Camshaft input from experience.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

BillK

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2021
Posts
43
Reaction score
27
Location
Waldorf Md
First Name
Bill
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Blazer
Engine Size
350
If it was me I would put the Howards in it but then again I dont care how it sounds, only in how it runs. Realistically 99% of street engines never even see 4500 rpm. Having an rpm range that goes to 6000 is a waste. You will "feel" the lower rpm power gains but you really never "feel" the high rpm.
 

jasonconaway

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2014
Posts
15
Reaction score
4
Location
NC
First Name
Jason
Truck Year
84
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
305
If it was me I would put the Howards in it but then again I dont care how it sounds, only in how it runs. Realistically 99% of street engines never even see 4500 rpm. Having an rpm range that goes to 6000 is a waste. You will "feel" the lower rpm power gains but you really never "feel" the high rpm.
Agreed. I’m leaning towards the Howard’s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

82sbshortbed

Fuckemall!!
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Posts
15,982
Reaction score
53,857
Location
SE Texas
First Name
Doug
Truck Year
1982, 1984
Truck Model
1500 shortbed, 1500 longbed
Engine Size
454, 305
I have a new tach that I’m hoping to get out in, today or very soon. I have the Th350 as well. I looked at some gear vs rpm charts and calculators. I wanted to stay close to 2500 as possible. I have 3.42 gears. Not 4.10.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


I was asking Qbuff02 about his 454 with 4.10 gears. Because my 454 with 3.73 gears revs too high on the highway.
 

QBuff02

I like Big Blocks and I cannot lie
Joined
Feb 28, 2017
Posts
867
Reaction score
1,598
Location
Central IL
First Name
Quincy
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
454
I'm interested in your RPMs at 55 with 4.10 gears. What tires you got? Od transmission?

Reason I ask is I just put 3.73 gears in my truck with th350 and 275/60/15 tires and a 454. 55 mph =2700rpm. It barks the tires when shifting now and burnouts are easily available but, I can't drive it on the highway at 55 for very long. Lol

2,800 rpm @ 60 mph. the speedo is a couple mph off, at least going by those construction zone digital speed limit signs and the ones coming into town, they consistently say 60 at 2,800 on the tach but the speedo is always reading 56-57 mph at the same time. 33" BFG's. TH400 trans.
 

QBuff02

I like Big Blocks and I cannot lie
Joined
Feb 28, 2017
Posts
867
Reaction score
1,598
Location
Central IL
First Name
Quincy
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
454
Don't know how accurate this is but, got this with your numbers @QBuff02 .


https://spicerparts.com/calculators/engine-rpm-calculator

You must be registered for see images attach


Real time driving would tell the truth tho.

But alas, remember that unless you have a lock up converter, 100% coupling isn't attainable through a standard torque converter. Most info I've seen is for a GOOD torque converter to slip somewhere in the 3-5% range above stall speed. And then we get into the question of is the tire truly 33" or is it closer to 32". I did some calculating awhile back and I was basically splitting hairs on whether it was the tires, the converter, maybe the tach was off by just a touch or some combination of all the above because my rpm was always higher than all the calculators. But when you adjust for and add in the slippage factor for a non lock up converter, it's all pretty spot on. I agree with you that real world tells all tales. And I think there's little differences in every driveline. I have a TCI converter and AutoMeter tach so I feel i'm about as good as it gets. Food for conversation?
 

rich weyand

Full Access Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Posts
967
Reaction score
177
Location
Bloomington Indiana
First Name
Rich
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
You drive torque, you race horsepower. Performance in the 1000-3000 rpm range is what makes a street car fun.

I went the other way, and cammed for torque. With a marine cam and smogger heads, I got 285hp @4000, but 420lb-feet at 2500 rpm.

An idle lope means the engine is on the edge of not running at low rpm. What do you think that does off the line? Nothing, that's what.

With duals, a balance pipe, and Flowmaster 40s, mine sounded OK.
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 

cstew47

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2015
Posts
181
Reaction score
121
Location
colombia
First Name
craig
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
383
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
This guy is really good at explaining cam selection. I suggest to watch it. My initial impression is that the cams that you listed are more suited to high performance cars. As truck owners, we are typically more concerned about generating torque at low rpms. I have a comp cam hydro flat tappet with a 218/224, .462 lift, 110LSA. It provides good torque from my 383 with a 600cfm carb. high durations, lifts and LSA's are for high rev HP.
 

jasonconaway

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2014
Posts
15
Reaction score
4
Location
NC
First Name
Jason
Truck Year
84
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
305
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
This guy is really good at explaining cam selection. I suggest to watch it. My initial impression is that the cams that you listed are more suited to high performance cars. As truck owners, we are typically more concerned about generating torque at low rpms. I have a comp cam hydro flat tappet with a 218/224, .462 lift, 110LSA. It provides good torque from my 383 with a 600cfm carb. high durations, lifts and LSA's are for high rev HP.
Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

jasonconaway

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2014
Posts
15
Reaction score
4
Location
NC
First Name
Jason
Truck Year
84
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
305
You drive torque, you race horsepower. Performance in the 1000-3000 rpm range is what makes a street car fun.

I went the other way, and cammed for torque. With a marine cam and smogger heads, I got 285hp @4000, but 420lb-feet at 2500 rpm.

An idle lope means the engine is on the edge of not running at low rpm. What do you think that does off the line? Nothing, that's what.

With duals, a balance pipe, and Flowmaster 40s, mine sounded OK.
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Sounds sweet!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

MikeB

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Posts
1,782
Reaction score
1,020
Location
North Texas
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1969
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
A cruiser with a 3.42 axle, tall tires (28-29"?) and and an OD trans with lock-up converter would like something around 215-220 degrees @ .050 lift, and a 112-114 LSA. You don't want to be running down the highway at 2000 RPM or less with a cam like the ones recommended above.

With 10:1 static compression, you'll probably need to run premium gas, even with aluminum heads. I think one step smaller (less duration) with a wider LSA than the recommended Howards cam would work. Like this one:

https://www.howardscams.com/hydraul...kit-1955-1998-chevy-262-400-1200-5500-howards

Harvey Crane once said something like this: "Do your research, select a cam, and then buy the next smaller one." He's also famous for saying something like, "My customers always seem to want a bigger cam than their engines do!"
 

MikeB

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Posts
1,782
Reaction score
1,020
Location
North Texas
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1969
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
As truck owners, we are typically more concerned about generating torque at low rpms. I have a comp cam hydro flat tappet with a 218/224, .462 lift, 110LSA. It provides good torque from my 383 with a 600cfm carb. high durations, lifts and LSA's are for high rev HP.
Sounds like a good combo. I'd bet you've had at least a few guys ask why you're not running a 750!
 

potent rodent

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2020
Posts
195
Reaction score
112
Location
indiana
First Name
butch
Truck Year
86 and 78
Truck Model
1500
Engine Size
350 and 305
a street eng dont need a lot of over lap, like stated before it will kill bottom end torque, a 110 lobe center is 2 much for a mild street eng. everybody wants that mean lopy idle but when it comes down to it it kills performance on the street. but its your eng u do what u want we all have to learnfrom our mistakes good luck
 

illmanners

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2016
Posts
29
Reaction score
26
Location
Idaho
First Name
Phil
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
C-10
Engine Size
350
I've installed about a dozen of these in engine build-ups almost identical to yours and never had a complaint. Has the idle you are looking for, but more importantly, is a great performer with 650 CFM carb, ignition and headers.
Summit Racing® Camshafts

Camshaft, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 274/274, Lift .450/.450, Chevy, Small Block. see link for specs and detail. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-1785

Hope that helps,

illmanners
 

jasonconaway

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2014
Posts
15
Reaction score
4
Location
NC
First Name
Jason
Truck Year
84
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
305
I've installed about a dozen of these in engine build-ups almost identical to yours and never had a complaint. Has the idle you are looking for, but more importantly, is a great performer with 650 CFM carb, ignition and headers.
Summit Racing[emoji2400] Camshafts

Camshaft, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 274/274, Lift .450/.450, Chevy, Small Block. see link for specs and detail. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-1785

Hope that helps,

illmanners
Thanks! I’ll check it out!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,443
Posts
958,107
Members
36,817
Latest member
leo_da9
Top