Ok, i hate asking such a stupid question instead of just doing the research and making a decision on my own... but I really have nobody to teach me anything about cars in my life so pretty much everything I learn is online. If anybody knows any good sites that'll help me choose a camshaft, it'de be greatly appreciated!

Anyways, now that that's out of the way... what do u guys think about this camshaft for my car? Gotta get a new cam since my '86 got the ****ty camshaft.

summit racing - camshaft

new rear will be in within a week or so, (3.42 posi), and i'm planning on basic bolt-ons in future.

 

I don't think that you will get enough out of that cam to warrant the trouble of changing it, especially after you change to 3.42 gears. That cam isn't much bigger than the one that came stock in my 305. If gears are the only thing you plan to do to it I would look at the 212/218 CompCam. I am putting a 218/224 in mine but I have a 2800 stall converter, headers and gears. Just my opinion though.

 

While I have to say that's a good deal, it's not gonna do a lot of good.

As freeman pointed out, it's not very aggressive. Look at the specs on your stock cam, then look at that cam at Summit.

About the only advantage with the Summit cam is the lift, and a little more duration on the exhaust side. Not worth it IMO.

BTW, ignore the "40 extra horsepower" comment. 35 HP of that probably came from the reprogrammed chip, new valve springs, and a good tune up.

EDIT: My bad. I was looking at the '85 cam. If that chart is correct, and your stock cam is that "tame", then it would help A LOT to use that Summit cam.

 

Freeman: Well, the thing is that my '86 got a horrible camshaft compared to the '85...

So while it isnt much larger than yours, it would be a large improvement over my stock cam (I was hoping).

AJ: haha yeah, i definitly didnt pay any attention to the "40 extra hp" thing... just like how cold air "adds up to 20 hp" to civics right?

I dont get the specs, if you could explain them to me it'de be great. I read howstuffworks.com's camshaft section, and it helped a lot understanding how it works, but not in making any decisions in buying an aftermarket camshaft.

I also dont understand what consider when trying to match a cam to your other mods/specs... I know im not being specific at all in asking these questions, but if you guys would do your best to help me out it'de be greatly appreciated.

 

Have a messanger program? if so hit me up and we can talk.

AIM-SpineBusted
MSN-stekmanz28@msn.com

 

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...8_0405_basics/

That should help with the basics.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, that site actually helped a lot AJ, especially with understandin all the terms. I had a convo with stekman on AIM and he helped me out a lot too, explained to me what to look for in getting a cam. He recommended this cam, and after considering the things he told me i decided to change my mind and get this one from summit... Would you guys agree with this decision?

Camshaft, XE256H, Xtreme Energy, Hyd Flat Tappet, 256/268-212/218-.477/.484-110

Thanks for the help guys!

 

comp and lunati both have good info in their catalogs, and i'd guess their web sites

 

That is the one that I was referring to in my first post. It should be a big improvement over what you have now.

 

Do you plan to do any work to or replace your heads? That will help you get the most of that cam. That would be good for another 30-40 with the right heads.

 

Yea, i gave him that suggestion based on near stock flowing heads. Better heads and that opens cam choice WIDE open.

 

yes im definitly planning on it, just a matter of saving up the $$, which is kinda tough as a student... i'll get there sooner or later