Well, after much searching and researching, I've decided to go with a hydraulic roller cam for my 400 project this spring. Now my question, has anyone used the Edelbrock #2201 camshaft? It is a retro-fit hydraulic roller cam and the stats are adv duration, 296/300 and @.050, 234/238 with .539" int/.548" exh valve lift and lobe sep. of 112 degrees and intake ctr line of 107 degrees. The other cam I am considering is the Lunati Voodoo # 60112 with 282/290 adv duration and 231/239 @ .050" and .530/.550 valve lift with 110 degree lobe sep and 106 degrees intake ctr line. As for the rest of my package for this motor, these 2 cams will work with what I have. I will be in the 9:5-10:1 compression with Trick Flow Twisted Wedge 62cc aluminum heads, and Air Gap manifold and 750 Holley. Any input and or any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post...:bowtie:

I don't care what E-brock say's, I figure a 296 cam regardless needs right at 11.5+ to 1 CR. to run like it was meant to!!

pdq67

PS., I go by this..

250 = 8 to 1 CR.;

260 = 9 to 1 CR.;

270 = 10 to 1 CR.;

280 = 10.5 to 1 CR.;

290 = 11 to 1 CR; and

300 = 12 to 1 CR.........

Either cam will make decent power in a 400, but what concerns me is the twisted wedge heads, we've seen excessive guide wear issues with the few heads that have come through the shop due to the screwy geometry. Will you have the valve to piston clearance you need, as well as all the other required clearances such as seal to retainer, sufficient spring clearance, etc?

I agree with Rusty on the Twisted Wedge guide problems. They also had custom made pistons to match the chamber layouts to take better effect with a higher compression ratio and quench then stock.

As far as the Edelbrock retro roller, I would say you're better off giving that cam at least 10-to-1 compression with aluminum heads. This cam will run stronger with more compression and better heads.

The Voodoo is a little choppier idle but also a little snappier throttle response.
Either cam will be fun but I think you need to go to a better set of heads or even a set of re-worked Vortecs to take more advantage of the profiles you mentioned.

Thanks for the replies and as for piston clearance issues, I will definately mock it up and check it with some clay to be sure. This short block has not been machined or decked, just honed out since everything was true and flat, so I have a motor that has a dish piston that appears to be what would of been stock, that sits in the .025" in the hole, I will cc the piston dish to be sure. As for the heads, well it's what I have had since buying them new in 96 and using them on my 355 with no wear issues on the guides, just replaced the springs once to get a better spring. Maybe some day when I get more money together I can get a new set of heads, but for now, I will have to use what I have. I wanted to get away from the flat tappet cams and that is why I am getting the parts together for it. I am really leaning to the Lunati cam as my choice. Again, I appreciate the comments and any further are welcome since I want to get this together right and cause a real problem from lack of checking and rechecking.

check out lazer cams also. They have good products worth a check out. Those voodoos seem like nice cams and everybody is raving about them on the chevelle forums but I wonder how well they work on the strip?

A 400cid smallblock with the lift a hyd roller cam will generate will probably require a small base circle cam - which Edelbrock just does not offer. In most cases to get a small base cirlce you need to special order it from the factory... which means to avoid pain and suffering you will want to go though Crower or Isky for the cam.

Lets talk about your ultimate goals for the car and engine.
What gears are you running?
Trans and converter?
What peak RPM are you looking for?
Daily driver, weekend car, race car?

Well, to start with this is my toy, I go to shows, cruises, and some hard driving flat out. I have set the car up for going fast straight as well as running on a road course, albeit, more for winding roads than 1/4 mile. As for the gears, I run 3.73 gears with a Torsen posi unit, recommended by a guy who road races his Z-28, with Moser axles and a rear end girdle. The trans is a built, for 500+ horse power and torque, 700R4 overdrive unit with a SLP 2400-2500 stall lock up converter. The trans runs through an aluminum driveshaft with bullet u-joints. The suspension is all after market and the car is lowered 2" front with 1 1/2" in the rear. I am wanting to run this motor to about 6000-6200 rpm that is it. Though the short block is stock except for the new bearings, ARP bolts, and new pistons and rings. As I said before, the pistons look to have a stock dish from what I have seen for stock pistons.
This is just a car to have fun with and get rid of my days tensions by getting out and hammering on it. So you think the Lunati cam will need to be small base? I didn't figure on that since I am not stroking this motor and Lunati's specs say it is for chevy small block to 400 ci. I will have to talk to someone about that I guess. Thanks again..:bowtie: