comp cam question

[1984k30]

I don't know alot about cam selection so I had comp cams recommend me one. It was for a full size truck.  They recommended a 12-235-2. It has a duration of 210-218.  lift is 298 308.  Not sure if they gave me what I needed or not.  I seen someone had a 268 and they really like it.  Is this a cam better suited for a heavy truck.  This engine has been sitting in my garage for about 8 years and my dads camaro needs a engine.  Will this cam be good for a lighter car or should I change it before I put it in his car. 

[ohio hab]

Yes in my opinion looking at the spec's a good street cam to get a truck moving. Don't know the spec's of your engine or drive train but the cam is good for a street truck not reved past 5,500 rpm's.

[1984k30]

Would it be ok to put into his car?  Trying to help him out with a engine and this ones just been sitting around.  I am trying to remember a little bit about the engine. It is a 350 and  I recall it having flat top pistons but not sure about compression.  Probably low though.  It has a set or world product sportsman 2 heads and a performer rpm intake. I have either a 600 or 750 edelbrock carb that I could put on it.  His car is a 4 speed with 3.73. Does that cam seem ok for this?

[ohio hab]

Yes, this cam would be ok for a lite Camaro with gears. This cam is more for low end, torque to get a heavy vehicle moving. If the Camaro with the 4 speed, gears, and the good heads you mentioned, this cam will not allow the full potential of this combination. Your only going to lose above 5,500 rpm's, so I don't know your shift point.

[1984k30]

thanks for the reply. If it will lose above 5500 rpms I don't think that would be a problem.  That seems like plenty of revs to me and he barely drives it. however he just retired and maybe next summer he will.

[VileZambonie]

That cam is not much more aggressive than stock... Doesn't sound like a good choice for his car.

[1984k30]

any suggestions.  Nothing to radical.  It has power brakes but it is still drums all the way around.  Not the best brakes to begin with.

[1984k30]

I have one other question.  I remember now that one of the headgaskets had a slight external leak.  I would like to replace them but and they recommend a felpro 1003 or 1010 gasket for the heads.  One set is 70.00 a pair and other 100.00 a pair.  anyone know what is different about these gaskets and can I run regular small block head gaskets?

[VileZambonie]

I won't recommend anything without knowing more about the engine and his desired goal. I'm not one for slapping a cam in an engine and calling it a day.

[1984k30]

problem is I don't recall what the compression ratio was.  Other than the flat top pistons the bottom end is stock. crank rods. I know what heads and intake I have.  It would just be a weekend cuiser.  Vile you said you did not think that the cam would be good.  Should I go a little bigger.  What else  do I have take into consideration when selecting a cam. I am not wanting a custom grind or anything like that. 

[VileZambonie]

Can you list as many of the engine specs and driveline specs that you have?

[1984k30]

Well what I know is engine is .030 over with flat top pistons.  Stock crank and rods.  That all I know about the bottom end.  The heads are 2.02x1.6.  64cc fast burn shape.  200cc intake runner and exhaust 64cc.  I have flow numbers and single spring and double spring max lift numbers if needed.  It has a performer rpm intake.  I have a 600 or 750 carb that I could put on it.  Stock distibutor.  The car is a 4 speed manuel with a 3.73 rear.  Thats all I can think of.

[ohio hab]

Now that I know a bit more of your engine spec's, here is a good cam from Crane Cams, I recommend. Part# 114142, Grind 2050, range 1800-5600 rpm's, manual trans, 3.73 gears or higher, heads, intake. Part# 11308-1 is the spring and retainer kit number. I think a good performance cam for the Camaro. Decent idle too, with a lope.

[1984k30]

Thanks for the suggestion I will check it out.

[84c20]

That cam would probably be alright with a set of tall gears.