What's the best cam/heads setup for my ride?
 

Well i'm about to change my engine over from tbi to carbureted.It's a 357 with headers.Soi i was just wondering if anyone had a similar setup with an aftermarket cam and heads or if anyone just knew right off?If so please tell me the specs for the best cam and heads combination.I'm getting everything ready for the swap.I think i'm gonna go with a speed/road demon carb with 650cfm, Air-gap intake with rpm range of 1500-6500, electric carberator fuel pump, and MSD HEI distributor.All help is appreciated on this project.I was also wondering if there is gonna be enough hood clearance for this swap?Or am i gonna have to get a cowl hood beforehand?

P.S.-Of course i may just get the cam before the heads since it would be easier/cheaper so all help is appreciated on what cam/cam kit is best to get.I would like it to be somewhat aggressive

Thanks,

Will

I just built a 350 .030 over with vortec heads.. rpm air gap, 650 speed demon double pumper.. it has hooker shortie headers. comp cams xe268.. 224/230 duration 477/480 lift. it feels pretty good but its not tuned yet, im gonna start going down in jet sizes pretty soon and im going to work on the air filter tomorrow... not sure if the 14X3 is going to fit.. ill let ya know. i cant say this is the best but i think bang for the buck its a pretty good setup.

oh and i think one place you could save a bunch of money is the carb, find a holley 650 dbl pumper and rebuild it.. not so sure the demon is worth the $450... but ive never used a holley 650 dbl pumper...

Thanks man.Definately keep me updated if possible b/c i'm tryin to get this done kind of quick.

ttt

I really think im going to have to get a cowl hood.... so im driving with no filter still... not good. the demon carb is huge compared to that 600VS holley i was using.. so the old drop base air cleaner wouldnt fit.. without a drop base i dont know whats gonna fit...

I have a 400 bored .40 over and I am running for now just cast iron heads with 2.02 and 1.6 valves and 1.6 roller rockers. My cam is a Comp cams camshaft with .508/.510 lift. I am running a Holley 750 carb and using a drop base air cleaner so I have no problems with hood clearance. If you cant run the drop base air cleaner then odds are you will need a cowl hood.

Sounds like a nice setup.How does it run streetwise.Will it really give you what you want when you want it?

[quote=Chris5k]I just built a 350 .030 over with vortec heads.. rpm air gap, 650 speed demon double pumper.. it has hooker shortie headers. comp cams xe268.. 224/230 duration 477/480 lift. it feels pretty good but its not tuned yet, im gonna start going down in jet sizes pretty soon and im going to work on the air filter tomorrow... not sure if the 14X3 is going to fit.. ill let ya know. i cant say this is the best but i think bang for the buck its a pretty good setup.

That also sounds like a great setup.How do ya'lls rides feel power-wise with those cams?I want to get the best cam the first time instead of going from one to another tryin to get what i want.And i guess i will end up having to geta cowl hood because i'm also gonna go with the air-gap intake and the speed demon 650.

ttt

Thanks. Yeah it runs great. I am very happy with the way it preforms. I have made a few people wet themselves when they went for a ride. :driving: Havent been to the track yet but I am ready to see what it really can do. There are definently more up grades and power in the future but this engine only has about 1000 miles on it so that will be awhile. The combination you are thinking about would be a good setup as well. Good luck!!

I have the RPM Air Gap, Speed Demon carb, and a 14 x 3 drop base filter. Fits fine under stock Camaro hood.

How does your ride perform with that cam/heads combo?

How does your ride perform with that cam/heads combo?

It performs great. Cam is pretty mild and makes great low end power and top end. Mine needs a good aftermarket ignition and new valve springs. They float at 5500 which is a little under where it should peak. Made 303 rwhp on a chassis dyno.

ttt

dont go overly huge on the cam... i'd say around 220* duration @ .050 with an LSA around 110 for good drivability.

as for heads.... for the price you really can beat some good OEM parts, the Vortec heads are mad cheap assembled and flow excelent numbers..

stay away from the holley systemaxx kits... i have one... garbage. Heads folw for junk and the Lunati cam will scrap within the first 20mins of driving

HEy thanks for the help man.When i first got my engine(357) put in, i put an extreme energy cam in it that was 230/236 w/ 110 lsa.It loped pretty good but ran rich as sh*t.You could smell me comin from a mile away.but it sounded so good.So after a while it loped out.So i put the stock cam back in it for now.When i go carb i want to put my second and hopefully last cam in the car which will also give me the hp i want.The heads can wait but the cam is somethin i want in there from the get go.anyone else's ideas will be greatly appreciated also.

call cam motion and see what they can do for you. I wish i had the number to contact them but they ground me a custom cam for like $150

Will do thanks for the help