go to a roller cam.

vt89rs

Ya that was the other thing I was considering. it's a lot of money to switch to roller but it seems like the power gains are worth it. The engine already has roller rockers on it but a flat tappet cam I didn't really understand that unless he already had them. I mean I did that with my SBC but I had them from a different build so it didn't cost me anything.

The other thing I'm considering is spending some big bucks and putting a blower on it. It's something I've always wanted but that really is a new game to me and I have to clue what's involved in that yet,

Any ideas? thoughts?

Jonesyfxr

iTrader: (2)

I won't run anything but a roller cam in a BBC. I've seen too many get eaten.

As for a blower, you'd need new pistons. A blower engine should be around 8-1 comp.

vt89rs

ok, so I'm sure I would have to see what crank and rods are in it also? to make sure they can handle it.

AlkyIROC

Blower = all forged or billet internal components will make it last. You might as well start fresh with a new bare block and built a blower motor from scratch.

I've had my share of flat tappet cams. No matter what you try, they all have their limits. The best way to make power is to go with a roller cam. My high end lifters are around $800-$1200 for the set. Camshaft is around $400. I gave up on pedestal mounted rockers. I now use T&D shaft rockers worth around $1500. For a street engine, that's all a little extreme but with a street engine, I'd still go with a roller cam.

That's all high end stuff. Depending on how you intend to use the engine, you can use many inexpensive parts to update to a roller cam but don't expect high end performance results or longevity.

vt89rs

I'm just looking for a good street engine, mainly want to shut up all these import guys around my area, they think their 300-400 hp front wheel drives are fast was thinking maybe 600 hp would be good. guess i'll start saving my pennies for a roller cam

AlkyIROC

Just throw some NOS on it.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

That's kinda a mismatch...

You've got a 454, heads for a 500+ inch max-effort motor, and yerbasic 45-yr-old "Stage 2" street cam with the typical REAL low lift from back in those days when there weren't any valve springs available yet.

Should make lots of power, but yet leaves lots of opportunities for improvement.

I don't see 550 HP there. I see around 450 - 475 at best (400ish to the wheels). Can't tell about the torque since we don't know what the compression is. Still should be sufficient as a street engine.

But don't worry too much about any of that until you get it settled comfortably into your car and see what it does. Don't want to spend all your pennies on roller cams and such, and then blow out transmissions and rear ends the first time you crank it up.

vt89rs

no nos for me, if any power adders its gonna be a blower

cuisinartvette

With sofa 450 on a good day