I have a 85ta (no computer) with a '76 350 in it that i am upgrading. I bought the car used and dont know the history or the comp. ratio of the motor. The motor seems strong, burns no oil or coolant. I think it is mostly a stock rebuild. I wanting to upgrade performance so I have purchased tw 23 heads and rpm intake. It has a fairly new 600cfm edelbrock and tes headers. I cant decide on a cam, however. Heres the situation:

1. The car will see about 5,000 miles a year of fair weather driving and doesnt have to meet emmisions.
2. This is mostly for street performance (read: KILL CIVICS) and will only go to the track 2 or 3 times a year.
3. It has something like a 2.?? rear end and t-350 trans (stock coverter).
4. I would like to keep the high gear ratio for $ reasons.
I will either purchase a 262 xe cam and use 1.6 rockers or a 268 xe with 1.5 rockers.

I figure with the lower duration of the 262 will give me lots of low end and increased ratio better top end than with 1.5's. I have heard that the 268 likes a higher stall and better gears

What cam is the better choice?

Thanks

 

Defimitely go with the 262. it makes more peak torque in a 350 than the 268 and it has a more streetable idle. I had one in an L-69 and it pulled like a bat outta hell with 3.23s and a stock 700-R4. It was a helluva street engine and didn't have a lot of trouble with most ***** trash.

On a side note, I would seriously consider going back to the computer system for your carb. You'll pick up gas mileage and you won't run any slower, if anything you'll get quicker. No offense, but you probably wouldn't be going that fast with a stock rebuild smog 350 with a TH350. You can get out of the hole quicker (700-R4 1st gear=3.06)and save even more gas with a 700-R4's OD. This is just from my own experience, so take it for what its worth.

 

Go with the 268 cam, get more rear end gear (3.xx) and a slightly higher stall converter (about 2200). Put a 750 carb on the engine. You already have the heads, exhaust and intake upgraded. Don't restict performance with the rest of the package.

 

id say go with the 268, a 2000 or so stall converter, and keep the rear, I love my 2:73s

 

BBDave,

I think that Joshua may have a good solution. A TH-700R4 and high stall converter (like the S-10 Cyclone factory lockup converter) with your lower rear ratio is a little like the best of both worlds. My TA has 2.77 gears and I still have a traction problem up to about 25 MPH. I'd hate to think of it with higher gears and an idiot's foot on the accelerator.

FWIW, I've always teneded to go a little moderate on cam selection, and that's probably why I've changed a few. With a carbed, non-emissions setup, you have a lot more liberty to go with extra overlap and long durations it you chose.

 

I too was stuck on deciding between either the XE262 or the XE268 in my buildup.

In the end, I went with the XE262 because it is driven 365 days a year. This is with stock 882 heads as well.

I feel now that I could have easily gone a step up, the XE262 idle is pretty tame yet delivers wicked power through my entire RPM band, well, until 5,000 where the heads meet their maker - I shift at 5,500RPM.

With your heads, which absolutely rock on the 882's, you have plenty of room to grow. If it weren't for your (IMHO) crappy gears, I would be going XE274.

Go for the 268.

Later,
Hype.

 

I've got the 262 in my Vortec headed 350, being on the edge of max stock lift was all that kept me from the 268. It idles and drives absolutely fine, could definitely go bigger in a 350. I would most definitely go with the 268 if I were you, the TF heads will love it...

 

I agree with Stephen 87 IROC. Do this and you'll love it. I put a 750 on my 350 with a performer rpm. I have 3.73's and a 3,000 stall. Also I have some worked vortec heads. This setup rocks.

 

I havent used the comp cams 268 but I am using 2 270H's and a 262, all in 350's and there is no distinctive idle diffrence. The 262 is what I use in my firebird which is my regular warm weather daily driver and its a stout cam and esily pulls past 6k (fairly new engine so I dont push it). If you are dumping your heads for better flowing ones I would think you would want to take advantage of the increased flow and go for a 268xe or 270H. My machinist also runs a 270H in his PU which is stock except for the cam and springs and he claims 17mpg highway with 4.10 gears. I'm getting about 14 city with the camaro and 12 with the truck and those are 270H's and very fast vehicals. The Firebird with the 262xe pulls 18mpg city.
Just some food for thought.
SSC

 

I agree with Vader and Joshua. You will need a little more power higher up. With the 2.77 gears, second gear is like third gear with a 4.10 axle. If you can't get enough go, then switch to a better gear and your cam will already be setup for a little higher rpm band. I am running the smaller type cam in my 400 TPI and it's great on the street with 3.27 gears. Just tromp down and it moves right now. I built for a lower rpm band since I retained the stock TPI setup. I am very happy with my power range and the smaller cam.