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Cam upgrade advice needed, LA318 in a wagon

Force Fed Mopar

Force Fed Mopar

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I have a guy wanting to install a bigger cam in his '66 Coronet wagon, he want a nice sound at idle and more power but doesn't want to lose low end either. He currently has a Performer Plus cam, or so he told me last night. I think it has like .420 lift and 204 dur @ .050.

I mentioned the stock 4bbl cam to him (.429/.444 lift, 268/276 adv dur), as I have used that in my truck with good results, but it doesn't lope at idle like he wants.

I looked at the Hughes Whiplash cam and it seems to fit what he wants, anybody have any experience with it?

He mentioned the Performer RPM cam, which IIRC is a good cam also. I also mentioned the Lunati VooDoo cams to him, as I know some people really like them, or did. Looking for any other suggestions or experience you guys have.

His engine is a mid-late 70's 318 that was rebuilt last year, stock compression, stock 674 casting heads w/ stock valves, and a Performer intake and carb. Does have electronic ignition and headers, dual exhaust. Believe he has a 3.23 gear (turns 2600 rpm at 65mph), may go to a 3.55 if needed. Stock torque converter.
 
Your friend seems to have a relatively mild combination with his 318. If he wants an increase in lope, then he is wanting something with a 108-110LSA. Mopar sells a split pattern, .430/.450 lift and 221/228*@.050 duration, grounded on a 110LSA. It has an operating range of 1,200-5,200RPM. The Performer Plus cam you mentioned that he currently has is already ground on a 110LSA. Honestly, if he wants an type of serious idle with a mild performance increase, I would go with the Comp "Thumpr" series. .486/.473 lift and .227/.241* @.050, and a 107LSA. 2000-5800RPM operating range (good with stock converter, best with 2,000RPM unit states Comp Cams.) You're friend also must consider when looking at the available camshaft selection that his current Performer intake manifold is rated to 5,500RPM and he is running street friendly gears along with a mild compression ratio.
 
Yeah, his rebuild last year was supposed to be a performance build, but he's not very happy with it. His brother (who is my neighbor) has a '61 BelAir 2-dr post w/ a badass 400 in it, and he is getting tired of the Chevy walking him on the highway :) Obviously the 318 is not gonna match it w/o serious work which would hurt drivability, so I think he is planning on either a big block swap in a couple years, or a stroker. But he does want more get up and go in the mean time.

I forgot about the Thmupr cams, good suggestion. Keep them coming! He want to do this in a couple weeks. I'll be doing the work and he is going to go with my recommendation, so I want it to be right :)
 
so essentially he's got what we call an RV grind...maybe take a look at the Lunati voodoo stick...http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LUN-60400LK/
depending on if the block has been decked you should have MORE than enuff piston to valve clearance recommened is .100..if there is a question clay the piston at TDC install a head with valves, lifter rocker arms, timing gear and chain in place and roll it over by hand...pull the head off and check with micrometer how thick the clay has been squashed in the valve pockets of piston..
 
I'll give you the .500-.510...but .550 might be pushin it alittle..
OOOPs sorry I re-read and noticed you stated Less than .550..yes you should be safe..but now your getting into more cam than your originally stated...now your talkin a converter, a gear , and possible eating outa house and home..on fuel costs to keep her running...lolol and at 4.00 a gal...better think twice bout what cha wanna do..I'd keep it around .500 just to be outlaw civilized.. just my thoughts...
 
PoppaSmurf said:
I'll give you the .500-.510...but .550 might be pushin it alittle..
OOOPs sorry I re-read and noticed you stated Less than .550..yes you should be safe..but now your getting into more cam than your originally stated...now your talkin a converter, a gear , and possible eating outa house and home..on fuel costs to keep her running...lolol and at 4.00 a gal...better think twice bout what cha wanna do..I'd keep it around .500 just to be outlaw civilized.. just my thoughts...
Click to expand...

Gotcha.

Any opinions on the 318 Whiplash cam? http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/...V2hpcGxhc2ggTXVzY2xlIENhciBDYW1z&partid=25113
 
A very mild, cast iron headed 318 with a stock converter, 3.23 gear, and a .500+ lift camshaft in a heavy wagon :eek:
 
I agree with sweet5ltr... thats going to be tomuch cam for what he's got...as I stated.. the clearance is there...but to me its a waste of money and time if your looking for performance..I'm assuming your running a stock valve train...so springs become an issue he just does not have the right gear to use that large of a cam
is he wanting it to sound like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cTOPwKx-xE this is the voodoo stick by Lunati
 
PoppaSmurf said:
I agree with sweet5ltr... thats going to be tomuch cam for what he's got...as I stated.. the clearance is there...but to me its a waste of money and time if your looking for performance..I'm assuming your running a stock valve train...so springs become an issue he just does not have the right gear to use that large of a cam
is he wanting it to sound like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cTOPwKx-xE this is the voodoo stick by Lunati
Click to expand...

Yeah he'd be happy with that sound. That the .454 lift cam? Think it'd work good with the engine? We were talking about going up to a 3.55 gear if needed. I know he just had the trans rebuilt again (was rebuilt along with the engine last year), so I know he's not gonna be keen on pulling it again to change the stall.

So basically you are saying that over .450 lift, the cam will provide more flow than the heads can provide and start causing issues?
 
In a short YES...he'll be VERY VERY disappointed in performance...!!!! I hope this helped a little..also comp cams, Isky, and sig erson all make something similar...I just happen to be prone to Lunati...cause I worked for em for so long and know what they put into their design for cams.......so I am slightly biased
 
PoppaSmurf said:
In a short YES...he'll be VERY VERY disappointed in performance...!!!! I hope this helped a little..also comp cams, Isky, and sig erson all make something similar...I just happen to be prone to Lunati...cause I worked for em for so long and know what they put into their design for cams.......so I am slightly biased
Click to expand...

What about the Lunati cam you posted? Would that work okay? Better or worse than the Thumpr cam?

I talked to him at length today, and he for sure does not want a factory 4bbl cam because it doesn't have the idle he wants. He wants it to idle like the car in the video, but he doesn't want to hurt performance. I told him the lift on the Lunati was .454 and he wanted to know how much power it would really gain over the Performer Plus he currently has. I kinda get the feeling he wants his cake and eat it too lol.
 
it's not the cake thats the problem......it's the frosting... I'm trying to locate a shootout test we did years ago on the Voodoo vs the Thumper ...it's been buryed for years...when I do find I'll post ..BUT first thing is the "Thumper" Cam Series is a hydrolic roller cam..will not work with flat tappets ( lifters) the second is your still looking at 500+ in lift so your back to the spring changes..
heres a couple others to look at and ask about..the Mopar Purple shaft p/n dcc4452992ae, ...or the crower 31918, and one more the Isky 390171...if your asking me my choice...the Mopar Purple shaft or the Lunati.. BUT I'm sure others will have some ideas as well...
 
Perhaps you can just have Comp grind you one. I would start with whatever you think you'll want for Max Lift, then go about as low on duration as you can, and work on keeping the cyl pressure from bleeding off... In other words, take advantage of the larger lifter dia that Mopar gives you from the factory...
 
How about the comp XHE series, like the 256 or the HE 262?
 
being a master world distrubutor for comp cams i would stick with that xe 262.
its even ground on a 110 with a icl of 106.

thats a 218/224 at .050 with a 462/470 lift

i think my price should be in the 90 dollar range
 
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