Cam suggestions?

Steve78 k10 · Oct 4, 2020

So I'm looking for a little bit of advice on what cam to put in my motor it's a 350 bored 30 over. A fella at work was suggesting that I go with an RV cam but I was thinking a little more on the side with some thump. Once done the truck will not be a daily driver more of just a cruiser very little highway. And if I go up to a comp Cam thumper cam would I need to change my stall converter I believe it's just stock in a turbo 350 and what is my worries of brake boost? Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

The88 · Oct 4, 2020

Way i see it if you want to play in the motor you should also get it to the wheels reliably.

Need to know your tranny can take some abuse along with u joints and rear end. I know you wouldnt want a gov bomb going off in the rear after working up front.

Steve78 k10 · Oct 4, 2020

The88 said:
Way i see it if you want to play in the motor you should also get it to the wheels reliably.

Need to know your tranny can take some abuse along with u joints and rear end. I know you wouldnt want a gov bomb going off in the rear after working up front.

Trans has been rebuilt less than 5k miles ago.

BKING33 · Oct 4, 2020

If you are worried about vacuum you can install a vacuum canister or ad a electric vac booster. I have a vacuum can on my chevelle with a large roller cam, have plenty of vacuum to stop. Best to match your converter and rear gears to cam manufacturer recommendation or you have a slug. I wouldn't recommend a thumper cam. the smallest one comes in at 227/241 .050 duration. Biggest cam I would recommend for a truck would be an extreme energy cam. the 268/280 model works good on a mild build.

Swearbody · Oct 5, 2020

I am about to be swapping from a 292d 512lift to a 262/270 500/512 due to the 292 being too big for my current setup. I second not going with a big cam on a stock truck. With the 292 a square has about 9vac and needs like 15 to have good brakes. Ill be riding the line with the xe262 im installing. The xe 262 is basically the biggest cam for a relatively stock sbc and stock converter that you can use and still have solid brakes IMHO...it has a nice chop too!!
potato potato

potent rodent · Oct 8, 2020

i wold call the cam company and tell them your eng and trans and diff set up, im sure they will set u up for your combo

Steve78 k10 · Oct 8, 2020

Thank you guys so much that is exactly what I was needing just a little bit of advice from a square body family. I will definitely check out that extreme energy cam.

Dustycolby · Oct 8, 2020

Can I ask what cylinder heads and gearing you have?

Sent from my moto g(7) supra using Tapatalk

Steve78 k10 · Oct 9, 2020

I've got a set of vortec heads I'm putting on as far as the gear I'm not totally certain yet I haven't gotten into the rear differential yet I do know it's a 12 bolt.

seniorbear69 · Nov 22, 2020

good stuff onc ive finished the wiring ! im looking to fit a 88 block with roller cam and vortec heads

BigDaddy72 · Nov 22, 2020

Vortec heads will love a 256 lunati voodoo cam.

I suggest a performance intake manifold, headers and dual 21/2” exhaust.

That will get you in the 300 ish hp range and keep your torque curve low and useful in a heavy small cube vehicle.

75gmck25 · Nov 22, 2020

Stock Vortec heads will only handle about .420 lift and the lift on the 256 lunati voodoo cam is too much. You need to look for a cam with similar duration and less lift, or plan to modify the Vortec heads and/or springs.

Depending on your gear ratio and tire size, the voodoo cam's 213/219 duration might also be just a little too much with a stock 350 torque converter. You want to get RPM up fast enough to be in the cam's power band, and big tires and high gears make this difficult.

Bruce

Dustycolby · Nov 22, 2020

I would go with a comp xe262 or xe268.

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BigDaddy72 · Nov 22, 2020

75gmck25 said:
Stock Vortec heads will only handle about .420 lift and the lift on the 256 lunati voodoo cam is too much. You need to look for a cam with similar duration and less lift, or plan to modify the Vortec heads and/or springs.

Depending on your gear ratio and tire size, the voodoo cam's 213/219 duration might also be just a little too much with a stock 350 torque converter. You want to get RPM up fast enough to be in the cam's power band, and big tires and high gears make this difficult.

Bruce

I have that exact set up with with stock valve springs been in my 55 Chevy for over 12 years. With a stock converter.

That combo works great for a mild stockish motor. It makes great bottom end torque.

Otherwise I wouldn’t recommend it.

The stock gm l31 cam is .428 btw.

Frankenchevy · Nov 22, 2020

Ls6 springs or comp beehives will get you around .480 lift clearance on stock vortec heads, iirc

Cam suggestions?

Steve78 k10

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The88

Mhmm

Steve78 k10

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BKING33

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Swearbody

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potent rodent

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Steve78 k10

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Dustycolby

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Steve78 k10

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BigDaddy72

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