Cam's for a 318 block

[Jolly_Roger]

What is the biggest cam that I could fit into a 318 that is stock.. I want to leave the heads stock too... or should I change the heads too??

Thanks

[Kilrcuda]

I think it would really depend on what you wanted out of the motor. If you want it to be basically stock but have a lumpyness to it or do want to get as much power out of the engine. Also what kind of gear you have in the car makes a big differnce. But putting all that aside Mopar performance has a 484 lift cam that would fit nicely in a stock 318. ALso Mancini racing has a nice line of cams, that are mopar specific and if you go to their website and look at the cams it will give little description as to want your setup should be to run any given cam. Hopefully this helps you out.

[Chryco Psycho]

 As stated it really depends what you want out of the package
 for ex. the Mopar P4452759 is the largest cam recommended using the stock valve springs & has a 1200-5200 rpm power band
 The next larger cams will need valve springs replaced which is probably a good idea anyway but you will probably need to replace the converter too if you go much bigger than that & it is an  auto tranny
 Hughes has a 260* cam that lifts .470/504 with a similar rpm band as the Mopar cam above but would definatly need different springs  but would work with the stock converter , part # HE1423AL

[thallium]

Since this thread is old, I figured I revive it a little.  I'm going to rebuild the 318 soon and I'll be going for gas mileage. Of couse, I want it to sound good if possible. Is there a particular cam that wont hurt gas mileage but sound good(something with a little lope)? The cam doesn't have to make any real power, going for gas mileage. I'll be driving this 100 miles everyday, so milage is important. The engine is an original 70 318. Engine will be stock, stock everything(exept maybe the cam). 2 barrel carb,stock converter,  stock manifolds, stock 318 heads, 2:93 gearing. Going into a 70 charger.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Welcome aboard thallium. 


  Wow, you really had to dig to find this moldy oldie thread.  OK, if only the cam will be changed, then you won't want to go too much larger than stock. I have to ask how you will be driving this 100 miles? On the highway, or stop and go? A slightly bigger cam can move your power band up a little and be a nice fit for the highway. You don't want a big cam for stop and go traffic. Here's another thought... if all you do id highway driving, then instead of changing the cam, maybe go to 2:76 gears in the rear. 

  Mike

[thallium]

The car will be mostly freeway driving making the commute 50 miles just one way. All this driving will be done in Los Angeles county, so there is a lot of stop and go on the highway with all the traffic jams.  I kinda like the 2:93 gears that are in there, I think they'll be nice for freeway driving. I just want to get good gas mileage and if there is a way to make it sound a little lopey without sacrificing mileage, then that would be cool. The cam doesn't have to make any real power other than stock, just looking for the lopey sound. Thanks for the input.

[Chryco Psycho]

basically you are asking for two opposites , you want Lope which is long enough duration to cause the cylinders to misfire at idle but with this you also want milage
 Check out the K54 hyd Engle grind

[71383bee]

   I don't understand the point of installing a new cam in a stock 2 bbl 318 if it is going to stay stock.

Why not just use the stock cam if it's not worn too bad?

I just recently rebuilt a 318 for a satellite Sebring I sold.  It is just an 0.020 overbore with speed pro cast pistons on rebuilt late model heads with a small Racer Brown cam in it.  I believe it was  a single pattern with around 205 @ 0.050 duration and around .415" lift.  With that went a stock 72 340 intake and a rebuilt TQ from demon sizzler.  To be honest this is one of the smoothest and nicest engines i've done yet.  It definantely has more go than the old 2 Bbl setup, but it gets around 20MPG on the freeway which is a little better than what I was getting.  With the 2.76 peg leg gear and 30 year old 904 it is no speed demon, but it sounds nice and drives fantastic for a dialy driver. 

In fact i kinda regret selling it, but my wife sure doeesn't miss it! 

[dimples]

The 340 cam really wakes a stock 318 up, even with a 2bbl.
 
No lope though, just a ever so slight skip.

[rallyechall]

Looking for mileage and power, use a Police Interceptor cam. It should give you longer duration for more inhale and exhale on the long runs. Should be relatively good on gas also. If you decide to step up your gears, it will really wake the motor up for you. I would certainly go with a 4bbl Thermoquad. It is my carb of choice. With small primary plates you get great 2 bbl mileage until the secondaries open, then it's all your fault. It worked well in my Duster w 4.10s and auto. I surprised one 70 Buick GS.

[dimples]

Which Police cam? The 318, or the 360?
The 340/360 cam was the one I was referring to.......
268/276, 429/444
The Police 318 cam..........
240/248, 373/400
The HD 318 cam, for bigger trucks, was a 252/252 cam, same as most 360's.