Thread: Comp Cams recommedation seems BIG???

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......I've read where some cam manufactures are know for recommending bigger cams than others. Is Comp Cams one of the ones that is known for this??? Thanks a bunch Bill

No. I have found that CompCams tends to be pretty close when I have asked for a recommendation.

I have used their recommended cams on 6 or 7 builds and they were just right.
porschehacker

Some may disagree with me but the cam tech.lines 'usually' try to talk you down on cam size because they know that most people 'overcam' their motors.Then we bitch about the cam when the vehicle won't do what we want it to.But here's the thing that gets me,,,have you ever noticed how much hot rodding literature is written around street cam selection? From what I've seen,100% of it.Why,thats where the money is.I'll give you an example,say you have a sbc350 in a 3000lb vehicle.You want it to run low 13's.What cam can you find without coping another persons build? Now I am fully aware of the many variables that can be used in parts selection to get this! My point is that there is 'way' to much catering to street performance and if you want to build a (specific motor for a specific track performance) you better copy or have the experience to know what/how to build it! The whole hotrod world evolves around selling to street cars.

....Thanks for the imput everyone .... hummm, I'm having my 413 small block rebuilt, 9:75 to 1 compression, AFR 195 street heads, 1 5/8" headers, 750 Double pumper {The Carb Shop is rebuilding it to Stage II spec's meaning it will be built to match my engine}, Performer RPM air gap manafold. This engine used to have a cam w/ around 222 to 224 intake duration {it's been so long that I don't remember exactly} & 232 {or was it 234?} exhaust duration. Lift was around 515 w/ 1.6 rockers. It put out 438 HP @ 5250 & 499 TQ @ 4000 RPM. The guy who built that motor said if I had a litttle bit bigger cam I could pick up HP w/o really losing any TQ. It's a street/strip car, 2500 pounds, turbo 400 trans, 9" rear end {current ratio is 3:00, but I'm going to go lower, 3:50/3:90?}, with a converter that stalls between 2200 & 2600. I called Comp Cams twice, said I'd like to pick up some HP but not give up much if any TQ, once they recommended a 240/246 duration cam, second time a 238/244 duration one. These cams call for a 2800 stall converter but they said with 413 cubic inches that I'd be fine. I pluged these numbers into my Desk Top Dyno & the TQ went WAY down. Then I asked the guy building my motor {he has LOTS of small block experience} & he said 230/230 would be perfect & definately no more than 236/236. He also said NOT to go with a split duration cam because AFR heads flowed really good on the exhaust side {70 tp 80 percent exhaust to intake all the way through the RPM's}..... Anyway, so that's why I was wondering about Comp Cams recommendations..... Thanks again, ;0 Bill

IMO, that 413cid can take a 240ish cam and be fine. In naturally aspirated form without nitrous, you would benefit from a tighter LSA also. In a 2500lb vehicle and that many cubes, a tight converter with a bigger cam would help traction unless you already have it standing on the rear bumber. You need the split duration cam unless you have your full exhaust system completely tuned. BTW, Are you using the 3.8 stroker kit? I just built a 410cid for a friend using that kit with some Brodix 215cc CNC Track 1 heads for a Camaro. He's running 10.70s (All Motor) with a PowerGlide w/3200 stall, 4.10 gears. His cam is on a 106 LSA installed 4* advance. It's also 10.6:1 CR and runs straight pump gas. With your cubes and a little stall, you could add some cam and have a beast.

Originally Posted by camaro_fever68

IMO, that 413cid can take a 240ish cam and be fine. In naturally aspirated form without nitrous, you would benefit from a tighter LSA also. In a 2500lb vehicle and that many cubes, a tight converter with a bigger cam would help traction unless you already have it standing on the rear bumber. You need the split duration cam unless you have your full exhaust system completely tuned. BTW, Are you using the 3.8 stroker kit? I just built a 410cid for a friend using that kit with some Brodix 215cc CNC Track 1 heads for a Camaro. He's running 10.70s (All Motor) with a PowerGlide w/3200 stall, 4.10 gears. His cam is on a 106 LSA installed 4* advance. It's also 10.6:1 CR and runs straight pump gas. With your cubes and a little stall, you could add some cam and have a beast.

....Actually it's a stock 3 3/4" crank. I'd benifit from the tighter lobe seperation? So 108 would be better than 110? But won't I lose my low end Tq? LOL @ "help traction unless I already have it standing on the rear bumper".... So, by loser converter you mean that my 2200 to 2600 stall is OK? Or do I need a higher stall? Oh it's a
32 Ford so the exhaust is just outside the frame exit headers by Henderson. 1 5/8", they don't have 1 3/4" in the styles I like. Is this exhaust good enough to not use a split duration cam??? THANKS a bunch for your help. I'm lost on this decission! Bill

Oh, I am planning on using some 12" wide rear tires so this should help traction......

Sounds like a decent exhaust, but I would use a dual pattern cam anyway to help it breath. I thought it might have been stroked, but since it's not, the tighter LSA wouldn't help that much. I would look at the Voodoo 60104 cam for it. It's on a 110 LSA with 4 degrees advance built in. It will work with the converter you have also because of the size engine and vehicle weight.

....Thanks again .... Yes, I'm going to go with the split duration cam even though my engine builder says not to. Well, he doesn't say not to, he just says that I'll lose TQ. if I go split. But NO ONE else seems to agree with him! No one on this board, AFR, Comp Cams, Lunaniti or Desk Top Dyno {or the guy who first built my engine}.... So split it is..... Bill

Bill, I agree with the others on the dual pattern cam too....it's just newer technology, that's all. They work better in all aspects than the older, single pattern cams. And you will not lose any tq or hp. I would stick with the 238/244 you mentioned. If you want it to sound a little 'nastier', get it on a 108 LSA. You will lose a tiny bit of vacuum, and it will move your tq peak up slightly, but only like 200 rpm or so. Try it in DD and see. But it will get you up there quicker, you will pick up a bit in tq. Try a couple other cam companies too, it cant hurt to ask questions. I like the vodoo cams from Lunati. Also, Howards Cams is a great company to work with. Small, only a few guys in the shop, and they actually do the grinding and building of engines right there...so they're not just looking at a computer screen and telling you what the software is suggesting. Call 920-233-5228 and ask for Scott or John. They will take good care of you. Better prices too, cause they dont pay for all that advertising all the time!!