Purchasing decision

[SUX2BU99]

So I'm planning on upgrading my heads and cam on my truck (specs can be found here ). I can spend about $350-400 on a complete camshaft kit for a cam set that I know will work with whatever heads I decide to go with (Vortec or other).  The heads are more of a dictator as to what way I go with my intake, rockers, etc (Vortec-specific or not).  Since I'm kinda on the fence still about what heads to go with (rebuilt fresh Vortecs, used Vortecs off a stock motor, or rebuilt LT1 or similar heads), I was thinking maybe to get the cam kit first.

I was thinking this cam kit: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CCA%2DK12%2D238%2D2&autoview=sku
I like the Xtreme Energy 262 due to it having dual-pattern lift and a higher amount of lift than the High Energy 268 duration cam, but keeps a smaller duration of 262 which I would think helps with driveability. I have a stock converter and like a noticeable but not ridiculous idle. My powerband I want to be under 5500 rpm. I think the Xtreme 268 might be a little too.....extreme for me   lol  That kit there gives you the timing chain, bolts, retainers, etc. all the small stuff you have to buy anyway and even valve springs.  It's about $144 more though than just the cam itself. That does seem kinda high for those extra parts. I haven't priced them out separately yet but maybe you get jipped a bit.

The price is the same between the High Energy and the Xtreme Energy cams. Here is the High Energy 268:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CCA%2DK12%2D210%2D2&autoview=sku


As for heads, I've found rebuilt Vortec heads assembled for about $400 + shipping. New GMPP heads from Jegs is about $150 more. Used heads pulled off a stock truck seem to be around $300. New GM stamped rockers are $55.

What do you think? What would you buy first?

[Stewart G Griffin]

At first, i thought the cams specs were too wild, but they're alright---either one.


Do you have $300-$400 set aside just for now or is that your absolute budget for these modifications?  Personally, i would probably save up for the aluminum vortechs or the L98 vette heads.  But that's just me.  Although, admittedly saving 50lbs in a 4000lb truck isn't going to make much a difference.  But always think that my motors might end up in a car, so i tend to think ahead like that.

It's too bad we don't know your compression ratio.  Personally, i would like to try to get it up to 10:1 if possible (yes, i know how much premium gas costs).  That would be the first thing i would do.

But to answer the question, If i could get the heads for $400-$550, it seems to me that they would be easier to install than the cam?

The cam is cheaper but you would have to take out the radiator?   I don't know because i've never installed a cam while in the car.

So, i would buy the cam first because it's cheaper.

[123 pugsy]

I would wait and do both at the same time.Once you have the intake off for the cam, your're already at the heads. Seems to be double the same work if you do the heads later.

[Captkaos]

It says specs can be found here, but they are not listed.  I agree with Pugsy, I would do it all at once.
The 268 specs make is a "milder" cam than the 262.  A 268 is a little larger than stock.
This is the 262:
Duration at 050 inch Lift:    218 int./224 exh.
This is the 268:
Duration at 050 inch Lift:    218 int./218 exh.

They are fairly comparable short of the dual pattern....

[VileZambonie]

Don't bother with that cam kit.

Get a better cam like this one http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM%2DK1105&autoview=sku

Then buy the timing chain seperately.

Definitely do the cam and heads as a package. I wouldn't get the used heads unless you can rebuild them yourself otherwise by the time you pay a machine shop you'll be in the hole. If you can build the yourself that's the cheapest way out.

[SUX2BU99]

That Summit cam looks a little hairy on the duration and lope separation angle. With the stock converter and tallish gears (3.08 with 27" tall tires), I'd be concerned about a really soft bottom end with that. Plus the idle and vacuum shortfalls that cam may have. Have you used that one before? What were the results like?

I would be getting the cam AND heads and install them at some point. It's just which one should I perhaps purchase first. I was leaning towards the cam in case my plans for heads change, like if I found a wicked deal on a set of regular style 1.94 heads that were ported and polished or something like that.

I think what I liked about the 262 dual-pattern cam is the lower duration for the higher/same lift as the regular 268 cam. Comp Cams lists the regular 268 as being the limit for a stock converter. I would like some lope to the idle but nothing too crazy. If I recall too though the lift on the 262 (0.462/0.469) starts to reach the stock limits on a Vortech head. But the lift on the regular 268 is a fair bit lower (0.454/0.454). It would seem from the specs that the dual-pattern 262 has a better power making potential while making it more streetable.

My budget I was thinking would be around 400 for a cam and all the stuff that has to go along with it, and then 5-600 for heads if I had to get rebuilt/new.

[VileZambonie]

The cam you listed isn't much bigger than stock and unless you plan on having your idle speed so low it's about to stall you'll barely hear any "lope" - Yes I have used that cam grind several times - it works great for what you are describing you want. I've built more of these engines than I care to remember - you'd be happy with it. Personally I would go even a little bigger if you really want some seriously noticeable gains.

[SUX2BU99]

Hmmm I'll have to seriously consider it then if you say it works well for what my combo would be. It's definitely a whole lot cheaper than the Comp Cams. Right now my truck idles at 750 when warm. Any lower than that and it would stall. I think it might have a 260 duration cam in it right now with a .440 lift but not entirely sure (when I bought the truck I was given this box for a Blazer by Crane Cams camshaft and it had a used cam inside it; I figured it was probably the stock cam in the box and the Blazer cam was in the truck).

[Leadfoot]

heres my free 2 cents worth   the 268 is a great cam for a flat top daily driver type motor with 1.94 heads..not real "lopey",but sounds healthy,also works well with stock gears,convertor etc....I haven't used the 262 so no comment there..I've also ran the comp 280's,they are my alltime favorite in a 350,but really need 3.73 gears and a 2800-3000 convertor or it'll be really soft on the bottom end..  I had an 84swb with a flat top .030 350,comp 268 cam,RPM intake and holley carb that ran 14.2's in the quarter,stock gears and convertor.. not earthshattering,but it won more stoplight duals than it lost

Tim

[SUX2BU99]

^ That's some great info! My combo would very close to what you had, except I would not have the RPM-series intake, and my 350 is 0.060 over with an Edelbrock carb. I'd be tickeled pink if my truck did mid-14s or better with my combo. I have a Magnum R/T that does low 14s in the 1/4 and I really like it's power.

It seems whenever I see a motor build-up with one of those Xtreme Energy cams, the power is impressive. There is this 305 build-up using Vortec heads and a 262 cam: http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/carcraft325hp305.html   And I was recently reading the new Chevy Hi-Performance and the editor recommended the 256 cam to a guy who was doing a mild 377 (400 block with 350 crank) and he figured 360 HP was attainable. Both of those are milder than the 268 I was thinking of. That 305 build-up is nicely detailed though. Adding the Vortec heads and cam gave their motor almost 100 HP! 

[Leadfoot]

friend of mine has an 81 malibu..granted,it's got good gears,drag radials and a good stall convertor..but with a vortec headed .030 over 350 runs 12.0-12.10 all day long,this is a daily driven street car.. don't know what cam it has in it though..

[Captkaos]

Plus 2 door Malibu's weight 2900lbs...

[Leadfoot]

Plus 2 door Malibu's weight 2900lbs...

well yeah that helps too

[SUX2BU99]

I've decided to go with the Comp Cams Xtreme Energy 262 camshaft and lifter kit. $159 shipped from Discount Performance Parts. My decision is based on what lift with work with stock Vortec heads and results from combos I've seen with this camshaft. Thanks to all who helped me out with info.

I'll get heads and an intake later on this year. Anybody know if the Performance Products Cyclone manifolds are any good? They appear to be a direct copy of the Edelbrock Performer and are about $40-50 cheaper.

[Leadfoot]

check the classifieds on your local dragstrip website..I see performer RPM's and such all the time on mine for $75-$100,thats where I get alot of my parts..I bought belltech drop spindles with calipers and rotors for $125..never heard of the cyclone