Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 21, 2001 | 08:01 PM
  #1  
RayZeR14u's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Central SC USA
How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

I just bought a rebuilt stock 350 and would like to have the cam changed to one with more power and at least a fair idle. Thanks
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2001 | 08:07 PM
  #2  
ede's Avatar
ede
TGO Supporter
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,811
Likes: 1
From: Jackson County
without more info on your heads and such i'll say .475 is about the max lift you'd want to run

------------------
ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2001 | 08:14 PM
  #3  
RayZeR14u's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Central SC USA
Stock heads I guess, I bought the 350 from a local parts dealer. It is a 69-77 stock 350 with a 4 bolt-main.




[This message has been edited by RayZeR14u (edited August 21, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by RayZeR14u (edited August 22, 2001).]
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2001 | 09:31 PM
  #4  
zippy's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 0
From: Chander, Arizona USA
Car: 2006 Silverado 1500
Engine: 5.3L
Transmission: 4L60E
i've ran a .488 lift cam in a stock engine, but ended up putting in a stahl converter to make up for the lack of torque. the cam i recomend would be comp cams no. 12-231-2. it's 206 and 214 at .050 with .432 and .453 lift. if your going for low price, summit cam k1103 would work with 214 and 224 at .050 and .442 and .465 lift. you'd notice considerably less torque and drivability with this cam than the other but it would work ok. i do believe summit has a sale right now on engergizer series cams and you could buy 100052 cam with 216 at .050 and .454 lift across which would also be a decent cam in that stock 350 cheap.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2001 | 11:32 PM
  #5  
RB83L69's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 18,457
Likes: 16
From: Loveland, OH, US
Car: 4
Engine: 6
Transmission: 5
"Stock" 350 heads covers alot of ground; from 165 HP smog crap in the mid 70s, to L98 heads and LT-1 heads in 1970, and a whole lot in between....

Chances are though, you have some sort of smoggish, low-compression heads. Your best cam choice would therefore be one with relatively low duration, that would create as much cylinder pressure as possible.

Look at one of the Comp XE series, or others of a similar design with aggressive ramps and high lift, but relatively low duration; and a much bigger exhaust lobe than intake; and 110° or closer lobe centers. 210-216° intake and 220-226° exhaust is plenty. The first 2 that zippy mentioned (the Comp and the Summit) would probably work well, although the next bigger Comp would probably be better.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2001 | 09:51 AM
  #6  
85transamtpi's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: Chitown
Watch out for lobe seperation! Less than 112 can drive the stock computer crazy. I was told by comp that 206/218 430/440 112* is pretty much the largest you can go without running into computer problems. But, I have heard of people running larger without problems. good luck
doug
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2001 | 10:34 AM
  #7  
RayZeR14u's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Central SC USA
There is no computer or smog equipment on my ride.


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 85transamtpi:
Watch out for lobe seperation! Less than 112 can drive the stock computer crazy. good luck
doug
</font>
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2022 | 02:39 AM
  #8  
81MOD LAD's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Re: How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Originally Posted by 85transamtpi
Watch out for lobe seperation! Less than 112 can drive the stock computer crazy. I was told by comp that 206/218 430/440 112* is pretty much the largest you can go without running into computer problems. But, I have heard of people running larger without problems. good luck
doug
I do have a 1981 computer Corvette but i have a stage 2 Jet Chip i found for it. It suppose to keep the knock sensor from retarding for what may just be a loping cam vibration rather than gas knock or ping.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2022 | 12:21 PM
  #9  
89fast5oh's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 705
Likes: 95
From: Manitoba, Canada
Car: 1987 Z28 IROC
Engine: 6.2L
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Originally Posted by 81MOD LAD
I do have a 1981 computer Corvette but i have a stage 2 Jet Chip i found for it. It suppose to keep the knock sensor from retarding for what may just be a loping cam vibration rather than gas knock or ping.
Wow, almost a 21 year old thread bump. Might be a record.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2022 | 12:27 PM
  #10  
tom3's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 100
From: So. Ohio
Car: 88 Camaro
Engine: L98 350
Transmission: 700r4
Re: How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Looks like a new guy getting caught up on the old posts. Welcome to the world of third gens!
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2022 | 09:18 AM
  #11  
Vader's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 19,640
Likes: 306
Re: How big of Cam can you put in a stock 350?

Originally Posted by 89fast5oh
Wow, almost a 21 year old thread bump. Might be a record.
Hold my beer...
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MustangBeater20
TBI
11
Oct 29, 2022 09:20 PM
camaro71633
Tech / General Engine
39
Sep 1, 2015 10:24 AM
st.evel07
Engine Swap
5
Aug 13, 2015 06:15 PM
Fronzizzle
Electronics
2
Aug 9, 2015 01:15 PM
Leggman1
Transmissions and Drivetrain
3
Aug 6, 2015 04:15 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:50 PM.