Hey everyone,
I need some help with choosing a cam for my setup, and considering i dont know a whole lot about picking the correct cam, ive just been browsing. I have a cam in mind but all ive done was try to compare lift and duration with the flow of the head.

So heres what i got:
1988 sbc 355 tpi, flat top pistons, on the low side of miles.
On the top I am going to try out the patriot aluminum heads with some 1.6 roller rockers.
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-CHEVY-AL...-/170810378691)

Im unsure as to what the compression of the engine is, because i bought it off of craigslist. So the cam i was looking at was the lunati flat tappet 10120412

here are the specs from summit:
UPC:090127688717
Cam Style:Hydraulic flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range: 2,500-6,500
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 246
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 246
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 246 int./246 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 300
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 300
Advertised Duration:300 int./300 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.515 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.515 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.515 int./0.515 exh.
Lobe Separation (degrees): 108
Computer-Controlled Compatible: No
Valve Springs Required: Yes

heres the link to the cam: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/lun-10120412

So do you guys think this would be a good cam for these heads? or is it a little too much for them? thanks in advance

 

Doesn't look like a good choice, no matter what.

But:

What car is this going into?

Gotta pass CA emissions?

 

No i dont need it to pass emissions.
What about it doesnt look like a good choice, the cam or the heads? or both lol

 

Too much duration on that cam !

 

That was my initial thought.. What duration would you shoot for with these heads? should i just keep my stock cam? lol I dont plan on keeping these heads in here for more than maybe 2-3 years. I just wanted to lighten it up and try for a more aggressive idle. Not looking to hit the 500 hp mark with them, just somethin pretty to look at and here without turning the engine into a dog on the streets

 

Those heads have poor exhaust flow; need a larger (mostly longer duration) exh lobe.

Besides, WAY not enough compression for it even under IDEAL circumstances. (which CL generally isn't)

Looks like one of the old Bracket Master cams; been around since shortly after dirt. Not a "bad" design or anything; just, we've learned a thing or 2, as a species, about cam design and manufacture, since that one was introduced. Might "run" "good", kinda like "the RPM cam", but won't win. Basically you'll get a azz-whuppin at the track (the only place you'll be able to use it) from anybody that has an otherwise identical motor that uses a modern design.

Before getting all wound up about what you THINK the "compression" is gonna be, measure how far "down in the hole" the pistons are at TDC. Odds are pretty good that they miss the deck by almost .050" if it's been rebuilt. That's the number people usually don't enter into the "calculators"; called deck clearance.

 

Well the original heads arent off the engine, didnt even think of measuring.
I havnt ordered the heads yet, but im getting ready to buy some parts, if you could suggest any budget heads that wont run me $900 assembled, what would you say is the best to get with a mild cam that wont get out of its own way? thanks

 

If your going tpi keep the cam with less than 224 degrees duration

 

Do you wanna go fast, OR WHAT? or just poor-mouth? Isn't it .... maybe .... a bit ..... EARLY .... for that?

Get whatever you're getting, see what it is, go from there. Tell us what else it goes with; induction, exhaust, converter, gears, car type, car weight, intended purpose, minor details like that.

 

I will look into it! I will also take into consideration the larger exhaust duration than intake? thanks guys

 

of course i would like to go fast lol, but its not a track car, and i baby my cars, so i want it to sound good but be able to actually move when i need it to.
I still am convinced to get those heads because of the test that was conducted between those and the vortecs.
As for the other information, its a 1986 camaro, will only be N/A, dont want a supercharger, longtubes to delta 50 slim mufflers to turn downs, stock converter at the moment, 3.73 gears, 700r4 with jr shift kit and corvette servo, Egr delete and computer reprogram, smog pump delete, stock fuel system and intake. Intended to be a weekend car, maybe sometimes more when its cooler out during the winter, but other than that, i dont need to pass smog, but if my future changes for whatever reason, i have all my stock equipment to shove back in it to smog it.

 

And as for the heads, you can only afford what u can afford. i could try stretching my spending to some nice AFR which is what i would love to have, but once i have 2 grand in my pocket its hard to justify spending it like that when it took some much effort to collect the money. just want something cheap and simple, i dont really want to turn my car into a $10,000 investment at this point in my life, if you know what i mean..

 

also im assuming the 224 degrees is at .050"
what about another lunati cam with 224/234 intake/exhaust?
or is that still overkill on the exhaust and i should limit it to 224 on the exhaust and go even lower on intake?

 

Look into a set of profiler heads. they flow good and are a little over 1000 shipped. And made in the USA.
http://www.profilerperformance.com/r.../sbc-23-degree

As far as the cam. That's a tough one. With the tpi you can't really match the cam to the heads properly and it is going to be a big restriction unless you spend a lot of money on a bunch of aftermarket stuff to make it even rev past 5000. Plus you need to find someone who can tune it! That's an issue in itself now a days.
Also if it's an 88 block isn't it a roller cam? You have a non roller picked out.
for a non roller maybe something like this
http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=1983&gid=287
for a roller
http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=1988&gid=289

But it is never going to work right with a stock tpi.

 

Ill probobly just save up for that than, thanks man. So an upgraded intake system that wont choke, like a ported edelbrock intake or a stealthram? Might consider just going carb with those prices as well. I prefer the simplicity and i love the way my dads challenger sounds cammed even with stock heads.

And i realize the 88 is a roller, but i forgot about that when i posted this, the engine is actually earlier than the tpi system that sits on top of it. Its a 4 bolt main and when i researched the casting numbers it told me it was from a first gen camaro. If ill be wasting my time getting these heads i might as well keep it stock until i have a significant amount of money to play with. Theres a guy on craigslist selling some AFR heads for a sbc for $700, I was gunna look into that considering new AFR heads are more than double that.. But i still think AFR heads or something of that nature would be overkill on this engine still being a 355, I would probably go for a 383 and deem that worthy of such expensive heads. Thanks JaBoT

 

As long as you keep TPI, you will need to pick a cam that is designed for the somewhat unique requirements of that intake system, as well as complementing the characteristics of whatever heads you end up with.

That cam you posted is REALLY inappropriate for going with TPI.

TPI is a VERY SEVERE limit to an engine's performance in a lot of ways.

How far "down in the hole" are the pistons at TDC?