Author Topic: Talk me IN or OUT of this Straightline Performance solid camshaft for my 440  (Read 3874 times)

Offline KillerBee

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 486
Thanks.

This is quote from an older CarCraft article about a 440 build with Edlebrock heads using a custom ground solid cam by Lunati.
This shortblock combo is interesting as it's almost identical to my setup with the same KB pistons and 84cc Edelbrock heads.
The 440 build is about half way down the page.
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/ccrp-0611-performance-engine-combinations/

The article and specs look interesting, I like the RPM the max horsepower comes in at and still running 12- vacuum.


"Lunati ground the cam using some lobes designed specifically for the Chrysler lifter. As most Chrysler guys know, the large 0.904-inch lifters allow for faster ramp rates and higher lift without the penalty of long duration times, and Johnson planned to take advantage of this. He wanted the torque curve to be flat, with peak horsepower coming in below 5,800 rpm, so he chose a solid flat-tappet cam with 239/243 degrees of duration at 0.050 and 0.536/0.547-inch lift. The exhaust flow of the Edelbrock head is good enough that a larger split between intake and exhaust duration isn't necessary at this power level. The cam was ground with a 110-degree lobe separation and an intake centerline of 106 degrees.
"On a dyno, this combo made 527 hp and 557 lb-ft. The peak horsepower was achieved at 5,600 rpm, and the peak torque occurred at 4,100 rpm, making over 500 lb-ft from 2,900 rpm all the way to 5,500 rpm. In fact, the average torque throughout the entire pull was 529 lb-ft. Even with all that power, it still pulled 12 in-Hg at an idle, just perfect for the street".
« Last Edit: July 12, 2016 - 09:25:14 PM by KillerBee »




Offline Strawdawg

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2209
    • Vortex Buicks
sounds idea for your set up!

Chryco has discussed several custom lobes from Lunati that he has had good luck with in the past...sounds similar
« Last Edit: July 12, 2016 - 09:27:13 PM by Strawdawg »

Offline cudabob496

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 8024
I thought your car was a 496 with a TF and a 3500 rpm stall converter.  I would hope it made gobs of power..but it is a totally different combo?

not sure I understand the question?
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
I don't have a clue how I missed this thread but .540 lift around 245* duration @ .050  with a 112* CL would be a great cam
 similar with a bit less lift to what I run in a lot of 440/512 combos . I would run it for sure !
 the custom grinds I have been using are closer to .575 lift with similar duration & work awesome .
I would be more concerned with the 2bb carb Kinda small @ 750 cfm
« Last Edit: July 12, 2016 - 11:39:38 PM by Chryco Psycho »

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline KillerBee

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 486
I don't have a clue how I missed this thread but .540 lift around 245* duration @ .050  with a 112* CL would be a great cam
 similar with a bit less lift to what I run in a lot of 440/512 combos . I would run it for sure !
 the custom grinds I have been using are closer to .575 lift with similar duration & work awesome .
I would be more concerned with the 2bb carb Kinda small @ 750 cfm


OK, I'm a little tired this morning and my brain is still sleeping but are you recommending my current Straightline cam, one of the other Lunati cams we discussed or having one custom ground?
Again I want to make my maximum power under 6000 RPM

I do have a (gasp) older, but new in box Mighty Demon 850 carb that's been sitting on the shelf for many years.
I was planning to try it on another more strip than street 440 engine I have for my 1973 Challenger but that won't be happening in the near future.
I've heard they can be troublesome to tune.

Thanks.



« Last Edit: July 13, 2016 - 07:54:59 AM by KillerBee »

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
I would run the Straightline cam you have , very similar but with less lift than the customn Lunati cams I had made

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline KillerBee

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 486
Thanks all. :cheers:

This is going to be a tough call.

I already have the Straightline Cam and lifters and we all want to get as much performance from our cars as possible....but on this one I don't want to lose my bottom end and and mid range drivabilty. :dunno:

Offline cudabob496

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 8024
seems your bottom end will be ok, with a 4 speed and 3.73 gears
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
I would run the cam you have , With a 4 spd & 3.73 gearing I am thinking this will work very well  :2cents:

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline moper

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2368
Hard to say if one would be better over another given the info provided. But, in terms of the Straightline cam you have, i'd run that in a heartbeat. It will not "suffer" from a soft off idle given the gear and 4sp deal, and i'd wager based on reputation that it will outpower most cams of similar advertised specs. Id run it.

Offline barnett468

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 41
I would use lifters with an oil hole on the bottom.