replace cam with no other changes

[SuburbanHunter]

I have my used motor on the stand. I don't have a lot of money to put into it at this time but I was thinking that since it is lots easier to drop in a cam now with the motor out of the truck I might do that.

If I go with a modest cam (recommendations appreciated) but don't do anything else as far as headers or carb or intake right now will it have any effect? I have read that you really need to do it all (headers,carb,intake and cam) to get the best results. Will it run the same, better, worse?

Just wondering what ya'll think of doing the cam now because it is easy and doing the rest later as money allows?

If I do that what would you do next? Headers?

Thanks
dt

[timthescarrd]

It's going to depend on what you are going for (low-mid torque or HP) and the cam.  If you're aiming for torque, a moderate cam will make some difference for the better now and much more when you get a better intake and headers.  If you're going for HorsePower and higher revving, a moderate cam may actually hurt your lower end without other improvements.

[Captkaos]

By Just the cam you do me cam, lifters, springs, timing chain etc, right?
If you have small valve heads and a high lift cam you are working against yourself.  It is much better to build what you want than try to piece parts there.  I suggest saving up and building a package to match the intended use.  I would also avoid the desire for cam lope on a street motor with an auto with no stall....

[enaberif]

Cam install will require at the very minimum new lifters. It would be best to put a new timing chain setup in and pushrods as well.

[SuburbanHunter]

I am going for low end torque and I was intending to do the lifters & springs. Hadn't considered the time chain setup or push rods but that makes sense.

[Captkaos]

at minimum you need cam, lifters and springs.

[rich weyand]

Cam, lifters, and springs.  With your stated goals, I would probably install Comp Cams 12-230-2.  This will give you a good torque boost now, and respond well to better intake manifold and headers later.  It is a torque cam, so it will not have problems of making performance worse without all the extra doodads right away.  You will have improvement across the whole rpm range now, even with everything else the same, and will get more later as you can afford the other pieces.

I would inspect the timing chain and sprockets.  Depending on mileage on how sensitive you are to costs, you could leave them alone for now, and do them later in the truck if you needed to, because you don't have to tear the whole top end apart to do them.  At the same time, they aren't that pricey, and you are going to have to pull them and replace them with something, either the existing set or the new ones, so all the labor is part of the deal already.

[rich weyand]

BTW, with a new cam, you will have to go through new engine break-in procedures.  Those are primarily for the cam and lifters.  Here it is so you can plan ahead.
http://www.jegs.com/customerservice/chevy%20_crate_engine_break-in.pdf

[SuburbanHunter]

Thanks Rich! The reminder about the break in procedure was a good one.

I went looking for that cam and also found:

COMP Cams 12-231-2 - Comp Cams 'Xtreme 4x4' Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts

Operating Range:   600-4600 RPM
Duration Advertised:   250° Intake / 258° Exhaust
Duration @ .050'' Lift:   206° Intake / 214° Exhaust
Valve Lift w/1.5 Rockers:   .432'' Intake / .453'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation Angle:   111°

which is very slightly different than the 12-230-2:

Operating Range:   600-4600 RPM
Duration Advertised:   250° Intake / 260° Exhaust
Duration @ .050'' Lift:   206° Intake / 212° Exhaust
Valve Lift w/1.5 Rockers:   .432'' Intake / .444'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation Angle:   110°

Any thoughts? Small difference in specs. Any difference in performance?

[rich weyand]

Very slight.  In final trim (headers, dual-plane manifold), the 12-230-2 will give you 3 more HP and 3.5 more torque at peak at the same rpms, and has a slightly lower lift on the exhaust.  The torque curves over the rpm range are almost identical.  That's only about a 1% difference in hp and torque, so either would work fine, and people on the various forums have reported success with both of them.