cam question? - North East F-Body Association

smokinss · #1 10-26-2010, 01:24 AM

Ok so here is the deal. My buddy is giving me his cam out of his motor. Now keep in mind this is a mild cam for his setup and was DD it. Now I know in my car its going to be more aggressive but that doesnt bother me.

His cam which cam out of a 408. 236/240 600/600 on a 113 plus 4. Now my plan is to try to get a set of patriot 5.3 heads and bump the compression up to 10.75 or 11.0. And if I cant get the heads right away I will swap in a set of his low milage dual gold valvesprings good for 660 lift.

So do you guys think this thing will work out all right and what should I expect. I do plan on getting a FAST setup eventually too.

The car now has a 224/224 563/563 112 with a ls6 intake and pacesetter longtubes and a 4.11 gear.

Maybe Don, you can chime in on this. I know bigger isnt always better, but this might be the kick my motor needs.

Batman · #2 10-26-2010, 01:31 AM

I think the 224 is a better choice for you. A set of patriot 5.3's are good but not really up to pushing a cam that big. They would however make a nice upgrade to the 224 cam you are running now. The power band on that bigger cam is going to be way up in the RPM range, that is a cam more fitted for a big displacement engine, I'm guessing he has a 408 or something of that nature?

smokinss · #3 10-26-2010, 01:35 AM

yeah he has the 408.

My84Z · #4 10-26-2010, 01:38 AM

get the heads and get a cam to match them not a cam that fits a 408. with 5.3 heads a low to mis 230's cam would be great

Batman · #5 10-26-2010, 11:05 AM

even the 224 cam will wake up a bit with heads....

ILuvPizzaTimes10 · #6 10-26-2010, 03:07 PM

i honestly dont see that cam having that Huge of an RPM range. it will also be depending on what hes got for a top end. yes ported 5.3 heads make power. but they do have there limitations. i say the car will peak around 65-6700 Kinda high on a stock bottom, end maybe. but that cam will make great mid range and torque. id say go with it. a 236 cam is hardly huge.

Batman · #7 10-26-2010, 07:33 PM

236 is about as high as I would be willing to go on the intake side of a 346 and it is going to be peaky, I mean the Trex was only 6 degrees more (if memory serves) on the intake and it didn't start making power until 4500-5000RPM so I say you will have nothing until well over 3500RPM with that cam and the 5.3 heads are better built for less revs then that. That is def designed for bigger engines and IMO would be a waste on a small bore 346. It would make alot of HP but it is gonna be way up in the RPM range. I also really don't see you gaining a huge amount with a low 23X cam over your 224 cam, you'll gain some up top but it is going to start pushing up the power band also. For a street engine the 224/224 cam is a tough one to beat. So if you want a street demon I'd stick with the 224 and maybe go with the 5.3 heads, if the 1/4 mile is more important then go to a 230-232 and think about TFS or AFR heads. Only downside to the 224 cam is you really want a bit more exhaust duration on spray.

smokinss · #8 10-26-2010, 11:21 PM

Yeah Ill probably end up putting it in and see what happens. Wont be for awhile though.

Slowhawk · #9 10-26-2010, 11:37 PM

I think your gay.

I told you there were better Cams out there when you put in your used 224. That Cam isn't it and it probly won't even fit without cutting the pistons.

Slowhawk · #10 10-26-2010, 11:38 PM

And definitely DO NOT use Patriot heads. Those heads are only good as a paperweight.