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View Full Version : Comp Cam gave me a couple of suggestions, what do you think?


gregh
08-10-2005, 11:50:00 PM
Car info:
1981 Z28, 355, 10.3:1, Comp 282S cam with 1.6 rockers(236@.050 & .528 lift, 110 separation), Vic Jr, Holley 750DP, Pro Topline 220cc heads, TH350, TCS 10" bracket master convertor(about 3100rm stall), 1 5/8" headers, 2 1/2" exhaust with X pipe & Summit turbo mufflers. 3445lbs with me & a full tank of fuel. Best run, 12.936@106.08mph racing at 3400ft.

I was thinking about a cam swap to try & boost my low end torque, I can only manage 1.9 60ft's I think because of the massive intake ports killing bottom torque.
I sent in Comp cams online recomendation form & the came back with a suggestion of using this cam.
http://www.compcams.com/Technical/Search/CamDetails.asp?PartNumber=12-221-5

When I phoned my local speed shop for a price, he suggested calling Comp to see if they would recomend the same or a different cam(second opinion sort of thing).

The call resulted in this cam being suggested but the phone guy suggested I might need to go back to a set of 1.5 rockers for piston/valve clearance.
http://www.compcams.com/Technical/Search/CamDetails.asp?PartNumber=12-611-5

There is quite a difference in profiles between these two cams & I'm not sure if this is the right direction I should be heading. Both these seem quite radical compared to my current setup which is quite streetable.

Anyone have a opinion of how these cams should/will perform compared to my current setup?

Lowend
08-11-2005, 01:11:00 AM
I'll say this - the term street car and 106 Lobe seperation do not belong in the same sentence.

Those heads have a massive intake port and I am not certain that you will be able to find a huge amount of cripsness on the bottom end as a result. Looking at your combo I think we need to be looking at cams with a similar duration, but a split pattern and a wider lobe seperation.
This will both compensate for a poor flowing exhaust port (and 1 5/8" headers) and tend to spread the power band.
Right now I am looking at the Crower 00320 (http://www.crower.com/misc/cam_spec/cam_finder.php?part_num=00320&x=0&y=0)
230/236@050 112 Lobe Seperation

My tendency is to try and rev that motor and forsake the torque with something like the Isky 535-A (246/250@050 535/545 get it custom with a 114LS) That would take the motor to a solid 7000RPM; but would definately lose torque compared to the Comp you have now

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gregh
08-11-2005, 02:13:00 AM
OK, now what if I swap the bottom of the engine for a 406? That was my plan when I bought these heads anyways but maybe I won't wait for the winter to do the swap.

rustbucket79
08-11-2005, 02:42:00 AM
Build the shortblock and retain your current cam for a boatload of torque and reduced peak RPM, it will also smarten up your converter in the area of 200 to 400 more stall RPM.
The 12-221-5 would be a nice choice with the 406 and will give a balanced powerband with your current components with the only negative of about a 6000 RPM power peak (not necessarily a bad thing for a 406) but I don't honestly know what the tech was smoking selecting the other cam, no where near enough compression, displacement or converter for that cam. You'd be looking for a 5500 converter for that cam with your current setup to work at the drags properly.
Opinions will vary, but I quite like the tight lobe separation angle (106) in my 408 small block, there is a definate powerband and the midrange is killer. (my 1/4 mile ET's go from mid 11.3's to 11.6 when I managed to skip second gear last Friday)
Keep compression in the 10.5:1 area, some decent forged pistons, Scat I beam rods are tough to pass up being so cheap to buy, and either the factory crank or aftermarket if you can't sleep. ( http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif)
Oh, and have your shop groove the lifter bores to help keep your cam alive, especially during break in.

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Damon
08-11-2005, 10:36:00 AM
I'm with Rust on this one. Nothing wrong with that combo that 50 extra cubes won't fix. The heads and the cam will be better matched on a bigger cube motor than on the little 350. You'll like it a lot.

By the way.... the Comp XE282S is a 244/252 @ .050 duration cam. The XE274S is the one that's 236/242.

gregh
08-11-2005, 12:52:00 PM
My cam is a 282S not a XE282S. It's a old style single pattern cam not a split.
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/product/prod_detail.d2w/report?prnbr=249-12-223-4

rustbucket79
08-11-2005, 03:41:00 PM
I'm not a huge fan of the magnum series cams but it will work long enough for you to get the 406 up and running and get a baseline of where you want to rev it and such. Once you decide what you need then you can step up to the larger cam, because now you will know where your converter flashes to, what your trap RPM is, etc. The one I previously suggested with a soft spring break in (less rocker ratio is good too) will pull like gangbusters in the midrange and work great with your current converter.
My 8 inch TCS converter arrived at work this morning, I can't wait to install it on Saturday. http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Custom Auto, your source for quality machine work, cores and new parts at competetive pricing right here in British Columbia 1-888-563-4050
A Canadian, EH? (with a 10 second street car)

Mwilson
08-11-2005, 11:21:00 PM
<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Lowend:
I'll say this - the term street car and 106 Lobe seperation do not belong in the same sentence.


</font>


I love 106 LSA in a street car lots of torque?