Author Topic: Camshaft options  (Read 3479 times)

Offline bake315

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Camshaft options
« on: March 12, 2020, 01:01:13 AM »
So I pulled the 5.7 out of "Felix" ('87 R30) last week, and sent the block off to get bored (.030) and honed.  I'm thinking I'd like to bump the cam up a little over stock, but given I'm sticking with the stock heads, intake and TBI with computer, I'm not at all sure what my options are - particularly with regard to the computer.  I've been reading that there are some out there that are incompatible with what I have.

Anyway, I'd really appreciate any guidance y'all could offer on cam upgrade options.  Thanks!

bake315
• '73 Cheyenne Super C20 454/400 http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7672.0
• ’79 Scottsdale K10 350/NP208/SM465 “Oscar” http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=37885.0
• ’87 Custom Deluxe R30 350/400 “Felix”

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2020, 11:38:13 AM »
I've got eyes on this thread, have the same question.

I inherited a 383 stroked V8 out of a 86 Camaro. Drove the car prior to pulling- scary fast!

I can't find any information about the cam, maybe pay a shop to measure what it actually is performance wise.

Would anyone recommend I do the same for the heads, performance wise? Measure the volume?

In any event, it's going into the '80 C10 I've been doggin for a year.

To round out the spec's, 4bbl, analog ignition, TH350, daily driver.

Would anyone recommend a particular grind for this app? Thx!  :)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2020, 06:07:14 PM »
What is your end goal? There are plenty of cam options for TBI engines but if you are keeping everything stock, a minimal bump is about all you should do.
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline bake315

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2020, 08:51:14 PM »
What is your end goal? There are plenty of cam options for TBI engines but if you are keeping everything stock, a minimal bump is about all you should do.

Nothing too crazy, certainly not looking to make it into a race engine. I figured since I had to go in, might as well goose it a little, or as much as I can without having to go in and change a bunch of things I didn't set out to, you know?  I'm just hoping someone could point me to a specific cam that would be something a little more than bone stock.

Thanks!
bake315
• '73 Cheyenne Super C20 454/400 http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7672.0
• ’79 Scottsdale K10 350/NP208/SM465 “Oscar” http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=37885.0
• ’87 Custom Deluxe R30 350/400 “Felix”

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2020, 07:22:25 AM »
From what I gather, you have a TBI 5.7L .030" over R30 with stock intake and exhaust. If you aren't planning any other changes consider:

https://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/3702/10002/-1

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-12-388-4

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-k1102

Stock cam lift for your engine is .2565"/.2690" (.385"/.404")

If you plan to ever make further upgrades down the road, factor that into your choices. Stock TBI heads are awful BTW
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline bake315

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2020, 01:12:58 AM »
This is tremendously helpful information - thank you!

On the topic of heads, what would your thoughts be on these?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-162108?rrec=true
« Last Edit: March 16, 2020, 01:46:13 AM by bake315 »
• '73 Cheyenne Super C20 454/400 http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7672.0
• ’79 Scottsdale K10 350/NP208/SM465 “Oscar” http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=37885.0
• ’87 Custom Deluxe R30 350/400 “Felix”

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2020, 07:16:36 AM »
You could run a set of vortec heads and a vortec intake manifold with TBI adapter for about $700 bucks
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline bake315

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2020, 10:46:55 AM »
You could run a set of vortec heads and a vortec intake manifold with TBI adapter for about $700 bucks

It’s true that I could, and I had considered the Vortec option, but the fact is I’ve already spent a significant amount going in the conventional head direction, and really don’t want to have to reverse course from that now.

By the way, I was watching a YouTube video last night about GM-produced heads, and literally burst out laughing when he got to my stock heads, and proceeded to talk about how extraordinarily bad they were - like the absolute worst of the worst. Definitely echoed your opinion, for sure! 

But matters of cost aside, is there any reason the heads I mentioned wouldn’t work well for me?
• '73 Cheyenne Super C20 454/400 http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7672.0
• ’79 Scottsdale K10 350/NP208/SM465 “Oscar” http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=37885.0
• ’87 Custom Deluxe R30 350/400 “Felix”

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2020, 02:52:42 PM »
So I took the cam into a local cam shop, Schneider, if anyone has heard of them.

Been grinding since 1959.

They said it had low miles, then tested it and the specs say it's a 1970 350 350HP grind. "great cam' was his expression.

Said it won't pass smog, but even in Cali, the limits are ridiculously high.

They recommended a milder grind.  Won't go beyond 5000 rpm, but will be snappy off the line.

I'm good with that.

1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2020, 08:00:45 PM »
i'm thinking of  changing cams in the 4.3 and i'm hearing that for TBI, going one or two steps above stock, not TOO far from stock is ok.   i don't run TBI, but i'm watching alot of videos and that's what i'm hearing about tbi.

Like if stock is 184/194 @ .050 , then 205/207 @ .050 would be ok.  But then you wouldn't gain much.....?

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Camshaft options
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2020, 08:08:44 PM »
Well, after thinking about it, I called the 'grinder and asked if there was enough material to do an RV grind?

On a 454 that I was forced to rebuild, I opted for a RV grind- I pulled a 5th wheel toy house full of stuff.

Between 2500-3500 RPM it was like I was towing Nothing!

So on this project,  I opted for a RV grind. It will be snappy off the line, but won't be the gas suck of a Corvette.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction