Thread: cam size?

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I am a female drag racer. I have an 87 Pontiac GTA. We are building a 400 small block .030 over, steel crank, ARP bolts, hyperetic pistons, block has been decked. We just got a set of 202 Canadian Fuely Heads shaved, ported, polished. Manley guide plates, 7/16th studs, triple springs. Trans is a built 700 with a 3200 stall and 456 rear. I'm getting a lot of different info on what size cam. The car is mostly going to be drag raced with some street time. Track is an 1/8th mile. We don't know alot about cam shafts and everyone is telling us different things. We've been told a 600 solid lift cam but when you read information on it, it says race only. We've been told about a 510 solid lift cam would be extreme also, but the camaro has a 500 lift cam and is very drivable with a 355, 5 speed. My ex husbands mustang has a 540 lift cam and idles like a Harley but is very strong. What do I get? All I want to do is beat this girl with another camaro. ( I beat her once in a rerace, she wasn't too happy.) Thanks for your input!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jsmth199722
[B]I am a female drag racer. I have an 87 Pontiac GTA. We are building a 400 small block .030 over, steel crank, ARP bolts, hyperetic pistons, block has been decked.

Is that a long rod or a short rod motor? Your putting all this good stuff in your motor and yet you are using hyperutetic pistons. Why??? I have had bad experience with those in a 400. Never again.If i can't afford forged ,I will not build a 400.

I heard a saying on a program tonight, Think it applies here .

( If forged is like Oak--Cast is like Particleboard) Hypereutetic is a glorified cast.

How much compression do you have?

I personally think a 600 lift cam is extreme for the combination you have but, You need to call several of the cam company tech lines, tell them everything about what you have and they will put you in the ballpark. Call at least 2 cam companies, to compare.

I would guess something like to a 292 comp. would get you real close on the camshaft.

If you have a short rod motor,You want to make all your power under 6000rpm.

Good Luck!

Hyperetic was the wrong term, sorry. They are federal forged coated pistones. Whatever that means. I'm unsure what you mean by short rod or a long rod. It's a factory 400 motor, 400 crank, 400 rod. Right now the motor has 11:1 comp. with 64cc heads.

Originally posted by jsmth199722
Hyperetic was the wrong term, sorry. They are federal forged coated pistones. Whatever that means. I'm unsure what you mean by short rod or a long rod. It's a factory 400 motor, 400 crank, 400 rod. Right now the motor has 11:1 comp. with 64cc heads.

You have a short rod motor 5.565 inch, A long rod motor would be if you were using a 350 rod 5.7 or an aftermarket 5.7--6 --or longer. That motor wants to make the bulk of its horsepower and torque at under 6000 rpm s.

I take it You did not call a cam company. Here is a number for you1-800-999-0853 Comp Cams Help Line. Look up lunati or crane on line. Call them too. Give all the info .Car weight, gear ,converter,etc,etc,etc. Good luck

Originally posted by jsmth199722
Hyperetic was the wrong term, sorry. They are federal forged coated pistones. Whatever that means. I'm unsure what you mean by short rod or a long rod. It's a factory 400 motor, 400 crank, 400 rod. Right now the motor has 11:1 comp. with 64cc heads.

You have a short rod motor 5.565 inch, A long rod motor would be if you were using a 350 rod 5.7 or an aftermarket 5.7--6 --or longer. That motor wants to make the bulk of its horsepower and torque at under 6000 rpm s.

I take it You did not call a cam company. Here is a number for you1-800-999-0853 Comp Cams Help Line. Look up lunati or crane on line. Call them too. Give all the info .Car weight, gear ,converter,etc,etc,etc. Good luck

Go with a solid roller cam, 600 inch lift is still streetable but not good for daily driving. i know people who have run 700 inch lift cams in big blocks on the street on pump gas. If you change to a solid roller setup that may require you to go with a longer valve then whats most likely in that head.

If your still confused, go to summit racing, open up to the cam page, close your eyes and point at the page and say i want that one, it might work hehe.