Hello all - newb here (made my first post in the "project" forum, like a good boy! ;) )

Here's a quick rundown of my situation - we bought a project 81 that was in process of becoming a "race car". The engine was from "a friend" of the owner who had (alledgedly) raced it in a Nova. We've found indications that may have been the case, but regardless we have it now and need some advice...

Here's what we're working with...


1985 Target Master 350, 4-bolt mains, .060 over (currently at the shop getting tanked, de-glazed, and new cam bearings)
Cast crank (at the same shop being turned)
Hyperutectic pistons (typical 4-eyebrow, nothing special, some lateral wear indications)
Fully stock vortec 062 heads (passed vacuum test w/ flying colors)
Edelbrock Performer Vortec Intake
Edelbrock 1406 carb (600cfm, electric choke)
Typical old long-tube headers (haven't measured but guessing 1.5" or 1.75" primaries)

The cam pulled from the engine was used (showed some rounding on the lobes) but hadn't actually been run in this engine as it was still covered with assembly lube. But I can't find ANY information on the cam numbers so we're scrapping it and buying a new one. We need advice on a CAMSHAFT...


I know from research that .460" lift is the max we should go with stock Vortec heads.
With the intake and carb we have, I'm thinking a cam in the 1K-5K range is all we need.
My son wants a lopey idle. :cool:
We'll definitely take the car to the track for the occasional grudge night - but the goal is not a race car, just a quick street car
We're staying with an automatic tranny (w/ shift kit and mild stall converter eventually)
Stock rear end now, we'll move up to 3:55 or 3:73 gears eventually


So with those "criteria" what cam specs would work best, and what brand is good?

I was thinking about buying one of Summit's house brand cam/lifter kits for around $80, or one of their street/strip cam/lifter kits for $120. PAW also has quite a few cams for $60-$100.

I know Edelbrock and Crane make good cams and of course Lunati at the higher end, but I just can't justify a $200+ cam in this engine/car.

FYI - We have around $1300 in the entire car at this point, with a goal of finishing it under $3000 - and we have a LONG way to go with other stuff (paint, interior, etc.) So we're trying to control costs at every corner - like the cam - but at the same time, we need to avoid any tragic short-cuts.

Thanks and I hope I've provided enough info for the cam gurus to make a recommendation. If not, please let me know...

For my 70 Z28, I needed another cam and wanted to try a different cam rather than the stock solid LT-1 cam. I stayed with a lift under .500 so I wouldn't need any head work so by builder recommended Crane Cam Part # 113841 Gross Lift I/E .480/.500 with duration of 238/248, lobe sep 114 (solid cam).
I don't have the spring number I went with at this moment but would have needed head work if I went with Crane's triple springs that were for this cam.
The rpms street cruising and highway cruising sound better than the LT-1 cam IMO.

Isn't .480/.500 too much for the (stock) Vortec heads? I thought my max was .460" with no machine work at all...

Isn't .480/.500 too much for the (stock) Vortec heads? I thought my max was .460" with no machine work at all...

Depends who you ask. I have heard .460 to .470 is maxed out on stock heads.

81 project if your going to all that work of tanking then do go with a good cam/ rockers. The pro's on here will steer you in right direction but when it come's to critical engine components don't save 20 buck on a cheaper model.

I just added a Crane Energizer to old style heads and it rumbles. Good springs and rockers also makes it a great setup for this cam. But I cheaped out and now have a set up Vortecs to go in....pay now or pay later.

...CCXE256 with stock vortecs , just my.02, DC:bowtie:

Im sure that I will get blasted for putting this on here as a reccomendation, but if a mild converter is in the plans then your son would love this cam.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Comp+Cams/249/11-601-4/10002/-1

This cam would sound awesome and perform great in that motor. comp claims that it will work with a stock converter, but to be on the safe side I would run about a 2300-2500 stall.

you will see the lift on the intake side of this cam is .479. I know a few people personally, and have seen a few people on this site that run .480 lift on stock vortecs, so I wouldent be scared of it, especially if you are planning to run stock rocker arms.

For a lumpy idle and low lift try the Elgin E1785PM cam. Is basically a clone of the old Crane 27406 cam . Has 218-218 dur., .450 lift on a 106 lsa. Mean sounding cam and you will need a mild stall. 14"of vac. at 1000, 11 at 850. Basically a lift rule oval track cam. $99 including lifters at competitionproducts.com

Valve springs I used are Comp 981-16, 1.250 outer w/dampner
batch number(s) W027794
seat load: 105 lbs@1.700"
open:273 lbs@1.250"
spring rate:370 lbs/in
coil bind:1.150

Comp 1.52 cs magnum roller rockers :1412-16

Thanks for the recs guys...

For what it's worth, we were planning to run stock rockers/springs to keep things simple and costs down.

Given that fact, plus our intake/carb, I'd say we in the 1.5K-5.5K operating range. Can't imagine turning much over 6K for very long with a "home built" 060 over motor. (In fact a rev limiter may be in order seeing as this will be a 16yr olds first car...LOL!!!)

I just Googled "CCXE256 camshaft and found nothing but a couple of posts here on NZ... ? ? ?

Comp cams xtreme energy 256 h-10 , part number 12-234-2, duration at .050 212 int. 218 exh. 454 lift , good cam ,mild idle ,would work with stock vortec heads, DC

I don't really have a cam to recommend, but you don't have to limit your choice to something less than .460 lift. this is considered a conservative limit by some (make sure you check clearances regardless of lift), but you can use Crane kit 10309-1 (valve springs and retainers) to get more lift with Vortec heads without machining. There is a lot of good info in the Vortec sticky here. The only 2 drawbacks I see are that the Crane springs will bust your cam budget and your 16 year old son may have waaaay too much fun with a bigger cam. Good luck.

Some circle track classes have valve lift rules
If you want a lopey idle, and power from 3500+ rpm, look into .450 lift rule cams

Reed Cams has flat tappet cams that are already run on a Break In fixture
The Cam and lifters are run on a Lifter Bore Indexed block that has provisions for oiling.
Before the Cam and lifters are shipped out they are inspected
It's already broken in. It's a option but worth it in some instances.

here's the info http://www.reedcams.com/news_release.htm

here some cam choices
The second from the top would be a good choice if you can get the compression up to 10:1+.... 237* @ .050" lift .450" valve lift, well within the limits of your Vortec heads http://www.reedcams.com/cam_SBC_ovaltrack.htm

One thing I like about this company is that everything they ship out is Made in the USA. No Offshore crap. Hydraulic Cam and lifters run about $200 for the SBC

Long story made short
Flattened a lobe on a Comp 256XE in my truck after 40,000 miles
Called Reed on a Monday morning
told em what I had, and what I used it for. (9.25:1 SBC with good heads, used for towing, 3.08 gears, TH350, 4400 lbs)
Reed said he could custom grind a cam and have it to me by the end of the week.
On Thursday afternoon the UPS man pulls up in my driveway
Friday Morning I'm up and running and the truck runs better than with the Comp XE given similar intake duration specs

My $.02

I like the circle track cam you pointed out and really like that the cams are already broken in!

Also like the 3rd and 4th on this page: http://www.reedcams.com/cam_SBC_street_hyd.htm

And the first two on this page: http://www.reedcams.com/brutestreet.htm

Looks like they have a $199 special on the entry level cam/lifter kits. About double what I wanted to pay, but maybe it's worth it.

I emailed Reed Cams, we'll see what they say...

This is what the cam I linked to sounds like. I think you and your son would like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j97kabzMOYA

Oh yeah soonerjay - that's exactly what we...uh, sorry, HE... wants (lol)

With this kind of off idle throttle response... :smokin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py2A0cd4cJg&feature=related

By the by, I grew up in Shawnee, OK...Go Wolves!

shawnee...cool. I have a sister that lives in Bethel. At least in dallas now, you can go watch the ou/texas game every year.

I also think that the lift rule cams would work pretty decent, if you dont mind running a little looser torque converter. JMO

Edit...Would want to upgrade valvesprings with the lift rule cams. Might be a little out of your rpm range. I should have re read your post, LOL

Dennis from Reed Cams (screen name doechsle) is a member here and has helped many members. If you are considering one of their cams, give him a shout and I'm sure he will offer some good advice.