• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

cam recommendation needed

ChargerST

Well-Known Member
Local time
9:06 PM
Joined
Dec 7, 2011
Messages
268
Reaction score
190
Location
Austria
I need some help choosing a new cam for my Charger as I'll be going from auto to manual.

Got some great info already but I would like to see if there are some more opinions out there ;)

Here is what I will have after the transmission swap:

70 Charger (4000lbs)
440 ci
10.5:1 compression (915s)
1 3/4" headers
Edelbrock RPM intake
750 VS Quick Fuel carb
adjustable rocker arms (Mopar Max Wedge rockers - probably 1.45 ratio)
3.23 rear end (won't change)
A833 4-speed with 3.09 first gear and 1:1 fourth (=64/65 slant six gears)
26.6" tire height

I know that I should stay on the conservative side with my high rear gears (my low first gives me a pretty ideal ratio with the rear gears - 3.09 x 3.23 = 9.98 which is almost the magical 10:1).

Don't mind using a solid cam.

So what do you recommend?
Thanks! :headbang:
 
With those gears I'd keep it mild. 112 LSA will bump the excitement level up a bit and give excellent street drivability. Duration in the 270 range. Lift is where it ends up and usually .450" - .480". The RPM range you should expect is 1500 - 5000. Perfect. And I hope you have good gas for the 10.5:1, or put 906's to drop a half point. Thick vs. thin gasket is about .4 points of CR difference.
 
I know that I should stay on the conservative side with my high rear gears (my low first gives me a pretty ideal ratio with the rear gears - 3.09 x 3.23 = 9.98 which is almost the magical 10:1).

This is off topic, but since you mention it, I have to ask...what's 'magical' or 'ideal' about this?

I've seen it mentioned on this board before and still don't understand...
 
Maybe referring to a 10.0 limit before ping?
 
What cam do you have now, and why change it?
I wouldn't go too small of a cam with your compression ratio, or it may make the engine want to ping.
 
Just noticed the build sheet for mine says 10:1. Comp 275HL. Can easily loaf at 1000 rpm in 5th light load no ping pump premium. I like that. Meaner machines need higher rpm's to be happy.
 
1st thought MP .528 soild cam +4 degrees advance.


Second thought
I recommend getting a custom grind, something around .470 lift 270 duration on a 110cl

First cam is something can grow grow with but will still perform exceptionally well with the gears being it's a 4spd and big block, and it really idles nice.

Second cam is something more specific to the gearing, making the best of what it is now, later it will be the first thing changed when gears or more rpms/power are desired.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys for the input! :hello2:

here's the cam that was recommended to me:
Comp Cams XS274S
RPM range 2200-6200
Duration 236/242 @ .050" (~ 231/237 with lash accounted for)
Lift .502"/.511" (.486"/.493" after lash)
LSA 110°
Intake centerline 106°

Should I advance the cam (2,3 or 4°) to bring down the RPM range a bit?
I'm thinking about getting the cam nitrated which would make it a special order and I could get some changes done for free.. should I change the LSA to 112°?


With those gears I'd keep it mild. 112 LSA will bump the excitement level up a bit and give excellent street drivability. Duration in the 270 range. Lift is where it ends up and usually .450" - .480". The RPM range you should expect is 1500 - 5000. Perfect. And I hope you have good gas for the 10.5:1, or put 906's to drop a half point. Thick vs. thin gasket is about .4 points of CR difference.

93 pump gas without Ethanol is widely available so no problem there.

Engine spins 10 time to tire 1 time in 1st gear.

correct!

What cam do you have now, and why change it?
I wouldn't go too small of a cam with your compression ratio, or it may make the engine want to ping.

My current cam (don't really know but suspect it to be MP 509) could have better street manners and I'm changing from an auto to a manual transmission.
 
Last edited:
If you end up blowing 190 or more PSI then you better have about 96 octane available. I'd see about dropping the compression to 9.5:1.
 
Thats the cam I was going to say. It would work pretty good in your combo. Ron

I hear good things about that cam but wouldn't it be a bit much with my 3.23s (second to fourth gear is just a regular A833 - only first gear is low)?

If you end up blowing 190 or more PSI then you better have about 96 octane available. I'd see about dropping the compression to 9.5:1.

is that European 96 or US 96? European 96 is equal to US 90/91 - we have 98 and 100 RON available in Europe (US equivalent is about 94).
 
I was entering a longer response, but somehow I changed the web page and lost it.
Anyhow, that cam seem good. I was going to say the Lunati 10230704LK (276/284) Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 234/242, Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .513/.533, LSA/ICL: 110/106. I like the 3-Bolt timing set option, just personal preference.

Also, the Comp XE275HL as mentioned earlier, which is about the same just single bolt timing set.

I'd install it per cam recommendations then see how it works.
The 112 LSA option is interesting as it may reduce cylinder pressure for lower octane, but that is if the installed centerline is increased also. It would also idle smoother.
 
Actually the 1st gear gets you rolling decent 'almost acts like 3.91's' with the lower than typical ratio and after that you'll love the long broad torque pulling through the rest of the gears.
 
I hear good things about that cam but wouldn't it be a bit much with my 3.23s (second to fourth gear is just a regular A833 - only first gear is low)?



is that European 96 or US 96? European 96 is equal to US 90/91 - we have 98 and 100 RON available in Europe (US equivalent is about 94).

I mean 96 US, or possibly over 100 RON.
 
It comes down to these two cams:

Comp Cams XS274S
and
MP .528

which one is better in terms of idle, low and mid range torque, rpm range?
 
I can't comment on the Comp, but the MP .528" is a very nice cam and it's on a 112 LSA. But don't let it's relatively mild idle fool you. That cam likes a bit of gear, especially if ran in a 383. I'm curious how it will work with 3.23's in a 440, but I bet 3.55-3.91 will be better suited for the RPM range. Idle vacuum will be about 10-12" so not bad.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top