Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker

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Offline dst

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Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« on: November 09, 2005 - 01:02:21 AM »
Ok, here is a tough one. Since I’m new here this’ll do well with separating the men from the boys in my book ^_^.
What Camshaft should I buy? What specs do you recommend for my application and why? I’m building a 408 Stroker with Edelbrock heads. I’m open to recommendations for roller and hydraulic F.T.

What is important to me:
Engine longevity
A lot of freeway miles
Around 426-440 horsepower after I replace carb and fuel system (hi-volume pump and lines)

What is less important to me:
Gas mileage
Idle
High RPM’s (I’ll probably redline around 6k anyway)

Here are my specs:

Short block:
Mopar Perf. 4.00 crank
Eagle Rods
Probe.030 over pistons
JE piston rings
Durabond bearings
***Internal balanced, no Mallory***
Milodon Oil pan and windage tray
McCloud SFI flywheel and generic internal balancer

Rest:
Edelbrock heads – maybe ARP stud system or just reg heat bolts depending on $$$.
Felpro head gasket
ARP bolts
Timing chain - ??? RollMaster maybe?
Rockers -???
Lifters - ???
Cam - ???
Stock chain cover
Stock water pump (until gain enough money to replace, recommendations?)
Stock fuel pump (until gain enough money to replace, recommendations?)
Performer RPM intake
Edelbrock 600cfm carb (until gain enough money for other carb, recommendations?)
Tires are 215/17/R14 but I will be replacing those tires in a year or two… or three, whenever I can afford larger tires to fill my Duster’s wheel wells.


Car:
Old beat-up Duster
Old worn 4spd
Old worn SG 83/4 3.23

Misc:

My compression should be around 11.3 (10.3 with aluminum heads)
Fuel: Premium with HIGH chance of running E in a couple of years

What other specs do ya need?
Thanks ^_^
-dust

PS: More info and pictures can be found here:
http://www.moparchat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93710&page=1&pp=12
« Last Edit: November 09, 2005 - 09:47:29 AM by dst »
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dodgetkboy78

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2005 - 10:29:46 AM »
Quote
Rockers -???
Lifters - ???
Cam - ???

Me? Stock rockers and lifters, or, Harland Sharp rollers, and some mechanincal lifters......WIll need some adjusting though.
Because you are more worried about driving than racing, I would use stock/stock.
Cam..........Hmmmmmmmm
You may want to call someone on this, like Hughes. I dont think you want to get overboard on your exaust duration because you are trying to get gas mileage out of it. (same on both sides is what I would use)
But, I would ask a cam Guru....................
As far as idle, it goes hand in hand with longevity, a lopey idle wears out the chain, and bore. (A bit more, that is)

Oldschool

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2005 - 10:51:17 AM »
While there are a multitude of choices--to the point of being downright confusing, I have a suggestion. Lunati cams in Memphis. The engineer collected my info and custom ground a shaft for my application. I don't know if they still do this, but it was by far the best performing and best sounding cam I ever ran in a small block. It was very stout sounding and there was no doubt that it was wanting to run. I can't remember the specs, but it maintained vacuum and was strong right off of the bottom. Give em a call or look em up inline.  Hope this helps.  Either way, keep us informed on your selection and progress............Good luck......Oldschool

P.S. Chryco has had some great success Lunati as well as a couple of other brands....look for his reply for those............Oldschool

dodgetkboy78

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2005 - 10:54:56 AM »
I have had great success with Isky cams.

Offline Hot_Rodder

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2005 - 04:05:55 PM »
I was told to contact someone for a 505" build, here's the name/number: Steve Slavik and I now can't find the number, great. Hopefully I'll find it before Chryco gets on, otherwise, I might ask him. Anyway, as for rockers, use the Crane Cams stock style Steel Rocker Arms. Oh and as far as cam design, since I'm sure you don't want to be under the hood alot, stay away from adjustable rockers, and stick with a Hydraulic design, if you can, try and get a fast ramp cam profile. Now as far as carb selection, I'm not sure if you have any preferences or not, but I loved my Street Demon carb that I had on my 440, check those out, Summit Racing used to carry them, but now they don't, you can check out Jegs, they may carry them. I hope this helps at least some?

Offline matt63

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2005 - 06:36:47 PM »
I'm building a very similar engine.  Comp Cams recommended the XE274 or XE275HL. (I know this goes against Chryco's recommendations) This is a fast acting cam I am told.  You can look at their website for exact  specs although I believe it is 231/237 duration ant 0.050 and 0.488/0.491 lift with 1.5 rockers. I'm using 1.6 rockers and the matching Comp Cams dual springs. I need enough vacuum for power brakes.  I would of liked to go with a hydraulic roller but budget said no.
Matt in Edmonton

'68 Valiant
'73 Cuda 340 4 speed (408) SOLD

Offline Hot_Rodder

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2005 - 06:46:39 PM »
the 505 I have on sheet, as far as spec's go, the lift is over .600" with a good little bit of duration, and a whole lot more. But this engine, no NOX, no supercharging, and no turbocharging was an easy 700 horse power.... The heads are gonna be the Bull Dog Track Dog heads, fully worked and such. The cam is a fast ramp solid, and the rockers are gonna be those factory style stainless steel pieces... the crank is 4.25" custom lieght weight forged pistons through Ross..... and a lot more. Heck, I even just came across some main caps I like, they make a 2 bolt main block into a 4 bolt main, cross bolt style, block..... I'll try and find that site.... These spec's are just off the top of my head, so there's a whole lot more to it than just this. The oil pan is custom made... The oil pump is one of the Keith Black pieces, and much more.... So... Heck, I've talked with a few cammanufactures, and Chryco (I think) had told me to call up this guy, we talked for a little bit, he had changed companies, and is now where ever he's at now, but I want to say the guys name is Steve Slavik... I've yet to find all that paper work that I'm still looking for.... Man I have a hard time trying to keep up with some things...

Offline Mr. 6pak2go

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2005 - 08:16:32 PM »
id go with a purple shaft cam and lifters and harland sharp roller rockers!
My family, My cars, My guns three things il fight for!!

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2005 - 08:54:10 PM »
Steve Slavik
at Lunati cams , he has the old Ultradyne grinds available
Steveslavik@holley.com or 901-365-0950

 I am not a fan of Harland rockers for 2 reasons , the roller brgs drasticall reduce surface area on the rocker shafts & speed wear , & when the rocker break & alum will break , you have an engine full of needle brgs to fish out as well as replacing the rocker arm

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Offline Mr. 6pak2go

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2005 - 10:18:09 PM »
lunati makes good cams too good choice chryco!
My family, My cars, My guns three things il fight for!!

Offline ACE_5150

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2005 - 10:51:40 PM »
id go with a purple shaft cam and lifters and harland sharp roller rockers!

As ironic and un-loyal as this might sound....I think all of the Mopar performance stuff is overpriced junk. Take the MP distributor for example. Its the same as a stock over the counter one from Autozone (better off with MSD though)! The cam grinds arent that fantastic either. Personally, if I'm gonna buy a cam, I go to the people who specialize in making cams, their reputation depends mostly on how well their cams do, so they put alot of effort in making them the best.

I have went with MP parts on chassis stuff, only because they were the only ones who made what I was needing and those parts have been ok. Not really impressed with the Leaf springs I bought either though. The way I see it, MP is trying to take advantage of the mopar people who think just cause it says Mopar on it , it must be the best.

 
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #11 on: November 10, 2005 - 01:56:33 AM »
some Mopar stuff is definatly poorly made
 the Mopar dist actually has the same adjust ments as the MSD for a LOT less $$ & is a decent piece
 Doing a lot of dyno testing recently the Mopar Cams do hold up well & make good power for 30 year old designs , I just swapped out a 484 hyd for a similar duration & much faster lift UltraDyne solid  grind expecting a decent gain  & went nowhere , virtually identical power in a 360

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Offline dst

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2005 - 01:49:24 PM »
@Hot_Rodder: Are these the rockers you are recommending?
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=400078+300415&autoview=sku

@matt63
: XE274? That’s what they recommended for my application too, who at CompCams recommended that cam? Hadley Helped me.

Harland Sharp Rocker/shafts kit 540$ + Hold Down’s 76$ + the price of spacers = wow.

@Chryco Psycho: you’re not a fan of HS rockers, first I’ve seen. Good. What rockers would you recommend for my application?

Before buying a Mopar Performance product I always research that part. Mopar Perf. is hit and miss with the quality for their products, especially the new electrical components, the ECU specifically has had parts outsourced and now has a bad reputation.

To check-out list:
-Isky cams.
-Steve Slavik at Lunati cams

Thanks for your posts guys!
-dust
There are those who have fallen and those who are going to fall.

Offline Hot_Rodder

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #13 on: November 10, 2005 - 03:48:47 PM »
@Hot_Rodder: Are these the rockers you are recommending?
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=400078+300415&autoview=sku



@Chryco Psycho: you’re not a fan of HS rockers, first I’ve seen. Good. What rockers would you recommend for my application?

Before buying a Mopar Performance product I always research that part. Mopar Perf. is hit and miss with the quality for their products, especially the new electrical components, the ECU specifically has had parts outsourced and now has a bad reputation.

To check-out list:
-Isky cams.
-Steve Slavik at Lunati cams

Thanks for your posts guys!
-dust



BTW, Chryco was the ones that told me about the rockers I metioned, lol. But the ones that are in that link, aren't the ones, close to it, but not them, I'll see if I can find them, it's either Crane or Comp (names so close I sometimes get them mixed up.....).

On a side note, thanks for chiming in Chryco, I still aint found that list of everything, I just had it about a week ago, that's the bad thing about it.

Offline Hot_Rodder

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Re: Camshaft Recommendations! 408 Stroker
« Reply #14 on: November 10, 2005 - 03:51:16 PM »
Here's something I have not came across, Chryco, what you think man?

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=400078+300415&autoview=sku


Here's some to check out, hopefully Chryco will say something:

http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=/egnsearch.asp&N=400078
« Last Edit: November 10, 2005 - 03:54:43 PM by Hot_Rodder »