Author Topic: Cam Choice (Read 5359 times)

RusTy/SE · « **on:** August 22, 2007 - 01:36:22 PM »

The motor that's to go in my Challenger will be returning from the engine shop within the next several days and i'm being asked for a cam choice; it's been suggested that I run a 'six-pack cam with 484 lift'. The facts as I was told are: 71 440 block bored .030 to correct 4 cylinders that were out of round, honed, deglazed/346 heads with hardened valve seats/LY rods/"10 to 1 flat tops"/polished crank. Exhaust manifolds (2899879/2951865) and intake manifold (2951736) will be stock 1970 pieces, 2 1/2" tti exhaust, 3.55 gear ratio, 15x7 245 60 on the front and 15x8 275 60 on steel 'cop car' wheels at the corners, ps, pb, non ac, auto. At least initially, I also plan to use a Carter 4938 carb on top with the factory breather.

I plan to do much highway driving with this car i.e. Woodward Dream Cruise, HR Power Tour, Route 66 Tour, Carlisle, the Nats, road tripping, etc., etc. I know, reality is going to take my wallet and smack me with it. But I can dream, can't I??

Basically something that will allow use of the power brakes and be happy out on the the road in a pretty much 'stock' setup.
Power is inherent with a 440 and racing is not the primary intent, although US Car Tool frame connectors will be installed. So what cam would you select? All opinions and suggestions will be appreciated

Russ

nivvy · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2007 - 02:12:45 PM »

looks fine to me....... I am a sucker for the mopar solid .528 cam though

ntstlgl1970 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2007 - 02:41:13 PM »

you might want to ask the machine shop to verify what the actual mechanical compression ratio will be, it can have a huge affect on the selection of a cam/how the car drives. Even if you have to pay a little more money to find out. Just because the pistons are "10 to 1" doesn't mean you will have 10 to 1 compression.

'six-pack cam with 484 lift'

what is that? the MP .484 purple shaft cam? IMO that cam is a little lopey for a somewhat stock cruiser.

Something that is setup more as a torque cam sounds like a good idea, otherwise you'll start looking at a different torque converter etc with a lopey cam.

Maybe a split duration hydraulic with around .500 lift with would work nice since you are using the stock intake and exhaust manifolds. Comp cams has a few of these in their xtreme energy line, and crane in the powermax line.

These are just examples, I'm sure you will get lots of opinions. I just added the crane stuff since it is easy to get tje specs online.

here is a mild crane one:

Part Number: 643941 Grind Number: H-272-2 (REPLACES HMV-272-2)
Engine Identification:
Start Yr. End Yr. Make Cyl Description
1958 1978 PLYMOUTH-DODGE-CHRYSLER 8 GOOD IDLE, DAILY USAGE, OFF ROAD, TOWING, PERFORMANCE AND FUEL EFFICIENCY, 2600-3000 CRUISE RPM, 8.75 TO 10.5 COMPRESSION RATIO ADVISED. BASIC RPM 2000-5000
Engine Size Configuration
350-440 C.I. V

Valve Setting: Intake .000 Exhaust .000 HOT

Lift: Intake @Cam 3027 @Valve 454 All Lifts are based
on zero lash and theoretical rocker arm ratios.
Exhaust @ Cam 3200 @Valve 480
Rocker Arm Ratio 1.5

Cam Timing: TAPPET @.004
Lift: Opens Closes ADV Duration
Intake 25 BTDC 67 ABDC 272 �
Exhaust 75 BBDC 29 ATDC 284 �

Spring Requirements: Triple Dual Outer Inner
Part Number 99839
Loads Closed 121 LBS @ 1.800 or 1 13/16
Open 283 LBS @ 1.340
Recommended RPM range with matching components
Minimum RPM 1600
Maximum RPM 5400
Valve Float 6000

Cam Timing: TAPPET @.050
Lift: Opens Closes Max Lift Duration
Intake 1 BTDC 35 ABDC 107 216 �
Exhaust 51 BBDC (3) BTDC 117 228 �

This one is the next step bigger:
Part Number: 643801 Grind Number: H-278-2 (REPLACES HMV-278-2)
Engine Identification:
Start Yr. End Yr. Make Cyl Description
1958 1978 PLYMOUTH-DODGE-CHRYSLER 8 GOOD IDLE, DAILY PERFORMANCE USAGE, MILD BRACKET RACING, 3000-3400 CRUISE RPM, 9.5 TO 10.75 COMPRESSION RATIO ADVISED. BASIC RPM 2200-5200
Engine Size Configuration
350-440 C.I. V

Valve Setting: Intake .000 Exhaust .000 HOT

Lift: Intake @Cam 3114 @Valve 467 All Lifts are based
on zero lash and theoretical rocker arm ratios.
Exhaust @ Cam 3294 @Valve 494
Rocker Arm Ratio 1.50

Cam Timing: TAPPET @.004
Lift: Opens Closes ADV Duration
Intake 26 BTDC 72 ABDC 278 �
Exhaust 80 BBDC 30 ATDC 290 �

Spring Requirements: Triple Dual Outer Inner
Part Number 99839
Loads Closed 121 LBS @ 1.800 or 1 13/16
Open 287 LBS @ 1.330
Recommended RPM range with matching components
Minimum RPM 1800
Maximum RPM 5600
Valve Float 6200

Cam Timing: TAPPET @.050
Lift: Opens Closes Max Lift Duration
Intake 2 BTDC 40 ABDC 109 222 �
Exhaust 56 BBDC (2) BTDC 119 234 �

I'll defer to moper and CP since they are the engine gurus, but from what you are describing, I don't think you want a mechanical cam or a bigger duration cam.

nivvy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2007 - 03:18:57 PM »

2 local guys here are running the .484 cam in there stock 440 with no ill affects... just my

MEK-Dangerfield · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2007 - 05:43:53 PM »

Russ,

I'm not much help here, but probably more than 90% of my driving is hiway. I would suggest 3:23's over the 3:55's if that will be the case for you too. I also don't suggest getting too big with your cam. Mine is a size or 2 bigger than it should be, and getting stuck in stop and go traffic at Carlisle makes it a little unhappy.

It starts idling funny, and makes me sweat.

I can't give you the numbers, but it is a Lunati that has a power-band of 2500 RPM+.

Mike

RusTy/SE · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2007 - 07:24:52 PM »

Thanks guys, i've been assured that the actual compression is to be 10 to 1. I hesitate to use the 484 lift cam for one reason - when I owned the Challenger R/T in my avatar (an A36 car just like the one I have now, but with ac) I was besidw myself over the power and streetability with the stock 476 lift cam. Could I not use a cam with identical numbers with my motor as I was really satisfied with how my avatar car behaved?
Mike, you're right and I can definitely see 3.23s in my future but at least initially i'm gonna placate my jones for how I remember the A36 package in my avatar car responding when I mashed the gas pedal

Russ

Chryco Psycho · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2007 - 11:37:03 AM »

Personally I wouild use an Engle grind like the K 54 or K 56 , it will have the lift of the .484 but will idle better with more vacuum for power brakes & will still have tons of power

moper · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2007 - 12:10:02 PM »

I'm also thinking a true 10:1 iron head engine may ping with a stock or real small cam. Real measured compression ratios for a stock 70 440 are closer to 9:1 than the 10.5 advertised. I'd suggest the first Crane listed as a good top choice.

The Cuda Guy · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2007 - 12:34:35 PM »

What about this cam?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=LUN%2D00032LK&autoview=sku

couldnt find the specs on the Engle cams?

Cuda Guy

RusTy/SE · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2007 - 01:05:36 PM »

Here are the specs for the Engle cams

http://englecams.com/catalog/new_catalog.php

From the top dropdown menu select Mopar B:383-440 and the K54/K56 cam specs will be listed. I spoke to Doug Thursday who was very patient with me and based on my combo felt the K54 would work beautifully allowing a smooth idle with plenty of vacuum and excellent response.

Russ

The Cuda Guy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2007 - 04:18:40 PM »

Thanks Russ, great website. That K56 looked real nice! Good luck I hope it works out for you.

Cuda Guy

Author Topic: Cam Choice (Read 5359 times)

RusTy/SE

Cam Choice

nivvy

Re: Cam Choice

ntstlgl1970

Re: Cam Choice

nivvy

Re: Cam Choice

MEK-Dangerfield

Re: Cam Choice

RusTy/SE

Re: Cam Choice

Chryco Psycho

Re: Cam Choice

moper

Re: Cam Choice

The Cuda Guy

Re: Cam Choice

RusTy/SE

Re: Cam Choice

The Cuda Guy

Re: Cam Choice