timespy

I have decided that the 442 lift Edelbrock performer cam is a bit too small for my taste. I am hoping to use a cam with a lift between 465-480. I am not at all concerned with the emissions, or gas mileage. I would like to keep it somewhat sane for the street, but a choppy idle isnt a real problem. I am wondering just how far I can go with the cam using a .030 over block, weiand air strike intake, 750 dp carb. I should mention I am using the crappy, crack prone 624 heads, but I have done some extensive porting on them. The shop that tanked them found no cracks, bows, or other bits of twisted metal. They even complimented me on a pretty decent basement bench port job. The springs are new but stock, valves are 1.94 / 1.6 undercut, and swirl polished.

I know it was probably a waste of time messing with these heads, but they cost me nothing but my time. I am also quite certain they will be replaced by next year. So how far can I go? I am hoping when all is done to pushing close to about 385 h.p.

The cam that comes closest to what my limited knowledge of camshaft geometery brings me to is this.....comp cams 275 deh. int dur .219 exh .229 at .050. This is a budget build so better heads are not available right now. I just dont want to blow the whole thing up on the first trip around the block.

Atilla the Fun

wrong cam for your modest compression. The COMP Xtreme 4x4 in the 262 size will give you near identical top end, and nearly 10% more at low rpm. If you're wanting more than that, I still suggest sticking with the Xtreme 4x4 line, just step up to the 270. It'll be a dog off idle, but from 3000-5500 will do amazing things. I would say 2500-6000, but consider your heads. Modest compression with this much overlap, there's the low end, and limited flow, there's the top end. That won't work with stock springs, but spend $26 on a set of #98111 springs from www.competitionproducts.com, and they'll be fine for 5500 rpm, and slightly more lift than that X4-270H11 offers.

Damon

Retainer-to-guide clearance is the usual limiting factor with stock heads. Most stock heads run into problems around .470" valve lift.

For little money you can step up one size from the Performer to the Summit house brand K1103. $90 including lifters. It's not the most aggressive lobe design, but is ground by the same people who make the Edlebrock Performer cam you have now. It's basically 10* more duration and ~.020" more lift than what you've got now. Specs are 214/224* on a 112* LSA with lift of .454/.465, if memory serves.

It's not junk parts, either. It's quality parts, just not the latest lobe designs. I use the K1103 in my mild blower motor right now and it works real well.

timespy

Thanks for the info. The 262 seems a bit mild for what im looking for, even with the crappy heads im using I am looking for a bit more cam. The 270 grind in the 4x4 series however seems like a bit too much. Any suggestions in the 470'ish range? Also Im not sure if I mentioned it, but I will be running an open exhaust, no cat, with a decent set of tuned headers. I wish I could afford a better set of heads, but I cant. Perhaps the 262 with 1.6 rockers would get me a bit closer to the lift I think id like to have?

Atilla the Fun

The 262 is 0.462/0.480, that's really plenty. Another 0.008" -0.017" intake lift isn't going to make any measurable difference. This thing will pull from 2500-5000, it'll feel better than a stock L98.