[Gulf00]

All,

I'm currently in the process of rebuilding my '66 289 (which came with the cat) and since I've got about the whole engine apart I'm thinking of putting in a slightly more agressive camshaft whil I'm at it.
So I'd appreciate it if you all can let me know what you think is best to go by (manufacturers and lobe specs I mean). I can surely get my hands on any cam from Comp or Crane, but don't let that be a factor in your advise please.

The purpose is to get the most hp's out of the car while not upgrading the driveline (I've got a C4 tranny and a 3.00:1 diff) and for starters the whole remainder of the engine will remain stock (might go roller rockers etc later on).

Let me know what you experts have to say about it.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!
Matthijs

 

[Gulf00]

Somebody? Anybody?
C'mon there's some tech-heads around that can help me out here, I know it!

Thanks,
Matthijs

 

[conv cat]

Visit The Cam Poll

You might find the answer to your cam question in the Cam Poll .

It's very difficult for anyone to tell YOU what cam to use, since upgrading becomes a matter of personal preference.

 

[TheRktmn]

If you are keeping the engine and drive train mostly stock, I would go with one of the Extreme/RV cams from CompCams. Good low end torque. You do have a 4bbl, right? That is a "must do" before changing cams.

 

[Gulf00]

Nope, I do have a 2BBL right now and I wasn't planning on changing to 4 bbl soon, since I'm going back to college and funding is somewhat limited right now. I just want to have the cam in for now because I'll be moving away from the garage of my parents, which has the hoist & stuff in it.
So I was thinking about just changing cam to s slightly more aggressive one for now and do some more modding in the future.
(if possible of course).

@Barry, thanks for your answer. I agree it's kind of hard to tell someone else what to do, but it's just that I have no idea to what extend I can go without changing torque converters and all that. So when people can tell me their opinion on the subject it proides me some input to help me make up my mind. I have seen the Cam Poll, but that's generally about different manufacturers and doesn't distinguish different engines and trannies.

So Bob, does the "must do" mean i cannot run a more aggressive cam without going 4bbl first or does it mean that the parformance gain can be neglected when running 2bbl?

Thanks,
Matthijs

 

[TheRktmn]

You can change the cam now, but you won't see any appreciable gain until you change the carb.
It seems a shame to tear the intake and carb off to do the cam and then put the same 2bbl back on. You can change the cam with the engine in the car* - no need to pull the engine just for that.
I personally would wait until I could do both.

(* Double check that the SB cam does line up with the removable center section of grill. I have changed cams in a 69 like this, but not 67 or 68.)

 

[Gulf00]

It's not that I'm pulling the engine just to change the cam. I'm doing a complete rebuild anyway and since the whole thing is apart I thought it would be little work to put in another cam for future applications.
I'll go and find out if I can do the 4v swap anyway (it IS on my wishlist ofcourse), but I've got this feeling carbs are expensive (and I'm cheap as a Dutchman).

Thanks for the advice.

Cheers!
Matthijs

 

[Mark]

Most cams have an operating rpm range in the catalog. (ie - 1000-5500rpm)
I believe if you are going to do performance mods to go all out the first time otherwise you are just wasting cash.
If you can't afford items like intake, carb, stall convertor, exhaust, now save your cash and do it all later.
Spending cash on a slightly bigger cam now that you won't want later on is an unnecessary expense.
Just my opinion.

 

[Gulf00]

Mark,

Would you happen to know how this torque range works? Does the converter pickup speed need to be in the cam rpm range advertised to work well?
How should these number be interpreted?

Thanks,
Matthijs

 

[Paul G.]

cam change

Changing to a more aggresive cam without changing anything else is not a good idea. Your car will more than likely run worse, have a narrower powerband, and be less fuel efficient. Stick with stock cam and make performance changes all at the same time when you decide exactly what you want out of your motor.
Paul G.
69 XR7 Convertible with extensive performance mods

 

[Mark]

Ideally you would want a convertor that stalls to the rpm where the motor starts to make power/torque.
If it doesn't then you lose a lot of driveability and performance.
See if you can find a cam that goes from idle to 5000rpm.
Lots of the manufacturer's make stock replacements and slighty better cams.
The cam really is the brain of your engine and you have to build EVERYTHING around it.
You can get much better performance and driveability from things like a 4-barrel, intake, headers, exhaust, ignition, etc.

 

[Gulf00]

Thanks for the advise folks! I think I'll rebuild the 289 stock for now and change to 4bbl if fund permit. Maybe I'll buildup a smallblock some other time and swap it in when it's done. Till then I'll just go with the good ol' 289 then.

Thanks again.

Cheers!
Matthijs

 

[Mark]

You could try www.summitracing.com or www.jegs.com and take a look at the cams they have.
What is the availability of high-performance parts in the Netherlands?

 

[Gulf00]

Availablility is pretty ok. I can get my hand on brands like comp, crane, edelbrock, holley etc.
I'm in the lucky position of having a shop nearby that specialises in dragracing bowties, so they can get anything I'd want (for a price ofcourse... Import taxes and shipping costs are rather high, but the EUR/USD spotrate is in my favor at the moment ).

Cheers!
Matthijs