I have been told for my setup, I need a XE294HR-10 from Comp Cams to get the most out of my 383 motor with a hydraulic cam. I currently have a Crane hydraulic roller camshaft 234/242@.050", .539"/.558" lift w/ 1.5 rockers -Comp Cams chromemoly pushrods -Comp Cams 'Pro Magnum' roller rocker arms 1.6 Intake/1.52 Exhaust. Other facts on my car are: AFR 210 heads with some port work (280I / 218E cfm), 700R4 w/3200 converter, 3.73 gears and Holley 750. This setup has given about 515 hp. What I was told by the previous owner that I could go with a monster solid roller setup to get me 600+ hp, but a lot of reliability and idle vacuum would go out the window. What all do you think? I just want to keep my options open, and would much rather go with the advice of the previous owner, but hearing from others always helps I called Comp Cams and they suggested a solid roller with the following specs: 242/248 110 lobe separation, 570/576 lift. What are all of your thoughts on this setup? Could/should it give me a lot more power? The part number on that is 12-771-8.

 

yes a bigger cam will make more power.
yes you'll loose streetability and engine vacuum.

If you go much bigger, say 260@.050 you'd want a higher stall converter.

That comp grind would be a good one.
On a "street motor", cam choice will always be a compromise.

 

Solid roller setups ain't cheap.

It all depends on what you want the car to do.

What does it run now?

 

The norm is 11.20-11.30 on drag radials, but has run a best of 11.09 @ 122.7 on drag radials. What I really want is a solid 10 second car n/a

By the way, how would those cams sound? It sounds pretty mean already; would it get me a meaner idle?

 

89IROCZZ4,

i have a 383 with comp hr .550 /.570 w/1.6's 236/248 @.050 afr 210 280/250 cfms, air gap, 10.5:1, demon 750, however iam coming up short on the dyno with 470 hp. i was thinking a solid roller would get me into the 500+ range. do you switch to a solid roller?

 

you are coming up with 470 at the wheels? Thats more than the firebird made most likely then. Here is my suggestion to you: Don't go solid roller! This is just me though. I have gotten a lot more pickier about my cars these days. As in, I want to have awesome performance but not sacrifice driveability. As a matter of fact, don't shoot me or hate me, but I traded the firebird for a 1993 Turbo Mustang GT that is about as fast, but sounds and drives stock. Gosh, I miss that lope though.

 

470 at the flywheel @ 5900. but heads want to flow more rpms. why not solid roller? i only drive the car on nice weekends about 3000-5000 miles a year. some engine builders say go solid other say dont. did you stick with hr?

 

Yes, I ended up sticking with a hydraulic roller cam. The reason I say I wouldn't is because you have to do something like set the valve lash every 500 miles or something like that. It sounds like you need to repair somethingurother every so often too. Just not my cup of coffee if you know what i mean.

 

So many people tell other people stuff that is so far from the truth I cant believe it!! OMG....

You dont have to adjust your valves every 500 miles, maybe every 5000-7000. Nothing is like having a solid roller!! The sound, the rpms, the throttle responce!!!!!

You know where the "adjust the valves every 500 miles" came from IMO.... When you get your solid roller you love it, it is fun to re-lash your valves!

I hate my car now, my S-10 was 100x more fun. My firebird has no power, no sound, BORING.. I cant wait till my 400 gets done. AFRs and Solid roller are the 2 things I MUST have

 

holy cow you pulled up lotsa flags there. Anyway, just trying to pass on what I was told.

 

Just sending flags to let you know what the information people told you consisted of...lol

 

a solid roller is probably the best way to get over 500hp. i cant see what else i could do. a victor jr isnt really going to give extra hp. my car weights 2400 wet. with a 5 speed. so i really dont need low end power. in need power at 3000-6500 and my hr falls off at 5900.

 

Solid roller is the way to go. Just make sure that you get some really good roller lifters, with big bearings and oil groove machined into the body.

 

Are you driving a Chevette? Fiero maybe?

 

porsche 911

 

what year? I didnt know they were that light..... You have a sb in it??

 

77 911. i had a zz3 but then i built a 383.