What cam did you put in ur Vette?

[MusclesWit350]

I have a 350 and im looking to put in a cam. I want to know what kind of cam you guys put in ur vette. What is the brand,specs and did you see a nice improvement? I want a cam around 2000-5500. I really wanna wake this motor up but im not racing the car and at the same time I still wanna be able to drive it everyday with no problems.

Thanks
Kyle

 

[RodsnRides]

Comp!

I'm a big fan of Comp Cams. They seem to get it right. I'm thinking a Comp Magnum Hydraulic will put you in the neighborhood you are looking for.

One offers 2000-6000 RPM (230 deg/.480 lift), another offers 2500-6500 (234/244 deg./.501 lift).

I also like Sig Erson. Currently, I have an Edelbrock Performer in my 383 'Vette. I know I could do much better than 344 hp/434 tq, but I wanted to match it to a Performer manifold to clear my stock hood. I'm happy with it-it makes decent power, and my highway roll-on is awesome. Works for me!

You need to carefully think about what sort of driving you will do most, where you want the powerband to be and match your components (intake, compression ratio, exhaust type, converter if applicable, rear gear, etc.). This last is the most important. I'm 47 and still learning and experimenting with these things. Good luck in your choices.

Rick
:gap

 

[Jack]

I have a 350 and im looking to put in a cam. I want to know what kind of cam you guys put in ur vette. What is the brand,specs and did you see a nice improvement? I want a cam around 2000-5500. I really wanna wake this motor up but im not racing the car and at the same time I still wanna be able to drive it everyday with no problems. Thanks Kyle

First, describe your 1980 L82 engine ... other than routine tuneup stuff, detail any/all changes-modifications to engine/exhaust from what it was when it was delivered new. Then, tell us which transmission it has (and if it has been modified) and tell us which rear axle gear ratio it has. Lastly, tell us what primary use of car is ... cruising, any "serious" visits to drag strip etc.

*edit* FYI, OE L82 cam specs out very close to: hydraulic flat tappet, .450"I/.460"E valve lift, SAE duration 291*I/287*E, 0.050" duration 224*I/224*E.

 

[MusclesWit350]

First, describe your 1980 L82 engine ... other than routine tuneup stuff, detail any/all changes-modifications to engine/exhaust from what it was when it was delivered new. Then, tell us which transmission it has (and if it has been modified) and tell us which rear axle gear ratio it has. Lastly, tell us what primary use of car is ... cruising, any "serious" visits to drag strip etc.

*edit* FYI, OE L82 cam specs out very close to: hydraulic flat tappet, .450"I/.460"E valve lift, SAE duration 291*I/287*E, 0.050" duration 224*I/224*E.

Its actually a L-48 I believe(still not sure, waiting for car to come back from the shop so I can check #s to find out for sure. I was told L-82 but when I checked the VIN its an 8 not 6 thus not L82 but maybe a L82 block has been dropped in altho I doubt it) Exhaust is straight piped. I have an Edelbrock Performer ESP intake with Thunder Series carb. The gearing has been bumped up, not sure to what tho(was told 4.11)... Plans for the near future are full MSD set-up and Headers. Trans is a TH350 and Im gonna throw on a B&M shift kit. The primary use of the car is for cruising and car shows but I still love to blow someone away off the line at a light or on the highway. No track racing but I want quick acceration, more low-end power. Hope that helps.

Thanks

 

[glen242]

I ran a CC 268H cam in my 350, with an Edelbrock Performer intake, rejetted/rebuilt Q-Jet, TF 23* 64 cc heads, and dynomax headers/true dual exhaust on my 350.

Performed well, BUT not enough. Went with a 383.

Depends on how much you want to spend.

BTW, Mustang dyno showed 217 rwhp on the 350. Have read lately, that Mustang (a load dyno) will show 75-140 less HP than a non-load, inertial dyno. Will find out later this summer as I plan to dyno on that Mustang dyno and on a Dynojet (inertial).

 

[Koop]

I think I had a 292 cam in my L48, it sounded very good. I would've put in more cam, but it would have lowered the vacuum to much for '69 and I didn't want to modify that system. The cam really cam on around 5,000 RPM. I prefer low end though.

 

[mr mctavish]

383 - eldb.rpm heads- comp.cam xe262

On a mustang dyno 253 hp -368 tq. max.

 

[Tepot]

Its actually a L-48 I believe(still not sure, waiting for car to come back from the shop so I can check #s to find out for sure. I was told L-82 but when I checked the VIN its an 8 not 6 thus not L82 but maybe a L82 block has been dropped in altho I doubt it) Exhaust is straight piped. I have an Edelbrock Performer ESP intake with Thunder Series carb. The gearing has been bumped up, not sure to what tho(was told 4.11)... Plans for the near future are full MSD set-up and Headers. Trans is a TH350 and Im gonna throw on a B&M shift kit. The primary use of the car is for cruising and car shows but I still love to blow someone away off the line at a light or on the highway. No track racing but I want quick acceration, more low-end power. Hope that helps.

Thanks

I was looking for a cam as well. Your best bet is to do what I did. I've called directly at comp cams. Told the guy on the phone that I had the stock engine L-48 350 ci, 8.5:1 compression ratio and that I wanted my car to sound good but was driving the car often and not racing it.

The Agent on the phone sugested the comp cam XE268 Hydrolic cam.
So if you want to make sure, call comp cam on there toll free number at 1-800-999-0853, tell them what you got for engine and they'll tell you exactly what you need.

Hope this could help
good luck

 

[fine69]

I have a 350 and im looking to put in a cam. I want to know what kind of cam you guys put in ur vette. What is the brand,specs and did you see a nice improvement? I want a cam around 2000-5500. I really wanna wake this motor up but im not racing the car and at the same time I still wanna be able to drive it everyday with no problems.

Thanks
Kyle

I had installed the Performer RPM cam and it was a mistake.... ran like a sick dog. However, thanks to recommendations from the fine folks here at the CAC, I replaced it with the Sealed Power Performance Cam, CS1062R. It's rated at 2200-5700 RPM Range, 304/287 Adv Dur, @.050 220/231, Lobe Sep 110.

The current set up is perfect for my uses (street). Very powerful lope, plenty loud - but not obnoxious.... and best of all, very good off the line response. I had to remind my son to keep his head on the backrest, because of the shifting torque, it kept whipping his head back!

I haven't "lit it up" yet - waiting to get at least 500 miles on this rebuild.... can't wait - that will be fun.

 

[wallyknoch]

A good trouble free choice would be the OEM 350HP L79 151 hydraulic camshaft.

 

[RodsnRides]

A good trouble free choice would be the OEM 350HP L79 151 hydraulic camshaft.

Well, Wally-I'm not sure that cam is ideal for an automatic car. I put that in a '72 El Camino 350 with auto and power brakes, and frankly, I was disappointed. I had vacuum problems at idle, and more than one hair raising slow-speed "is it gonna stop?" braking problems. Good for power, but stop/go in heavy traffic is not for this cam. My .02.

Rick
:gap

 

[Jack]

Its actually a L-48 I believe(still not sure, waiting for car to come back from the shop so I can check #s to find out for sure. I was told L-82 but when I checked the VIN its an 8 not 6 thus not L82 but maybe a L82 block has been dropped in altho I doubt it) Exhaust is straight piped. I have an Edelbrock Performer ESP intake with Thunder Series carb. The gearing has been bumped up, not sure to what tho(was told 4.11)... Plans for the near future are full MSD set-up and Headers. Trans is a TH350 and Im gonna throw on a B&M shift kit. The primary use of the car is for cruising and car shows but I still love to blow someone away off the line at a light or on the highway. No track racing but I want quick acceration, more low-end power. Hope that helps.Thanks

Do you want a cam that'll work with what you have now? ... or with what you hope to have later? ... it matters. It's also important to know your motor-driveline specs ... not a guess based on someone else's guess or what a "motivated" seller might claim in the course talking up a car. If your motor's ever been into ... your vin won't tell you squat about what's inside (i.e. compression: flattop vs. dished). Just my 2 cents, but most vette auto trans in good shape don't need a shift kit ... and ... sbc/bbc street cars don't need an MSD box ... but, if you're so inclined, I have 4 sale MSD HVC 6600 box & 8250 coil (not cheap) ... they came out of a Jerry Nadeau cup car.

*edit* That CS1062R cam is a good one ... but it needs more compression than any 1980 C3 came with ... fine69 has about 10:1 static CR & 4spd manual.